CISCO

CCNA
TRAINING
A comprehensive course on networking technologies
Prepared By
Habtamu Asayto
PRESENTATION OUTLINES

Controller-based networking (SDN

basics)

REST APIs and HTTP methods

JSON/YAML data formats

Automation
and
programmabili Configuration management tools

ty

Network device programmability

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 CONTROLLER-BASED NETWORKING

 The 2010s have seen the introduction of a new network operational model:

Software Defined Networking (SDN). SDN makes use of a controller that

centralizes some network functions.

 The controller also creates many new capabilities to operate networks

differently
(automatically configure and operate networks through API)

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 CONTROLLER-BASED NETWORKING

 Controller-based networking, also known as Software-Defined Networking

(SDN), is a modern approach to designing, building, and managing

networks that separates the control plane (decision-making) from the data
plane (traffic forwarding). This separation provides centralized control and
automation, which enhances network agility, flexibility, and
programmability.

Control Plane vs Data Plane

 Control Plane: Decides where traffic should be sent. Traditionally embedded

in each network device (e.g., routers/switches).

 Data Plane: Forwards traffic based on decisions made by the control plane.

 SDN separates these planes, centralizing the control logic in a controller.06/09/2025

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AUTOMATION AND PROGRAMMABILITY
Comparing traditional vs. controller-based networking

Data Plane/Forwarding Control Plane Management Plane

plane
 any action that controls  Oversees device

 This plane handles the data plane. configuration,

 Manages routing and monitoring, and
packet forwarding with
signaling functions in network management
high speed and
the network. tasks.
efficiency.
 Responsible for building  Provides the interface
 It processes and routes
and updating routing for administrators to
incoming traffic using
tables for traffic control network
forwarding tables.
decisions. behavior.
 IP routing table, ARP, 06/09/2025
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switch MAC address table
AUTOMATION AND PROGRAMMABILITY

 Control Plane: Learns, calculates paths and build the routing table and

decisions (via OSPF).

 Data Plane: Forwards packets based on control plane decisions.

Note: data plane must rely on the control plane to provide useful
information.

Management Plane: Manage devices through ssh/Telnet, SNMP, Syslog 06/09/2025

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 CONTROLLER-BASED NETWORKING
SDN Controller

 A centralized software application that manages flow control to network devices.

 Acts as the brain of the SDN network.

 Examples: OpenDaylight, ONOS, Cisco APIC.

 Communicates with the infrastructure using southbound APIs (e.g., OpenFlow) and

with apps using northbound APIs.

How SDN Works (Simplified Flow)

 Network devices (switches/routers) send event info to the controller (e.g., new

connection).

 The controller makes a decision (e.g., allow or deny, choose a path).

 The controller programs the device using a protocol like OpenFlow.

 The device forwards traffic based on controller rules. 06/09/2025

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 CONTROLLER-BASED NETWORKING
Benefits of Controller-Based Networking
 Centralized controller - Simplified network management and policy
enforcement
 Programmability - Enables automation and custom applications
 Flexibility - Dynamic traffic management, better resource use
 Agility - Quick deployment of new services
 Visibility - Real-time network monitoring and analytics

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 CONTROLLER-BASED NETWORKING
 Southbound and Northbound Interfaces in SDN

Southbound Interface Northbound Interface

Connects the SDN controller to Connects the SDN controller to
network devices. applications and higher-level
 Manages device configuration services.
and data forwarding  Allows applications to
 Uses protocols like OpenFlow communicate network
and NETCONF requirements
• Enables control over switches • Facilitates automation and
and routers dynamic policy enforcement
• Supports REST APIs for
programmability
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 CONTROLLER-BASED NETWORKING
 Comparing Traditional vs. Controller-Based Networks

Traditional Networks Controller-Based Networks

 Distributed control with local  Centralized control plane via SDN
decision making controller
 Manual configuration on each  Automated, policy-driven
device configuration
 Slower adaptation to changes  Faster network adaptation and
 Complex troubleshooting and flexibility
management  Simplified management and
troubleshooting

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 CONTROLLER-BASED NETWORKING
Q&A

1. A Layer 2 switch examines a frame’s destination MAC address and chooses to forward that frame out port G0/1 only. That

action occurs as part of which

plane of the switch?

a. Data plane(receiving messages, matching them based on header fields, taking actions (like making a forwarding decision),

and forwarding the message still happens on the network elements (switches) and not on the controller)

b. Management plane

c. Control plane

d. Table plane

2. A router uses OSPF to learn routes and adds those to the IPv4 routing table. That action occurs as part of which plane of the

switch?

a. Data plane

b. Management plane

c. Control plane 06/09/2025

1
CISCO SOFTWAREDEFINED ACCESS (SDA)
SDA FABRIC, UNDERLAY, AND OVERLAY

 Cisco Software-Defined Access (SDA) creates an entirely new way to build

campus LANs. It uses the software-defined architectural model with

controller and API
SDA Fabric Underlay Network Overlay Network
 The combination of  The network of devices  Virtualized network built
overlay and underlay and connections (cables on top of underlay
An intelligent network and wireless) to provide IP  The mechanisms to create
fabric that automates connectivity to all nodes in VXLAN tunnels between
policy, segmentation, and the fabric SDA switches , which are
connectivity.  Physical infrastructure then used to transport
providing IP connectivity traffic from one fabric
to all network devices in endpoint to another over
the fabric. the fabric
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CISCO SOFTWARE DEFINED ACCESS (SDA)

New 06/09/2025
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CISCO SOFTWAREDEFINED ACCESS (SDA)
DNA Center and SDA Operation
 DNA Center is Cisco's network management and automation platform for SDA.
 It simplifies network design, policy enforcement, and assurance.

Centralized Automation Assurance

Management  Automates provisioning, Continuously monitors
 DNA Center provides segmentation, and network health and
a single pane of glass device onboarding to performance for proactive
to manage SDA reduce errors. troubleshooting.
fabrics.

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REST APIS AND HTTP METHODS
REST (Representational State Transfer)

 is an architectural style for designing web services that interact over HTTP. A

REST API allows different systems to communicate via standard HTTP methods.

REST Principles

 Stateless: Each request from a client contains all the information needed.

 Client-Server Architecture: Separates the front-end and back-end.

 Uniform Interface: Standard set of rules for resource access (URLs, methods).

 Resource-Based: Everything is treated as a resource (e.g., users, files).

 Uses HTTP: Communicates over HTTP using methods like GET, POST, PUT,

DELETE.

Note: Resources are identified by URLs (Uniform Resource Locators). 06/09/2025

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REST APIS AND HTTP METHODS
Common HTTP Methods in REST

1. GET : Retrieves data from the server (e.g., a user or a list of users) - Read.

Example - GET /products/101

2. POST : Sends data to the server to create a new resource - Create.

POST /products

Content-Type: application/json

"name": "New Product",

"price": 29.99

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REST APIS AND HTTP METHODS
Common HTTP Methods in REST

3. PUT : Updates an existing resource or creates it if it doesn't exist -

Update/Replace.
PUT /products/101

Content-Type: application/json

"name": "Updated Product",

"price": 24.99

4. DELETE : Removes the specified resource from the server.

DELETE /products/101
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REST APIS AND HTTP METHODS
Common HTTP Methods in REST

5. PATCH : Updates part of a resource (not the whole object) - Partial Update.
PATCH /products/101

Content-Type: application/json

"price": 19.99

Only updates the price of product 101.

Generally Software-Defined Networking (SDN) or controller-based

environments, REST APIs are often used to Query device status, Push flow entries
or configuration and Retrieve logs or metrics. Eg . Cisco DNA Center,
OpenDaylight, 06/09/2025
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JSON/YAML DATA FORMATS
JSON Syntax

 Based on key–value pairs.

 Uses curly braces {} for objects and square brackets [] for arrays.

 All strings must be in double quotes " ".

Example

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JSON/YAML DATA FORMATS
YAML Syntax

 Uses indentation (spaces) instead of brackets/braces.

 No quotes needed (but allowed).

 Uses hyphens - for lists.

 Easier to read and write by humans.

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 CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Configuration management tools

 Automating the setup, configuration, and maintenance of systems

(like servers, routers, switches, etc.) to ensure they remain consistent and
repeatable across environments.

Ansible Puppet
 Agentless automation with simple YAML  Uses an agent-master architecture to
scripts for configuration and enforce stateful configuration
orchestration. management.

Chef
 Follows a code-driven approach for
automating infrastructure with Ruby-based
recipes. 06/09/2025
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 CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Configuration management tools

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