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Introduction
Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) is a leading software-defined networking (SDN) solution designed to automate and streamline data center operations. By shifting from hardware-centric configurations to policy-based application management, ACI enhances scalability, security, and operational efficiency. This guide explores its core components, key commands, and best practices for implementation.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the architecture and key components of Cisco ACI.
- Learn essential APIC CLI commands for policy enforcement.
- Configure and manage Endpoint Groups (EPGs) for secure segmentation.
- Automate network provisioning using ACI’s policy-driven model.
- Troubleshoot common ACI deployment issues.
1. APIC Controller: Core CLI Commands
Verified Command:
moquery -c fvTenant -f 'fv.Tenant.name=="Example_Tenant"'
Step-by-Step Guide:
This command queries the Managed Object (MO) database to retrieve details about a specific tenant in ACI.
1. Log in to the APIC CLI via SSH.
2. Enter the command to fetch tenant configurations.
3. Replace `Example_Tenant` with your tenant name.
- Use output to verify policies, EPGs, and contracts.
2. Configuring Endpoint Groups (EPGs)
Verified Command:
aci-rest-client -u admin -p password -t https://APIC_IP/api/mo/uni/tn-Tenant_A.json -d '{"fvAEPg":{"attributes":{"name":"Web_EPG"}}}'
Step-by-Step Guide:
EPGs group endpoints (servers, VMs) with similar security policies.
1. Authenticate to APIC via REST API.
- Send a POST request to create an EPG under a tenant (
Tenant_A). - Define EPG name (
Web_EPG) and associate it with a Bridge Domain (BD).
4. Apply contracts to allow/deny traffic between EPGs.
3. Spine-Leaf Traffic Forwarding
Verified Command:
show fabric forwarding
Step-by-Step Guide:
This command checks traffic flow between spine and leaf switches.
1. Access APIC or leaf switch CLI.
2. Verify forwarding paths for VXLAN-encapsulated packets.
3. Identify misconfigured policies if traffic drops occur.
4. Enforcing Security Policies with Contracts
Verified Command:
aci-rest-client -u admin -p password -t https://APIC_IP/api/mo/uni/tn-Tenant_A/brc-Deny_HTTP.json -d '{"vzFilter":{"attributes":{"name":"block_http"},"children":[{"vzEntry":{"attributes":{"name":"http","etherT":"ip","prot":"tcp","dFromPort":"80","dToPort":"80"}}}]}}'
Step-by-Step Guide:
Contracts define allowed communications between EPGs.
- Create a filter (
block_http) to deny HTTP traffic.
2. Apply the filter to a contract (`Deny_HTTP`).
- Bind the contract between EPGs (e.g., `Web_EPG` and
DB_EPG).
5. Troubleshooting ACI Fabric
Verified Command:
acidiag fnvread
Step-by-Step Guide:
Diagnose fabric connectivity issues:
1. Run `acidiag fnvread` to check node reachability.
2. Verify spine-leaf underlay (IS-IS/BGP) adjacency.
3. Use `acidiag health` for system health status.
What Undercode Say
- Key Takeaway 1: ACI’s policy-based automation reduces manual errors and accelerates deployments.
- Key Takeaway 2: Microsegmentation via EPGs enhances zero-trust security.
- Analysis: As hybrid cloud adoption grows, ACI’s integration with Kubernetes and multi-site fabrics will dominate next-gen data centers. Expect increased AI-driven policy optimization in future ACI releases.
Prediction
By 2026, 70% of enterprises will adopt ACI or similar SDN solutions for cloud-native networking, driven by demand for automated, secure, and scalable infrastructure. AI-powered anomaly detection in ACI will further reduce operational overhead.
This guide equips network engineers with actionable ACI commands and strategies for modern data center management. For deeper learning, explore Cisco’s official ACI training courses and sandbox labs.
IT/Security Reporter URL:
Reported By: Ahmed Bawkar – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
