What is Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure)?

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Cisco ACI is Cisco’s software-defined networking (SDN) solution for data center networks. It provides a centralized, policy-based framework to automate, manage, and secure data center infrastructure in a more agile and scalable way.

Main Purpose of Cisco ACI:

To enable network administrators to define application needs and policies, and automatically configure the network to meet those requirements without manually adjusting every device.

Key Components of Cisco ACI:

  1. APIC (Application Policy Infrastructure Controller) – The centralized controller that manages policies and devices.
  2. Leaf Switches – Access switches that connect servers and endpoints.
  3. Spine Switches – Core switches that connect all leaf switches together.
  4. Endpoint Groups (EPGs) – Logical groups of endpoints that share common policies.

How Cisco ACI Works:

  1. Define policies in the APIC based on application needs (e.g., security, QoS, routing).
  2. APIC pushes the configuration to the leaf switches.
  3. Leaf switches enforce the policy and communicate with the spine.

You Should Know:

1. Basic Cisco ACI Commands (APIC CLI)

  • Login to APIC:
    ssh admin@<APIC_IP>
  • Check ACI Fabric Health:
    acidiag fnvread
  • List Tenants:
    show tenant
  • Verify Leaf-Spine Connectivity:
    show fabric connectivity

2. Automating Cisco ACI with Python

Use the Cobra SDK or REST API to automate ACI policies:

import requests

url = "https://<APIC_IP>/api/node/mo/uni/tn-Example.json"
payload = {
"fvTenant": {
"attributes": {
"name": "Example",
"descr": "Created via Python"
}
}
}
headers = {"Cookie": "APIC-cookie=<YOUR_TOKEN>"}
response = requests.post(url, json=payload, headers=headers, verify=False)
print(response.text)

3. Troubleshooting Cisco ACI

  • Check Faults in ACI:
    acidiag faultlog
  • Verify EPG-to-VLAN Mapping:
    show vlan brief
  • Capture Traffic Between Leaf and Spine:
    vsh -c "ethanalyzer local interface inband mirror"

4. Security Hardening in ACI

  • Enable Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
    configure terminal
aci role add name NetAdmin read-policy tenant-networks
  • Enable ACI Contracts for Microsegmentation:
    configure terminal
aci contract add name Web-DB allow tcp port 3306

5. Backup & Restore ACI Configuration

  • Export ACI Config:
    aci config export snapshot location http://<BACKUP_SERVER>/backup
  • Restore ACI Config:
    aci config import snapshot location http://<BACKUP_SERVER>/backup

What Undercode Say:

Cisco ACI revolutionizes data center networking by integrating automation, policy-based management, and security. Mastering ACI requires understanding its architecture, CLI commands, and API automation. The future of SDN lies in AI-driven policy optimization, where ACI will dynamically adjust based on real-time application demands.

Expected Output:

  • A fully automated, policy-driven data center.
  • Reduced manual configuration errors.
  • Enhanced security through microsegmentation.

Prediction:

Cisco ACI will evolve with deeper AI/ML integration, enabling self-healing networks that predict traffic patterns and auto-adjust policies. Zero-trust security will become a default feature in future ACI releases.

(No irrelevant URLs or comments included.)

References:

Reported By: Ahmed Bawkar – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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