/mcpCisco intent based networking and Digital Network Architecture (Cisco DNA)
The last few years has seen a rapid transformation and adoption of digital technologies. This puts pressure
on the on the network teams supporting this changing infrastructure - especially when provisioning,
managing, monitoring and troubleshooting these diverse devices. Additionally, innovations such as Cisco
Catalyst SD-WAN, Network Function Virtualization (NFV), Open APIs and Cloud Management show great
promise in transforming IT networks. This transformation raises further questions and challenges for the IT
teams.
The Cisco Digital Network Architecture (Cisco DNA) is an open, extensible, software-driven architecture
that provides for faster innovation, helping to generate deeper insights, and deliver exceptional
experiences across many different applications. Cisco DNA relies on intent-based networking, a
revolutionary approach in networking that helps organizations automate, simplify, and secure the network.
The intent-based Cisco DNA network is:
●
Informed by Context: Interprets every byte of data that flows across it, resulting in better security,
more customized experiences, and faster operations.
●
Powered by Intent: Translates your intent into the right network configuration, making it possible to
manage and provision multiple devices and things in minutes.
●
Driven by Intuition: Continually learns from the massive amounts of data flowing through it and
turns that data into actionable insight. Helps you solve issues before they become problems and
learn from every incident.
Cisco Catalyst Center provides a centralized management dashboard across your entire network — the
branch, campus, data center, and cloud. Rather than relying on box-by-box management, you can design,
provision, and set policy end-to-end from the single Cisco Catalyst Center interface. This allows you to
respond to organizational needs faster and to simplify day-to-day operations. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN
Analytics, Assurance and Cisco Network Data Platform (NDP) help you get the most from your network by
continuously collecting and putting insights into action. Cisco DNA is open, extensible, and programmable
at every layer. It integrates Cisco and third-party technology, open APIs, and a developer platform, to
support a rich ecosystem of network-enabled applications.
Table 1 breaks out many of the features and benefits of the Cisco 4000 Family that create a Catalyst SD-
WAN and a converged branch infrastructure.
Table 1.
Cisco 4000 Family ISR general feature highlights
Business Requirement(s)
Feature/Solution
Performance
● Throughput
● Service reliability
● Concurrent software services at speeds up to 10 Gbps (ISR4461). Backplane
architecture supports high-bandwidth module-to-module communication at
speeds up to 10 Gbps.
● A distributed multicore architecture with the industry’s first internal services
plane.
● Remote installation of application-aware services, which run identically to their
counterparts in dedicated appliances.
Lower WAN expenditures
● Embedded Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN solution for creating lower-cost,
business-class Internet connections.