Course Overview

Overview:

This lab extends and modernizes an existing multi-site network infrastructure, initially set up at Multi-Site Network Configuration and Management Lab. The aim is to integrate DevOps practices to streamline automation, configuration management, and dynamic monitoring. This involves enhancing the existing network setup with automated deployment, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) workflows, and containerized monitoring solutions.

Objective:

To modernize the existing network infrastructure by embedding DevOps methodologies, thereby automating network configurations, updates, and monitoring processes. This ensures a scalable, efficient, and continuously enhanced network environment.

Background:

Building on the existing network that includes headquarters and multiple branch offices, this lab introduces tools and methodologies to automate network operations and monitoring, transitioning towards an agile, DevOps-centric approach to network management.

DevOps Enhancements:

• Containerization: Utilize Docker containers to deploy network monitoring and management tools.
• Continuous Integration and Deployment: Employ Jenkins for CI/CD pipelines to manage network configurations and updates seamlessly.
• Monitoring and Logging: Implement the Elastic Stack within Docker containers for extensive logging and monitoring capabilities.

Prerequisites:

Fundamental Knowledge:

• Basic understanding of network architectures and common networking protocols (TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, etc.).
• Intermediate to advanced network administration and troubleshooting skills.
• Familiarity with the Linux/Unix command line and scripting.
• Basic knowledge of YAML and JSON formats.

Technical Skills:

• Experience in network configuration management.
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines and their components.
• Previous experience with Ansible for network automation.
• Basic understanding of containerization technologies like Docker.

Software Requirements:

• Ansible for automation tasks.
• Docker for running containerized applications.
• Jenkins or another CI/CD tool for automating the deployment processes.
• Monitoring tools such as Prometheus and Grafana.
• Version control systems such as Git for source code management.

Hardware Requirements:

• A computer with at least 8GB RAM and a quad-core processor (to support virtual machines if needed).
• Adequate disk space for installing multiple tools and virtual machines—approximately 100GB recommended.
• Network access to manage simulated or actual network devices.

Lab Environment Setup:

Network Simulation Tools:

• Configurable virtual or physical network devices (routers, switches) for the exercises.
• Use network simulation tools such as GNS3 or Cisco Packet Tracer for virtual setups.

Development and Testing Environment:

• Install VirtualBox or VMware to create and manage virtual machines.
• Set up virtual machines with networking capabilities to host tools like Jenkins, Ansible AWX, and monitoring stacks.

Monitoring and Security Tools:

• Install Prometheus and Grafana on separate VMs or containers for monitoring.
• Set up the Elastic Stack for log management and analysis.

Automation and CI/CD Tools:

• Install Ansible on a VM or container to manage and automate network device configurations.
• Set up Jenkins or GitLab CI for automating the deployment and testing pipeline.
• Configure secure access and role-based controls for all deployment and management interfaces.

Testing and Rollback:

• Prepare scripts and Ansible playbooks for deploying configurations, monitoring performance, and executing security checks.
• Implement procedures for quick rollback of deployed configurations in case of failures.

Documentation and Access:

• Provide detailed documentation on the setup and configuration of each lab component.
• Ensure access credentials and permissions are properly configured for all participants, guaranteeing secure and isolated access to lab resources.

This setup will offer a comprehensive environment for participants to learn and implement advanced network automation, monitoring, and DevOps practices, simulating a real-world network modernization scenario in a controlled lab setting.