Cisco Catalyst Center (DNAC) Foundations Lab
Learn to onboard, automate, and operate a network using Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center) — from device and site onboarding to configuration automation, software image management, templates, SD-Access foundations, high availability, and day-to-day switch monitoring.
The launch will be soonCourse Highlights
Device & Site Onboarding
Add sites and network devices, configure discovery with SNMP/SSH, review discovery results, resolve compliance issues, and provision devices to sites.
Configuration Automation
Automate AAA, DHCP, DNS, NTP, and other network settings, provision devices and wireless LAN controllers, and monitor provisioning activities.
Software Image Management
Import device software images, designate golden images, and perform controlled software upgrades through the Catalyst Center SWIM workflow.
Templates & Network Profiles
Build reusable automation templates, configure network profiles, provision devices with templates, and troubleshoot provisioning failures.
SD-Access Foundations
Deploy an SD-Access fabric, define Border, Control Plane, and Edge roles, configure policy-based segmentation, and review Assurance health.
Operations & Port Management
Monitor switches through CLI and Device 360 / Assurance, troubleshoot over CLI, manage access ports and VLANs, and review industrial Ethernet access options.
Build Real Catalyst Center Operations Skills
This hands-on lab is designed for network engineers and CCNP/CCIE Enterprise candidates who need practical Catalyst Center experience beyond slides and simulators.
Start from a Catalyst Center environment and work through the core workflows used to onboard, automate, provision, upgrade, monitor, and troubleshoot enterprise network infrastructure.
- Operate from the platform: Work through device onboarding, discovery, provisioning, activities, and day-to-day assurance workflows.
- Automate network changes: Use templates, network profiles, software image management, and policy-driven provisioning.
- Build SD-Access foundations: Deploy the fabric, define node roles, apply segmentation policies, and review health and insights.
Technologies Covered
- ✓ Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center)
- ✓ Device Discovery with SNMP / SSH
- ✓ Site Hierarchy and Device Provisioning
- ✓ Network Settings: AAA, DHCP, DNS, NTP
- ✓ Wireless LAN Controller Provisioning
- ✓ Software Image Management (SWIM)
- ✓ Automation Templates and Network Profiles
- ✓ SD-Access Fabric Foundations
- ✓ Policy-Based Segmentation
- ✓ Assurance, Device 360 and Insights
- ✓ High Availability and Scalability Concepts
- ✓ Switch CLI, Access Ports and VLAN Management
Modules & Topics
- Add devices to Catalyst Center
- Add sites to Catalyst Center
- Configure device discovery using SNMP and SSH
- Review discovery results and resolve compliance issues
- Provision devices to sites
- Configure network settings including AAA, DHCP, DNS, and NTP
- Provision a network device
- Provision a Wireless LAN Controller — initial setup
- Provision a Wireless LAN Controller — advanced settings
- Review activities and the task monitoring log
- Import a device software image
- Tag an image as golden
- Upgrade network devices
- Build network device automation templates (Part 1)
- Build network device automation templates (Part 2)
- Configure network profiles
- Provision a device using templates
- Troubleshoot provisioning errors
- Deploy an SD-Access fabric with Catalyst Center
- Define fabric node roles: Border, Control Plane, and Edge
- Configure policy-based segmentation using group-based, IP-based, and application policy
- Review Assurance health scores and top issues
- Review insights and automated sensor results
- Explore Catalyst Center clustering options
- Review link redundancy and disaster recovery design
- Basic switch status monitoring via CLI
- Basic switch status monitoring via Catalyst Center Device 360 / Assurance
- Basic switch troubleshooting over CLI
- Enable / disable an access switch port via CLI / SSH
- Enable / disable an access switch port via Catalyst Center
- Configure, reconfigure, and remove a VLAN on an access port via CLI / SSH
- Review network hardware access options and the conceptual overview of industrial Ethernet hardware
Start Your Lab Experience
Lab Hours Booking
Reserve access to a dedicated, pre-wired Catalyst Center lab environment and use your purchased lab hours whenever it suits you.
- Direct access via browser and internet connection
- Dedicated Catalyst Center environment and network devices
- Hands-on access to onboarding, automation, SWIM, templates, Assurance, and SD-Access workflows
- Zero physical hardware required on your side
- Schedule your lab session for any available date and time