Deploying ACI: The complete guide to planning, configuring, and managing Application Centric Infrastructure

Use ACI fabrics to drive unprecedented value from your data center environmentWith the Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) software-defined networking platform, you can achieve dramatic improvements in data center performance, redundancy, security, visibility, efficiency, and agility. In Deploying ACI, three leading Cisco experts introduce this breakthrough platform, and walk network professionals through all facets of design, deployment, and operation. The authors demonstrate how ACI changes data center networking, security, and management; and offer multiple field-proven configurations.Deploying ACI is organized to follow the key decision points associated with implementing data center network fabrics. After a practical introduction to ACI concepts and design, the authors show how to bring your fabric online, integrate virtualization and external connections, and efficiently manage your ACI network.You’ll master new techniques for improving visibility, control, and availability; managing multitenancy; and seamlessly inserting service devices into application data flows. The authors conclude with expert advice for troubleshooting and automation, helping you deliver data center services with unprecedented efficiency.Understand the problems ACI solves,and how it solves themDesign your ACI fabric, build it, and interface with devices to bring it to lifeIntegrate virtualization technologieswith your ACI fabricPerform networking within an ACI fabric (and understand how ACI changes data center networking)Connect external networks and devices at Layer 2/Layer 3 levelsCoherently manage unified ACI networks with tenants and application policiesMigrate to granular policies based on applications and their functionsEstablish multitenancy, and evolve networking, security, and services to support itIntegrate L4–7 services: device types, design scenarios, and implementationUse multisite designs to meet rigorous requirements for redundancy and business continuityTroubleshoot and monitor ACI fabricsImprove operational efficiency through automation and programmability