Cisco Active Network Abstraction Customization User Guide, 3.6.6
ANA Macro Language

Table Of Contents

Cisco ANA Macro Language

What Are Cisco ANA Macro Language Scripts?

Properties Available from the IMO Context

Specifying and Using Parameters

User-Defined Parameters

Multiple Formats for IP Subnet Parameters

Built-In Parameters

Supported Pragmas

Success

Description

Syntax

Directives

Examples

Fail

Description

Syntax

Directives

Example

Prompt

Description

Syntax

Directives

Example

Full Prompt

Description

Syntax

Directives

Example

Rollback

Description

Directives

Activity

Description

Syntax

Directives

Example

Enum

Description

Directives

Example

Example

Command Script

Rollback Script

Running the Script


Cisco ANA Macro Language


This chapter describes the Cisco ANA Macro Language and its syntax, how to use parameters and pragmas, and a detailed example for writing Cisco ANA Macro Language scripts. This chapter is intended for use by programmers who want to write command scripts that are executed within the Cisco ANA activation framework.

This chapter includes:

What Are Cisco ANA Macro Language Scripts?

Properties Available from the IMO Context

Specifying and Using Parameters

Supported Pragmas

Example

What Are Cisco ANA Macro Language Scripts?

A Cisco ANA Macro Language script is a simple sequence of Telnet commands, runtime-replaced input arguments, and inline execution directives that are executed sequentially as Telnet configuration commands on a networking device. Cisco ANA Macro Language script lines are evaluated in runtime for argument replacements that result in the generation of a Telnet device configuration command that can be sent to the device. Each command line is validated according to the inline directives that can abort and roll back the script or continue executing the next script line. Cisco ANA Macro Language scripts can be created using Command Builder or can be provided externally using the Cisco ANA BQL API.

A Cisco ANA Macro Language script is usually made of a command script and a rollback script. You can specify that if a command script fails, a rollback script is called.

When defining Cisco ANA Macro Language scripts, you can:

Import or paste scripts from external sources.

Define inline directives (pragmas) for validating the network element's reply.

Define a rollback script for undoing failed commands.

Properties Available from the IMO Context

The script IMO context makes the Cisco ANA Information Model Objects available to the script as built-in arguments. A script IMO context can be any object that can be represented by a Cisco ANA IMO, ranging from a managed element to a port connector to a routing entry.

Example IMO contexts can include:

Managed device

IMO name—IManagedElement

Example properties—CommunicationStateEnum, DeviceName, ElementType

Port

IMO name—IPortConnector

Example properties—portalias, location, ifindex

For more information about Cisco ANA Macro Language Built-in parameters, see Built-In Parameters.

Specifying and Using Parameters

Cisco ANA Macro Language supports two types of script parameters: User-defined and built-in; both are replaced at runtime. In the Command Builder GUI, all parameters (both built-in and user-defined) are available during command editing via a selection list.


Note To view all user-defined and built-in parameters in the Command Builder application, press Ctrl-Spacebar to open the selection list of available arguments (containing both the user-defined input argument and the built-in properties of the IMO context).


Cisco ANA Macro Language represents both types of parameters in script lines within dollar signs; for example, $...$. For instance, in a VRF configuration command, the input variable vrfName can be defined as ip vrf $vrfName$.


NoteTimeouts for pragmas and scripts are supported using BQL. This adds a timeout type integer defined in milliseconds. We recommend that if you change the timeout for the pragma, you also change the timeout for the script.

An example of a timeout for a pragma is route-target both $rt$ [timeout=2000].

An example of a timeout for a script is <Timeout type="Integer">5000</Timeout>.


User-Defined Parameters

User-defined input parameters must be defined up front. A parameter specification includes parameter name, type, and even an optional default value. User-defined parameters can be defined using Command Builder or through the Cisco ANA API.

Table 17-1 provides a complete list of user-defined parameter properties.

Table 17-1 Available User-Defined Parameters 

Property
Explanation

Name

Parameter name. Can contain only letters, digits, hyphen (-), and underscore (_), and must be unique.

Caption

Parameter display name. Visible in the Command Builder script execution window.

Type

String, Integer, IPSubnet, Combo, IP, Float, Long.

Width

Field width, in characters. Relevant for the Command Builder script execution window.

Visible

Indicates whether or not the parameter appears in the window. Relevant for the Command Builder script execution window.

Default

A default value for the parameter.

Note This property is only available through the Command Builder GUI.



Note Some parameter properties are relevant only for the script data entry window in Command Builder.


During runtime, the script is executed via a BQL command. As with all BQL commands, if the argument types do not match, an exception is returned to the user.

User-defined parameters values can be provided in the following ways:

Using flow-through activation—The input parameters are provided as part of the API before they are sent to the VNE.

Run from Cisco ANA NetworkVision as a GUI-based command—You provide the input parameters before they are sent to the VNE; for example, by entering a value or choosing one from a drop-down list.

Multiple Formats for IP Subnet Parameters

Cisco ANA Macro Language scripts support multiple formats for IP subnet parameters, as described in Table 17-2, using the example 198.168.2.10 255.255.255.0.

Table 17-2 Formats for IP Subnet Parameters 

#
Format
Description
Output

1

maskbits

The IP of the subnet converted to an integer value. Bits only.

30

2

ip

Only the IP without the mask.

198.168.2.10

3

mask

The IP of the subnet mask without the IP address.

255.255.255.0

4

networkmask

The mask address converted to the network.

0.0.0.255

5

ipmaskbits

The IP and the value of the mask bits.

IP/30

6

ipmask

The IP mask. This is the default.

198.168.2.10 255.255.255.0

7

ipmasknot

The IP and the network address.

198.168.2.10 + 0.0.0.255


For example, routeadd$SB:IP$mask$SB:mask$ extracts the IP and then the subnet.

Built-In Parameters

Built-in parameters are the built-in properties available in IMO arguments of the IMO context (such as portalias or status), which are automatically set to their runtime value during execution. The built-in properties include IMO attributes, OID attributes, and instrumentation data.

For a complete list of the available built-in parameters related to the IMO context, see the Cisco Active Network Abstraction 3.6.6 Technology Support and Information Model Reference Manual.


Note To view all user-defined and built-in parameters in the Command Builder application, press Ctrl-Spacebar to open the selection list of available arguments (containing both the user-defined input argument and the built-in properties of the IMO context).


Supported Pragmas

You can insert inline directives (pragmas) in the script lines for increased granularity control. Pragmas are enclosed within square brackets ([...]). Table 17-3 lists the pragmas that Cisco ANA Macro Language scripts support.

Table 17-3 Supported Pragmas 

Pragma
Short Description
Refer to...

Success

Line-specific success check.

Success

Fail

Line-specific failure check.

Fail

Prompt

Line-specific prompt assertion validation.

Prompt

Full prompt

Full prompt, line-specific prompt assertion validation.

Full Prompt

Rollback

Rollback enable or disable.

Rollback

Activity

Script remarks. These also help determine the failure location.

Activity

Enum

Defining enumerated value substitution.

Enum



Note Wherever the carriage return character is required in the middle of a command line, use the escape sequence &cr.



Note You can use multiple pragmas in a single line; when this occurs, all pragmas are analyzed. If the same type of pragma is repeated, only the last one is used.


Success

Description

A success pragma is validated against the script line reply. The success pragma verifies that a required substring exists in the reply. If the substring is not found, the script fails.

Syntax

[success=<string>]

where <string> represents the expected return value from the device. <string> can be simple text or can contain arguments that are replaced in runtime.

Directives

The pragma succeeds and the script continues only if <string> is found in the device reply.

The pragma fails if <string> does not exist in the reply.

<string> can be a regular expression; it does not necessarily have to be an exact string to match.

Examples

The following example verifies that the specified VRF $newVrf$ does not already exist:

show ip vrf $newVrf$  [success=% No VRF $newVrf$]

Using Trial for newVrf, this pragma succeeds if the device reply contains % No VRF Trial.

Fail

Description

A fail pragma is validated against the script line reply. The fail pragma verifies that a required substring does not exist in the reply.

Syntax

[fail=<string>]

where <string> represents the value that should not be included in the device reply. <string> can be simple text or can contain arguments that are replaced in runtime.

Directives

The script fails if <string> is found in the device reply. The script continues if <string> does not exist in the reply.

<string> can be a regular expression; it does not necessarily have to be an exact string to match.

Example

The following example sets a route distinguisher:

rd $newRD$   [fail=% Cannot set RD $newRD$]

Using 60:60 for newRD, this pragma yields failure only if the device reply contains =% Cannot set RD 60:60.

Prompt

Description

A prompt pragma is validated against the next Telnet command prompt. The prompt pragma verifies that the suffix of the prompt equals the given string. If the suffix differs from the string, the script fails.

Syntax

[prompt=<prompt>]

where <prompt> represents the new expected prompt. <prompt> can be simple text or can contain arguments that are replaced in runtime before being sent to the device.

Directives

The pragma is successful and script execution continues only if <prompt> is found as the suffix of the device prompt. The pragma fails if <prompt> is not found in the suffix of the device prompt.

Example

The following example changes the Telnet prompt and validates the change in the newly returned Telnet prompt:

configure terminal  [prompt=(config)]

This pragma succeeds only if the next device prompt ends with (config)#.

Full Prompt

Description

A full prompt pragma is validated against the next Telnet command prompt. The full prompt pragma verifies that the prompt equals the given string. If the prompt differs from the string, the script fails.

Syntax

[prompt=^<prompt>]

where <prompt> represents the expected full prompt. <prompt> can be simple text or can contain arguments that are replaced in runtime before being sent to the device.

Directives

The pragma is successful and script execution continues only if the next full prompt equals <prompt>. The pragma fails if the next prompt does not equal <prompt>.

Example

The following example changes the Telnet prompt and validates the change in the newly returned Telnet prompt:

configure terminal  [prompt=^router(config)#]

This pragma yields success only if the next device prompt matches router(config)# exactly.

Rollback

Description

A rollback pragma determines that rollback will be executed only upon failures from this point onward.


Note Be sure the rollback script restores the device prompt to its original value before the script was initiated.


Directives

If the script fails after the [rollback] marker, then rollback is executed.


Note If the rollback script fails, no additional actions can be performed.


Activity

Description

An activity pragma sets the text that, if the script fails, appears in the script's result as the name of the activity that failed. The failed activity name (label) appears in the returned result and in the provisioning event that is generated.

Syntax

[activity=<activity>]

where <activity> represents an inline remark comment. <activity> can be simple text or can contain arguments that are replaced in runtime before being sent to the device.

Directives

When a failure occurs later in the script, you are notified of the error by activity name.

Example

[activity=now adding the vrf]

Enum

Description

An enum pragma defines the values that are used when substituting parameter names into a Telnet string.

Directives

The pragma is successful only if you input one of the values in the list. The pragma fails if you do not input one of the values in the list.

Example

The enum pragma appears at the top of the script:

[enum RouteTargetTypeEnum 0=export;1=import]

Later in the script, the parameter RouteTargetTypeEnum is used:

no route-target $RouteTargetTypeEnum$ $RouteTarget$

The value that is substituted into the Telnet command for $RouteTargetTypeEnum$ is export or import instead of 0 or 1.

Example

The following command script and rollback script perform an Add VRF configuration. The scripts use user-defined arguments to represent the VRF name, route target, and route distinguisher; several types of pragmas to validate the device reply; and remarks in the command script, and rollback script.

Command Script

[enum rd 1=60:60;2=80:80]
show ip vrf $vrfName$ [success=% No VRF named $vrfName$]
[activity=prepare for VRF creation]
config terminal [success=Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.] 
[prompt=(config)]
ip vrf $vrfName$ [prompt=(config-vrf)]
[rollback]
[activity=create VRF]
rd $rd$ [fail=% Cannot set RD, check if it's unique]
route-target both $rt$
end

Rollback Script

config terminal
no ip vrf $vrfName$
end

Table 17-4 lists the user-defined argument definitions used in the script.

Table 17-4 User-Defined Argument Definitions 

Name
Type
Default
Explanation
Example

vrfName

String

N/A

The VRF name. The value provided for this argument is used as the VRF table name.

Manhattan

rt

String

N/A

The VRF route target, in the format integer:integer. The value provided for this argument is used as is for the device configuration.

60:60

rd

String

1

In this example, the system administrator would like the route distinguisher to be based on the predefined enumerated values list. Therefore, the route distinguisher is provided in the format of an integer to be used as a lookup table key, and not x:y.

1, 2, or any valid value according to the enum pragma


Table 17-5 provides an explanation of the command script line by line.

Table 17-5 Command Script Explanation 

Script Line
Explanation

[enum rd 1=60:60;2=80:80]

The line enumerates the possible values of the route distinguisher argument.

show ip vrf $vrfName$ [success=% No VRF named $vrfName$]

Verify if the requested VRF already exists. Continue to create the VRF only if the requested VRF name is not found.

[activity=prepare for VRF creation]

Remark to state that the following section is preparation for VRF creation.

config terminal [success=Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.] [prompt=(config)]

Change mode command. Continue to the next command if the success pragma string is found in the device reply and prompt changes to config.

ip vrf $vrfName$ [prompt=(config-vrf)]

Change mode command. Continue to the next command if prompt changes to config-vrf.

[rollback]

Placeholder to state that rollback should be executed only if a subsequent script line fails.

[activity=create VRF]

Remark to state that the following section is actually the VRF creation.

rd $rd$ [fail=% Cannot set RD, check if it's unique]

Set the route distinguisher. If this command fails, the rollback script is called.

route-target both $rt$

Set the route target. If this command fails, the rollback script is called.

end

Change mode command. Return to normal (enable) mode.


Table 17-6 provides an explanation of the activation rollback script line by line.

Table 17-6 Rollback Script Explanation 

Script Line
Explanation

config terminal

Set the device to terminal mode.

no ip vrf $vrfName$

Delete the VRF from the device.

end

Change mode command. Return to normal (enable) mode.


Running the Script

The script is executed with the following input arguments:

vrfName=Trial
rd=2
rt=60:60

The Telnet commands as sent to the device (preview):

show ip vrf Trial            
config terminal                
ip vrf Trial            
rd 80:80         
route-target both 60:60        
end        
  ------Rollback------        
config terminal        
no ip vrf Trial        
end

Full session:

vrfName=Trial
rd=2
rt=60:60

PE-North#show ip vrf Trial          
% No VRF named Trial        
PE-North#config terminal            
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
PE-North(config)#ip vrf Trial          
PE-North(config-vrf)#rd 80:80        
PE-North(config-vrf)#route-target both 60:60        
PE-North(config-vrf)#end

Rerunning the script with the same input values (VRF already exists; the command stops after VRF name verification):

PE-North#show ip vrf Trial          
  Name                             Default RD          Interfaces
  Trial                            80:80        
PE-North#        
 ^ Failed to find the text '% No VRF named Trial' in the device reply!, script terminated.

Running the script with a different VRF name but the same route target (RT) and route distinguisher (RD) (VRF creation begins and then is rolled back due to RD already in use):

vrfName=Trial2
rd=2
rt=50:50

PE-North#show ip vrf Trial2            
% No VRF named Trial2        
PE-North#config terminal                
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
PE-North(config)#ip vrf Trial2            
PE-North(config-vrf)#rd 80:80         
% Cannot set RD, check if it's unique        
PE-North(config-vrf)#        
 ^ Error in activity 'create VRF'.
 ^ Found the text '% Cannot set RD, check if it's unique' in the device reply!, script 
terminated.        
-----Invoking Rollback-----        
PE-North#config terminal        
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
PE-North(config)#no ip vrf Trial2        
% IP addresses from all interfaces in VRF Trial2 have been removed        
PE-North(config)#end