Cisco® Configuration Engine is a highly scalable software application running on the Cisco 2116 Intelligence Engine hardware platform and can be used by Cisco customers to manage as many as 5000 customer premises equipment (CPE) devices, including Cisco routers, switches, and Cisco PIX® security appliances. Cisco Configuration Engine is a self-contained, rack-mountable, 1-rack-unit (1-RU) device that requires minimal configuration and can be deployed without any changes to the customer's operation or business processes. Cisco Configuration Engine is ready to deploy and is accessible through a Web-based GUI or Web applications such as Extensible Markup Language (XML) and Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP).
Service providers and large enterprise customers are faced with similar challenges in deploying and managing large volumes of network devices. Cisco Configuration Engine supports a highly scalable, available, distributed, and fault-tolerant architecture that helps customers to customize core components to meet the operational requirements in a service-oriented network.
Table 1 describes the features of the Cisco Configuration Engine.
Table 1. Cisco Configuration Engine Features
Feature
Description
Data Repository
Supports embedded DB2 data repository. Customers do have an option to map to an external Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory at the time of setup. External directory can be duplicated supporting redundant data repository in case of failure.
Web GUI
Cisco Configuration Engine supports an intuitive, task-oriented, feature-rich, Web-based GUI. In addition to standard features such as hierarchical view, groups, jobs, log files, scheduler etc., version 1.5 includes advanced features such job customization and policy-based creation of dynamic virtual groups, and support for both embedded and external data repository.
Services
Supports configuration and image/file distribution services. Customers can choose individual or groups of devices to distribute device and service configuration; for policy-based distribution and activation of software images; and to distribute files such as security signature files (SDFs), scripts to enable Cisco CallManager Express.
Velocity Template Engine Support
Helps customers develop their own scripts implementing logic to generate and validate configuration dynamically through interaction with the devices.
Web Services
Offers APIs based on Web services (XML/SOAP). Cisco Configuration Engine adapts to industry-standard Web and Internet protocols, eliminating the complexity of integration and supporting a secure HTTPS/Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)-based communication between customer application and Cisco Configuration Engine.
NEW FEATURES
New features for the Cisco Configuration Engine 1.5 include the following.
Enhancements to Cisco Configuration Engine Web GUI
• Hierarchical representation of devices
• Dynamic search and creation of virtual groups
• Configuration and images sent to one or group of devices from the GUI
• Device cloning
• Bulk upload tool
Velocity Template Engine
• User customization based on user's device-configuration and service-activation requirements
• Support for Java, Perl, Expect, and other scripting tools
• Dynamic configuration possible through interaction with the device
• Workflow control to help customer to perform multiple tasks
• Ability for users to develop and plug in scripts to validate device attributes entered by network operations center (NOC) personnel
Configuration and Image Services
• Pager or e-mail notification after successful completion or failure of configuration updates, image distribution, and activation
• Concept of batch size to enable customer to update thousands of devices but limit the number of simultaneous updates
• State information to monitor and update outcome of service request
• Policy-based image distribution and activation to validate device resource before upgrading software images
Web Services
• Secure HTTPS and SSL communication between customer application and Cisco Configuration Engine
• Flexible and easy integration, reducing the cost of implementation
• XML/SOAP Web Service Description Language (WSDL) available for administrative, configuration, and image services
• Standard-based and not dependent on the OS
UPGRADE PATHS
Customers currently using the Cisco 2110 or 2115 Intelligence Engine are encouraged to upgrade to the Cisco Configuration Engine 1.5 on the Cisco 2116 Intelligence Engine hardware platform. Customers with Cisco Configuration Engine 1.4 software should update their software to Cisco Configuration Engine 1.5. Customers using the Cisco 2110 will not be able to run the 1.5 software and are encouraged to upgrade to the Cisco Configuration Engine on the Cisco 2116 hardware platform.
AVAILABILITY
Customers interested in purchasing the new Cisco Configuration Engine 1.5 may place orders beginning April 30, 2005 through normal sales channels. A Cisco Configuration Engine 1.5 upgrade is available for download or through the Product Upgrade Tool at http://www.cisco.com/upgrade for customers who have an earlier version of 1.4. Cisco Configuration Engine contains encryption technologies controlled by the U.S. government, and users who want to download software will be prompted to apply for permission to access the encrypted files.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Table 2 lists ordering information for the Cisco Configuration Engine 1.5. Important: Cisco Configuration Engine includes strong encryption technology that is restricted for some types of U.S. exports.
Table 2. Ordering Information for Cisco Configuration Engine 1.5
Part Number
Description
CE-2116-K9
Cisco Configuration Engine 1.5, includes the Cisco 2116 hardware platform and the 1.5 software with 2500-device license and option to purchase 5000-device license
CE-1.5-5000UPL-K9
License Upgrade for Cisco Configuration Engine 1.5 from 2500-device license to 5000-device license
CE-1.5-SWMR-K9
Minor Release update for Cisco Configuration Engine software for Cisco 2115 customers who need software 1.5 and do not have a Software Application Support (SAS) contract
