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Q&A
Q. What is Cisco® Configuration Engine?
A. Cisco Configuration Engine is a highly scalable software application that provides a secure solution for automating the deployment of Cisco customer premises equipment (CPE) devices. It distributes device-and service-configuration files and software images to individual or groups of devices, thereby reducing the operating cost and deployment time to enable new services and activate new customers.
Q. What are the primary features of the Cisco Configuration Engine?
A. Primary features of the Cisco Configuration Engine include:
• Secure Zero Touch Deployment of services and software image
• Secure policy-based distribution of configuration, software image, security signature files, and Cisco CallManager Express feature scripts to individual or groups of devices
• Enhancements to Web GUI to support features previously available only through integration with other applications
• Dynamic, workflow-enabled and user-programmable Velocity template engine
• Extensible Markup Language (XML) and Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) Web services for programmatic interface
Q. Who can benefit by using the Cisco Configuration Engine?
A. Service providers and enterprises. Service providers can use the Cisco Configuration Engine to automate the deployment of Cisco CPE-based managed services, service provisioning, and the management of large-scale deployments of Cisco CPE and software image upgrades.
Enterprises can use the Cisco Configuration Engine to automate large network deployments, CPE upgrades, branch office service provisioning such as Cisco CallManager Express, Cisco Unity® Express, Signature Definition File (SDF) security signature files, VPNs, firewalls, etc.
Q. Can the Cisco Configuration Engine integrate with OSSs or other vendor or customer applications?
A. Yes. Cisco Configuration Engine supports XML/SOAP Web services. Customers can purchase the Software Development Kit (SDK) to integrate with the Cisco Configuration Engine.
Q. Does Cisco Configuration Engine support access to Lightweight Directory Access Protocol Version 3 (LDAPv3) directory server?
A. Cisco Configuration Engine supports customer-provided external directories.
DEVICE SUPPORT
Q. What are the platforms supported by Cisco Configuration Engine, and the minimum Cisco IOS® Software release required?
A. Table 1 lists the supported Cisco platforms and the minimum Cisco IOS Software releases.
Table 1. Supported Platforms and Software Requirements
Q. Does Cisco Configuration Engine support devices that do not run Cisco IOS Software?
A. Cisco Configuration Engine supports the following. In addition, customers can purchase the SDK to develop programs and scripts to manage the devices not supported by Cisco Configuration Engine.
• Cisco IOS Software devices
• Cisco Catalyst operating system
• Cisco CSS 11000 Series Content Services Switch
• Cisco VPN 3000 Concentrator
• Cisco Access Point
• Cisco PIX Firewall
Q. How many devices can each Cisco Configuration Engine 1.5 support?
A. Each Cisco Configuration Engine can support 5000 Cisco CPE devices over Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).
ORDERING INFORMATION
Q. What are the minimal software and hardware requirements for the Cisco Configuration Engine?
A. The Cisco Configuration Engine ships with the necessary hardware (the Cisco 2116 Intelligence Engine) and software.
Q. Is the Cisco Configuration Engine is available worldwide?
A. Yes, Cisco Configuration Engine is available worldwide. Please contact your local Cisco Systems® representative or reseller.
Q. Are hardware and software service support programs available? How are they ordered?
A. Yes. A Software Application Support (SAS) service contract can be purchased that provides Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) support, Cisco.com Software Center access, and minor updates. You can also purchase a Cisco SMARTnet® hardware service contract that provides hardware support for the Cisco 2116 Configuration Engine platform. Contact your service representative for available options.
Q. How do I gain access to Cisco Configuration Engine software updates?
A. Software patches and updates are posted to the Cisco.com Software Center. Customers with existing SAS support contracts can also obtain the latest release of Cisco Configuration Engine 1.5 software through the Product Upgrade Tool at http://www.cisco.com/upgrade.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the Cisco Configuration Engine, please visit http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/netmgtsw/ps4617/index.html or contact your local account representative ce-marketing@cisco.com.
