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Q & A
Cisco CNS Configuration Engine Release 1.3
Q. What is the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine?
A. The Cisco CNS Configuration Engine is a self-contained network management device that acts as a configuration service for automating the deployment and management of network devices and services. It is a new form of network device that provides an intelligent network interface to applications and users. Fully integrated with the Cisco Configuration Express ordering solution and the new Cisco embedded agent technology, the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine provides an end-to-end, hands-free deployment solution for Cisco customer premises equipment (CPE)-based network services.
The Cisco CNS Configuration Engine is designed to deliver immediate productivity. It is a self-contained one-rack-unit (RU) rack-mountable device that requires minimal configuration and can be installed within minutes of opening the box. Because the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine provides an intuitive, task-oriented user interface, network engineers can immediately begin automating routine deployment and configuration tasks with minimal training.
Finally, the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine exposes the Cisco IOS® Software Extended Markup Language (XML) interface for easy integration into existing operations and business support system (OSS/BSS) or workflow systems. This allows customers to immediately begin creating new service offerings or enhancing existing service offerings with new functions such as "plug-and-play" deployment.
Q. What are the key features of the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine?
A. The key features are:
Hands free—Forms an integrated order-to-deployment solution through automated deployment and configuration of Cisco networking equipment, including support for Cisco Configuration Express.
Secure connection—Offers Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)-based secure connection between Cisco IOS Software customer premises equipment (CPE) and Cisco CNS Configuration Engine.
Scalable solution—Offers a scalable solution to support large-scale deployment of Cisco CPE devices. Each Cisco CNS Configuration Engine appliance can support 5000 Cisco CPE, or 3000 Cisco CPE when using the SSL security option.
Deployment solution—Provides one solution to manage deployment and configuration of Cisco IOS Software routers and switches across multiple access technology (leased line, frame, ATM, cable, DSL, Ethernet, and modem).
Immediate productivity—Task-oriented Web graphical user interface (GUI) and configuration templates enable network engineers to begin automating daily tasks immediately, with little or no training.
Immediately usable—The appliance is immediately usable out of the box, with minimal configuration.
Self-contained—The appliance is one-RU rack-mountable hardware.
OSS ready—Full workflow enables Cisco device deployment and provides an XML-based programmatic interface to Cisco devices.
Q. What is the target market of the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine?
A. Service provider—Automating deployment of CPE-based services, configuration management, and service provisioning, by integrating with their OSSs.
Enterprise—Automating the deployment of large network rollouts, upgrading existing CPE at their branch-office locations, and configuration management of large-scale deployment Cisco CPE.
Q. Which Cisco IOS Software releases are required and which product platforms are supported?
A. Network element and Cisco IOS Software support:
|
Cisco Platform |
Minimum Cisco IOS Software Required |
|---|---|
|
800 Series uBR900 Series 1700 Series IAD 2400 Series 2600 Series 3600 Series 3700 Series 7200 Series AS5300 Series AS5800 Series |
Release 12.2(11)T |
|
7400 Series |
Release 12.2(13)B |
|
12000 Series 10720 Internet Router |
Release 12.0(23)S |
|
2950 Series 3550 Series |
Release 12.1(11) EA1 |
|
7600 Series |
Release 12.1(13)E |
Q. Does Cisco CNS Configuration Engine support devices that do not run Cisco IOS Software?
A. Through an embedded Telnet gateway, Cisco CNS Configuration Engine supports devices with other software and Cisco IOS Software devices without embedded agents. The following are supported:
- Cisco IOS Software devices
- Cisco Catalyst® OS Software
- Cisco PIX® Firewall Software
- Cisco CSS 11000 content services switches
- Cisco VPN 3000 Series
Q. Is the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine supported for other countries besides North America?
A. Yes, the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine is available worldwide. Contact your local sales office.
Q. What are the components of the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine?
A. The Cisco CNS Configuration Engine is a completely self-contained unit that includes a task-oriented Web GUI, programmable XML interface, configuration template management, and embedded repository.
Q. What are the minimal software and hardware requirements for the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine?
A. The Cisco CNS Configuration Engine is a self-contained network device that is immediately useful out of the box. No additional software or hardware is required.
Q. Does the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine support a Web GUI?
A. The Cisco CNS Configuration Engine provides a task-oriented Web GUI with support for both Netscape and Internet Explorer. Network engineers can use this GUI to quickly turn existing Cisco IOS Software configuration files into reusable templates for "plug-and-play" deployment and hands-free reconfiguration.
Q. How many devices does each Cisco CNS Configuration Engine 1.3 support?
A. One Cisco CNS Configuration Engine can support up to 5000 Cisco CPE devices, or 3000 when used with the SSL security option.
Q. Can the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine integrate with OSSs or other vendor applications?
A. Yes, Cisco CNS Configuration Engine will support easy integration into existing customer OSS/BSS and provisioning systems via external repository support and the event-based XML interface that effectively "workflow-enables" Cisco device deployment. Using the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine and virtually any commercial workflow engine, customers and partners can quickly add hands-free deployment to existing service-provisioning systems.
Q. Does the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine support access to the external Lightweight Directory Access Protocol Version 3 (LDAPv3) directory server?
A. The Cisco CNS Configuration Engine supports customer-provided external directories.