Contents

Introduction

Background Information

Problem

Solution

Related Information

Introduction

This document describes the functionalities available in Cisco Catalyst Centers depending on the status of your C9800 wireless controller, Onboarded vs Provisioned.

Background Information

The goal of Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center), is to facilitate the daily tasks of the network operators through automation. However, it can be a daunting task for network administrators to try to keep up with all the different features and capabilities the Cisco Software Defined Network solution brings with every release.

Problem

Considering the specifics of each environment in terms of scale, security, and compatibility, it is sometimes not easy/possible to fully adopt the most advanced features available in Catalyst Center such as Software Defined Access (SDA), LAN Automation, Wide Area Bonjour, Application Policy, and so on. The main reason behind that, whether you look at a green field or brownfield, is that some features are only available for the network devices that are Provisioned using Catalyst Center as a main point for configuration, operation, and visibility.

On the other side, many features are available by having your network devices onboarded only. The matrix has the answer to which options are those.

Note: An Onboarded wireless controller is the one that is discovered in the inventory and was assigned to a building or floor, hence, the device has some level of visibility in Assurance for monitoring purposes. However, the wireless configuration (SSIDs, RF Profiles, and so on) is done out of band directly on the device, whereas, a Provisioned controller is a device that has been onboarded and deployed based on intent through Wireless Settings, Network Profiles, CLI Templates, and so on.

Solution

The goal of this article is to increase your confidence level to implement as many features as possible in Catalyst Center in order to gain better insights and control over your network.

Catalyst Center Capability Map

This matrix aims to provide a clear view into which features and capabilities are available at different stages of the device management lifecycle, that is Onboarded or Provisioned. This is contrasted against versions of Catalyst Center starting from 2.3.5. If not stated otherwise, Cisco IOS® XE 17.9.x running on C9800 is the minimum version.

Note: This matrix only includes information for Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controllers.

Note: Certain features require a specific version (later than 17.9.x) by the Wireless Controllers. For more details, refer to the 9800 Feature Matrix per Release.

Note: Some capabilities (for example Network Service monitoring for AAA, DHCP, and so on) are dependent also on the actual configuration (for example, Local Mode SSID). Therefore, the configuration guide where such prerequisites/limitations are listed is referenced.

Note: Certain features (for example, Data Packet Capture, Spectrum Analysis, and so on) are dependent on the Access Point model. Consult the referenced configuration guide for details.

Feature/Capability

Catalyst Center 2.3.5.x

Catalyst Center 2.3.7.x

AIOps/Assurance Capabilities

Assurance Dashboards (Network & Client Health Dashboard, Device and Client 360, Network Services - AAA, DHCP, DNS *1)

*1 Requires 17.10

Onboarded

Onboarded

Intelligent Capture:

-       Access Point RF Stats Capture

-       Anomaly Capture

-       Spectrum Analysis*2

-       Onboarding Packet Capture

-       Data Packet Capture*2

-       OTA Sniffer*3

*2 Dependent on the AP model used

*3 Requires 17.11 and 2.3.7

Onboarded

Onboarded

Rogue/aWIPS *8

*8 This automation only configures Rogue/aWIPS telemetry and aWIPS in the Default AP Profile. The configuration of Custom Rogue Profiles and thresholds and aWIPS in a custom AP Join Profile must be done manually (out of band) on the Wireless controller.

Onboarded

Onboarded

Application Telemetry *4  (also enables Network Services - DNS*1)

*4 Application Telemetry configuration temporarily shuts the WLC Policy Profiles disrupting wireless connectivity.

Onboarded

Onboarded

Network Reasoner

-       Assurance Telemetry Analysis

-       CPU Utilization

-       Ping Device

-       Wireless AP Data Collection

-       Wireless Client Data Collection

Onboarded

Onboarded

AI Network Analytics

Onboarded

Onboarded

3D Maps

Onboarded

Onboarded

Wifi 6 Readiness

Onboarded

Onboarded

Inventory Insights

Onboarded

Onboarded

Reports

Onboarded

Onboarded

Compliance *5

*5 Compliance is comprised of different components such as:

1. Network Settings

2. EoX End of Life

3. Startup vs Running Configuration

4. Network Profiles

5. Software Image

6. Critical Security Advisory

The features 2, 3, 5, and 6 work in Onboarded.

Provisioned

Provisioned

SD-AVC (CBAR)

Provisioned

Provisioned

AI Endpoint Analytics *6

*6 Requires SD-AVC (CBAR)

Provisioned

Provisioned

NetOps/Automation Capabilities

SWIM – Software Inventory Management

Onboarded

Onboarded

AP Configuration Workflow

Onboarded

Onboarded

AP Reboot and LED

Onboarded

Onboarded

License Manager

-       Smart License Compliance (for Cisco IOS XE 17.3.2 and later)

Onboarded

Onboarded

Wide Area Bonjour

Onboarded

Onboarded

Remote Support Authorization aka RADKit

Onboarded

Onboarded

AI-RRM

Provisioned

Onboarded

AP Power Save *1 *6

*1 Requires 17.10

*6 Switches powering APs must be Managed

Provisioned

Provisioned

AP Plug-n-Play *7

*7 It is possible to onboard APs via PnP based using CLI Templates and AP Filters without Provisioning WLC beforehand (BRKEWN-2667 Cisco Live EMEA 2024)

Provisioned

Provisioned

SD-Access

-       Fabric

-       Micro-Segmentation

Provisioned

Provisioned

LAN Automation

Provisioned

Provisioned

Application Policy. (App QOS)

Provisioned

Provisioned

Stealthwatch Security Analytics

Provisioned

Provisioned

Related Information

- Cisco DNA Center 2.3.5 Assurance User Guide

- Cisco DNA Center 2.3.7 Assurance User Guide

- Configure Syslog, SNMP Traps, NetFlow Collector Servers, and Wired Client Data Collection Using Telemetry.

- Cisco DNA Center Compatibility Matrix

- Feature Matrix for Access Points

- Bonjour Deployment Guide

- CiscoLive session ID:

- BRKEWN-2667

- BRKOPS-2402

- Cisco Technical Support & Downloads