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The Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller - Enterprise Module (APIC-EM) is Cisco's Software Defined Networking (SDN) Controller for Enterprise Networks (Access, Campus, WAN and Wireless).
The platform hosts multiple applications (SDN apps) that use open northbound REST APIs that drive core network automation solutions. The platform also supports a number of south-bound protocols that enable it to communicate with the breadth of network devices that customers already have in place, and extend SDN benefits to both greenfield and brownfield environments.
The Cisco APIC-EM platform supports both wired and wireless enterprise networks across the Campus, Branch and WAN infrastructures. It offers the following benefits:
Creates an intelligent, open, programmable network with open APIs
Saves time, resources, and costs through advanced automation
Transforms business intent policies into a dynamic network configuration
Provides a single point for network wide automation and control
The following table describes the features and benefits of the Cisco APIC-EM.
You access the Cisco APIC-EM GUI by entering its network IP address in your browser. The IP address was configured for the Cisco APIC-EM network adapter during the initial setup using the configuration wizard. This IP address connects to the external network.
Click on each tab and review the data provided in the GUI.
When you log into the Cisco APIC-EM, the GUI appears. See the following tables for descriptions of the GUI elements.
Name |
Description |
---|---|
Navigation pane |
At the left side of the window, the Navigation pane provides access to the Cisco APIC-EM functions and additional applications, such as EasyQoS, Path Trace, IWAN, and Network Plug and Play. |
Global toolbar |
At the top of the window, the Global toolbar provides access to tools, such as API documentation, settings, and notifications. For a full explanation of the icons on the Global toolbar, see the Global Toolbar Options table below. |
Application or Function Pane |
In the main window area, the application or function pane displays the interface of the application or function. When you click an option in the Navigation pane or from the Global toolbar, the corresponding application or function opens in this pane. |
I wish this page would... feedback link |
At the bottom of the window, the I wish this page would... feedback link opens a preaddressed email in your email application, where you can provide input about your experience using the Cisco APIC-EM and suggestions for improvements. |
The Navigation pane provides options to access the major Cisco APIC-EM features and applications.
Icon 1 |
Name |
Description |
---|---|---|
Hide/Unhide Navigation |
Allows you to hide and unhide the Navigation pane. |
|
Home |
Provides information about the APIC-EM, such as its network status, system health, and system information. |
|
Discovery |
Allows you to configure discovery options for scanning the devices and hosts in your network. |
|
Device Inventory |
Provides access to the inventory database, where you can display, filter, and sort tabular information about the discovered devices in your network. |
|
Host Inventory |
Provides access to the inventory database, where you can display, filter, and sort tabular information about the discovered hosts in your network. |
|
Topology |
Presents the devices and links that the Cisco APIC-EM discovers as a physical topology map with detailed device-level data. The topology of devices and links can also be presented on a geographical map. You can use this interactive feature to troubleshoot your network. |
|
IWAN |
Simplifies the provisioning of IWAN network profiles with simple business policies. The IWAN application defines business-level preferences by application or groups of applications with preferred paths for hybrid WAN links. Doing so improves the application experience over any connection and saves telecommunication costs by leveraging cheaper WAN links. |
|
EasyQoS |
Enables you to configure quality of service on previously discovered Cisco network devices that support the EasyQoS feature. Using EasyQoS, you can group devices and then define the business relevance of applications that are used in your network. The Cisco APIC-EM takes your QoS selections, translates them into the proper command line interface (CLI) commands, and deploys them onto the selected devices. |
|
Path Trace |
Helps to solve network problems by automating the inspection and interrogation of the flow taken by a business application in the network. |
|
Network Plug and Play |
Provides a highly secure, scalable, seamless, and unified zero-touch deployment experience for customers across Cisco routers, switches and wireless access points. |
The Global toolbar provides access to API information, administrative functions, system notifications.