First Published: September 15, 2021

Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine 3.0 EFT Release Notes

This document provides an overview of Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine, new features, and any limitations for this release.


Note

This is an EFT document. The documented content, features, and support are still a work in progress.

Overview of Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine

Network operators are facing challenges to support the exponential growth of network traffic while addressing the pressure to efficiently run network operations. Providing quick service and network resolutions is vital for the business to remain viable. Network operators need a toolset to help automate bandwidth optimization and efficiently steer traffic with little operator intervention. Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine fulfills this need by providing real-time network optimization capabilities that allow operators to effectively maximize network utility as well as increase service velocity.

In a typical lifecycle, there is always a feedback loop that traditionally is done manually through human intervention. With network automation, the objective is to automate the feedback loop to enable quicker reaction to network events and faster determination on actions to perform on the network. Looking at the following figure, Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine is built to fulfill the need for a closed-loop optimization loop as described under “Near Real-Time Feedback Loop”. Through Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine, the operator would be able to define the optimization intent, implement the intent, and continuously monitor, track, and react to maintain the original intent.

Figure 1. Network Resolution Lifecycle
Network Resolution Lifecycle

Real-time Visibility

End-to-end visibility is important to any network operator to run their network effectively. Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine not only provides this visibility, but also the ability to visualize the network across different layers (optical to IP) and the relationship between each layer. Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine leverages IETF-standard BGP-LS protocol to discover IP network automatically, including the following features:

  • Real-time visibility: Provides the network operator with a true representation of the actual topology

  • Hierarchical topology view: Enables operators to define the different levels of granularity in the topology visualization

Simplified SR-TE Policy and RSVP-TE Tunnel Lifecycle Management

Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine also provides an easy to use UI and API to manage and monitor the TE tunnel lifecycle. The UI and API enables the network operator to perform the following tasks:

  • Visualize SR-TE (SR-MPLS and SRv6) policies and RSVP-TE tunnels.

  • Create, modify, and remove SR-MPLS policies and RSVP-TE tunnels using an intuitive workflow

  • Continuously track SR-MPLS policies and RSVP-TE tunnels dynamic path computations to maintain SLA objectives

  • Preview an SR-MPLS policy or RSVP-TE tunnel before deploying it to the network

Extensibility through Function Packs

Crosswork Optimization Engine feature packs (available with correct licensing) provide congestion mitigation and closed loop bandwidth optimization. A user defines the optimization intent and the tools implement the intent, and continuously monitor, track, and react to maintain the original intent.

Due to licensing or the configuration of the role associated with your user account, you may not be able to access all of the features and functions. For licensing and ordering information, see the Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine Ordering Guide (accessible to Cisco Partners)or contact your Cisco Sales representative.

What's New in Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine 3.0

This section lists new features and changes delivered in Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine 3.0. For compatibility information, see the Cisco Crosswork Infrastructure 4.1 and Applications Installation Guide.

Table 1. New Features and Functionality in Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine 3.0

Feature

What's New?

Segment Routing Over IPv6 (SRv6) Visualization

SRv6 visualization supports the following:

  • SRv6 topology

  • ISIS IGP

  • Flexible Algorithm information and topology

  • PCC-initiated SRv6 policies (including IGP paths)

In addition to previously supported IPv4 policy data, the following SRv6 policy data is also supported:

  • SRv6 Binding SID

  • Computed and reported SR paths (SRv6 adjacency and node SIDs)

Starting with this release, SR-TE policies are now separated into either SRv6 or SR-MPLS policies. SRv6 and SR-MPLS policies (including link details) are shown separately in the UI.

Flexible Algorithm Visualization

The ability to view up to 2 Flexible Algorithm IDs in your network can be enabled in the Traffic Engineering topology view (Traffic Engineering > Display Preferences icon).

For more information, see Visualize Flexible Algorithms.

Maximum SID Depth (MSD) Enforcement

Bandwidth on Demand (BWoD) can restrict solution policies to the number of SIDs the headend hardware is capable of supporting. This feature is enabled via the BWoD advanced configuration when the Strict Network option is selected under Policy Violations.

Local Congestion Mitigation (LCM)

  • Updated architecture to support higher scalability by breaking up the network into different domains. Each domain can be configured and handled by LCM separately.

  • New landing page that displays each domain and last recommemdation timestamp. Each domain provides quick menu access to available LCM pages.

  • A timestamp of when the last recommendation was made is displayed on the landing page and dashboard. A solution timestamp is also displayed in the dashboard.

  • A new Urgency field indicating the severity of the issue to be addressed is displayed in the dashboard.

  • Improved handling of network failures.

  • Enforcement of MSD restriction.

  • Ability to use protected adjacency SIDs in LCM policies.

  • Ability to enable automatic repair of degraded LCM policies.

  • Detection of inactive LCM policies from unrouted active LCM policies.

This feature is only available as part of the Advanced RTM license package. For licensing and ordering information, see the Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine Ordering Guide (accessible to Cisco Partners) or contact your Cisco Sales representative.

Topology Map

  • A new Hide view option has been added to the topology map.

Binding SID (B-SID) Policy Visualization

Visualize underlying paths of a defined B-SID hop that you have manually configured on a device.

For more information, see Visualize Underlying Paths Associated with a Defined Binding-Segment ID (B-SID) Label.

Multiple Path Candidate (MCP) Visualization

MCP visualization for SR-MPLS and SRv6 policies supports the following:

  • Visualization of currently active dynamic and explicit policies.

  • Visualization of candidate paths for inactive dynamic policies.

For more information, see Find Multiple Candidate Paths.

Native Segment Routing Path Over Inter-AS Option C Visualization

Visualize the actual physical paths (native SR LSPs) which carry traffic on the topology map.

APIs

  • IEFT compliance

  • New LCM RESTCONF API functions:

    • GET_DOMAINS - Returns a list of domain IDs and status.

    • REMOVE_DOMAIN - Allows for removal of domains that are no longer in network.

    • GET_RECOMMENDATIONS - Returns information seen in the UI Operational Dashboard.

    • RECOMMENDATIONS_NOTIFICATIONS - Sends a notification when a new recommendation is available.

For more information, see the Cisco Crosswork Network Automation API Documentation on Cisco DevNet. For licensing and ordering information, see the Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine (accessible to Cisco Partners) or contact your Cisco Sales representative.

Cisco IOS Software Version Support-TBD

Information has not been vetted.

The following tables list what Cisco IOS software versions Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine supports:
Table 2. Cisco IOS XR Software Versions (Cisco ASR 9000, NCS 5500, NCS 540, NCS 560, and XRv 9000)

SR-PCE Software Version1

PCC Software Version

(Headend Routers)

Cisco ASR 9000 (32 bit)

Cisco ASR 9000 (64 bit)

Cisco XRv 90002

Cisco NCS 5500 series 3

Cisco NCS 540 series 4

Cisco NCS 560 series

6.6.3 + SMU

  • 6.5.3 + SMU

  • 6.6.3 + SMU

  • 6.7.2

  • 6.5.3 + SMU

  • 6.6.3 + SMU

  • 7.0.2

  • 7.1.2

  • 7.2.1

  • 7.3.1

  • 6.5.3 + SMU

  • 6.6.3 + SMU

  • 7.0.2

  • 7.1.2

  • 7.2.1

  • 7.3.1

  • 6.5.3 + SMU

  • 6.6.3 + SMU

  • 7.0.2

  • 7.1.2

  • 6.6.3 + SMU

  • 7.0.2

  • 7.1.2

  • 7.2.1

  • 7.3.1

  • 6.6.3 + SMU

  • 7.0.2

  • 7.1.2

  • 7.2.1

  • 7.3.1

7.1.2

7.31

7.3.2
1 It is recommended that the SR-PCE should be an equal or higher software version than the PCC.
2 The SR-PCE may be deployed on XRv9000 (VM or appliance).
3 The SMU is available via the Cisco NCS 5508 Software Download Center.
4 The SMU is available via the Cisco NCS 540-ACC-SYS Router or Cisco NCS 540x-ACC-SYS Router Software Download Center.

Note

  • Segment Routing Traffic Matrix (SRTM) is only available in Cisco ASR 9000 devices.

  • RSVP-TE tunnel PCE deployment (HA) is not supported on IOS XR 6.5.3 + SMU.

  • Software Maintenance Updates (SMUs) are required for both PCC/Headend and SR-PCE versions indicated in the table. To download the Cisco IOS XR versions and updates, see the IOS XR Software Maintenance Updates (SMUs) document. The correct SMUs to download will have "Optima" or the bug ID appended to the filename. For example: asr9k-x64-6.6.3.Optima.tar

  • Local Congestion Mitigation is only supported from PCC IOS XR 7.1.2 on the ASR 9000 platform.
Table 3. Cisco IOS XE Software Versions (Cisco ASR 902 and ASR 903)

SR-PCE Software Version

PCC Software Version

(Headend Routers)

Cisco ASR 902

RSP 2

Cisco ASR 903

RSP 3

6.6.3 + SMU

  • 17.4.1 5

  • 17.5.1

7.1.2

7.31
5 Supports only PCE initiated SR-TE policy deployment.

Compatibility Information-TBD

This section is a work in progress.

The following table lists software versions that have been tested and are known to be compatible with Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine. For complete installation requirements, see the Cisco Crosswork Infrastructure 4.0 and Applications Installation Guide.

Hardware/Software Supported Version

Cisco Network Services Orchestrator (Cisco NSO)

  • 5.4.2

Cisco Network Element Driver (NED)

  • Cisco IOS XR:

    • CLI: 7.33, 7.33.1

    • NETCONF: 6.6, 6.6.3, 7.3, 7.3.1

  • Cisco IOS:

    • CLI: 6.67, 6.67.8

Function Packs

Cisco Crosswork Data Gateway

Version 2.0

Browsers

  • Google Chrome—70 or later

  • Mozilla Firefox—60 or later

Scale Support

Information has not been vetted.

The following number of devices, and SR-TE policies (SR-MPLS and SRv6) and RSVP-TE tunnels are supported.


Note

These scale numbers have been qualified on a 3 node cluster system setup with 4 CDG VMs (each with 2.5 K) and 3 SR-PCE pairs (6 SR-PCEs total).

Table 4. Scale Support

Feature

Scale Support

Devices

10,000

Total Interfaces (including IGP)

650,000

Provision of SR-TE policies and RSVP-TE tunnel (PCE initiated)

60,000

Visualization of IGP links

TBD

Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine Documentation

The following table lists the guides that Cisco provides for Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine. You can access all Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine end user documentation at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/cloud-systems-management/crosswork-optimization-engine/model.html.


Note

We sometimes update the documentation after original publication. Therefore, you should always review the documentation on Cisco.com for any updates.

Table 5.

Documentation Title

What is Included

Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine 3.0 Release Notes

This document

Infrastructure 4.1 and Applications Installation Guide

Shared installation guide for all the Cisco Crosswork applications and their common infrastructure. Covers:

  • System requirements

  • Installation prerequisites

  • Installation instructions

  • Upgrade instructions

Cisco Crosswork Infrastructure 4.0 and Applications Administrator Guide

Shared administration guide for all the Cisco Crosswork applications and their common infrastructure. Covers:

  • Managing clusters and data gateway

  • Data collection

  • High availability

  • Backup and restore

  • Onboard and manage devices

  • Zero touch provisioning

  • Set up maps

  • Managing users, access and security

  • Maintain system health

Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine 3.0 User Guide

  • Getting started

  • Setting up and monitoring the network

  • Monitoring SR-TE (SRv6 and SR-MPLS) policies and RSVP-TE tunnels

  • Provisioning SR-MPLS policies and RSVP-TE tunnels

  • Mitigating network congestion

  • Defining and maintaining intent-based bandwidth requirements

Open Source Used in Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine

Lists of licenses and notices for open source software used in Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine 3.0.

Cisco Crosswork Network Automation API Documentation

Advanced users can integrate other Crosswork applications and third-party applications with Crosswork Optimization Engine functions by using application programming interfaces (APIs) delivering new capabilities into their network operations.

For more information, see the Cisco Crosswork Network Automation API Documentation on Cisco DevNet.

Open Bugs in Cisco Crosswork

If you encounter problems while working with Cisco Crosswork, please check this list of open bugs. Each bug ID in the list links to a more detailed description and workaround.

You can use the Cisco Bug Search Tool to search for a specific bug or to search for all bugs in a release.

  1. Go to the Cisco Bug Search Tool.

  2. Enter your registered Cisco.com username and password, and click Log In.

    The Bug Search page opens.


    Note

    If you do not have a Cisco.com username and password, you can register here.

  3. Use any of these options to search for bugs, and then press Enter (Return) to initiate the search:

    — To search for a specific bug, enter the bug ID in the Search For field.

    — To search for bugs based on specific criteria, enter search criteria, such as a problem description, a feature, or a product name, in the Search For field.

    — To search for bugs based on products, enter or choose the product from the Product list.

    — To search for bugs based on releases, in the Releases list choose whether to search for bugs affecting a specific release, bugs that were fixed in a specific release, or both. Then enter one or more release numbers in the Releases field.

  4. When the search results are displayed, use the filter tools to narrow down the results. You can filter the bugs by status, severity, and so on.


Tip

To export the results to a spreadsheet, click Export Results to Excel.