Cisco Catalyst Center Second-Generation Appliance Installation Guide, Release 3.1.x

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Cisco Catalyst Center Second-Generation Appliance Installation Guide, Release 3.1.x

Appliance configuration overview

Updated: June 5, 2026

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Information about 44- and 56-core appliance configuration procedures depending on the mode of deployment.

You can deploy the 44- or 56-core appliance in your network in one of the following modes:

  • Standalone: As a single node offering all the functions. This option is usually preferred for initial or test deployments and in smaller network environments. If you choose the Standalone mode for your initial deployment, this will be your first, or primary, node. Note that you can add more appliances later to form a cluster.

  • Cluster: As a node that belongs to a three-node cluster. In this mode, all the services and data are shared among the hosts. This is the preferred option for large deployments. If you choose the Cluster mode for your initial deployment, be sure to finish configuring the primary node before configuring the secondary nodes.

To proceed, first configure the primary node in your cluster. Then, if you have installed three appliances and want to add the second and third nodes to your cluster, configure the secondary nodes.

Browser-based configuration wizards

Catalyst Center offers two browser-based wizards that you can use to configure your appliance. Read their descriptions to determine which of these wizards you should complete.

These wizards are available for use if you are configuring a new appliance that came with the latest release of Catalyst Center already installed. If you upgraded from a previous version and want to use these wizards, contact Cisco TAC for assistance.

Install configuration wizard

This wizard streamlines the appliance configuration process by setting default values for the Enterprise, Management, and Internet Access interfaces (which all reside on the appliance’s Enterprise port) as well as the Intracluster interface. Use this wizard if you are okay with using the default interface settings and want to get your appliance up and running as quickly as possible. Note that you cannot use this wizard to configure a cluster’s secondary nodes.

Advanced Install configuration wizard

This wizard provides access to all of the available appliance settings that you can modify. Use this wizard if you want to specify interface settings that are different from the default settings. Also use this wizard if you are configuring the second or third node in your cluster.

Browser-based wizard prerequisites

To use either of the browser-based wizards and ensure that it configures your appliance properly, complete the following tasks:

  • Designate the Enterprise interface on your appliance to use the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway that a DHCP server assigns to it. When you configure this interface in the wizard, you will not be able to change the IP address or subnet mask that have been assigned to it. You will only be able to change its default gateway. The topics in this chapter assume that the Enterprise interface was chosen for this purpose.

  • Confirm that the IP address assigned by the DHCP server is reachable by the machine from which you will complete the wizard.

  • For the Enterprise and Intracluster interfaces, verify that both interfaces are connected and in the UP state.

If you want to specify your own IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway for your appliance's Enterprise interface (and not use the values assigned by a DHCP server), ensure that you complete the Static IP Address Settings screen.