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

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Appliance configuration overview

Updated: April 3, 2026

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Overview

Information about the 80-core appliance configuration procedure depending on the mode of deployment.

You can deploy the 80-core appliance in your network in one of these modes:

  • Standalone: Operates as a single node offering all the functions. This option is preferred for initial or test deployments and in smaller network environments. If you select the Standalone mode for your initial deployment, it will be your primary node.

    Note

    You can add more appliances later to form a cluster.

  • Cluster: Operates as a node that belongs to a three-node cluster. In this mode, the hosts share all the services and data. A cluster is the preferred option for large deployments. If you select the Cluster mode for your initial deployment, you must finish configuring the primary node before configuring the secondary nodes.

Start by configuring 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 the descriptions to decide which wizards to use.

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 support.

Install configuration wizard

This wizard streamlines the appliance configuration process by setting default values for the enterprise, management, and internet access interfaces as well as the intracluster interface. Each of these interfaces resides on the enterprise port of the appliance. Use this wizard if you accept the default interface settings and want to set up your appliance quickly.

Note

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.