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Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC)
Configuration Guides

Cisco APIC Getting Started Guide, Release 6.2(x)

Releases

6.2(x)
6.1(x)
6.0(x)
5.3(x)
5.2(x)
5.1(x)
5.0(x)
4.2(x)
2.x
2.x
1.3(x)
1.0 and 1.1

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Cisco Configuration Guide, Release 4.2

Table of contents

Expand all sections

About this document

Trademarks

What's changed in this guide

What's changed in this guide

Initial setup

Additional documents
APIC configuration methods
Change the default BIOS password
Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure
Local serial connection for basic configuration
Access the APIC GUI
Access REST API
Access the NX-OS style CLI
Access the object model CLI

APIC GUI overview

The APIC GUI
Menu bar and submenu bar
Navigation pane
Work pane
Personalize the APIC GUI
Deployment warning and policy usage information
Graphical configuration of ports
View an API interchange
APIC GUI icons
Next generation APIC GUI
Preview the new APIC GUI
Enhancements and improvements to the APIC GUI

Fabric initialization and switch discovery

Fabric initialization
Multi-tier fabric topologies example
Change the external routable subnet
Switch discovery with the APIC
Cisco NX-OS to Cisco ACI POAP auto-conversion
Cisco Nexus 9000 switch secure erase

Cisco APIC cluster management

APIC clusters
Cisco Fabric Controller cluster expansion
Cisco APIC cluster contractions
Best practices for cluster management
Expand the Fabric Controller cluster using the GUI
Expand the APIC cluster using the add node option
Contract the APIC Cluster using the GUI
Contract APIC nodes using the delete node option
Commission a Cisco APIC in the cluster using the GUI
Commission a Cisco APIC in the cluster
Decommission a Cisco APIC in the cluster using the GUI
Decommission a Cisco APIC in the cluster
Shut down all APICs in a cluster
Bring back the APICs in a cluster
Cold standby clusters
Guidelines for standby Cisco APICs
Verify cold standby status using the GUI
Switch over an active APIC with a standby APIC
Warm standby for a Cisco APIC cluster
Guidelines for using Warm Standby Cisco APICs
Change the standby APIC type using the GUI
Add a standby APIC
Delete a standby from the cluster
Recover the APIC cluster using Warm Standby and the GUI
APIC migration types
Manage APIC cluster at boot using the GUI
Nexus dashboard cluster from APIC GUI

Configure the cisco APIC using the CLI

Best practices for cluster management
Replace a Cisco APIC in a cluster using the CLI
Cisco APIC cluster contractions
Switch over active APIC with standby APIC using CLI
Verify Cold Standby Status Using the CLI
Register an unregistered switch using the CLI
Add a switch before discovery using the CLI
Remove a switch to maintenance mode using the CLI
Insert a switch to operation mode using the CLI
Configure a remote location using the NX-OS style CLI
Find the switch inventory using the NX-OS CLI
Verify the Cisco APIC cluster using the CLI

Configure the cisco APIC using the REST API

Expand the APIC cluster using the REST API
Contract the APIC cluster using the REST API
Switch over the active APIC with the standby APIC using the REST API
Register an unregistered switch using the REST API
Add a switch before discovery using the REST API
Remove a switch to maintenance mode using the REST API
Insert a switch to operational mode using the REST API
Configure a remote location using the REST API
Send an on-demand tech support file using the REST API
Find your switch inventory using the REST API

APIC clusters

Updated: January 12, 2026

On this page

Overview

Guidelines and best practices for APIC cluster management

Overview

This topic explains the integration and management of Cisco SD-WAN with Cisco ACI, detailing the processes for mapping and unmapping ACI sites, attaching and detaching devices, and managing controllers to ensure seamless policy application and network control.

An APIC cluster is a deployment of Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) appliances that provides control, scalability, and resilience for the Cisco ACI fabric.

Consists of a minimum of three controllers to provide control of the Cisco ACI fabric.
Scales in size according to transaction-rate requirements and the overall ACI deployment size.
Allows any controller in the cluster to service any user operation. Controllers can be transparently added or removed from the cluster.

Guidelines and best practices for APIC cluster management

This section provides guidelines and examples related to expanding, contracting, and recovering APIC clusters. Refer to these resources for procedures and best practices in managing cluster size and resilience.

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Bias-free language

The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.