Managing Fabrics

This chapter has the following sections:

Managing Fabrics

A fabric is a logical group of devices that is managed as a single entity in one or multiple locations. Having a fabric in place enables several capabilities, such as the creation of virtual networks and user and device groups, and advanced reporting. Other capabilities include intelligent services for application recognition, traffic analytics, traffic prioritization, and steering for optimum performance and operational effectiveness.

The Cisco MSX allows you to add devices to a fabric network. These devices can be configured to act as control plane, border or edge devices within the fabric network.

Creating a Fabric Domain

Before you begin

Procedure

Step 1

Log in to the Cisco MSX portal using your credentials.

Step 2

From the left pane, click Tenant Workspace and then choose a tenant from the drop-down list.

Step 3

Under Tenant Workspace, click Service Controls.

The list of service controls attached to a tenant is displayed.
Step 4

Click Fabric Management.

The Fabric Management window is displayed.

Step 5

Click Add Fabric (+) icon.

The Add Fabric window is displayed.

Step 6

Enter a name and description for the fabric.
Step 7

Click Next.

Step 8

Choose a controller from the drop-down list.
Step 9

Choose a site from the drop-down list.
Step 10

Click Next.

A message displays 'Successfully Created Fabric'.
Step 11

Click Close.

Viewing Fabric Details

You can view the following fabric details in the Fabric Management page:

  • Controller name

  • Number of site domains

  • Devices in a fabric

  • Authentication template

  • Virtual networks

  • Port assignment: You have to go to Cisco DNA Center to view the port assignment information.

  • Wireless SSID

  • Devices at the site domain

  • Last Sync Time

Procedure

Step 1

Log in to the Cisco MSX portal using your credentials.

Step 2

From the left pane, click Tenant Workspace and then choose a tenant from the drop-down list.

Step 3

Under Tenant Workspace, click Service Controls.

The list of service controls attached to a tenant is displayed.
Step 4

Click Fabric Management.

The Fabric Management window is displayed with the list of fabrics.

Step 5

Choose a fabric from the list by clicking on it. You can also click on View Actions(…) icon and click View Details.

The Fabric Management window displays the fabric details. You can modify the fabric details in Cisco DNA Center. Click Modify on Cisco DNA Center to launch the Cisco DNA Center.

You can configure the following details in Cisco DNA Center:

  • Authentication template

  • Port assignment

  • Wireless SSID

  • Segmenting your virtual network

    To configure the details, click the launch icon to launch the Cisco DNA Center.

Deleting a Fabric

Before you delete a fabric, ensure that you have deleted the site domain. You can delete a fabric only if you have deleted the site domain.

Procedure

Step 1

Log in to the Cisco MSX portal using your credentials.

Step 2

From the left pane, click Tenant Workspace and then choose a tenant from the drop-down list.

Step 3

Under Tenant Workspace, click Service Controls.

The list of service controls attached to a tenant is displayed.
Step 4

Click Fabric Management.

The Fabric Management window is displayed with the list of fabrics.

Step 5

Choose a fabric from the list. Click the View Actions(…) icon and then click Delete Fabric.

A message displays 'Fabric Successfully Deleted'.

Note 

If the fabric contains a site domain, you cannot delete it. You will get a message 'Failed to Delete Fabric'. Delete the site domain first and then delete the fabric. For more information, see Deleting a Site Domain.

Deleting a Site Domain

This procedure shows how to delete a site domain.

Procedure

Step 1

Log in to the Cisco MSX portal using your credentials.

Step 2

From the left pane, click Tenant Workspace and then choose a tenant from the drop-down list.

Step 3

Under Tenant Workspace, click Service Controls.

The list of service controls attached to a tenant is displayed.
Step 4

Click Fabric Management.

The Fabric Management window is displayed with the list of fabrics.

Step 5

Choose a fabric from the list. Click the View Actions(…) icon and then click Delete Site Domain.

Delete Site Domain window is displayed.

Step 6

From the Site Domain drop-down list, select a site domain.

Step 7

Click Delete.

A message displays 'Site Domain Successfully Deleted'.