To address network provisioning challenges, Cisco introduces a Zero-Touch Provisioning model. Zero-Touch Provisioning automates
the process of installing or upgrading software images, and installing configuration files on Cisco devices that are deployed
in a network for the first time. It reduces manual tasks required to scale the network capacity.
When a device that supports Zero-Touch Provisioning boots up, and does not find the startup configuration (during fresh install
on Day Zero), the device enters the Zero-Touch Provisioning mode. The device locates a Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP)
server, bootstraps itself with its interface IP address, gateway, and Domain Name System (DNS) server IP address, and enables
Guest Shell. The device then obtains the IP address or URL of a TFTP server, and downloads the Python script to configure
the device.
Guest Shell provides the environment for the Python script to run. Guest Shell executes the downloaded Python script and configures
the device for Day Zero.
After Day Zero provisioning is complete, Guest Shell remains enabled. For more information on Guest Shell, see the following
chapter:
 Note |
In case Zero-Touch Provisioning fails, the device falls back to AutoInstall to load configuration files. For more information,
see Using AutoInstall and Setup.
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