The Cisco® Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) Enterprise Module is a software controller that automates and simplifies network configuration, provisioning, and management. From a single x86 or virtualization-enabled computer, you can quickly deploy branch and campus network services, policies, and applications.
A key component of the Cisco Open Network Environment (ONE) Enterprise Networks Architecture, the Cisco APIC Enterprise Module can be used across wired, wireless, physical, and virtual networks. It protects your investment by working with your existing infrastructure. And it lets you create an intelligent, open, programmable network that helps you do the following:
• Quickly respond to growing application needs
• Free up time to innovate for business opportunities
• Ease the complexity of mobility/bring your own device (BYOD), cloud, and other trends
Table 1 describes the features and benefits of the Cisco APIC Enterprise Module.
Table 1. Cisco APIC Enterprise Module Features and Benefits
Feature
Description and Benefit(s)
Network Information Database (NIDB)
The Cisco APIC Enterprise Module periodically scans the network to create a NIDB that serves as a "single source of truth" for IT. This inventory includes all network devices, along with an abstraction for the entire enterprise network. The NIDB allows applications to be device agnostic, so configuration differences between devices aren't a problem.
Network Topology Visualization
The Cisco APIC Enterprise Module auto-discovers and maps network devices to a physical topology with detailed device-level data. Add its auto visualization feature, and you have a highly interactive mechanism for viewing and troubleshooting your network. What's more, its GUI can easily be customized.
Zero Touch Deployment (ZTD)
When the controller's scanner discovers a new network device, it creates an NIDB entry for it and then automatically configures it. This capability eliminates manual intervention, saving you time and avoiding potential errors.
Identity Manager
You can track user identities and end points by exchanging information with the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE). You get highly sophisticated per-user policy enforcement, which can improve mobile security policies (including BYOD policies) across your enterprise network.
Policy Manager
To enhance security, the Cisco APIC Enterprise Module can auto-translate business policy into network device-level policy. It can enforce abstracted policy for certain users at various times of the day, across wired and wireless networks. It gathers network analytics that help IT initiate policy enforcement across the enterprise network.
Access Control List (ACL) Analysis
The Cisco APIC Enterprise Module accelerates ACL management. It queries and analyzes ACLs on each network device. This helps IT simplify and speed troubleshooting by quickly identifying ACL misconfigurations.
Quality of Service (QoS) Deployment and Change Management
You can quickly set and enforce QoS priority policies, then rest assured that network devices automatically remain in compliance. This helps keep application traffic behaving consistently and in accordance with your QoS service-level agreements (SLAs).
Product Requirements
The Cisco APIC Enterprise Module can run on any x86 server with:
• Linux OS and vSphere 5.x Hypervisor
• Four or more vCPUs and 16 GB or more of RAM
• Java 1.7 with Chrome (28.0 or later)
This controller supports the overall Cisco Enterprise Networking Group product portfolio, including Cisco Integrated Services Routers (ISRs), Cisco Aggregation Services Routers (ASRs), and Cisco Catalyst® Switches.
Licensing
The Cisco APIC Enterprise Module will be offered as part of the Cisco SMARTnet software license.
Ordering Information
This product will be available soon.
Cisco ONE Services
The Cisco APIC Enterprise Module is part of the Cisco ONE Enterprise Networks Architecture and supported by Cisco ONE Services, which provide post-sale technical support and advanced services.
