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Overview
Cisco Active Network Abstraction (ANA) virtual network element (VNE) device driver technology is a key enabler for ANA to manage end-to-end IP next-generation networks (NGNs). ANA VNE drivers support Cisco devices ranging across access, aggregation, edge, and core domains. The ANA VNE drivers make use of the device management instrumentation to discover an accurate view of the physical configuration and logical services of the managed device and translate the information to the ANA network model. The VNE driver processes the device's Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) traps and syslogs into events monitored by the ANA GUI and northbound interface to operation support systems (OSSs).
For service providers to stay competitive, and for enterprises to expand and evolve their mission-critical IT infrastructures with the latest device upgrade, ANA VNE drivers are maintained for compatibility with Cisco IP NGN device releases. The corresponding VNE drivers can be upgraded independently, without requiring ANA software upgrades.
ANA VNE drivers are also user extensible to manage new hardware modules, device types, events, and device software versions that have compatible management instrumentation. Customers can perform private VNE extensions to gain competitiveness with the latest device software and hardware and, at the same time, reduce costs and dependency on professional services.
The same device driver technology is also applicable for mediating third-party devices, and VNE drivers can be developed for ANA to manage multivendor networks. Whether a customer's business strategy leads to an all Cisco network approach or a multivendor network approach, with the VNE technology, ANA provides a "single pane of glass" management view of the end-to-end network.
Benefits
ANA provides a single, authoritative view into a network consisting of heterogeneous devices. This reduces operating expenses (OpEx) by providing a unified user experience for real-time discovery of devices and network topology and centralized fault management. Additionally, organizations can further reduce OpEx and OSS integration costs by utilizing a single northbound interface regardless of the network equipment series. The network upgrade cost is minimized by the independent device driver updates or by extending the VNE drivers. The support of third-party devices in the end-to-end network further helps enable customers to evolve to the best network strategy of their choice.
Table 1 provides a list of Cisco device series managed by ANA using available device drivers.
Table 1. Cisco Device Series Managed by ANA1
More supported Cisco devices and non-Cisco devices, software versions, and device contents can be found in the latest version of the ANA Documentation Guide.
For customers using Cisco IP NGN systems and network devices, ANA maintains the compatibility with those key device series such as CRS, ASR 9000, XR 12000, 7600, ASR 1000, MWR 2941, and ME 3600X/3800X. Cisco provides VNE driver updates on a regular basis for these devices to help ensure that device hardware and software feature releases are discoverable by Cisco ANA. VNE driver updates can be separately installed on ANA starting in ANA release 3.7.2.
In the occasion where management of additional Cisco devices or software releases is needed, customers can contact their account team for their product enhancement requests.
Key Features of ANA VNE Driver
Table 2 lists the key features of the ANA VNE driver.
Table 2. Key Features of ANA VNE Driver
Ordering Information
A Right-to-Manage license for each Cisco device managed by ANA is required and is available as an option within the ANA-37-SOFTWARE product. The device series and device type will determine the appropriate Right-to-Manage group.
To place an order contact your local Cisco account representative or visit the Cisco Download Software page and click ANA VNE Drivers for the latest release.
For More Information
For more information about Cisco ANA, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/ana, contact your local Cisco account representative, or send an email to ask_ana_pm@cisco.com.
1From the ANA 3.7.3 How to Order Guide. All contents are Copyright © 1992 - 2011 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.