NetAsCode is a framework that allows you to define the state of the network in code instead of focusing on the automation. This allows network operators to focus on the network instead of learning different automation languages or tools. In the following diagram you can see how NetAsCode reads a data model and performs the actions, compared to traditional Terraform that requires you to define and build the resources in code.
NetAsCode utilizes a pre-defined data model that is paired with the set of modules that perform the configuration actions on the ACI fabric. These modules are all posted on the Hashicopr Terraform registry, and you can find them at Terraform ACI Network-as-Code Module.
NetAsCode works with various Cisco platforms including ACI, Nexus Dashboard, SD-WAN Manager, and more. For more information about NetAsCode, please visit the NetAsCode website. Each of the architecture capabilities are provided as open source modules to the community.
NetAsCode aims to reduce the complexity of network automation by providing a consistent and simplified approach to defining network configurations. The data models are designed to be intuitive and incorporate best practices that Cisco has learned working with customers and partners.
For this lab, we will provide a short section that will allow you to make changes to a new tenant in the ACI fabric called tfacipod04. We utilize a new tenant since the underlying engine for NetAsCode is Terraform, and Terraform is different than Ansible and requires ownership of the complete state of the tenant we have defined for your pod.
