This five-day course is designed to provide students with the knowledge required to work with the Juniper Contrail software-defined networking (SDN) solution. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of how to use the OpenStack and Contrail Web UIs, APIs and CLI to perform the required tasks. Through demonstrations and hands-on labs, students will gain experience with the features of Contrail. This course is based on Contrail Release 3.2.0.

Network Automation using Contrail Cloud (NACC) is an intermediate-level course.

After successfully completing this course, you should be able to:

• Explain the need for SDN.
• Explain the main SDN concepts.
• Describe common types of SDN.
• Explain why the NFV architecture was created.
• Describe the main NFV components.
• Give examples of Virtualized Network Functions.
• Describe the purpose of OpenStack.
• Identify the function of each of the main OpenStack Projects.
• Use the OpenStack CLI.
• Describe OpenStack REST APIs and Python SDK.
• Use OpenStack Heat Orchestration Templates.
• Configure OpenStack using Horizon Web UI and Heat.
• Describe the purpose of Contrail and how Contrail fits into the NFV Architecture.
• Explain how the versions of Contrail differ.
• Describe the functions of the Contrail vRouter and Contrail Controller.
• Explain the role of the control, configuration, and analytic nodes in Contrail.
• Configure and deploy virtual DNS and IPAMs.
• Create virtual networks in Contrail Cloud.
• Create policies to control the flow of traffic in Contrail Cloud.
• Configure Floating IPs in Contrail Cloud.
• Create simple virtual gateways and physical gateways in Contrail Cloud.
• Explain Docker integration with Contrail.
• Describe additional Contrail deployment options.
• Describe the difference between service chain version 1 and version 2.
• Create in-network and transparent service chains in Contrail Cloud.
• Create service chains that include VMs, containers and physical devices.
• Troubleshoot service chain creation issues in Contrail Cloud.
• Use analytics tools to monitor Contrail.
• Configure Contrail Analytics.
• Use Contrail analytics API.
• Configure alerts in Contrail.
• Navigate the Contrail’s underlay overlay mapping tools.
• Perform Contrail installation using fab scripts.
• Perform Contrail installation using Server Manager.

This course benefits individuals responsible for working with software-defined networking solutions in data center, service provider, and enterprise network environments.

• Basic TCP/IP skills;
• General understanding of data center virtualization;
• Basic understanding of the Junos operating system;
• Attendance of the Introduction to the Junos Operating System (IJOS) course prior to attending this class; and
• Basic knowledge of object-oriented programming and Python scripting is recommended.

Day 1

Chapter 1: Course Introduction

Chapter 2: SDN Fundamentals

• The Need for SDN
• SDN Explained
• Open SDN
• SDN as an Overlay
• SDN via API
• SDN for the WAN
   

Chapter 3: Network Function Virtualization

• Introduction to NFV
• NFV Architecture
• Examples of VNFs

Chapter 4: OpenStack Fundamentals

• OpenStack Overview
• OpenStack Projects
• Exploring OpenStack Installation and Using CLI
• Lab 1: Exploring OpenStack with the CLI
   

Chapter 5: OpenStack Configuration

• OpenStack Interface Options
• Using OpenStack Heat Templates
• OpenStack Configuration
• Lab 2: Configuring OpenStack

Day 2

Chapter 6: Contrail Solution Overview

• Contrail Use Cases
• Contrail Solution Overview
• Contrail Related Solutions
   

Chapter 7: Contrail Architecture Fundamentals

• Contrail vRouter
• Contrail SDN Overlay Controller
• Lab 3: Exploring and Troubleshooting the Contrail vRouter and SDN Controller

Chapter 8: Contrail Virtual Networks

• IPAM and DNS
• Virtual Networks in Contrail
• Network Policies
• Contrail Heat Overview
• Lab 4: Virtual Networks and Policies

Day 3

Chapter 9: Interacting with External Networks

• Floating IPs
• Connecting to Gateway Devices using Device Manager
• Configuring Simple Virtual Gateway
• Lab 5: Creating Floating IPs and Gateways

Chapter 10: Contrail Network Service Deployment Options

• Using Docker Containers with Contrail
• BGP as a Service
• LBaaS
• DPDK vRouter Overview
• Contrail Global Controller Overview
• Lab 6: Using Docker Containers with Contrail

Day 4

Chapter 11: Contrail Service Chains

• Service Chain Modes and Versions
• In-Network Service Chains
• Transparent Service Chains
• Lab 7: Creating Contrail Service Chains

Chapter 12: Advanced Service Chaining

• Source NAT Service Chain
• Service chain With Docker Containers
• Service Chains That Include Physical Routers
• Troubleshooting Service Chains
• Lab 8: Troubleshooting Contrail Service Chains
   

Day 5

Chapter 13: Contrail Monitoring and Analytics

• Analytics Review
• Using Analytics to Monitor and Troubleshoot the System
• Debugging processes using the Contrail Introspect
• Configuring Contrail Analytics
• Lab 9: Using Contrail Analytics

Chapter 14: Analyzing Network State and Traffic Flows

• Contrail Analytics API
• Contrail Alerts
• Analyzing Live Traffic
• Underlay Overlay Mapping in Contrail
• Lab 10: Analyzing Traffic Flows with Contrail Analytics

Appendix A: Contrail Installation Walk-Through

• Installation using Fab Scripts
• Installation using Server Manager Lite
• Lab 11: Installing Contrail