The Cisco Networking Academy is excited for you to start your career path into an area that combines the skills needed for software development, network engineering and network and infrastructure automation. As more devices and networks use software to help program, monitor and automate things that were often done manually, a developer environment was needed to help with learning, testing and exchanging tools and resources to complete the tasks. This module introduces you to a developer environment called Cisco DevNet. You will explore different areas of the developer community to see how these tools and resources can help you in your software development and network engineering career.
At the end of each module, there will also be a quiz to see how you're retaining the information.
Note: The developer environment that you will create to do these labs, along with the developer labs that you will complete for this NetAcad version of the DEVASC course are specific to NetAcad students. You do not need to create, or use any other developer environments to achieve the objectives outlined for this course.
DevNet Overview
DevNet is a fully-integrated developer program comprising a website, an interactive developer community, coordinated developer tools, integrated discussion forums, and sandboxes. Whether you are new to coding and networking, or you have advanced skills, there are opportunities to learn more through such features as:
- Learning Labs - Self-paced tutorials that cover a wide range of topics; starting from basic coding to using REST APIs with various technologies
- Sandboxes - Production-like development and testing environments for a host of technologies
- Code Exchange - A repository of sample code written by other developers
- Developer support - Support for developer related issues through tickets, live chats, and forums
- Developer documentation - A central location for all of the product developer (API) documentation
These are additional resources that are available to you but are not required for completion of this course.
- Video courses - Instructor led videos that teach various topics including hands-on exercises
- DevNet events - Events around the world where you can find DevNet's developers teaching classes on a variety of topics and giving hands-on workshops.
Exploring DevNet Online Resources
Getting Started with DevNet Resources
DevNet gives developers a starting point for all Cisco APIs, including API documentation, education, and developer support. Part of your certification includes understanding the large number of online resources available for Cisco products that are relevant for developers, either in terms of application development or automation, and this module discusses these resources.
For a high-level overview, go to the DevNet starting page at developer.cisco.com. You'll see that the site is organized by the type of offerings which include Start Now, Learning Tracks, Video Course, Sandbox, Code Exchange, and Ecosystem Exchange. You can also explore based on the platform that interests you, including IoT, Cloud, Networking, Data Center, Security, Mobility, Open Source, Collaboration, and Services, or navigate links specifically for application developers or for infrastructure developers or for network engineers.
DevNet Learning Labs
DevNet Learning Labs contain tutorials that cover engineering technologies, programming languages, and concepts such as model-driven programmability, REST APIs, Python, JavaScript, and Cisco platform instructions and exercises.
Often Learning Labs provide the best walk-through for using a DevNet Sandbox, which is a pre-configured environment that is already installed with Cisco platforms. Learning Labs also explain how to set up your own development environment so that you can practice repeatedly and try the tasks on a local computer. Learning Labs categories mimic the overall DevNet site, with tutorials on coding, collaboration, IoT, data center, mobility (mobile and wireless), and networking.
DevNet Sandbox
When you're developing and testing technology, you want a test bed where you can try out code within a realistic environment without affecting production systems. To do that, go to the DevNet Sandbox offering, where you can try out Cisco hardware and environments.
DevNet offers a host of sandboxes, enabling hands-on exploration of software and APIs.
The developer lab environment that you set up at the beginning of this course is what you will use for all of the labs in this course.
DevNet Exchanges
DevNet Exchanges
DevNet provides multiple ways for community members to share with each other. These are called Exchanges. Currently, the Automation Exchange, Code Exchange, and Ecosystem Exchange are available. You can present examples to multiple audiences, both developers and business experts alike.
Automation Exchange
The Automation Exchange provides a collection of network automation use cases with different solutions and toolkits.
For example, a typical lifecycle is to put devices into an operational state, apply configurations to the devices, then optimize. If something goes wrong, you also want to monitor and have troubleshooting tools at hand. This exchange provides examples to help with these tasks.
Code Exchange
The social coding engine that is GitHub has changed the way we work on code. To curate a searchable subset of source code or tools repositories, DevNet has Code Exchange. Anyone can submit a repository that they have found useful for any technology area. The Code Exchange site uses the GitHub API, as well as human moderators, to categorize and display hundreds of related repositories. You can search for any keyword in the repository and get a list of results.
Ecosystem Exchange
Because many of Cisco's platforms are for solution providers (as opposed to individuals), DevNet connects the dots for partners to fulfill solutions with developer scenarios. In the Ecosystem Exchange, you can find more than 1,500 solutions across different technologies, industries, and geographies to jump start solution design and development.
Find a Use Case in Automation Exchange
The Automation Exchange provides various use cases for network automation, from listing data, to adding configurations, to activating policies across domains, users, or devices. The listings are for different tool sets such as Ansible or Puppet, and different infrastructure scenarios, from campus or branch, to data center, to service provider.
DevNet Developer Support
DevNet offers developer support. DevNet can help troubleshoot integrations, API connections, and other specialty questions about developer use cases on Cisco products. A good starting point for getting your specific developer scenario questions answered is developer.cisco.com/support.
You can get support by:
- logging a ticket
- posting to a community forum
- accessing a Webex Teams space
DevNet also has a knowledge base with troubleshooting articles for reference.
Opening a Support Case
DevNet provides case-based ticket support to members of the Solution Partner program. The support case is used for one-on-one support with a response time of one business day. You can also contact DevNet directly through the forums, or on Webex Teams. To open a DevNet support case, go to developer.cisco.com/support and click Login. Follow the instructions on screen.
Forums in the Cisco Developer Community
You can go to https://devnetsupport.cisco.com and click Community to go to the Cisco Developer community. Click Register or Log in to interact with the community online.
DevNet Developer Environment Summary
DevNet gives developers a starting point for all Cisco APIs, including API documentation, education, and developer support. Part of your certification includes understanding the large number of online resources available for products that are relevant for developers, either in terms of application development or automation. These include DevNet Learning Labs, DevNet video courses, DevNet Sandbox, DevNet Exchanges, and extensive DevNet Support.
There are also DevNet events such as the DevNet Zone at Cisco Live, and DevNet Express.
What type of learner should take the DevNet Associate course?
Topic 2.1.0 - The DevNet Associate course is designed for anyone interested in networking, software development, or the combination of the two.
What is contained within a DevNet Sandbox?
Topic 2.2.0 - The Cisco DevNet Sandbox is a preconfigured environment already installed with Cisco platforms. A development environment can also be set up on a local computer to continue practice and reinforce learning.
Which two DevNet resources are available online? (Choose two.)
Topic 2.2.0 - There are two DevNet resources that are available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Code Exchange and Automation Exchange.
Which DevNet resource would a developer use if the developer is using a Cisco API and needs help understanding the error message received?
Topic 2.2.0 - DevNet support provides multiple ways to support developers using Cisco APIs. There are community forums, knowledge bases, Webex Teams, and case-based tickets for a fee.
What is Cisco DevNet?
Topic 2.1.0 - Cisco DevNet is a developer program that includes online resources, an interactive developer community, developer tools, discussion forums, learning labs, and a production-like development and testing sandbox environment.
What is required in order to ensure that clients are able to talk to applications that are outside a local system?
Topic 2.1.0 - Without a network, clients are unable to talk to applications that are outside the local system.
What is the purpose of the Cisco DevNet Learning Labs?
Topic 2.2.0 - The Cisco DevNet Learning Labs provide tutorials over a wide range of topics including programming, engineering technologies, APIs, and model-driven programmability.
What is a requirement when creating a Cisco DevNet account for accessing educational resources, such as Learning Labs and the DevNet Sandbox?
Topic 2.2.0 - The Cisco DevNet site provides free access to additional educational resources, such as Learning Labs and the DevNet Sandbox after a user has created a DevNet account. A DevNet account can be created using an existing online identity or by creating a new Cisco account for DevNet membership.
Which DevNet event is provided by Cisco partners and Cisco offices?
Topic 2.3.0 - DevNet Express events are organized and offered by Cisco partners and Cisco local offices.
Which website provides the entry point for Cisco DevNet?
Topic 2.2.0 - The Cisco DevNet website of developer.cisco.com is the central resource for all the Cisco developer tools and documentation.
Want more?
Among the various online resources DevNet provides, they also organize local in-person events all over the world. For example, the DevNet Create conference brings together like-minded people from the tech community to discuss new programmable infrastructure innovations and APIs. DevNet Express events are organized by local Cisco partners and Cisco offices. The DevNet Zone is part of the Cisco Live conferences.
DEVASC Project - Introduction
In addition to learning great technical skills, it is also critical for you to develop other skills that can be used in the workplace. One way to do that is through classroom projects and activities that similulate the skills and awareness needed to participate in a real-world workplace. In this course, you will find a project to support learning those needed skills.
Introduction
This project leverages a project-based methodology to develop technical skills and soft skills in a fun and meaningful way. The project consists of five project activities that you will complete in teams. You will build your work team, organize your efforts, and create and test software applications. You will present your work to others and provide feedback to other teams and team members.
Students who build their learning skills (learning how to learn) are much better prepared for today’s increasingly complex work environment than those who do not. Learning how to learn is one of the "21st Century Skills". Other 21st Century Skills include:
- Creativity and Innovation
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Communication
- Collaboration
Competencies that are required in the new job market are rapidly changing. The old way of having highly-skilled professionals in one specific domain, or the other extreme of having a broad-area generalist without deep knowledge in any specialty, is not efficient anymore. New jobs within modern organizations require a multidisciplinary skillset which provides a combination of the previous two types of professionals.
During the project activities in this course, you will work as a team to collaboratively:
- Evaluate a customer problem and requirements
- Perform the initial research
- Design a solution
- Create a prototype
- Test, evaluate, and modify the solution
- Evaluate, iterate and improve the solution
- Deliver a final presentation of your solution and reflect on what you have learned
The Scenario
The scenario for these projects may vary, including the type of industry, the tasks involved, and the team roles. There are three scenarios in this project; however, your instructor may choose to use a different scenario, or allow teams to create their own scenarios.
Student Outcomes
Technical skills:
- Use the latest concepts and skills in software design and development to create an application.
- Collaborate remotely with other team members using communication software and a version control system.
- Create a system to integrate and deploy new features and enhancements in an iterative manner.
- Iteratively develop a solution with rapid prototyping techniques.
- Create processes to deploy applications in an automated environment.
- Create code using software development and design best practices.
- Use network programming and automation to address customer requirements.
Soft skills:
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a realistic work-like environment.
- Use ideation techniques such as brainstorming.
- Use presentation tools to propose project details.
- Work together in multidisciplinary teams to accomplish team goals.
Other relevant outcomes:
- Create a group of products that can be shared with potential employers.
- Develop networking relationships.
Project Activities
During the span of this course, you will work on one project that will involve several Project Activities, including:
- Forming teams to work collaboratively on the project.
- Creating an Agile team.
- Using version control software to collaborate as a team to develop an application.
- Using DevOps methodology to add features to your application.
- Creating an automated process that employs network programmability and automation.
Rubric/Deliverable
Throughout this project, teams will document their results in the DEVASC Project Rubrics. The rubric for this activity is linked below. There are other tasks and questions within this project to help you through this process, however these may not need to be recorded in the rubric. All deliverables that you are responsible for will be noted in this project as "Rubric/Deliverable."
Project Activity 1: Team Formation
In this activity, you will complete the following tasks:
- Choose a facilitator and a recorder.
- Conduct an ice-breaker activity.
- Discuss effective teamwork.
- Choose a role for each team member.
1. Choose Facilitator and Recorder
There are several methods of forming teams. Although there are some differences, most agree that the first step in forming a successful team involves a period of getting acquainted.
To begin, you will select two people to help facilitate the team formation process. These people will only have these roles for this activity. Later, you will choose new roles as part of an agile team.
Choose two team formation roles:
- A facilitator to make sure everyone has a chance to speak and contribute during this process, and that no one person is dominating the discussions.
- A recorder to take notes and summarize this process in the rubric.
Take a few minutes as a team to review the DEVASC Project Rubric for this activity. Rubric documents will be used throughout the project to help you record your process and prepare for your presentations. The recorder will document this information in the rubric sheet for this activity.
The role of the facilitator is to lead the team during the following parts of the activity:
- Asking the ice-breaker questions
- Discussing the requirements of the project
- Discussing teamwork
- Highlighting each person's skills and background
Note: The facilitator and recorder should participate in the activities with the other team members.
2. Ice-breaker Activity
As an "ice-breaker", the facilitator will ask each of you to introduce yourself and choose a question such as:
- What is your favorite hobby?
- What is your favorite thing to do by yourself?
- What was the first concert you ever attended?
- What crazy activities do you dream of trying someday?
- What is your idea of fun?
Rubric/Deliverable:
- Decide on a team name and enter the team member names into the rubric.
- Record the questions that were asked, and the team member’s answers in the rubric.
3. Discuss Effective Teamwork
The facilitator should read the following paragraph about teamwork out loud to the team:
Teamwork is generally defined as a group of people working together to achieve a common goal. A more refined definition is:
"A group of people work together cohesively, towards a common goal, creating a positive working atmosphere, and supporting each other to combine individual strengths and differences to enhance team performance." – Article: Define Teamwork, The Happy Manager
Please take a moment to read the list below and reflect on how you will participate as a team member in the project. Discuss what each of these means in the context of daily interaction of project teams.
The following attitudes are shared by successful teams:
- Willingness to help each other
- Sharing a common vision
- Positive attitudes
- Support and encouragement
- Consensus building
- Open communications
- Effective conflict resolution
The facilitator should ask each team member to say what working in a team means to them.
4. Highlight Each Member's Skills and Background
As a team member (including the facilitator and the recorder) you should find a role that is the right fit for you. Briefly discuss your skillsets, including technical and "soft" skills. The success of any project relies as much on good facilitation and organization, as it does the combination of technical knowledge and skills of the team members.
- What do you enjoy working on?
- What do you enjoy learning about?
Rubric/Deliverable: For each team member, briefly record each person's skillsets and interests.
The Rubric/Deliverables for this section were:
- Team name
- Team members, interests and skillsets
- Answers to Ice-breaker questions
The recorder should complete these items in the rubric document for this activity.
Modul Exam 2