Network Automation using Contrail Cloud

Course Overview

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 4.1.0.

Target Audience

Course Objectives

• Explain the definition and main principles of SDN
• Discuss the NFV framework.
• Explain the role of Contrail SDN Controller.
• List available Contrail solutions.
• 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 main features of Contrail.
• Discuss different Contrail use cases.
• Describe Contrail related solutions.
• Describe the functions of the Contrail vRouter.
• Describe the functions of the Contrail SDN Controller.
• Understand containerized Contrail modules.
• Explain the role of different node types in Contrail.
• Use Contrail troubleshooting tools.
• Describe available Contrail configuration methods.
• Configure Contrail Virtual DNS services.
• Create virtual networks.
• Create policies to control the flow of traffic.
• Use Contrail Configuration API.
• Explain how virtual and physical networks can be connected.
• Configure Floating IPs.
• Use physical gateway devices with Contrail.
• Configure physical devices with Device Manager.
• Use simple virtual gateway.
• Explain underlay connectivity without gateway.
• Explain Contrail integration with Kubernetes and OpenShift.
• Use BGP as a Service feature.
• Understand Graceful Restart Capabilities.
• Describe QoS support in Contrail.
• Understand Load Balancing as a Service.
• Describe vRouter support for DPDK, SR-IOV and SmartNICs.
• Understand Contrail Global Controller.
• Describe service chaining within Contrail.
• Understand service chains version 1 and version 2.
• Configure In-Network service chains.
• Configure Transparent service chains.
• Configure Source NAT.
• Use Heat to automate service deployment.
• Understand details of service chain routing.
• Use routing policies.
• Troubleshoot service chains.
• Explain the use of Docker containers in service chains.
• Describe Physical Network Function integration.
• Explain routing traffic from physical network via Contrail service chain.
• Explain the functions of Contrail Analytics.
• Describe how to work with the Monitor workspace.
• Discuss how to run flow queries and examine system logs.
• Use Contrail Analytics API.
• Work with Contrail Alarms.
• Understand how to analyze live traffic with Contrail. •
•                  Describe Underlay Overlay mapping.
• Explain the need for Contrail Security.
• Discuss multidimensional firewall policy configuration.
• Use tags and labels.
• Discuss traffic visualization with Contrail Security.
• Explain pre-installation tasks and roles.
• Describe Server Manager and Server Manager Lite.
• Describe Contrail installation using Server Manager Lite.
• Describe additional settings and operations

Course Content

DAY 1 :

1.COURSE INTRODUCTION

2. SDN, NFV, and Contrail 

• Review of SDN and NFV 
• Contrail Solution Overview

3. OpenStack Fundamentals :

• OpenStack Overview
• OpenStack Projects 
• Exploring OpenStack Installation and Using CLI

4.OpenStack Configuration:

• OpenStack Interface Options
• Using OpenStack Heat Templates
• OpenStack Configuration

 Lab 2: Configuring OpenStack

 Lab 1: Exploring OpenStack with the CLI

DAY 2:

Contrail Overview :

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

Contrail Architecture Fundamentals

• Contrail Architecture Overview
• Contrail Management and Analytics
• Contrail Control Plane
• Contrail Data Plane 
•  Basic Contrail Troubleshooting

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

Contrail Configuration Basics :

• Contrail Configuration Methods
•  vRouter Services 
•  Configuring Virtual Networks
•  Configuring Network Policies and Security Groups
•  Contrail API Python Library

Lab 4: Virtual Networks and Policies

DAY 3:

8 Interacting with External Networks :

• Connecting Virtual and Physical Networks
• Floating IPs
• Using Device Manager
•  Configuring Simple Virtual Gateway
• Underlay Connectivity without Gateway

 Lab 5: Creating Floating IPs and Gateways

Contrail Network Services :

•  Contrail and Container Networking
•  BGP as a Service
•  Graceful Restart Capabilities
•  Implementing CoS
•  Load Balancing as a Service Overview
•  vRouter Support for DPDK and SR-IOV
•  Contrail Global Controller Overview

Lab 6: Using Docker Containers with Contrail

DAY 4:

Contrail Service Chains :

• Service Chaining Overview 
• In-Network Service Chain and Configuration
• Transparent Service Chain and Configuration
• Configuring Source NAT
• Automating Service Chaining

 Lab 7: Creating Contrail Service Chains

Advanced Service Chaining:

• Advanced Operation
• Service Instance Health Checks
• Troubleshooting Service Chains
• Service Chain with Docker Containers
• Physical Network Function Integration
• NFV for ISP Case Study

 Lab 8: Advanced Service Chain Operation and Troubleshooting

DAY 5:

Contrail Monitoring and Analytics :

• Analytics Overview 
• Monitor > Infrastructure Workspace
• Monitor > Networking Workspace
• Flow Queries, Logs, and Statistics
• Configuring Contrail Analytics
• Analytics API

 Lab 9: Using Contrail Analytics

Analyzing Network State and Traffic Flows :

• Contrail Alarms
• Analyzing Live Traffic
• Underlay Overlay Mapping

Lab 10: Analyzing Traffic Flows with Contrail Analytics

Contrail Security :

• The Need for Contrail Security
• Contrail Security Configuration
• Monitoring and Visualization

Contrail Installation :

• Pre-Installation and Roles
• Server Manager Overview 
• Installation using Server Manager Lite 
• Additional Settings and Operations 

Lab 11: Installing Contrail

Course Prerequisites

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

• IJOS - Introduction to the Junos Operating System

Follow on Courses

• JIR - Junos Intermediate Routing
• JSEC - Junos Security