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Cisco Catalyst Center Integration

Overview​

The Cisco Catalyst Center integration automatically discovers and synchronizes your network infrastructure data from Catalyst Center into NetBox, ensuring your NetBox instance remains current with your actual network infrastructure. This eliminates manual data entry, reduces documentation drift, and provides a single source of truth for your network inventory.

What Gets Synchronized​

  • Devices
  • Platforms
  • Interfaces
  • IP Addresses
  • MAC Addresses
  • Sites
  • Roles
Techincal Info

For full details of Catalyst Center to NetBox object and attribute mappings, please refer to the Technical Info section.

Key Features​

  • Automated Device Discovery: Automatically discovers and synchronizes Cisco Catalyst devices from Catalyst Center
  • Real-time Data Synchronization: Keeps NetBox data current with Catalyst Center inventory
  • Comprehensive Object Mapping: Maps devices, interfaces, IP addresses, MAC Addresses, sites, and roles
  • NetBox Assurance Integration: Leverages NetBox Assurance for safe data ingestion and deviation management
  • Secure Authentication: OAuth2 client credentials for secure communication with NetBox, plus Vault integrations for controller secrets
  • Easy Deployment: Docker-based agents run in multiple network locations

Integration Architecture​

The Cisco Catalyst Center integration is built using the NetBox Labs controller integrations framework, which provides:

  • Standardized Integration Pattern: Consistent approach across all controller integrations
  • NetBox Assurance Integration: Built-in support for safe data ingestion and deviation management with NetBox Assurance
  • Agent Based: Runs as part of the NetBox Discovery agent ecosystem using the Orb Agent Pro image

Compatibility​

Supported NetBox Versions​

  • NetBox Cloud
  • NetBox Enterprise

Supported Cisco Catalyst Center Versions​

  • Cisco Catalyst Center 2.3.x and later

Use Cases​

Network Documentation​

  • Automatically populate NetBox with current network inventory.
  • Maintain accurate device and interface documentation.
  • Track IP address assignments and subnet utilization.

Change Management​

  • Detect configuration changes in your network.
  • Identify new devices and interfaces.
  • Monitor network growth and expansion.

Compliance and Auditing​

  • Maintain audit trails of network changes.
  • Ensure documentation matches actual infrastructure.
  • Support compliance reporting requirements.

Benefits​

Time Savings​

  • Eliminate manual data entry and updates.
  • Reduce time spent on network documentation.
  • Automate routine inventory tasks.

Accuracy​

  • Ensure NetBox reflects actual network state.
  • Reduce documentation drift and errors.
  • Maintain consistent data across systems.

Operational Efficiency​

  • Single source of truth for network inventory.
  • Improved change management processes.
  • Better support for network planning and design.

This integration works alongside other NetBox Labs controller integrations:

  • VMware vCenter: Virtual infrastructure management
  • Juniper Mist: Cloud-based network management
  • Microsoft DHCP: IP address management
  • AWS VPC IPAM: Cloud IP address management

For a complete view of your infrastructure, consider deploying multiple integrations to cover all your network management platforms.

Next Steps​

  1. Review Prerequisites: Ensure all requirements are met
  2. Get Access: Contact NetBox Labs for Orb Agent Pro credentials
  3. Follow Setup Guide: Use the Getting Started Guide for detailed instructions
  4. Deploy and Monitor: Run the integration and monitor for deviations
  5. Scale as Needed: Deploy additional agents for larger networks

For support and questions, contact support@netboxlabs.com.

Prerequisites​

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

  • NetBox Cloud or NetBox Enterprise
  • Diode enabled (data ingestion engine for NetBox)
  • NetBox Assurance enabled (required to manage data ingested into NetBox)
  • Orb Agent Pro credentials (required to download the agent image)
  • Cisco Catalyst Center controller(s) with API access
  • Docker installed on your host system(s)
  • Network connectivity between your host(s) and both NetBox and Catalyst Center Controller(s)

Host Requirements​

System Requirements​

  • Operating System: Linux, macOS, or Windows with Docker support
  • Memory: Minimum 2GB RAM (4GB recommended)
  • Storage: 1GB free disk space
  • Network: Stable internet connection for pulling Docker images
  • Docker: Version 20.10 or later

Network Requirements​

  • Outbound gRPC/gRPCS access to Diode on your NetBox instance (typically port 443 for gRPCS)
  • Outbound HTTP/HTTPS access to your Cisco Catalyst Center controller (typically port 443 for HTTPS)
  • DNS resolution for both NetBox and Catalyst Center hostnames
  • Firewall rules configured to allow the above connections from your agent host
Related Topics
DiscoveryNetBox