Step 1 - Open The Main Task File for the Role

For the deploy role tasks, ensure you are in your VSCode Terminal and open the main.yml file found in roles/deploy/tasks/ using the VSCode code keyword as before.

code-server -r ~/workspace/ndfclab/ansible/roles/deploy/tasks/main.yml

Step 2 - Add Tasks To Deploy Fabric

It is finally time to add tasks to your deploy role. The tasks will be used to save the configuration and deploy the pending fabric configuration to your switches.

For these tasks, we leverage the generic fallback module cisco.dcnm.dcnm_rest to interact with the NDFC REST API. The first task is the API to save the configuration of the fabric, while the second is to trigger the deployment of the fabric configuration.

For these tasks, you again use the block keyword. These tasks are grouped and have a common tag of deploy associated with them.

- name: Role Entry Point - [deploy]
  ansible.builtin.debug:
    msg:
      - "----------------------------------------------------------------"
      - "+             Calling Role - [deploy]                          +"
      - "----------------------------------------------------------------"

- name: Config-Save & Deploy for NDFC Fabric {{ fabric_settings.FABRIC_NAME }}
  tags:
    - deploy
  block:
    - name: Config-Save for Fabric {{ fabric_settings.FABRIC_NAME }}
      cisco.dcnm.dcnm_rest:
        method: POST
        path: "/appcenter/cisco/ndfc/api/v1/lan-fabric/rest/control/fabrics/{{ fabric_settings.FABRIC_NAME }}/config-save"

    - name: Deploy for Fabric {{ fabric_settings.FABRIC_NAME }}
      cisco.dcnm.dcnm_rest:
        path: "/appcenter/cisco/ndfc/api/v1/lan-fabric/rest/control/fabrics/{{ fabric_settings.FABRIC_NAME }}/config-deploy?forceShowRun=false"
        method: POST

Step 3 - Open the Top Level fabric.yml Ansible Playbook

Navigate back to your fabric.yml file by using the VSCode code command:

code-server -r ~/workspace/ndfclab/ansible/fabric.yml

Step 4 - Add a line to call the deploy role under the roles: section of the playbook

Your fabric.yml file should already be populated from the previous section. With the file open, you only need to add the highlighted line, which should be line number 13 in your file. You can do this by highlighting the text in the lab guide and copying then pasting in your file or typing the line in your file. After one of those actions, press the return key such that there is a new line after where you entered - manage_overlay. Note: Make sure your indentation is correct and aligns with the previous item which should be - manage_overlay.

---
# This is the top level build playbook that runs the various
# Ansible roles that will be used to build out the fabric

- name: Build VXLAN EVPN Fabric on NDFC
  hosts: ndfc
  gather_facts: false

  roles:
    - create_fabric
    - add_inventory
    - manage_overlay 
    - deploy # Add this line under the manage_overlay role from the previous section

Step 5 - Execute Ansible Playbook

Make sure you are in the root Ansible directory

cd ~/workspace/ndfclab/ansible

From the root ansible project directory execute the following command.

ansible-playbook -i hosts.stage.yml fabric.yml --tags deploy

Upon a successful run of the playbook your output should look as follows:

  PLAY [Build VXLAN EVPN Fabric on NDFC] **********************************************************************************************************************************

  TASK [deploy : Config-Save for Fabric fabric-stage] *********************************************************************************************************************
  ok: [10.15.0.98]

  TASK [deploy : Deploy for Fabric fabric-stage] **************************************************************************************************************************
  ok: [10.15.0.98]

  PLAY RECAP **************************************************************************************************************************************************************
  10.15.0.98                 : ok=2    changed=0    unreachable=0    failed=0    skipped=0    rescued=0    ignored=0

Step 6 - Return to NDFC & Verify Deployment

Return to your NDFC browser window and verify the deployment of the fabric configuration.

1. Click the Switches tab in the top navigation bar


2. Verify you see you switches in the Config Status as In-Sync. If not, please click the refresh button to the right of the Actions button




3. Click Interfaces
4. There will be many interfaces, but you should now be able to confirm interface configurations to your switches




5. Click the VRFs tab in the top navigation bar
6. Verify you see the VRF AnsibleVRF now with a Deployed status
7. Double-click AnsibleVRF to review the VRF details




8. Click VRF Attachments
9. Confirm AnsibleVRF is now Deployed and Attached to your switches




10. Click Networks
11. Confirm AnsibleNet1 and AnsibleNet2 is associated to AnsibleVRF and Deployed to your switches
12. Click the close button




13. Click the Networks tab in the top navigation bar
14. Verify you see the Networks AnsibleNet1 and AnsibleNet2 now Deployed.
15. Double-click AnsibleNet1 to review the Network details




16. Click Network Attachments
17. Confirm AnsibleNet1 is now Deployed and Attached to your switches




18. Click VRFs
19. Confirm AnsibleVRF is associated to AnsibleNet1 and Deployed to your switches
20. Click the close button




21. Click the Overview tab in the top navigation bar
22. Verify your overall fabric deployment status

Next, you will build upon what you learned here with an abstraction layer on top of Ansible NDFC collection with an easy-to-use data model-driven VXLAN as Code solution collection.