Unleash the Power of ISE 3.1 SDK with Ansible Examples

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Ice SDK
   1. Ice 3.1 and Python
   2. Cisco Postman Collections
   3. Structure of the SDK
   4. Importing Libraries
   5. Example of Ice SDK
3. Ansible and Ice
   1. Introduction to Ansible
   2. Ansible Playbooks
   3. Ice and Ansible Playbooks
4. Ice Version Playbook
5. Policy Set Playbook
6. Conclusion

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the capabilities of Ice SDK and Ansible in the Context of Ice 3.1. Ice SDK provides a different approach to using Python as a programming language. We will discuss the structure of the SDK, importing necessary libraries, and provide examples of using the Ice SDK. Additionally, we will introduce Ansible, a powerful automation solution, and its integration with Ice. We will explore Ansible playbooks and demonstrate how to Create an Ice version playbook and a policy set playbook. By the end of this article, You will have a clear understanding of how to leverage Ice SDK and Ansible to automate tasks in Ice 3.1.

Ice SDK

Ice SDK is a valuable tool for developers working with Ice 3.1. It offers a different approach for using Python as the programming language. Additionally, the Ice team has created Cisco Postman collections and uploaded them along with the SDK and Ansible playbooks for reference. These resources can be found on the Cisco Ice GitHub repository.

Ice 3.1 and Python

Ice 3.1 introduces Python support with the Ice SDK. This allows developers to leverage the power of Python for their Ice projects. To get started with Ice SDK, you need to clone the Cisco Ice GitHub repository and import the necessary libraries.

Cisco Postman Collections

The Cisco Postman collections, created by the Ice team, provide examples and procedures for working with Ice SDK. These collections cover various API options, including Ansible playbooks, Terraform, and automation scripts. You can find these collections on the Cisco Ice GitHub repository. It's essential to ensure that you are using the supported version of Ice, which is Ice 3.1.1.

Structure of the SDK

The Ice SDK follows a specific structure that you need to understand before using it. It starts with JSON, as it is the format of the data Type used in the examples. You will need to import the Cisco SDK and API libraries to take AdVantage of Ice SDK.

Importing Libraries

Importing the necessary libraries is crucial to work with Ice SDK. Without importing the required libraries, you won't be able to utilize the capabilities of Ice SDK. Make sure you have the Cisco SDK installed and up-to-date before proceeding.

Example of Ice SDK

To demonstrate the capabilities of Ice SDK, we will walk you through an example. In this example, we will provide the credentials and base URL to establish a session using Ice SDK. We will then use the repository option to Gather repository information and retrieve a list of repositories created in the Ice instance.

Ansible and Ice

Ansible is a simple, flexible, and agentless automation solution that can be used for a variety of purposes, including security tasks. It supports SSH and offers a human-readable and easy-to-use syntax. Ansible allows you to configure servers, applications, and security services, making it a powerful tool for automation.

Introduction to Ansible

Ansible works by defining a set of tasks in a playbook. Playbooks are written in YAML format, making them easy to Read and understand. The playbook contains a list of tasks that will be executed on the specified hosts. Ansible works in an agentless manner, which means you do not need to install any additional software on the managed nodes.

Ansible Playbooks

Ansible playbooks are the heart of Ansible automation. They define the desired state of the system and the tasks required to achieve that state. Playbooks can be used to automate a wide range of tasks, from simple configuration management to complex multi-tier application deployments.

Ice and Ansible Playbooks

With the release of Ice 3.1, Ansible integration has become possible. Ansible playbooks can be used to automate tasks in Ice, such as creating and updating policy sets. We will demonstrate how to create an Ice version playbook and a policy set playbook using Ansible. These playbooks will allow you to automate tasks in Ice and streamline your workflow.

Ice Version Playbook

The Ice version playbook is a simple playbook that retrieves and displays the Current version and patch of Ice installed on a specific node. It provides a quick and easy way to check the Ice version without logging into the node manually. The playbook uses the "Show version" command to fetch the version information.

Policy Set Playbook

The policy set playbook demonstrates how to create a policy set in Ice using Ansible. It allows you to define the name, description, and conditions for the policy set. In this example, we create a policy set named "Beyond the Horizon" with a description created through Ansible. The policy set applies to a specific device IP address range and allows access Based on the condition specified.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the capabilities of Ice SDK and Ansible in the context of Ice 3.1. We discussed the structure of the Ice SDK, importing necessary libraries, and demonstrated examples of using the Ice SDK. Additionally, we introduced Ansible and its integration with Ice, discussing Ansible playbooks and showcasing how to create an Ice version playbook and a policy set playbook. By leveraging Ice SDK and Ansible, developers and administrators can automate tasks in Ice and streamline their workflows.

Highlights

• Ice SDK provides a different approach to using Python with Ice 3.1, allowing developers to leverage the power of Python for their Ice projects.
• Cisco Postman collections, along with the Ice SDK and Ansible playbooks, are available on the Cisco Ice GitHub repository, providing examples and procedures for working with Ice SDK.
• The structure of Ice SDK follows a specific pattern, starting with JSON and requiring the import of Cisco SDK and API libraries.
• Ansible is a powerful automation solution that offers a flexible and agentless approach to automate tasks in Ice and other systems.
• Ansible playbooks are written in YAML format and define the desired state and tasks to achieve that state.
• The Ice version playbook allows you to quickly retrieve and display the current version and patch of Ice installed on a specific node.
• The policy set playbook demonstrates how to create a policy set in Ice using Ansible, providing flexibility and automation for managing policies.

FAQ

Q: Can I use Ice SDK with languages other than Python? A: Ice SDK primarily focuses on Python support, but you can explore other language bindings available for Ice.

Q: What are the benefits of using Ansible with Ice? A: Ansible simplifies the automation process and allows you to configure and manage Ice nodes easily. It eliminates the need for manual configuration and enables systematic updates.

Q: Can I use Ansible playbooks for other automation tasks beyond Ice? A: Absolutely! Ansible is a versatile automation tool and can be used for a wide range of tasks across various systems and technologies.

Q: Is it possible to import policies using Ice and Ansible integration? A: Yes, thanks to the integration of Ansible with Ice, you can now import policies, which was not possible before. This enables easier management and deployment of policies in Ice.

Q: Are there any limitations to using Ice SDK and Ansible with Ice 3.1? A: It is essential to ensure that you are using the supported version of Ice (Ice 3.1.1 or above) and have the necessary libraries and dependencies installed for both Ice SDK and Ansible.

Q: Where can I find more examples and resources for working with Ice SDK and Ansible? A: You can refer to the Cisco Ice GitHub repository for extensive examples, resources, and documentation related to Ice SDK and Ansible integration.