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Application-Centric Infrastructure

As explained in Acing the CCNA Exam: Volume 2 Advanced Networking and Security

Cisco ACI is Cisco's data-center software-defined networking solution that translates application and network policies into configurations for the infrastructure.

Application-Centric Infrastructure (ACI) is Cisco’s software-defined networking solution for data-center networks. It expresses application and network requirements as policy, then uses a controller-driven fabric to apply those requirements across the infrastructure. section 22.2.3 section 22.4

Recognize the ACI architecture through these elements:

  • Underlay: the physical spine-leaf network carrying the infrastructure. section 22.2.3
  • Overlay: VXLAN tunnels that create the virtual network across the underlay. section 22.2.3
  • Fabric: the combined physical underlay and virtual overlay. section 22.2.3
  • APIC: the SDN controller for the ACI fabric. section 22.2.3
Figure 22.9 The Cisco ACI fabric, consisting of a spine-leaf underlay and an overlay of VXLAN tunnels. The APIC is the SDN controller.

Use the fabric diagram to connect the spine-leaf underlay, VXLAN overlay, and APIC controller in one architectural view. section 22.2.3

How Acing the CCNA Exam: Volume 2 Advanced Networking and Security covers it

How deep it goes
Defines the controller, underlay, overlay, and fabric at a high level without configuration or verification procedures.
Examples
Uses a spine-leaf underlay, VXLAN tunnel overlay, and APIC-controlled fabric as its defining architectural example.
What it assumes
Assumes familiarity with SDN’s controller model and the distinction between physical underlay and virtual overlay.
What you can do after
Evaluate ACI architecture by identifying its controller, physical underlay, virtual overlay, and combined fabric.
How it connects
Connects SDN, centralized control, application policy, spine-leaf networks, VXLAN, overlays, underlays, fabrics, and APIC.
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