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Discovery

Location in GUI: Tools » Discovery

Diagram
NameTypeConstraintMandatoryDefault Value
discoveryList[discovery]No

NameTypeConstraintMandatoryDefault Value
nameStringYes
typeChoiceSingle, Range, Multi Range, CDP, LLDP, CIDRNo
global_credential_listListStringNo
ip_address_listStringNo
preferred_mgmt_ip_methodChoiceUseLoopBack, NoneNo
protocol_orderStringNo
time_outIntegerNo
cdp_levelIntegerNo
enable_password_listListStringNo
ip_filter_listListStringNo
netconf_portStringNo
retryIntegerNo
user_name_listListStringNo
snmp_versionChoicev2, v3No
snmp_user_nameStringNo
snmp_rw_community_descStringNo
snmp_ro_community_descStringNo
snmp_ro_communityStringNo
snmp_rw_communityStringNo
snmp_priv_protocolChoiceAES128No
snmp_priv_passphraseStringNo
snmp_modeChoiceAUTHPRIV, AUTHNOPRIV, NOAUTHNOPRIVNo
snmp_auth_protocolChoiceSHA, MD5No
snmp_auth_passphraseStringNo
https_read_credentialClass[https_read_credential]No
http_write_credentialClass[http_write_credential]No

https_read_credential (catalyst_center.inventory.discovery)

Section titled “https_read_credential (catalyst_center.inventory.discovery)”
NameTypeConstraintMandatoryDefault Value
nameStringYes
usernameStringYes
passwordStringYes
portIntegermin: 1, max: 65535No

http_write_credential (catalyst_center.inventory.discovery)

Section titled “http_write_credential (catalyst_center.inventory.discovery)”
NameTypeConstraintMandatoryDefault Value
nameStringYes
usernameStringYes
passwordStringYes
portIntegermin: 1, max: 65535No

Prerequisite: CLI, SNMP, HTTPS credentials listed under global_credential_list needs to exists in Catalyst Center or you can define them using following example:

Example-1: Basic IP Range Discovery

This example demonstrates how to configure basic network device discovery using an IP address range in Catalyst Center. Network discovery is the foundational process for identifying and onboarding network devices into the Catalyst Center inventory for centralized management and monitoring.

The discovery configuration includes:

  • Discovery name (Discovery1) for identification and tracking of discovery jobs
  • Range type discovery for scanning contiguous IP address blocks
  • Global credential list (dnacadmin) referencing pre-configured CLI credentials for device authentication
  • IP address range (198.18.130.1-198.18.130.10) defining the scope of network devices to discover
  • Preferred IP method set to None for automatic IP selection during discovery
  • Protocol order (SSH, Telnet) specifying connection priority for device authentication
  • Timeout setting (60 seconds) for discovery connection attempts and device response
catalyst_center:
inventory:
discovery:
- name: Discovery1
type: Range
global_credential_list:
- dnacadmin
ip_address_list: "198.18.130.1-198.18.130.10"
preferred_mgmt_ip_method: None
protocol_order: SSH,Telnet
time_out: 60

Example-2: Device Credentials for Discovery Authentication

This example shows how to configure the CLI credentials required for network device discovery. These credentials must be defined in Catalyst Center before being referenced in discovery jobs to ensure proper device authentication and access.

The CLI credentials configuration includes:

  • Credential name (dnacadmin) matching the reference in discovery global credential list
  • Username and password for device authentication and CLI access
  • Enable password for privileged mode access on discovered devices
  • Foundation for secure device discovery and subsequent management operations
catalyst_center:
network_settings:
device_credentials:
cli_credentials:
- name: dnacadmin
username: cisco1
password: Cisco123!
enable: cisco

Example-3: Multi-Network Discovery with Different Credential Sets

This example demonstrates how to configure multiple discovery jobs targeting different network segments with specific credential sets for diverse network environments and security requirements.

catalyst_center:
inventory:
discovery:
- name: CAMPUS_CORE_DISCOVERY
type: Range
global_credential_list:
- campus-admin
- backup-admin
ip_address_list: "10.1.0.1-10.1.0.50"
preferred_mgmt_ip_method: UseLoopBack
protocol_order: SSH
time_out: 90
enable_password_list:
- campus-enable
- name: BRANCH_NETWORK_DISCOVERY
type: Range
global_credential_list:
- branch-readonly
- branch-admin
ip_address_list: "192.168.100.1-192.168.100.254"
preferred_mgmt_ip_method: UseLoopBack
protocol_order: SSH,Telnet
time_out: 45

Example-4: CIDR-Based Discovery for Large Network Segments

This example shows how to configure discovery using CIDR notation for efficient scanning of large network segments, suitable for enterprise environments with substantial network infrastructure.

catalyst_center:
inventory:
discovery:
- name: ENTERPRISE_WIDE_DISCOVERY
type: CIDR
global_credential_list:
- enterprise-admin
- monitoring-readonly
ip_address_list: "172.16.0.0/16"
preferred_mgmt_ip_method: None
protocol_order: SSH
time_out: 120
snmp_auth_passphrase: snmpAuthPass123
snmp_auth_protocol: SHA
snmp_mode: AuthPriv
snmp_priv_passphrase: snmpPrivPass123
snmp_priv_protocol: AES128
snmp_user_name: snmp-discovery

Example-5: Single Device Discovery with SNMP Integration

This example demonstrates how to configure discovery for specific devices with comprehensive SNMP integration for enhanced device monitoring and management capabilities during the discovery process.

catalyst_center:
inventory:
discovery:
- name: CRITICAL_DEVICE_DISCOVERY
type: Single
global_credential_list:
- critical-admin
ip_address_list: "10.10.10.1"
preferred_mgmt_ip_method: None
protocol_order: SSH
time_out: 180
snmp_version: v3
snmp_auth_passphrase: CriticalAuth2024
snmp_auth_protocol: SHA
snmp_mode: AUTHPRIV
snmp_priv_passphrase: CriticalPriv2024
snmp_priv_protocol: AES256
snmp_username: critical-snmp
http_read_credential: api-readonly
http_write_credential: api-admin

Example-6: Comprehensive Multi-Protocol Discovery Job

This example shows how to configure a comprehensive discovery job with multiple authentication protocols and credential fallback options for complex network environments with diverse device types and configurations.

catalyst_center:
inventory:
discovery:
- name: COMPREHENSIVE_DISCOVERY
type: Range
global_credential_list:
- primary-admin
- secondary-admin
- legacy-admin
ip_address_list: "10.0.0.1-10.0.255.254"
preferred_mgmt_ip_method: Management
protocol_order: SSH,Telnet
time_out: 300
retry_count: 3
snmp_version: v2c
snmp_ro_community: public
snmp_rw_community: private
http_read_credential: monitoring-api
http_write_credential: config-api
netconf_port: 830
- name: Discovery_10_9_1_15
type: Single
global_credential_list:
- primary-admin
- secondary-admin
- legacy-admin
ip_address_list: '10.9.1.15'
preferred_mgmt_ip_method: UseLoopBack
protocol_order: SSH,Telnet
time_out: 300
retry_count: 3
snmp_version: v2c
snmp_ro_community: public
snmp_rw_community: private
http_read_credential: monitoring-api
http_write_credential: config-api
netconf_port: 830
- name: Discovery_10_9_0_1_to_11
type: Range
global_credential_list:
- primary-admin
- secondary-admin
- legacy-admin
ip_address_list: '10.9.0.1-10.9.0.11'
preferred_mgmt_ip_method: UseLoopBack
protocol_order: SSH,Telnet
time_out: 300
retry_count: 3
snmp_version: v2c
snmp_ro_community: public
snmp_rw_community: private
http_read_credential: monitoring-api
http_write_credential: config-api
netconf_port: 830
- name: Discovery_Muliti_Range
type: Multi Range
global_credential_list:
- primary-admin
- secondary-admin
- legacy-admin
ip_address_list: '10.9.1.16-10.9.1.16,10.9.1.19-10.9.1.20'
preferred_mgmt_ip_method: UseLoopBack
protocol_order: SSH,Telnet
time_out: 300
retry_count: 3
snmp_version: v2c
snmp_ro_community: public
snmp_rw_community: private
http_read_credential: monitoring-api
http_write_credential: config-api
netconf_port: 830