Mind nMap

This script uses a number of different genie parses to create a formated markdown file and rendered HTML file of a given core-distribution-access Cisco topology.

Getting Started

We recommend creating a python virtual environment to run this utility
Software dependencies: pyATS and Markmap

Installation for Ubuntu

Virtual Environment

We recommend running Mind nMap in a Python virtual environment while testing or developing. This will help keep your host system clean and allow you to have multiple environments to try new things. If you are not using a virtual environment, start at the download/clone step below.

You will also need Python 3, pip, and venv installed on your host system.

In your project directory, create your virtual environment

python3 -m venv env

Activate (use) your new virtual environment (Linux):

source env/bin/activate

Download or clone the mind_nmap repository:

git clone https://github.com/automateyournetwork/mind_nmap.git

Install pyATS and markmap into your environment:

pip install pyats[full]
sudo apt update
sudo apt install npm
sudo npm install markmap-cli -g

Create your testbed file

here is an example of the required testbed file:
*** SINGLE DEVICE ***

devices:
    Dist:
      alias: 'Dist'
      type: 'router'
      os: 'iosxe'
      role: dist
      platform: cat4500
      credentials:
        default:
          username: admin
          password: {{password}}
      connections:        
        cli:
          protocol: ssh
          ip: "192.168.1.10"
          arguments:
            connection_timeout: 360

*** TOPOLOGY ***

devices:
    Core:
      alias: 'Core'
      type: 'router'
      os: 'iosxe'
      role: dist
      platform: c9600
      credentials:
        default:
          username: admin
          password: {{password}}
      connections:        
        cli:
          protocol: ssh
          ip: "192.168.1.1"
          arguments:
            connection_timeout: 360
    Dist:
      alias: 'Dist'
      type: 'router'
      os: 'iosxe'
      role: dist
      platform: cat4500
      credentials:
        default:
          username: admin
          password: {{password}}
      connections:        
        cli:
          protocol: ssh
          ip: "192.168.1.5"
          arguments:
            connection_timeout: 360
    Access:
      alias: 'Access'
      type: 'router'
      os: 'iosxe'
      role: access
      platform: cat9300
      credentials:
        default:
          username: admin
          password: {{password}}
      connections:        
        cli:
          protocol: ssh
          ip: "192.168.1.10"
          arguments:
            connection_timeout: 360

NOTE: Highly recommended to encryt your passwords. Please use the following link for instructions on how to encyrpt your passwords with pyATS.
https://pubhub.devnetcloud.com/media/pyats/docs/utilities/secret_strings.html

important note:

we use the custom tag role in our testbed to help build the topology, please lable your devices as core, dist, or access

Create your Markmap

$ cd mind_nmap
$ cd MindMaps
$ pyats run job MindMap_job.py --testbed-file ../testbeds/testbed_MindMap.yml

Viewing your MarkMap

The script will create one Layer 2 network map under /MindMaps/Devices/MindMap.md.

To view the formatted output as a markmap please install the MarkMap extension for VS Code or the files can be view externally by viewng the html versions.

Additionally there will be a markdown file per device that is also created. They will be located in the MindMaps/Network/Devices.

NOTE: the script has only been run on Cisco Catalyst and Nexus devices.

Links to dependancies

pyATS:

https://developer.cisco.com/pyats/

MarkMap:

https://markmap.js.org/repl

Try It Yourself!

Using the Cisco DevNet CML Sandbox you can try it for yourself!

Visit https://devnetsandbox.cisco.com/RM/Topology
Reserve the CML Sandbox

Update the testbed_MindMap.yml topology from the testbed_CML_Sandbox_MindMap.yml (Replace the contents) to match the Access Layer

testbed_MindMap.yml

devices:
    dist-sw01:
     alias: 'dist-sw01'
     type: 'switch'
     os: 'nxos'
     role: 'access'
     platform: n9k
     credentials:
       default:
         username: cisco
         password: cisco
     connections:        
       cli:
         protocol: "ssh"
         ip: "10.10.20.177"
         arguments:
           connection_timeout: 360
    dist-sw02:
     alias: 'dist-sw02'
     type: 'switch'
     os: 'nxos'
     role: 'access'
     platform: n9k
     credentials:
       default:
         username: cisco
         password: cisco
     connections:        
       cli:
         protocol: "ssh"
         ip: "10.10.20.178"
         arguments:
           connection_timeout: 360

Use Case

Brainfreeze

Mind Maps for Cisco Identity Services Engine

Use the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) External RESTful Service (ERS) and Monitoring and Troubleshooting (MnT) Application Programmable Interfaces (APIs) to create valid markdown files which then in turn can be rendered as mind maps using the VS Code markmap extension

Related Sandbox

Provide a link to a related DevNet Sandbox: PX-Grid on ISE 2.0