Citrix NetScaler and Cisco ACI. How it works

10:29 PM
Citrix NetScaler and Cisco ACI. How it works -

It is an exciting week at Cisco Live in San Diego

Citrix would be known to be a key Cisco ACI Ecosystem Partners by integrating the Citrix NetScaler ADC with the Cisco APIC controller. There are several interesting technologies are used to deliver this joint solution and I thought would be interesting to take a look at how it is implemented. Cisco APIC deals with the two most important requirements for achieving the application centric data center vision:

policy-based automation framework

• Policy-based Service-insertion technology

policy-based automation framework enables the APIC providing dynamic and configure application requests for resources. as a result of core services such as firewalls and Layer 4 to 7 switches can be consumed by applications made and ready to use in a single automated step.

The application-centric enables APIC creating application profiles, the layer 4 to 7 services that define consumed by a particular data center tenant application. As a key partner in ACI ADC ecosystem provides Citrix NetScaler L4-L7 services such as load balancing, application acceleration and application security.

Cisco ACI and Citrix NetScaler ADC solution

NS+ACI-14

Figure 1. Cisco ACI and Citrix NetScaler ADC solution

Device package integration
integration between the Cisco APIC controller and the NetScaler ADC is achieved through a NetScaler "Device package". Imported by APIC controller, the device package enables REST-based API integration and enables the APIC Controller detailed feature-level configuration of NetScaler perform.

The joint work of the Cisco and Citrix teams, the list of NetScaler features that can be automated by APIC controller, extends the rich set of ADC services through the NetScaler offered and has more than 15 key features and functions such as authentication, firewalling, caching and compression, and more. Citrix has the most complete equipment package with Cisco APIC for an ADC with NetScaler.

Citrix NetScaler Device Package


2. Citrix NetScaler Device Package

Policy based service insertion
the second key technology of ACI architecture is policy-based service-insertion. The Cisco APIC solution automates the steps routing of network traffic to the correct services based on application guidance. This allows on a per tenant basis on application requirements can be dynamically deployed and configured L4-L7 resources.

The Cisco APIC provides a graphical drag-and-drop GUI to easily create L4-L7 services diagrams that define the network traffic routing; one of the L4-L7 ADC functions that can be included in a service graph definition in the NetScaler appliance package, so that comprehensive NetScaler integration with the Cisco APIC.

Cisco APIC Service graphics, with Citrix NetScaler ADC and Cisco ASA firewall routing


Figure 3. Cisco APIC service graphic with Citrix NetScaler ADC and Cisco ASA firewall routing

policy-based service to insert automates the steps routing of network traffic to the correct services based on application guidance. Automatic adding, removing and reordering of services allows administrators to quickly change the resources that require an application without the need to program the network and reconfigure or to relocate the services. For example, if the business decision is found in a modern ADC as a cost effective way to achieve PCI compliance to use an application firewall, would administrators only need to define the policy for the services newly used for the applications should. The Cisco APIC can distribute dynamic new policies for infrastructure and service nodes in minutes without the network requires to be manually changed.

Once created, a service diagram can be assigned to a data center to an application profile and contracted tenants and thus the definition of network traffic flow for each application and tenants.

APIC service graph and application profile for tenants


Figure 4. APIC service graph and application profile for tenants

NetScaler and ACI advantages of the solution
the unique joint Cisco ACI and Citrix NetScaler solution improves data center operations and application deployment.

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The main advantages are to be addressed

• The central point of the network controller with ADC service policy coordination and automation: The Cisco APIC acts as a point of configuration management and automation for NetScaler SDX, MPX and VPX appliances ; closely coordinated the ADC service delivery to the network automation; and provides end-to-end telemetry and visibility of service-enabled applications and tenant

• Scalable and flexible architecture for both physical and virtual appliances. Cisco ACI defines a policy-based service insertion mechanism for both physical and virtual ADC appliances, full lifecycle service management provision on the basis of workload instantiation and decommissioning

• Investment protection: .. Cisco ACI and Cisco APIC are fully compatible with existing ADC networks to maintain the existing models service mode and open standards protocols

• Expand ecosystem for service integration: Cisco and Citrix is ​​the IETF standard for the network service header (NSH) protocol, with the promise of agile and resilient service delivery management, which support the movement of service functions and application workloads.

Citrix NetScaler Supported Platforms

Cisco APIC services orchestration on all Citrix NetScaler ADC appliance form factors and models used is appropriate - the VPX virtual appliance, multi-tenant SDX -Appliance and high-MPX appliance. Sold Citrix NetScaler NS1000V, a virtual NetScaler appliance and supported by Cisco, is also supported by Cisco APIC.

Why Cisco and Citrix
Since the companies quickly make the data center more agile, application-centric automation and virtualization of hardware and software infrastructure has become increasingly important. Cisco ACI builds the critical link between business-based requirements for applications and the infrastructure that supports them. The Citrix NetScaler ADC combines infrastructure and applications and enables the available insight into the Cisco APIC though deep integration.

listen For further information about ACI and Citrix NetScaler / Cisco integrations Citrix VP of Product Management, Steve Shah and Cisco Director Harry Petty, the benefits of Cisco ACI Citrix NetScaler to discuss common solution, and how it improves speed services and safeguard investments through an open Cisco ACI model exists.

Citrix 'VP Steve Shah talks about the advantages of a centralized L2-L7 management for SDN

Visit Citrix -. Cisco Partner Page

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