Cisco WAE 7.1 Release Notes

Easier installation

Installation is simpler and faster than previous WAE releases.

Support for the YANG data model

WAE 7.1 adopts the YANG data modeling language for its configuration and operational data structure. In addition, WAE 7.1 provides a standard northbound API based on NETCONF/YANG and REST. See YANG Data Model.

Redesigned WAE UI

The WAE UI has been redesigned. There are three available interfaces: WAE CLI, WAE Expert Mode, and the WAE UI. For more information, see the "Overview" section in the Cisco WAE 7.1 User Guide.

Network interface modules (NIMOs)

The network model is a result of running NIMOs. Each NIMO is associated with one network model (which is similar to the -plan-file option in CLI tools). Each NIMO typically has a source and the resulting output is written to the network model (which is similar to the -out-file option in CLI tools).

The output of one NIMO can be used as a source for another NIMO. Consolidation of multiple NIMOs is done using an aggregator.

Agents

Agents are collections that produce a raw set of data output, which is then used as input to NIMOs to build the network model.

• xtc—Connects to the REST interface of the XR Transport Controller (XTC) and retrieves the PCE topology. The topo-bgpls-xtc-nimo and lsp-pcep-xtc-nimo modules use the raw output to build their respective network model.
• cfg-parse—Retrieves the router configurations through login or CLI, and then parses the router configurations and writes raw output to the database. The port-cfg-parse-nimo module uses the raw output for Layer 1 collection.

WAE Modeling Daemon (WMD)

WMD provides a near real-time representation (model) of the network in memory so that applications can get access to that model. For more information, see the "Overview" chapter in the Cisco WAE User Guide.

Bandwidth on Demand application

The Bandwidth on Demand (BWoD) application utilizes the near real-time model of the network offered by WMD to compute and maintain paths for SR policies with bandwidth constraints delegated to WAE from XTC. In order to compute the shortest path available for a SR policy with a bandwidth constraint and ensure that path will be free of congestion, a Path Computation Element (PCE) must be aware of traffic loading on the network. The WAE BWoD application extends the existing topology-aware PCE capabilities of XTC by allowing delegation of bandwidth-aware path computation ofSR policiesto be sub-delegated to WAE through a new XTC REST API. Users may fine-tune the behavior of the BWoD application, affecting the path it computes, through selection of application options including network utilization threshold (definition of congestion) and path optimization criteria preferences.

Bandwidth Optimization application

The Bandwidth Optimization application is an approach to managing network traffic that focuses on deploying a small number of LSPs to achieve a specific outcome in the network. Examples of this type of tactical traffic engineering are deploying LSPs to shift traffic away from a congested link, establishing a low-latency LSP for priority voice or video traffic, or deploying LSPs to avoid certain nodes or links. WAE provides the Bandwidth Optimization application to react and manage traffic as the state of the network changes.

Support for NSO layered service architecture (LSA)

The basic idea of LSA is to split a service into an upper layer and one or several lower level parts. This can be viewed as splitting the service into a customer-facing (CFS) and a resource-facing (RFS) part. The CFS code (upper-level) runs in one (or several) NSO cfs-nodes, and the RFS code (lower-level) runs in one of many NSO rfs-nodes. The rfs-nodes have each a portion of the managed devices mounted in their / devices tree and the cfs-nodes have the NSO rfs-nodes mounted in their /devices tree. For more information on NSO LSA, see the NSO Layered Service Architecture guide. For information on how to configure LSA for WAE, see the "WAE Administration" chapter in the Cisco WAE User Guide.

Multi-layer collection

Multi-layer collection is supported. WAE collects and models the following information:

• Topologies from DWDM networks that support Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) with non-User Network Interface (UNI) circuits
• L1 circuit paths
• L1 topology with and without amplifiers
• Unprotected and restorable paths
• Actual L1 circuit path hops
• Feasibility metrics and limits
• Inactive L1 links
• L1 node and L1 link SRLGs
• Site information
• User properties
• Configurable Lambda ID mapping options
• Aging information and last seen date

For more information, see the "Multi-Layer Collection" chapter in the Cisco WAE User Guide.

NetFlow data collection

Centralized and distributed NetFlow collection is supported using the external-executable-nimo.

For more information, see the "NetFlow Data Collection" chapter in the Cisco WAE User Guide.

Deprecated CLIs

The following CLI options are deprecated:

• -use-mate-convert-on-input-plan-files
• -use-resolve-plan-on-closing

If the plan file ends in.pln or.txt, it is converted automatically; the CLI option is no longer required.

Easier way to send patch files to WAE

The Send Patch dialog box provides the option to dry run a patch before deploying it. (Check Dry Run or set the Test Option to Test Only.) If the patch dry run succeeds, you can deploy the patch easily. (Click Send Patch in the status popup; return to the Send Patch dialog box with the patch preselected.)

SR TE Optimization tool enhancements

• SR TE Optimization tool now creates or optimizes segment lists so they avoid routing through specified objects (nodes, interfaces, L1 links, L1 nodes, or SRLGs). In previous releases, only the avoidance of nodes was supported. For example, if an L1 link is specified to be avoided, then all L3 circuits associated (directly or indirectly via port circuits) to L1 circuits using this L1 link will be avoided. Multiple avoidance constraints may be simultaneously specified.

The following UI options are available under the Constraints area (SR LSP Optimization > SR-TE Opt):

– Nodes

– Interfaces

– L1 Links

– L1 Nodes

– SRLGs

• The SR TE Optimization tool allows for rerouting of existing LSPs. New rerouting LSP options available in the UI (SR LSP Optimization > SR-TE BW Opt > Analysis and SR LSP Optimization > SR-TE BW Opt > Analysis).

Under LSPs:

– Create new LSPs—If checked, new private SR LSPs with optimized routing can be created. If unchecked, new LSPs are not created.

– Fix LSPs—Controls whether or not LSP routes can be modified. This constraint is useful if you want to reroute existing LSPs to mitigate congestion.

The new CLI options are described in the New CLI Options section.

Improvements to the Tools menu

The Tools menu has been restructured by protocol.

For example, the various Optimization options under the Tools menu have submenus that are based on common protocols.

Improvements to the View > Preferences dialog box

The View Preferences dialog box has these enhancements:

• New scaling options for objects and fonts. Circuit and link widths in layouts are scaled according to the scale factors in the network plot. The valid range, in percentages, for scale factors is from 5 to 1000.
• The option to choose a grey or multicolored palette for background maps in geographic layouts.
• The option to choose a grey or white background for schematic plots.
• A Reset button that lets you reset preferences to the default.

Option to plot P2MP LSPs

You can plot the routes of point-to-multipoint (P2MP) LSPs in a separate plot.

Option to optimize the routing of L1 circuit paths

You can optimize the routing of L1 circuit paths by metric, delay, distance, or hop count. The L1 Circuit Path Optimization tool lets you find the shortest path while meeting disjointness requirements. You can find the shortest path with respect to:

• L1 link metric
• Delay of the L1 link
• Distance of the L1 link
• Hop count

Addition of unresolved hops for segment list hops

WAE Design allows unresolved hops to be stored for each segment list hop.

Option to compress segment lists

You can specify the maximum segment list length for specific LSPs. Any segment lists that exceed the maximum length are replaced by new LSPs, LSP paths, and segment lists. Newly created LSPs are set as segment list hops for other LSPs.

Option to visualize SID values on interfaces

You can configure the appearance of circuits and interfaces in network plots. You can choose to display the SID value as the interface text.

Option to show or hide L1 nodes in network plots

By default, L1 nodes are visible in the network plot. You can hide L1 nodes and their respective L1 links on a per-layout basis, though they still exist in the plan file and tables.

Option to set and position the display name of L1 nodes in network plots

By default, L1 node names appear above the object in a network plot; you can change this positioning.

Easier way of deleting associated L1 circuits or L1 ports

When you delete objects from link aggregation groups (LAGs), you have the option to delete any associated L1 circuits and L1 ports.

• When you delete a circuit, you can check the Delete associated L1 circuit(s) check box.
• When you delete a port circuit, you can check the Delete associated L1 circuit(s) check box.
• When you delete an L1 circuit, you can check the Delete associated L1 port(s) check box.

Enhanced support for inter-AS LSPs

Simulation now supports inter-AS RSVP LSPs. Also, the following tools now support inter-AS RSVP LSPs:

• RSVP-TE Optimization (Tools > RSVP LSP Optimization > RSVP-TE Opt)
• LSP Disjoint Path Optimization (T ools > LSP Optimization > LSP Disjoint Path Opt)

Option to edit patches before sending them

You can edit a patch before sending it. To do this, choose Tools > Patches > View, open a patch file, and click Edit Patch. A dialog box opens, displaying the contents of the patch as XML text.

You can save or discard the patch text edits. The tool warns you if you try to save invalid XML syntax. You can right-click in the patch text dialog and choose Undo to undo changes. Other standard text editing (cut, copy, paste, and so on) is also supported.

Option to visualize L1 paths when plotting demands, LSPs, LSP paths, or P2MP LSPs

You can easily visualize multilayer L1 paths when plotting demands, LSPs, LSP paths, or P2MP LSPs. For example, in a complicated plot you can easily verify whether two LSPs are disjoint in terms of L1 links.

To visualize L1 paths, do any of the following:

• Right-click a demand and choose Plot Demands
• Right-click an LSP and choose Plot LSPs
• Right-click an LSP path and choose Plot LSP Paths
• Right-click a P2MP LSP and choose Plot P2MP LSPs

The plot window contains a drop-down list with the following options:

• L3 —Displays the path in terms of interfaces.
• L1 —Displays the path in terms of L1 links.

– To better align the L1 links, WAE Design checks for L3-L1 links. If they do not exist, WAE Design checks for collocated L3/L1 nodes within sites.

• L3+L1 —Displays the L3 plot above and the L1 plot below.

– WAE Design does not perform alignment between L3 and L1 nodes. When you click an L3 interface, the associated L1 links are highlighted automatically.

Update to WAE Design system requirements

For more information, see the "Cisco WAE Installation Requirements" chapter in the Cisco WAE Installation Guide .

Option to associate an existing demand to an existing private LSP

If a demand is associated with a private LSP, the demand can only route through that LSP, and the only demand that is permitted to cross that LSP is this demand.

In the demand’s Properties dialog box, you can associate an existing demand to an existing private LSP. (To open the Properties dialog box, right-click the demand and choose Properties.) The Private LSP drop-down list shows the private LSP that is currently associated with the selected demand. You can choose a different private LSP, or you can choose None to remove an associated LSP.

L1 feasibility simulation calculation enhancement

L1 feasibility calculations now consider unidirectional parameters for L1 links (noise and noise sigma) and a margin for L1 circuits.

Capacity Planning Optimization tool enhancement

The Capacity Planning Optimization tool now accounts for costs and different capacity increments. The CLI options are described in the New CLI Options section.

Demand Deduction calculation enhancement

There is a new option that (through different calculation methods) can minimize computation time. The CLI option is described in the New CLI Options section.

Option to report the L1 circuit paths through an L1 node

You can determine the number of L1 circuit paths through an L1 node under normal operation and in a worst-case simulation.

The L1 Nodes table includes new columns:

• Num L1 Circuit Paths—Number of L1 circuit paths with paths through the L1 node.
• WC Num L1 Circuit Paths—Worst-case number of L1 circuit paths with paths through the L1 node.
• WC Failures—Failures that cause the worst-case number of L1 circuit paths.

The L1 Nodes context menu includes a new option: Fail to WC (worst case).

Option to see if an L1 node is shown in the current layout

The L1 Nodes table contains a new "Shown" column with values of true or false:

• T (true)—The L1 node is shown in the current layout.
• F (false)—The L1 node is not shown in the current layout.

Option to configure the number of route attempts on L1 paths

In earlier WAE Design releases, the number of attempted routes for L1 circuit paths was set to 5.

In WAE Design 7.1 you can configure the number of attempted routes for L1 circuit paths. Increasing the number of attempted routes allows for more paths to be explored, thereby potentially reducing the number of unrouted L1 circuits. This increases the overall computation time. To configure the number of route attempts, choose Edit > Network Options and set the Number of Attempts to Route L1 Circuit Paths parameter.

Option to expand and collapse sites per layout

You can group nodes and sites and build a hierarchy of sites.

In earlier WAE Design releases, site memberships were fixed for all layouts, per plan file: You could only have one set of site groups, which you had to visualize in the same way.

In WAE Design 7.1 you can expand or collapse a site per layout. You can control the level of detail shown in individual layouts. You can collapse down to the node level at one site, but still keep other sites intact. For example, one layout could have "France" as the main focus, and other regions could be collapsed (U.S. sites grouped together under a single "USA" site). Another layout could have the opposite display: U.S. sites expanded, and the "France" site collapsed.

To expand or collapse sites per layout, right-click a site and choose Layout > Expand Site or Layout > Collapse Site.

When a site is expanded, its contents are shown (instead of the site itself). When a site is collapsed, the site itself is shown. This feature allows you to better scale a plot that contains many objects.

Option to ignore SSL errors in the Open/Save and from/to Design Archive dialog boxes

• T (true)—SSL errors are treated as warnings and server connections are allowed.
• F (false)—A dialog box appears with information about the error and the user is given the option to proceed with the server connection. This is the default.

Option to open plan file from WMD

File > Open From > WAE Modeling Daemon

There is also an new icon on the Toolbar that can be used to open a plan file from WMD.

Improved display of the Simulation Analysis report

When you choose Tools > Simulation Analysis and run the analysis, the resulting report (Figure 1) shows:

• Results displayed in table format for ease of use
• Violations in red
• Successes in green

SR-TE Optimization

Yes

Yes

SR-TE Bandwidth Optimization

Yes

No

RSVP-TE Optimization

Yes

Yes

LSP Disjoint Path Optimization

Yes

Yes

Explicit LSP Paths Initializer

RSVP only (in terms of ABR hop creation)

No

Explicit P2MP LSP Paths Initializer

Yes

No

Explicit LSP Optimization

Yes

No

WAE Live installation

There are a few WAE Live installation changes which include the following:

• WAE Live must be installed on a different machine than where the WAE 7.1 server software is installed.
• If you have not used WAE Live on the system before, the default password for the user admin is "admin".
• Updated WAE Live data store migration steps.

For more information on installation, data migration, and system requirements, see the Cisco WAE 7.1 Installation Guide.

Collect plan files from the WAE 7.1 server

From Settings > Data Source, select the 7.1 Remote Archive radio button and enter the WAE 7.1 server details.

Changes to WAE Live UI components

The following UI components have been removed:

• System > User Access
• System > Log Settings
• Home > WAE Statistics

The Database Info component has been moved under Home.

compress_segment_lists

Lets you specify the maximum segment list length for specific LSPs.

l1_circuit_path_opt

Optimizes the routing of L1 circuit paths by minimizing path length and respecting disjoint path requirements.

send_patch

Sends a patch file to WAE, applying it to the specified WAE network. The connection is made through SSH. If SSH keys cannot be used for authentication, you are prompted for a password.

wae_get_plan

Gets a network plan file from WAE. The connection is made through SSH. If SSH keys cannot be used for authentication, you are prompted for a password.

The optimization objective. It can be set to one of the following:

• cap (the default)—The optimization objective is set to the minimization of total added capacity.
• cost—The optimization objective is set to the minimization of total cost.

Table with options on allowed capacity increments. The following are allowed columns in the Costs table:

• Capacity
• L3PortCost
• L1PortCost
• FeasibilityLimit

The default is empty. This option is ignored if the -opt-objective is set to "cap".

-lsps-table

Optimize LSP paths of LSPs in the -lsps-table with segment lists that exceed the -max-sl-length. The default is "all."

-max-sl-length

The maximum length of segment lists associated with LSP paths of LSPs in the -lsps-table. The length must be at least 3; the default is 9.

-remove-orphaned-sls

If true (the default), remove segment lists that are not used by other LSP paths or SR FRRs as a result of the optimization. If false, do not remove orphaned segment lists.

-lsp-tag

Tag with this value any newly created and updated LSPs. The default is SLOpt.

The computation time of the dmd_tool may be reduced by selecting one of the following values: 10 (the default), 20, 30, 40. Higher values aim to reduce computation time.

-l1-circuit-paths-table

A file containing <L1CircuitPaths> table of L1 circuit paths to optimize. The default is "all."

-path-metric

The path length that the optimizer tries to minimize. Values are:

• metric—(the default) Use L1 link metric.
• delay—Use L1 link delay.
• distance—Use L1 link distance.
• hops—Use hop count.

-disjoint-path-constraints

Values are:

• None—(the default) Impose no disjoint path constraints.
• DisjointGroups—Create disjoint L1 circuit paths between L1 circuits in disjoint groups.
• PrimSec—Create disjoint primary and secondary paths for L1 circuits.

-existing-hops

If set to “remove” (the default), existing L1 circuit path hops and actual L1 circuit path hops are removed. If set to “respect,” existing hops are respected.

-strict-l1link-priority

The priority of L1 link disjointness. Values are ignore, 1 (the default), 2, or 3.

-strict-l1node-priority

The priority of L1 node disjointness. Values are ignore (the default), 1, 2, or 3.

-strict-site-priority

The priority of site disjointness. Values are ignore (the default), 1, 2, or 3.

-strict-SRLG-priority

The priority of SRLG disjointness. Values are ignore (the default), 1, 2, or 3.

-l1-circuit-path-tag

Tag with this value any L1 circuit paths whose L1 circuit path hops have been updated. The default is L1Opt.

-uniform-scaling

If true (the default), objects and fonts are uniformly scaled based on the -scale-objects option. If false, objects and fonts are scaled based on the -scale-l3-l1-nodes, -scale-circuits-l1-links, and scale-fonts options.

-scale-l3-l1-nodes

Relative size of L3 nodes and L1 nodes with respect to their size, in pixels, in the network plot (assuming the default to be View Preferences). The default is 100. Ignored if -uniform-scaling is set to true.

-scale-circuits-l1-links

Relative size of circuits and L1 links with respect to their size, in pixels, in the network plot (assuming the default to be View Preferences). The default is 100. Ignored if -uniform-scaling is set to true.

-scale-fonts

Relative size of fonts with respect to their size, in pixels, in the network plot (assuming the default to be View Preferences). The default is 100. Ignored if -uniform-scaling is set to true.

-map-palette

The color palette for the background map in Geographic layouts. Values are:

• grey—(the default) Grey palette is used for background maps.
• multi-color—Multi-color palette is used for background maps.

-icons

If true, the L3/L1 node and site icons are used for Design plot layouts. The default is false.

-scale-objects <percentage>

Relative size of objects (sites, nodes, circuits, L1 nodes, L1 links, fonts) with respect to their size, in pixels, in the network plot (assuming the default to be View Preferences). The default is 100. Ignored if -uniform-scaling is set to false.

-segment-lists

If true (the default), resolve all segment list hops.

For segment list hops, WAE tries to match the IP address or SID in the NetIntHop column to a node, interface, anycast group, or LSP in the following order of priority:

1. SID/IP entry in the Nodes table. If there are multiple matches, WAE chooses the lowest one and generates a warning.

2. SID/IP entry in the Interfaces table, where the node associated to the interface is the node corresponding to the previous hop (or to the LSP source node if this is the first hop). If the previous hop is an interface hop, the remote node of the interface is considered.

3. SID entry in the Anycast Groups table.

4. SID entry in the LSPs table.

-help <true/false>

Prints the help message.

-options-file <value>

Reads options from <filename>.

-version <true/false>

Prints the version string.

-no-global-options <true/false>

Prevents loading the global options file.

-suppress-progress <true/false>

Determines whether to suppress progress information. The default is true.

-verbosity <value>

Log verbosity, from 1 (lowest) to 60 (highest). The default is 30.

-log-file <value>

Copies of warnings and errors are saved in this file.

-simple-txt-out-file <true/false>

Determines whether to remove empty tables and columns from.txt format of -out-file if the parameter exists. The default is false.

-patch-file <value>

Input patch file that contains the patch to apply.

-wae-host <value>:

WAE server hostname. The default is localhost.

-wae-port <value>:

WAE server port. The default is 22.

-wae-user <value>

WAE user to log in as. The default is the current user.

-authGroup <AuthServerGroupName>

AuthServerGroupName specified in the authentication file used to read the credentials.

-auth-file <filename>

Authentication filename. The default is in the configuration path: $HOME/.cariden/etc, $CARIDEN_ROOT/etc, or $CARIDEN_HOME/etc. The default is auth.enc.

-dry-run <true/false>

If specified, do not apply the patch. Perform a dry-run instead, and return a message detailing what configuration changes would be implemented if the patch was applied. The default is false.

-reply-out-file <value>

Write the WAE reply to this file. If empty (the default), the reply is written to standard output.

-network-name <value>

WAE network to apply the patch. Overrides the name specified in the patch file. This option is required if the patch does not specify a network name.

-test-option <value>

Test option: test-then-set (the default) or test-only.

-error-option <value>

What to do in case of an error. Valid values are rollback-on-error (the default), stop-on-error, and continue-on-error.

-fix-lsps-table

SR LSPs in the table should not be rerouted. The default is "all."

-create-lsps

If true (the default), new private SR LSPs with optimized routings can be created. If false, new LSPs cannot be created.

-create-adj-segment-hops

If false (the default), only node segment hops are created. If true, interface segment hops (adjacency hops) can be created.

-avoid-interfaces-table

Creates segment list entries that route away from any interfaces. The default is none.

-avoid-l1-links-table

Creates segment list entries that route away from any L1 links. The default is none.

-avoid-l1-nodes-table

Creates segment list entries that route away from any L1 nodes. The default is none.

-avoid-srlgs-table

Creates segment list entries that route away from any SRLGs. The default is none.

-help <true/false>

Prints the help message.

-options-file <value>

Reads options from <filename>.

-version <true/false>

Prints the version string.

-no-global-options <true/false>

Prevents loading the global options file.

-suppress-progress <true/false>

Determines whether to suppress progress information. The default is true.

-verbosity <value>

Log verbosity, from 1 (lowest) to 60 (highest). The default is 30.

-log-file <value>

Copies of warnings and errors are saved in this file.

-simple-txt-out-file <true/false>

Determines whether to remove empty tables and columns from.txt format of -out-file if the parameter exists. The default is false.

-out-file <value>

Output plan file from WAE.

-network-name <value>

WAE network for the plan file.

-wae-host <value>

WAE server hostname. The default is localhost.

-wae-port <value>

WAE server port. The default is 22.

-wae-user <value>

WAE user to log in as. The default is the current user.

getplan

Lets you connect to a WAE 7.0 instance through a RESTCONF API call and get back a byte stream that contains the plan file.

resolve_plan

Lets you resolve differences in plan files that have configurations that are not matched or refer to objects outside the modeled network. The ability to resolve plan file differences is helpful when routing SR LSPs whose source and destination nodes are in different autonomous systems.

send_patch

Lets you send a patch in.xml format; a NETCONF RPC is sent in response. You can generate a dry run of the patch to test its validity before sending it. You can roll back the patch in case of an error.

OPM API

Optimization and prediction modules (OPMs) provide a powerful Python API to manipulate network models. The OPM API lets you operate on the network without having to worry about device-specific properties. Even if the underlying routers are replaced by routers from a different vendor, the API calls remain exactly the same.

The OPM APIs provide powerful what-if capabilities. For example, the OPM APIs let you answer the following questions:

• What is the impact if I bring this router down for maintenance?
• What happens if I increase the capacity of this circuit?
• Can my network handle a data center backup now?