• Nexus Dashboard
  • USER: admin
  • PASS: cisco.123
  • ND-1 Web Interface
  • ND-2 Web Interface
  • DEV Server
  • USER: cisco
  • PASS: cisco.123
  • ssh address: 10.0.208.15
  • VNC address: 10.0.208.15:5901
  • Switch Login
  • USER: admin
  • PASS: cisco.123
  • Site1-S1: 10.3.5.11
  • Site1-S2: 10.3.5.12
  • Site1-L1: 10.3.5.13
  • Site1-L2: 10.3.5.14
  • Site1-BL1: 10.3.5.15
  • Site1-BGW1: 10.3.5.16
  • Site2-S1: 10.3.5.17
  • Site2-L1: 10.3.5.18
  • Site2-BGW1: 10.3.5.19
  • Ext-Rtr: 10.3.5.10
  • Core-Rtr: 10.3.5.20
Multi-Cluster

Nexus Dashboard
  • Introduction
  • Nexus One Fabric
  • System Access
  • Site1 Fabric (Greenfield)
  • Validate Site1 Fabric
  • External L3
  • Validate ExtL3
  • Site2 Fabric (Brownfield)
  • Validate Site2 Fabric
  • Inter-Site Network
  • Unified Management
  • Fabric Groups
  • Validate MultiClstr Fabric
  • Network as Code

In this section, we introduce a new feature in the Nexus Dashboard software that enables users to connect multiple Nexus Dashboard clusters, streamlining access to all clusters and their associated fabrics.

When a second cluster is added, a cluster group is formed. The original cluster becomes the primary cluster and assumes specific responsibilities:

  1. The primary cluster is required to connect additional clusters to the group.
  2. The primary cluster is responsible for removing clusters from the group.
  3. During Nexus Dashboard upgrades, the primary cluster must be upgraded before any secondary clusters.

Note that multi-cluster connectivity does not create a unified database across clusters. Each cluster retains its own configuration database while serving as a proxy for other clusters in the group, regardless of the source or destination of actions or requests.

Step 1 - Connecting Nexus Dashboard Clusters - nd05-1

In this step, you will configure the primary Nexus Dashboard (ND) cluster. For this lab exercise, the designated primary cluster is nd05-1.

  1. Access the ND interface at: https://nd05-1.ecatsrtpdmz.cisco.com (designated as Primary).

At the Nexus Dashboard login screen, authenticate using the following credentials:

  • Username: pod5u1
  • Password: cisco.123

Step 2 - Multi-cluster Configuration - nd05-1

In this step, you will add the second Nexus Dashboard cluster, nd05-2, to the multi-cluster environment to enhance centralized management and scalability.

  1. Click Admin in the left navigation bar
  2. Click System Settings



  3. Click Multi-cluster connectivity in the top navigation bar
  4. Click Connect Cluster



  5. Click Nexus Dashboard
  6. Click Next



  7. Set the Hostname/IP Address to nd nd05-2.ecatsrtpdmz.cisco.com
  8. Username: admin
  9. Password: cisco.123
  10. Login Domain: local
  11. Click Next



  12. Click Connect



  13. Click View Clusters


    14. Note: You may need to hit the refresh button to see newly created clusters.


    Proceed to the next section to begin creating the fabric for the Multi-Site environment. In this step, you will leverage the ISN fabric to establish connectivity between Site1 (Greenfield) and Site2 (Brownfield) through each site's respective border gateway leaf switch, enabling seamless communication across both fabrics.