500-470 Questions and Answers

Cisco ISE configuration capabilities include the following features:

• ISE Deployment Assistant (IDA): This is a built-in application designed to accelerate the deployment of Cisco Identity Service Engine (ISE) by providing a guided workflow for configuring the most common ISE use cases, such as guest access, BYOD, and secure wired and wireless access1. IDA also provides validation checks, best practices, and troubleshooting tips to ensure a successful deployment.
• Wireless Setup Wizard and Visibility Wizard: These are two of the several wizards that Cisco ISE provides to simplify the configuration of various ISE functions and features. The Wireless Setup Wizard helps to configure the wireless network settings, such as SSIDs, authentication methods, and policies, for secure wireless access2. The Visibility Wizard helps to enable the ISE profiling service, which collects and analyzes endpoint data to identify, classify, and monitor devices on the network3.
• ISE Wizards and Pre-Canned Configurations: These are the tools that ease the ISE roll-out significantly by providing ready-made templates, policies, and settings for common ISE scenarios, such as posture assessment, device administration, and threat-centric NAC. These tools help to reduce the manual configuration efforts and errors, and speed up the time to value.

References:

 1: [Cisco Identity Services Engine Administrator Guide, Release 3.3 - ISE Deployment Assistant [Cisco Identity Services Engine]] : 2: [Cisco Identity Services Engine Administrator Guide, Release 3.3 - Wireless Setup Wizard [Cisco Identity Services Engine]] : 3: [Cisco Identity Services Engine Administrator Guide, Release 3.3 - Visibility Wizard [Cisco Identity Services Engine]] : : [Cisco Identity Services Engine Administrator Guide, Release 3.3 - ISE Wizards and Pre-Canned Configurations [Cisco Identity Services Engine]]

According to the Cisco Enterprise Networks SDA, SDWAN and ISE Exam for System Engineers document1, the three Cisco recommendations on “How to Win” are:

• Explain support for 3rd party network devices: Cisco ISE can integrate with more than 60 third-party solutions that span across security and network portfolios. This enablesCisco ISE to leverage the information and capabilities of these solutions to enhance the identity and access management, network visibility and segmentation, threat detection and response, and policy enforcement of the network. By explaining this support, the customer can see the value and flexibility of Cisco ISE in their existing or heterogeneous network environment2.
• Explain architectural advantage of holistic Cisco solution: Cisco ISE is part of the Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA), which is a comprehensive and open platform that provides end-to-end network automation, assurance, security, and analytics. By explaining the architectural advantage of the holistic Cisco solution, the customer can see how Cisco ISE works seamlessly with other Cisco DNA components, such as Cisco DNA Center, Cisco SD-Access, Cisco SD-WAN, Cisco TrustSec, and Cisco Stealthwatch, to deliver a unified and consistent network experience across wired, wireless, and cloud domains3.
• Talk about Cisco’s focus on Security and integration with StealthWatch, Sourcefire, WSA, vulnerability scanner to make smarter policy decisions: Cisco ISE is a core component of the Cisco security portfolio, which provides comprehensive and integrated security solutions for the network. By talking about Cisco’s focus on security and integration with other security products, such as StealthWatch, Sourcefire, WSA, and vulnerability scanner, the customer can see how Cisco ISE can provide enhanced visibility, threat detection, and policy enforcement for the network. For example, Cisco ISE can use the data from StealthWatch to identify anomalous or malicious behavior of the endpoints and apply appropriate network access policies based on the threat level4.

The other options, show case Cisco portfolio or ISE feature set during PoC and demonstrate complex policy flows, rather show case Wizards and enhanced context visibility, are not Cisco recommendations on “How to Win”. Showing case Cisco portfolio or ISE feature set during PoC is a general best practice, but not a specific recommendation for winning the customer. Demonstrating complex policy flows, rather than showing case Wizards and enhanced context visibility, is a counterproductive approach, as it can confuse or overwhelm the customer with technical details, rather than highlighting the benefits and simplicity of Cisco ISE. References := : 2: Cisco Identity Services Engine Administrator Guide, Release 2.7 - ISE Security Ecosystem Integration Guides [Cisco Identity Services Engine] - Cisco2, 1: Cisco Enterprise Networks SDA, SDWAN and ISE Exam for System Engineers1, 3: Cisco Identity Services Engine - Cisco3, 4: Cisco Identity Services Engine Administrator Guide, Release 2.7 - Stealthwatch Integration [Cisco Identity Services Engine] - Cisco4

 DNA Center is the central point of management for SD-Access. It provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to design, provision, and monitor the SD-Access fabric. DNA Center also offers various service applications that leverage the network data and analytics to provide insights, automation, and assurance for the network and the applications running on it. DNA Center does not perform the functions of identifying and authenticating endpoints, which are handled by ISE; nor does it act as the point of exchange of reachability and policy for two domains, which are the roles of the border nodes and the control plane nodes; nor does it maintain a database of endpoint IDs to fabric edge nodes, which is the function of the LISP mapping system. References:

• : Cisco DNA Center User Guide, Release 2.2.2.0, Chapter 1: Introduction to Cisco DNA Center, https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/cloud-systems-management/network-automation-and-management/dna-center/2-2-2-0/user_guide/b_cisco_dna_center_ug_2_2_2_0/b_cisco_dna_center_ug_2_2_2_0_chapter_01.html
• : Cisco SD-Access Design Guide, Release 2.2.2.0, Chapter 2: SD-Access Fabric Design, https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/solutions/CVD/Campus/sda-design-guide-2-2-2-0.html#_Toc67188638

A Digital Network is a network that is based on the Cisco Digital Network Architecture (Cisco DNA), which is an open and extensible, software-driven network architecture designed to rapidly deliver services that enable IT to innovate faster, reduce costs and complexity, lower risk, and comply with regulatory requirements1. A key function of a Digital Network is centralized provisioning, which allows IT to automate the deployment and configuration of network devices and services using a single platform, such as the Cisco DNA Center2. Centralized provisioning simplifies network management, reduces human errors, and accelerates network changes.

References:

 2: [Cisco DNA Software - Digital Network Architecture - Cisco] : 1: [Cisco Digital Network Architecture]

The current DNA-C 1.1 release supports the following wireless product families:

• WLC 3504: This is a wireless LAN controller that provides centralized control, management, and troubleshooting for small to medium-sized enterprises and branch offices. It supports up to 150 access points and 3,000 clients, and offers high availability, scalability, and security features. It is compatible with Cisco DNA Center 1.1 and later releases1.
• WLC 8540: This is a wireless LAN controller that provides centralized control, management, and troubleshooting for large enterprises and service providers. It supports up to 6,000 access points and 64,000 clients, and offers high performance, reliability, and flexibility. It is compatible with Cisco DNA Center 1.1 and later releases2.
• AP 3800: This is an access point that delivers high-performance wireless connectivity for indoor and outdoor environments. It supports 802.11ac Wave 2 technology, multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO), flexible radio assignment, and modular design. It is compatible with Cisco DNA Center 1.1 and later releases3.

References:

 1: [Cisco Wireless LAN Controller 3504 Data Sheet - Cisco] : 2: [Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller Data Sheet - Cisco] : 3: [Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points Data Sheet - Cisco]