Cisco Cisco Enhanced Device Interface 2.0 Information Guide
Q&A
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Cisco Enhanced Device Interface 2.2
Product Features
Q.
What is Cisco
®
Enhanced Device Interface (EDI)?
A.
Cisco EDI is an external implementation and extension of the Cisco network element interface
designed to increase the productivity of both the end user and the management application
developer in the areas of device configuration and troubleshooting.
Q.
Why should you deploy Cisco EDI?
A.
The following types of users will benefit from using Cisco EDI:
●
Users with management applications who need a comprehensive Extensible Markup
Language programmatic interface (XML PI) for device configuration
●
Users that rely on scripting tools or direct network element access for device configuration
and troubleshooting
Q.
What benefits can customers expect from deploying Cisco EDI Version 2.2?
A.
Table 1 lists the benefits Cisco EDI 2.2 provides.
Table 1.
Key Features and Benefits
Key Feature
Benefits
Comprehensive device
configuration and command
support
configuration and command
support
Can be positioned as the single point for device configuration, thus eliminating the
common loss-of-sync problem associated with multiple entry points into the device
(for example, direct command-line interface [CLI] configuration). Troubleshooting
commands may be initiated from Cisco EDI (built-in functions, device commands,
user-defined scripts).
common loss-of-sync problem associated with multiple entry points into the device
(for example, direct command-line interface [CLI] configuration). Troubleshooting
commands may be initiated from Cisco EDI (built-in functions, device commands,
user-defined scripts).
OS parser emulation (CLI syntax
check command context validation)
check command context validation)
Eliminates common user errors.
Grouping capability
Allows for the definition of administrative domains. Access control may be performed
at the administrative domain level. Simplifies configuration and administrative tasks.
at the administrative domain level. Simplifies configuration and administrative tasks.
Group least common denominator
CLI (that is, a common CLI)
CLI (that is, a common CLI)
This allows users to perform group operations without the possibility of generating an
unsupported command.
unsupported command.
Context-based CLI
This capability allows users to simultaneously apply changes to one or more devices
by simply selecting the context. Provides a single point for network configuration.
by simply selecting the context. Provides a single point for network configuration.
Macro CLI
Helps enable users to push commands to various types of platforms (Cisco Catalyst
®
OS, Cisco IOS
®
Software, and Cisco PIX
®
OS) that have variation in CLI commands.
Operational data model
Provides applications with an XML interface to retrieve from network elements the
operational data that is available through the CLI show commands. Allows you to
create a model specification file, an XML file, and an XSD.
operational data that is available through the CLI show commands. Allows you to
create a model specification file, an XML file, and an XSD.
XML PI
Full set of device commands described in XML. Can be programmatically read by
management applications, eliminating the need to hardcode CLI text commands and
simplifying application development.
management applications, eliminating the need to hardcode CLI text commands and
simplifying application development.
Provides Java APIs over XML PI. Cisco EDI provides Java client API libraries that
take Java objects as inputs and return Java objects; you can use these APIs to
develop your own applications. You can also use these APIs in existing applications.
take Java objects as inputs and return Java objects; you can use these APIs to
develop your own applications. You can also use these APIs in existing applications.