Skills
skills/automateyournetwork/netclaw/aci-change-deploy

aci-change-deploy

SKILL.md

ACI Change Deployment

Structured, safe change management workflow for deploying ACI policy changes to an APIC controller. Every change follows a strict lifecycle: CR Creation -> Baseline -> Apply -> Verify -> Close/Escalate -> Audit.

Golden Rule

NEVER deploy an ACI policy change without an approved ServiceNow Change Request. If there is no CR, create one first. If the CR is not approved, do not proceed.

How to Call the MCP Tools

ACI MCP Server

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" TOOL_NAME '{"param":"value"}'

ServiceNow MCP Server

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" TOOL_NAME '{"param":"value"}'

Change Workflow

Phase 1: ServiceNow Change Request Creation

Before touching the APIC, create a CR that documents the tenant, VRF, BD, and EPG scope of the change.

1A: Create the Change Request

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" create_change_request '{"short_description":"ACI: Create tenant prod-web with VRF, BD, and EPG","description":"Create new tenant prod-web in ACI fabric.\n\nScope:\n- Tenant: prod-web\n- VRF: prod-web-vrf (enforced)\n- BD: web-bd (subnet 10.10.1.1/24)\n- App Profile: web-app\n- EPG: web-frontend (VLAN 100)\n\nAPIC: sandboxapicdc.cisco.com\nRisk: Low - net new tenant, no impact to existing policy","type":"normal","risk":"low","impact":"low","category":"Network"}'

Save the returned change_id (sys_id) and number (e.g., CHG0030001) for all subsequent steps.

1B: Add Implementation Tasks

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" add_change_task '{"change_id":"CHG0030001","short_description":"Pre-change: Capture ACI fault baseline","description":"Record fault counts by severity before applying any changes"}'

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" add_change_task '{"change_id":"CHG0030001","short_description":"Apply: Create tenant/VRF/BD/EPG on APIC","description":"Apply ACI policy objects via APIC REST API"}'

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" add_change_task '{"change_id":"CHG0030001","short_description":"Post-change: Verify zero new faults","description":"Compare fault counts with baseline, verify new objects operational"}'

1C: Submit for Approval

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" submit_change_for_approval '{"change_id":"CHG0030001","approval_comments":"Low-risk net new tenant creation. No existing policy affected."}'

1D: Verify Approval (Required Before Proceeding)

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" get_change_request_details '{"change_id":"CHG0030001"}'

STOP if the CR state is not "implement" or "approved". Do not proceed with any APIC changes until the CR is approved. If rejected, review the rejection reason:

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" list_change_requests '{"query":"number=CHG0030001","limit":1}'

Phase 2: Pre-Change Baseline

Capture the current fabric state so you can detect any regression after the change.

2A: Fault Baseline

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" faults '{}'

Count and record faults by severity:

Pre-Change Fault Baseline
--------------------------
Critical: 0
Major:    2
Minor:    7
Warning:  12
Total:    21

Store these counts -- they are the rollback reference.

2B: Health Score Baseline

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" health '{}'

Record the overall fabric health score (e.g., 97/100).

2C: Existing Tenant Inventory

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" tenants_get '{}'

Confirm the target tenant does not already exist (for create operations) or does exist (for modify operations).

2D: Update CR with Baseline

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" update_change_request '{"change_id":"CHG0030001","work_notes":"Pre-change baseline captured:\n- Faults: 0 critical, 2 major, 7 minor, 12 warning (21 total)\n- Health score: 97/100\n- Tenant prod-web does not exist (confirmed)\n\nProceeding with implementation."}'

Phase 3: Apply ACI Policy Changes

Apply changes one object at a time, in dependency order: Tenant -> VRF -> BD -> App Profile -> EPG.

3A: Create Tenant

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" tenants_post '{"name":"prod-web","descr":"Production web services tenant"}'

Verify the response indicates success before proceeding.

3B: Create VRF

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvCtx_post '{"tenant":"prod-web","name":"prod-web-vrf","descr":"Production web VRF","pcEnfPref":"enforced"}'

3C: Create Bridge Domain

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvBD_post '{"tenant":"prod-web","name":"web-bd","descr":"Web tier bridge domain","vrf":"prod-web-vrf"}'

After creating the BD, configure the subnet (the exact tool depends on your ACI MCP server capabilities -- it may be a separate subnet tool or a parameter on the BD creation).

3D: Create Application Profile

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvAp_post '{"tenant":"prod-web","name":"web-app","descr":"Web application profile"}'

3E: Create Endpoint Group

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvAEPg_post '{"tenant":"prod-web","ap":"web-app","name":"web-frontend","descr":"Web frontend EPG","bd":"web-bd"}'

After each object creation: Check the APIC response for errors. If any call fails, STOP and do not proceed to the next object.

Phase 4: Post-Change Verification

4A: Fault Delta Check

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" faults '{}'

Compare with Phase 2A baseline:

Post-Change Fault Comparison
------------------------------
                Pre    Post   Delta
Critical:       0      0      0
Major:          2      2      0
Minor:          7      7      0
Warning:        12     12     0
Total:          21     21     0 (no new faults)

Decision matrix:

Fault Delta Action
No new faults PASS -- proceed to CR closure
New warning/minor only PASS with note -- document in CR
New major faults INVESTIGATE -- may need rollback
New critical faults ROLLBACK immediately

4B: Health Score Delta

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" health '{}'

Flags:

  • Health score unchanged or improved -> PASS
  • Health score dropped 1-5 points -> WARNING: Investigate
  • Health score dropped > 5 points -> CRITICAL: Consider rollback

4C: Verify Created Objects

Confirm each object exists and is in the expected state:

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" tenants_get '{}'

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvCtx_get '{}'

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvBD_get '{}'

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvAp_get '{}'

APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvAEPg_get '{}'

Verify the new tenant, VRF, BD, app profile, and EPG all appear in the returned data with correct attributes.

Phase 5: Rollback Procedure (If Needed)

If the fault count increases or the health score drops significantly, roll back in reverse dependency order: EPG -> App Profile -> BD -> VRF -> Tenant.

Rollback is required when:

  • Any new critical fault appears
  • Any new major fault directly related to the change
  • Health score drops more than 5 points
  • Created objects are in a faulted state

After rollback, re-run Phase 4A and 4B to confirm the fabric returned to baseline.

Update the CR with rollback details:

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" update_change_request '{"change_id":"CHG0030001","work_notes":"ROLLBACK PERFORMED: New critical fault detected after EPG creation. All objects removed in reverse order. Fabric returned to baseline (21 faults, health 97/100). Root cause investigation needed.","state":"canceled"}'

Phase 6: CR Closure or Escalation

6A: Successful Change -- Close the CR

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" update_change_request '{"change_id":"CHG0030001","state":"closed","work_notes":"Change completed successfully.\n\nPost-change verification:\n- Fault delta: 0 new faults\n- Health score: 97/100 (unchanged)\n- All objects verified operational:\n  - Tenant: prod-web\n  - VRF: prod-web-vrf (enforced)\n  - BD: web-bd\n  - App Profile: web-app\n  - EPG: web-frontend\n\nChange implementation complete."}'

6B: Failed Change -- Escalate

If rollback was needed or issues were found:

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" update_change_request '{"change_id":"CHG0030001","work_notes":"Change failed: fault delta detected. Rollback completed. Escalating for root cause analysis.","state":"canceled"}'

Phase 7: GAIT Full Session Audit

Record the complete change session in GAIT for compliance:

python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $GAIT_MCP_SCRIPT" gait_record_turn '{"input":{"role":"assistant","content":"ACI change deployment completed.\n\nCR: CHG0030001 - Create tenant prod-web\nAPIC: sandboxapicdc.cisco.com\nResult: SUCCESS\n\nObjects created: tenant prod-web, VRF prod-web-vrf, BD web-bd, AP web-app, EPG web-frontend\nPre-change faults: 21 (0 critical)\nPost-change faults: 21 (0 critical) - delta: 0\nHealth score: 97/100 (unchanged)\nRollback required: No\nCR Status: Closed","artifacts":[]}}'

Complete End-to-End Example

Example: Create a New Production Tenant with Full Workflow

This example walks through creating tenant "prod-web" with a VRF, bridge domain, application profile, and EPG:

# Step 1: Create ServiceNow CR
python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" create_change_request '{"short_description":"ACI: Create tenant prod-web with VRF/BD/EPG","type":"normal","risk":"low","impact":"low","category":"Network","description":"Net new tenant for web services. Scope: tenant prod-web, VRF prod-web-vrf, BD web-bd (10.10.1.0/24), AP web-app, EPG web-frontend."}'

# Step 2: Submit CR for approval
python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" submit_change_for_approval '{"change_id":"<sys_id_from_step_1>","approval_comments":"Low risk, net new tenant."}'

# Step 3: Verify CR approved (MUST pass before continuing)
python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" get_change_request_details '{"change_id":"<sys_id_from_step_1>"}'

# Step 4: Capture pre-change baselines
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" faults '{}'
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" health '{}'
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" tenants_get '{}'

# Step 5: Apply changes (dependency order)
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" tenants_post '{"name":"prod-web","descr":"Production web services"}'
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvCtx_post '{"tenant":"prod-web","name":"prod-web-vrf","pcEnfPref":"enforced"}'
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvBD_post '{"tenant":"prod-web","name":"web-bd","vrf":"prod-web-vrf"}'
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvAp_post '{"tenant":"prod-web","name":"web-app"}'
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvAEPg_post '{"tenant":"prod-web","ap":"web-app","name":"web-frontend","bd":"web-bd"}'

# Step 6: Post-change verification
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" faults '{}'
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" health '{}'
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" tenants_get '{}'
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvCtx_get '{}'
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvBD_get '{}'
APIC_URL=$APIC_URL USERNAME=$ACI_USERNAME PASSWORD=$ACI_PASSWORD python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $ACI_MCP_SCRIPT" fvAEPg_get '{}'

# Step 7: Close CR (if successful)
python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $SERVICENOW_MCP_SCRIPT" update_change_request '{"change_id":"<sys_id_from_step_1>","state":"closed","work_notes":"Change completed. Fault delta: 0. Health unchanged. All objects verified."}'

# Step 8: GAIT audit trail
python3 $MCP_CALL "python3 -u $GAIT_MCP_SCRIPT" gait_record_turn '{"input":{"role":"assistant","content":"ACI change CHG0030001 completed successfully. Tenant prod-web created with VRF/BD/AP/EPG. Zero fault delta. CR closed.","artifacts":[]}}'

Change Report Format

After every change, produce a change report:

ACI Change Report
==================
CR: CHG0030001 - Create tenant prod-web
APIC: sandboxapicdc.cisco.com
Timestamp: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM UTC
Operator: NetClaw AI Agent

Change Scope
-------------
Tenant:       prod-web (NEW)
VRF:          prod-web-vrf (enforced)
Bridge Domain: web-bd (subnet 10.10.1.1/24)
App Profile:  web-app
EPG:          web-frontend

Pre-Change State
-----------------
Faults:       0 critical, 2 major, 7 minor, 12 warning (21 total)
Health Score:  97/100
Tenant Count:  5

Post-Change State
------------------
Faults:       0 critical, 2 major, 7 minor, 12 warning (21 total)
Health Score:  97/100
Tenant Count:  6 (+1 prod-web)

Fault Delta:  0 new faults
Verification: PASSED -- all objects operational
Rollback:     Not required

CR Status:    Closed

Integration with Other Skills

  • Use aci-fabric-audit to run a full fabric audit before and after the change window
  • Use markmap-viz to visualize the updated tenant hierarchy after the change
  • Use drawio-diagram to generate an updated fabric topology including the new policy objects
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automateyournet…/netclaw
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