We live in a hyperconnected world, where the network isn’t just a utility – it’s a strategic enabler. Whether expanding operations on a global scale or delivering seamless experiences locally, the ability to efficiently deploy, manage, and secure branch networks has become essential. At Cisco, we understand the challenges organizations face. That is why, we introduced Cisco Unified Branch–a new full-stack, integrated solution designed to simplify and streamline branch network deployments. Unified Branch delivers a curated set of products, tested and verified together, that combine routing with next-generation firewall (NGFW) capabilities, switching, and Wi-Fi—all managed by a common platform, the Cisco Meraki Dashboard.
This solution sets the standard for secure and reliable connectivity. One of the things that set Unified Branch apart is the option to include Branch as Code (BaC), a breakthrough automation toolkit that empowers organizations to standardize, automate, and scale branch network deployments and operations by moving away from manual hardware device configurations. Leveraging Cisco’s expertise in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and NetDevOps, BaC results in defining the complete, standardized configuration and operational state of an entire branch (routing including NGFW capabilities, switching, and wireless access points) in code. Cisco Validated Design (CVD) recommended values are included as default settings, enabling organizations to deploy CVDs at scale. As an add-on, Cisco can help align network setups to specific operational needs.
Unlike with manual provisioning, with BaC you can implement consistent, automated, repeatable network deployments and configuration changes across any number of branches, distributed across any number of locations, using Infrastructure as Code and NetDevOps methodologies.
From Months to Minutes: Before and After Branch as Code
In the past, deploying and operating branch networks has been anything but simple. The traditional GUI or CLI-based approach is manual, prone to human-based errors, inconsistent, and slow. And when you have hundreds of branches of varying scale, run by different teams, spread across continents, traditional methodologies fail quickly.
To showcase the immense value of BaC, let’s look at a before and after comparison
The Before: Deploying and Operating Branch Networks without Branch as Code
Branch networks have long been the backbone of enterprise operations, but traditional approaches to their deployment and management are no longer sustainable in today’s environment. Consider the challenges:
1. Manual, Error-Prone Configuration
Traditionally, configuring branch devices, such as routers, switches, and access points (APs), requires manual intervention. Network administrators rely on Command Line Interfaces (CLI) or Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) to individually configure devices at each branch. This process is not only labor-intensive but also prone to human error. A simple typo in a configuration could lead to connectivity issues, security vulnerabilities, or even branch-wide outages.
2. Inconsistent, Unreliable Policies Across Branches
With manual configurations, enforcing uniform security, Quality of Service (QoS), and access policies across all branches is a significant challenge. IT teams often find themselves dealing with policy inconsistencies, leading to compliance violations, increased attack surfaces, and degraded network performance.
3. Lack of Version Control
Tracking and auditing changes to network configurations is nearly impossible. If an error occurs, rolling back to a previous stable configuration is a cumbersome and time-consuming process. This lack of version control also makes compliance audits more challenging.
4. Rolling out changes with fragmented testing
Coordinating and implementing network changes across hundreds of branches is a logistical nightmare. Without centralized management, every change has to be manually executed and verified, increasing the likelihood of errors and outages.
The After: Leveraging Unified Branch with Branch as Code
Cisco Unified Branch is purpose-built to address these challenges. With the addition of Branch as Code to Unified Branch, you can now get:
1. Automated, Faster Deployments
Rapidly deploy new branch offices or configure existing ones without manual intervention. With the Branch as Code automation toolkit, IT teams can define the desired state of their network using declarative configurations written in YAML. Instead of manually configuring each device, the system automatically configures devices to align with these specifications.
2. Consistent & Reliable Configurations
The toolkit enables organizations to configure their branches identically while allowing for customizations where needed. This reduces human error, improving operational stability, while strengthening the overall security posture of the network.
3. Version Control and Auditability
With Infrastructure as Code tools, configurations can be managed declaratively, enabling version control through Git repositories. Every change made to the network configuration is logged and tracked, creating an audit trail, preventing “tribal knowledge” and promoting collaborative development. In case of errors, rolling back to a previous stable configuration is as simple as reverting to an earlier version of the code repository.
4. Automated Testing Enabling Repeatable Deployments
By leveraging the same methodologies as Infrastructure as Code, Unified Branch integrates testing directly into the automation pipeline to ensure that network configurations match the declared state. Rather than relying on separate network management tools, it automatically inspects the network to validate consistency between the configuration and the expected operational state. This enables operators to confidently verify that network changes have been executed according to their specifications.
The Future of Branch Management
The Unified Branch solution empowers businesses to adapt to changing demands, enhance user experiences, and achieve their strategic goals with confidence. With the addition of the Branch as Code toolkit, organizations managing distributed branch networks can achieve consistent, automated, and repeatable deployments.
Unified Branch with Branch as Code automation is a fully supported Cisco solution offering a seamless, AI-powered Technical Assistance Center (TAC) experience and optional personalized deployment and optimization services to our customers and partners:
- Solution-level, AI-powered TAC support that identifies the root cause – so that you don’t have to. Fast-track detection and resolution, minimizing downtime.
- Unified Branch design, implement, and migrate services that integrate networking and security functions for ease of deployment and management.
Are you eager to embrace a future where branch network management is faster, more reliable, and infinitely scalable? Connect with our team to see the solution in action and explore how it can work for your organization.
