# Cisco Enterprise Networking Setup

> Use when the user asks about Cisco Enterprise Networking app, cisco-catalyst-app, Catalyst dashboards, ISE dashboards, SD-WAN dashboards, or Cyber Vision dashboards. Automate Cisco Enterprise Networking for Splunk Platform (cisco-catalyst-app) setup. Configures index macros, sourcetype macros, saved searches, data model acceleration, and validates dashboards.

- Skill: `chambear2809/cisco-enterprise-networking-setup` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 7 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add chambear2809/cisco-enterprise-networking-setup`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/chambear2809/cisco-enterprise-networking-setup/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: chambear2809 (https://skillmd.com/u/chambear2809)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/chambear2809/cisco-enterprise-networking-setup

---


# Cisco Enterprise Networking App Setup Automation

## Workflow Overview

```text
┌───────────┐   ┌───────────────┐   ┌───────────────┐   ┌─────────────────┐
│ Preflight │ → │ Render/review │ → │ Apply/handoff │ → │ Validate evidence │
└───────────┘   └───────────────┘   └───────────────┘   └─────────────────┘
```

## When to Activate

- Cisco Enterprise Networking app, cisco-catalyst-app, Catalyst dashboards, ISE dashboards, SD-WAN dashboards, or
  Cyber Vision dashboards.
- Preview and review the cisco enterprise networking setup workflow before any live apply phase.
- Diagnose failed prerequisites, generated assets, configuration, or validation evidence.

## Scope

Follow the documented read-only or render-first path whenever it is available.
This skill does not imply permission to mutate live systems. Require explicit
apply flags, protected credentials, and operator review for state changes.

## Examples

Inspect the supported setup modes before selecting one:

```bash
bash skills/cisco-enterprise-networking-setup/scripts/setup.sh --help
```

Expected output: usage, supported modes, and required arguments are displayed
without changing the target environment.

Inspect validation modes before running completion checks:

```bash
bash skills/cisco-enterprise-networking-setup/scripts/validate.sh --help
```

Expected output: offline, live, and completion options are displayed when the
skill supports them; help exits without mutation.

## Troubleshooting

| Issue | Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Preflight fails | A required tool or access path is missing | Resolve it before rendering or applying |
| Rendered assets are incomplete | Required non-secret inputs are absent | Complete intake and render again |
| Apply is blocked | Review, credentials, or explicit acceptance is missing | Use the documented handoff |
| Validation is incomplete | Live evidence is unavailable | Record the gap and keep completion open |

## TA Completion Gate

For every TA/add-on or dashboard companion run, satisfy the shared
[TA completion gate](../shared/ta_completion_gate.md): configure and enable the
data ingest path owned by this skill or its required companion, validate events
or metrics in the target indexes/source types, and verify any
pre-built/package-shipped dashboards are visible, macro-aligned, and returning
data. If the package ships no dashboards, record that evidence explicitly and
hand off dashboard use to the consuming app, ES/ITSI/ARI content, or readiness
doctor.

Automates the **Cisco Enterprise Networking for Splunk Platform**
(`cisco-catalyst-app`).

## Package Model

**Pull from Splunkbase first, fall back to `splunk-ta/`.** Use
`splunk-app-install` with `--source splunkbase --app-id 7539`; the shared
installer defaults to the repository-verified package. If Splunkbase is
unavailable, fall back to the local package in `splunk-ta/`.
The repo-verified `3.2.20` release is also the current public listing, advertises
`10.5`, and is Cloud-compatible, so the default install path works on a `10.5`
stack with no review override. Do not downgrade below `3.2.20` on a `10.5`
stack: `3.1.0`, `3.2.0`, and `3.2.10` do not advertise that train. The setup
wrapper reads the actual installed version before any REST mutation and refuses
an unverified selection unless `--accept-unsupported-platform` is backed by
documented vendor approval for the exact package and stack; the override is not
compatibility certification.
The shared installer enforces the required Cisco Catalyst Add-on dependency and
installs `TA_cisco_catalyst` (Splunkbase ID `7538`) first when it is missing,
so the visualization app is not deployed by itself. The Cisco Catalyst
Enhanced Netflow Add-on (`splunk_app_stream_ipfix_cisco_hsl`, Splunkbase ID
`6872`) is optional and should only be installed when the user wants the extra
NetFlow-focused dashboards.

After installation, use this skill to configure macros, saved searches,
acceleration, and validation over search-tier REST. Any `splunk-ta/_unpacked/`
tree is review-only.

This is a **visualization app** — it provides dashboards and saved searches but
does not collect data. The dashboards visualize data collected by the companion
**Cisco Catalyst Add-on** (`TA_cisco_catalyst`). Some additional dashboards
also use the optional **Cisco Catalyst Enhanced Netflow Add-on**
(`splunk_app_stream_ipfix_cisco_hsl`). Use the `cisco-catalyst-ta-setup` skill
for Cisco Catalyst TA configuration and the
`cisco-catalyst-enhanced-netflow-setup` skill when the user wants the optional
NetFlow-focused dashboards.

## Agent Behavior — Credentials

**The agent must NEVER ask for passwords or secrets in chat.**

Splunk credentials are read automatically from the project-root `credentials` file
(falls back to `~/.splunk/credentials`). If neither exists, guide the user to create it:

```bash
bash skills/shared/scripts/setup_credentials.sh
```

The agent may freely ask for non-secret values: index names, macro settings, etc.

### Optional NetFlow Prompt

Before planning optional NetFlow dashboard coverage, the agent should ask the
user whether they want the additional NetFlow-focused dashboards enabled.

If the user says yes:

1. Use the `cisco-catalyst-enhanced-netflow-setup` skill to install and validate
   the optional Cisco Catalyst Enhanced Netflow Add-on.
2. Confirm whether a NetFlow/IPFIX ingestion path already exists.
3. If NetFlow ingestion is not already in place, guide the user to the
   `splunk-stream-setup` workflow so the receiver path can be installed and
   configured before expecting those dashboards to populate.

## Environment

Setup and validation use the Splunk search-tier REST API and can run from any
host with network access to the Splunk management port (`8089`). In Splunk
Cloud, stack-level restarts are handled through ACS instead of the search-tier
REST endpoints.

| Item | Value |
|------|-------|
| Search-tier API | `SPLUNK_SEARCH_API_URI` env var (legacy alias: `SPLUNK_URI`) |
| Cloud stack | `SPLUNK_CLOUD_STACK` for Cloud installs (`SPLUNK_PLATFORM` is only an override for hybrid runs) |
| App name | `cisco-catalyst-app` |
| Credentials | Project-root `credentials` file (falls back to `~/.splunk/credentials`) |
| Skill scripts | `skills/cisco-enterprise-networking-setup/scripts/` (relative to repo root) |

### Remote Splunk Connection

To run against a remote Splunk instance:

```bash
export SPLUNK_SEARCH_API_URI="https://splunk-host:8089"
```

## Prerequisites

The Cisco Catalyst Add-on (`TA_cisco_catalyst`) must be installed and
configured before this app can display data. A `splunk-app-install` run for app
ID `7539` auto-installs app ID `7538` when needed. The Cisco Catalyst Enhanced
Netflow Add-on (`splunk_app_stream_ipfix_cisco_hsl`) is optional for additional
NetFlow-focused dashboards and should be offered to the user explicitly rather
than installed by default.

## Setup Workflow

### Step 1: Update Index Scopes

The app uses the `cisco_catalyst_app_index` macro to know which indexes to
search. This must match the indexes configured in the TA.

```bash
bash skills/cisco-enterprise-networking-setup/scripts/setup.sh
```

This updates `cisco_catalyst_app_index` to include all four product indexes:
`catalyst`, `ise`, `sdwan`, `cybervision`. It also scopes the app's
`cisco_catalyst_sdwan_index` macro and writes the identical scope to the
companion TA's `cisco_sdwan_index` eventtype. That eventtype must not retain its
package-default `()` placeholder because the SD-WAN firewall, ACL, and SGACL
transition eventtypes depend on it.

Partial runs: `--macros-only`, `--custom-indexes "idx1,idx2,idx3"`.

### Step 2: Enable Saved Searches

The app has 5 saved searches that build lookup tables. The setup script enables
them by default:

| Saved Search | Schedule | Lookup Built |
|---|---|---|
| `cisco_catalyst_location` | Hourly | `cisco_catalyst_ise_location.csv` |
| `cisco_catalyst_sdwan_netflow` | Daily | `cisco_catalyst_sdwan_application_tag` (KV) |
| `cisco_catalyst_sdwan_policy` | Daily | `cisco_catalyst_sdwan_policy_mapping` (KV) |
| `cisco_catalyst_meraki_organization_mapping` | Daily | `meraki_org_id_name_lookup.csv` |
| `cisco_catalyst_meraki_devices_serial_mapping` | Daily | `cisco_catalyst_meraki_device_serial_mapping.csv` |

### Step 3: Offer Optional Enhanced Netflow Support

Ask the user whether they want the optional NetFlow-focused dashboards. If they
do, use the `cisco-catalyst-enhanced-netflow-setup` skill to install and
validate `splunk_app_stream_ipfix_cisco_hsl` (Splunkbase ID `6872`), and make
sure the NetFlow/IPFIX ingestion path is configured, typically via the
`splunk-stream-setup` workflow.

### Step 4: Enable Data Model Acceleration (Optional)

```bash
bash skills/cisco-enterprise-networking-setup/scripts/setup.sh --accelerate
```

Enables acceleration on the `Cisco_Catalyst_App` data model for faster
dashboard loading.

If Splunk Cloud later reports `restartRequired=true`, use
`acs restart current-stack` instead of trying to restart the deployment through
the search-tier REST API.

### Step 5: Validate

```bash
bash skills/cisco-enterprise-networking-setup/scripts/validate.sh --completion
```

Checks: app installation, macros, saved searches, data model, data presence.

## Macros

| Macro | Default | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| `cisco_catalyst_app_index` | `index IN (*)` | Tells shared dashboards and the data model which indexes to search; setup replaces the wildcard with an explicit list |
| `cisco_catalyst_sdwan_index` | `index IN (*)` | Tells SD-WAN raw dashboards which indexes to search; setup replaces the wildcard with an explicit list |
| `cisco_catalyst_app_sourcetypes` | Exact `3.2.20` package families, including `cisco:thousandeyes:metric`, `cisco:sgacl:logs`, `cisco:catalyst:center:*`, `cisco:ise:analytics*`, and `tenable:sc*` | Filters to the source types shipped with the app contract |
| `summariesonly` | `summariesonly=false` | Controls data model acceleration usage |

The setup script updates all three dashboard filter macros. The shared index
definition is:
```
index IN ("catalyst", "ise", "sdwan", "cybervision")
```

The default SD-WAN-only scope is `index IN ("sdwan")`. When custom indexes are
provided, setup uses the explicit custom list for both app index macros and the
TA `cisco_sdwan_index` eventtype so the three scopes cannot silently diverge.
The managed sourcetype definition mirrors the exact `3.2.20` package contract;
`cisco:thousandeyes:test` is not part of that contract.

## Dashboards

The app ships all dashboards in the package. No import or manual activation
step is required — they appear in Splunk Web automatically after installation.

To access them: **Apps → Cisco Enterprise Networking for Splunk Platform**

| Dashboard | Description |
|---|---|
| Overview | High-level summary across all products |
| Network Insights | Network health and topology |
| Security Insights | ISE and security posture |
| Events And Incident Viewer | Event timeline and drill-down |
| Endpoints (Clients) | Client/endpoint details |
| Users And Applications | User and application activity |
| Performance | Network performance metrics |
| Sensors | Sensor and device telemetry |

**Prerequisites for dashboards to show data:**

1. `cisco_catalyst_app_index` macro must be updated (Step 1 in the setup workflow).
2. At least one of `catalyst`, `ise`, `sdwan`, or `cybervision` indexes must
   be receiving data from the companion `TA_cisco_catalyst`.
3. The 5 lookup-building saved searches (Step 2) must have run at least once.
4. For NetFlow-focused dashboards, the optional Enhanced Netflow Add-on must
   be installed and Splunk Stream must be configured as a NetFlow receiver.

On **Splunk Cloud**, dashboards are immediately available after ACS installs
the app. The macro update and saved search enablement happen over search-tier
REST and require no additional Cloud-specific steps.

Dashboard forms use the `cisco_catalyst_app_index` macro for index selection.
If data is present but dashboards show no results, verify the macro value
includes all data-bearing indexes.

## MCP Server Integration

```bash
bash skills/cisco-enterprise-networking-setup/scripts/load_mcp_tools.sh
```

## Key Learnings / Known Issues

1. **Macro alignment**: The `cisco_catalyst_app_index` macro MUST include all
   indexes configured in the TA, or dashboards will show no data. The app
   `cisco_catalyst_sdwan_index` macro and TA `cisco_sdwan_index` eventtype must
   use the same explicit SD-WAN index scope.
2. **Data model acceleration**: Enable for production; keep disabled during
   initial setup/testing.
3. **Saved searches**: The lookup-building saved searches should run at least
   once before dashboards referencing those lookups will populate.
4. **No inputs here**: This app only visualizes. Base data collection belongs
   in `TA_cisco_catalyst`, and optional NetFlow parsing belongs in
   `splunk_app_stream_ipfix_cisco_hsl` when that path is enabled.
5. **No `configure_account.sh`**: Unlike the TA skills, this app does not
   collect data and has no add-on accounts to configure. Account and input
   setup belongs in the companion TA workflow, especially the
   `cisco-catalyst-ta-setup` skill for `TA_cisco_catalyst`.

## Additional Resources

- [reference.md](reference.md) — Macro definitions, saved searches, dashboards
- [mcp_tools.json](mcp_tools.json) — MCP tool definitions

## Validation Modes

Run `scripts/validate.sh` for diagnostics. Use `--completion` (alias `--strict`)
to require safe explicit custom-or-default index scopes, exact package
sourcetype coverage, TA SD-WAN eventtype alignment, shipped views, required
saved searches, and data in at least one configured Cisco networking index.