11/17/2022

DC with Arista Networks

I got this fantastic opportunity to deploy new clouds based on Arista Networks VXLAN fabric. The solution included Arista CloudVision (known as CVP), AVD and of course, the Arista switches. The first thing I was impressed with was the simplicity that Cloud Vision brings on the table for both deployment of new configurations and visibility. 

We were waiting for the hardware to arrive, and all we got was the CVP installed and ready, so we did a bit of work e.g. getting the configlets ready and when the hardware arrived we plugged all the optics and connected the fibres. In that moment one of my colleagues who didn't have experience with Arista decided to go around and check for any obvious errors, so he did not find anything than just couple of links require fibre change, not a big deal. On the next day, we start exploring what can be observed via CVP, and we found it actually start reporting packet drops/ and errors via the telemetry that is supported via Terminattr telemetry agent created by Arista. 


The second thing that I personally liked was the familiar CLI interface. When you login to the device - it simply looks familiar, e.g. it looks like Cisco. I work in environment with multiple vendors and to be honest, I struggle some times with some of them, like, Nokia. I find the CLI being a bit tricky. (To admit, I don't work with Nokia CLI that much) but eOS is powerful and easy to use. 


The third thing its worth mentioning is my experience with the TAC. After just couple of interactions with them, I hate them!lol. Now I will expect the same experience with every other company I work with :) these guys set the bar a bit too high. (I have story I would like to tell, but I don't think it's a good idea to write it in a blog). 


One more thing I wanted to mention. I had great time reading the "Arista Warrior" book. I don't think I ever laughed at tech book before, but this one made my late evenings after work when the kids were asleep.