Part 1: How to check the Hardware & Firmware using on Cisco ACI APIC

Today we are going to talk about the verification of the hardware used in the Cisco ACI APIC. As you guys knew that APIC is a UCS based CIMC controller and has some version.

What is Cisco ACI APIC?
One of the important pillar of Cisco ACI is APIC which is known as Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller. It is single pane of glass for automation and management for the Cisco ACI fabric, policy enforcement, and health monitoring. It also optimizes performance and manages and operates a scalable multitenant Cisco ACI fabric.

Verification of CIMC Hardware

Let's Check that by login to the CIMC controller. Below are the GUI steps for that

Step 1: Login to the APICs using CIMC

Step 2: In the navigation pane, click the Chassis Tab and check Summary Tab

Step 3: Check the status of power supplies, fan, chassis, storage as well as temperature of the chassis to determine if the device is working as desired

Fig 1.1- Cisco ACI APIC CIMC Hardware

Step 4: As you have multiple CIMC controller for APIC, so you need to repeat these steps for every APIC server.

Verification of CIMC Firmware

Step 1: As we already login to APIC CIMC controller, In the navigation pane, click the Admin Tab and check Firmware Management Menu

Step 2: Verify CIMC Firmware  

Fig 1.2- Cisco ACI APIC CIMC Firmware

Step 3: As you have multiple CIMC controller for APIC, so you need to repeat these steps for every APIC server.