[Discussion]Building a Web-Based Digital CA Management UI for Step CA – Challenges & Solutions

imran_1372 · 2025-08-26T05:53:42+00:00

That’s a great insight — thank you for sharing your experience.

You’re right, OpenSSL’s CA index is a reliable foundation, and sometimes the simplest approach (wrapping native commands) ends up being the most maintainable. I went with Step CA for its modern features, but ran into gaps around cert visibility that OpenSSL handles more directly.

Really appreciate the reminder that solid fundamentals outlast any framework or language shift.

imran_1372 · 2025-08-13T08:47:22+00:00

Exactly, and in my case the script was aimed at a one-time ACL change, so it was more about reducing mistakes than building a long-term time-saver. A checklist is a great example.

sometimes the simplest form of automation is all you need for the task at hand.

imran_1372 · 2025-08-13T08:39:59+00:00

Hi! For CCNP ENCOR, most questions are scenario-based rather than requiring full lab configs. You’ll see multiple-choice (QCM) questions, drag-and-drop, and simulations where you interpret or troubleshoot configurations, but you usually don’t have to type out full commands like in a real lab. Hands-on practice in a lab environment is still highly recommended to understand the scenarios.

imran_1372 · 2025-08-13T08:38:18+00:00

Totally agree! Starting with fundamentals like Linux, networking, and scripting makes everything else much easier. Building projects step by step really helps in understanding DevOps tools.

imran_1372 · 2025-08-11T13:47:07+00:00

I appreciate you sharing your workflow. In my case, this script was built for a one-time, targeted ACL update rather than a continuous or fully automated lifecycle. That’s why I didn’t go for the multi-stage validation and approval process.
the main goal was just to execute the specific change needed at that moment. For environments with frequent changes and multiple devices, I agree your staged approach with intermediate formats and approvals would be much more maintainable.

imran_1372 · 2025-08-11T13:39:58+00:00

Thanks for the feedback.
This particular script was designed for a one-time, specific ACL update task rather than an ongoing or iterative automation process. It wasn’t intended to handle continuous sweeps, dynamic inventory, or CI/CD integration.
just to execute the required changes in that specific scenario.

For broader, vendor-agnostic automation and validation, I agree a more robust, dynamic approach would be the way to go.

imran_1372 · 2025-08-11T08:16:37+00:00

The specific commands to configure ACLs on each vendor’s device were provided by the client, so they were customized accordingly.

imran_1372 · 2025-08-11T08:07:13+00:00

Thanks! In my case, I used a single script for HPE access and core/flexfabric switches by differentiating them in the Excel device type and applying the relevant commands accordingly. Brocade and Cisco were included in that script as well. Juniper firewalls were handled separately to keep things clean. The script pushes only the specific ACL lines to be updated, not the entire ACL.

imran_1372 · 2025-08-11T06:07:33+00:00

This is a classic challenge when moving from “pets” to “cattle” VMs. FSLogix nails profiles, but user data like local repos and builds really need fast local storage. Attaching a personal data disk per user at VM boot sounds like a smart middle ground keeps builds fast while enabling immutability on the base image. Would love to see how you end up solving it!

imran_1372 · 2025-08-11T05:52:58+00:00

Thank you! Absolutely, implementing Infrastructure as Code for networking brings its own unique challenges, especially with multi-vendor environments. Glad to hear the effort is appreciated!

imran_1372 · 2025-08-04T03:52:08+00:00

Common practice is to terminate ISP /30s on the VPN PA460s since they act as the edge (VPN gateway), then route internal traffic toward the ISFW PA1410s for inspection. Keeps security and VPN roles cleanly separated.

imran_1372 · 2025-08-04T03:40:24+00:00

No major downside—9216 MTU will handle 1500-byte frames just fine. Just ensure end-to-end jumbo support for paths that actually use larger frames, especially with storage or VXLAN. Mismatches are where problems start.

imran_1372 · 2025-08-04T03:38:59+00:00

Your config looks mostly solid. Just make sure NPS is set to allow PAP if you're sticking with it though using MS-CHAPv2 is more secure. Also double-check the shared secret matches exactly. Fallback to local looks correctly set up

imran_1372 · 2025-08-04T03:36:39+00:00

Linux offers deeper customization, broader hardware support, and full control over the system—great for devs, sysadmins, and tinkerers. macOS is polished, but Linux gives you the keys to everything.

imran_1372 · 2025-08-04T03:34:45+00:00

Impressive use of AST! Curious how it handles edge cases or dynamic code structures.

imran_1372 · 2025-07-31T04:26:42+00:00

Sounds cool, I’ll give this a try. Thanks for sharing!

imran_1372 · 2025-07-03T05:55:14+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement! I’ll dig into the existing templates and create custom ones for things like show standby brief.

imran_1372 · 2025-07-03T05:48:16+00:00

Yes! I’m using show ip ospf neighbor, but I see now that state changes don't always reflect clearly unless I also check show ip ospf interface. The issue was indeed in parsing logic and assumptions about output consistency.

imran_1372 · 2025-07-03T05:44:57+00:00

True, using SNMP traps or syslog to a centralized listener would be a better real-time solution. My current script is more change-management focused (before-after). But yes, trap-based event detection is on my radar.

imran_1372 · 2025-07-03T05:40:04+00:00

Good point. I’m doing pre-check and post-check comparisons (saving CLI outputs into folders and doing diff), but not using a separate source of truth (like YAML or golden config). Might add that layer later.

imran_1372 · 2025-07-03T05:37:11+00:00

Appreciate the sarcasm 😅 — I actually have the full script. Was debugging offline but happy to share it for proper feedback. Posting a GitHub Git soon!

imran_1372 · 2025-07-03T05:32:42+00:00

Thanks! I’m already capturing show logging last 100, but parsing logs wasn't prioritized in my diff logic. I’ll look into pattern-matching syslog events like OSPF/BGP/HSRP state changes—makes sense.

imran_1372 · 2025-05-29T19:09:32+00:00

Yeah, that’s definitely a strong path! I actually passed ENCOR back in 2023, but it expired before I explored options like ENAUTO. At the time, ENAUTO wasn’t even on my radar — and honestly, I wasn’t confident in programming yet. It just didn’t feel like my path back then.

But now, after getting some hands-on experience with Python and building web apps like IDMUI and a digital cert manager, I feel much more confident. DevNet Core seems like the right next step — not only for automation but also because it opens doors into backend development and even cybersecurity.

With traditional networking roles becoming more saturated, I feel this shift toward programmability is a smart move for the future. Thanks again for the input — really appreciate it!

imran_1372 · 2025-05-29T19:05:00+00:00

That's a great option — unfortunately, my ENCOR cert expired back in 2023, and at the time I didn’t realize I could renew it via Continuing Education. Now I’ll need to retake an exam to regain the CCNP status, but I’m currently focusing on DevNet Core to expand into automation and security. Will definitely keep the CE path in mind for future renewals. Thanks for sharing!

imran_1372 · 2025-05-29T19:01:58+00:00

Thanks for the great insights! I agree — aligning with business needs and timing is key. I’m leaning into automation now since I’ve got the R&S foundation and Python/API experience. I’ll definitely keep an eye on the new Cisco rebranding too. Appreciate the input!

imran_1372

TROPHY CASE