Configuring NETCONF (netconf-yang) on Cisco Router using any IOS above 16.x

First, the Networking fundamentals picture plus explanation. Check drawing below:

Client must have IP connectivity and Router must have enable netconf ssh in order to be able to listen request via TCP:830. In this case we will use netconf-console.

STEP (1) – Client connects to NETCONF SSH subsystem.

Human connecting to the router via bash using> netconf-console –host 10.0.0.254 –port 830 –user cisco2 –password cisco2 –hello

STEP(2) – Server (router) responds with Hello that includes NETCONF-supported capabilities.

Router replies back to the client with a HELLO NETCONF INTRO displaying the router NETCONF capabilities as following> (Notice the capabilities)

STEP(3) – Client responds with supported capabilities

In this step, the client must respond with the client capabilities. If the Router did not receive any capability whatsoever, the router can not continue with the NETCONF-YANG process. Client to respond with supported capabilities as following:

Keep in mind, all the exchange data is using the same pattern. the same data format. XML.

STEP(4) – Client issues NETCONF request (rpc/operation/content)

In this particular step, client provide any request that want to consume from the server (router). Remember that the NETCONF-YANG capabilities were exchanged already, therefore, client and server are aware of what is and what is not capable of each other. In this example, Client is already aware that the router is capable to receive interface configuration via NETCONF-YANG and proceed with the request. In this particular escenario, we are going to request to the router (server) to display all the information of a particular physical interface (Interface GigabitEthernet 1). We are going to request such information by issuing the following:

NOTE between step 3 and 4, server (router) is quiet. Client is the only one who is talking.

STEP(5) – Server (Router) issues response/performs operation

Notice that this is the last Step of the communication process. The Server (router) send a response acknowledging the operation of the client requestby repliying the information of the Internet GigabitEthernet 1. Server (router) provides the information and communication is closed.