Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance offers flexible on-premises deployment options designed to meet diverse customer infrastructure requirements and security policies. The platform can be deployed entirely within your premises using three distinct deployment methods, each optimized for different operational environments and existing infrastructure.
All deployment options provide enterprise-grade application delivery and management, ensuring consistent and reliable deployments across various environments.
Deployment Options
1. Customer-Supplied Virtual Machines (Embedded Cluster)
Best for: Organizations without existing Kubernetes infrastructure who prefer VM-based deployments.
This deployment method automatically provisions a lightweight Kubernetes distribution (K0s) on your existing virtual machines with integrated cluster management.
Key Features:
- Automated Kubernetes cluster setup using K0s
- Minimal infrastructure prerequisites
- Self-contained deployment with integrated management
- Suitable for both single-node and multi-node configurations
Ideal Use Cases:
- Organizations new to Kubernetes
- Environments where VM management is preferred
- Rapid deployment scenarios
- Development and testing environments
2. Customer-Supplied Kubernetes Manager (KOTS)
Best for: Organizations with existing Kubernetes platforms seeking enterprise integration.
This deployment method provides a guided administrative experience through a dedicated admin console that integrates with your existing Kubernetes infrastructure.
Key Features:
- Integration with existing Kubernetes platforms (OpenShift, Rancher, etc.)
- Web-based admin console for deployment management
- Native Kubernetes resource management
- Enterprise-grade scaling and high availability options
Ideal Use Cases:
- Existing Kubernetes environments
- Enterprise deployments requiring integration with existing orchestration
- Organizations with Kubernetes expertise
- Production environments with specific compliance requirements
3. Air-gap Deployment (Offline Installation)
Best for: High-security environments with restricted internet access.
This deployment method supports completely offline installations where internet connectivity is prohibited or restricted due to security policies.
Key Features:
- No internet connectivity required during installation or operation
- Offline license management
- Manual update and maintenance procedures
- Complete data sovereignty and security isolation
Ideal Use Cases:
- Government and defense organizations
- Financial institutions with strict security requirements
- Industrial environments with network isolation policies
- Compliance-driven deployments
Deployment Considerations Matrix
| Consideration | VM Deployment | Customer's Kubernetes | Airgap Deployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Requirement | Customer VMs | Existing Kubernetes | Customer VMs or Kubernetes |
| Internet Connectivity | Required for installation | Required for installation | Not required |
| Kubernetes Expertise | Basic | Advanced | Varies by method |
| Setup Complexity | Low | Medium | High |
| Ongoing Management | Integrated cluster tools | Native Kubernetes tools | Manual processes |
| Scalability | Moderate | High | Varies by infrastructure |
| Security Profile | Standard | Enterprise | Maximum |
Getting Started
All deployment packages are available through our secure download portal at get.pca.cisco.com.
Next Steps
Choose your deployment method based on your infrastructure and requirements:
VM Deployment Guide - Complete guide for customer-supplied virtual machine deployment
Managed Kubernetes Cluster Deployment Guide - Detailed instructions for existing Kubernetes environments
Airgap Deployment Guide - Step-by-step offline installation procedures