When does Cisco DNA Center make changes to a device?

Adding device credentials allows DNA Center to communicate with and discover the device, but it does not automatically enable configuration changes without further steps like site assignment and controllability.

For Cisco DNA Center to manage and push configuration changes to a network device, the device must first be discovered, then logically assigned to a specific site within the DNA Center hierarchy, and crucially, device controllability must be explicitly enabled. Enabling controllability grants DNA Center the necessary permissions to modify the device's configuration.

While device discovery and enabling controllability are necessary, the device must also be assigned to a logical site within the DNA Center topology for full policy-based management and configuration deployment.

Configuring a NETCONF port facilitates programmatic interaction, but DNA Center's policy-driven management requires the device to be onboarded and assigned to a site with controllability enabled to apply changes through its workflow.