> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nso-docs.cisco.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nso-docs.cisco.com/guides/administration/get-started.md).

# Get Started

Administrate and manage NSO.

## Installation and Deployment

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Local Install</strong></td><td>Install NSO for test and evaluation use.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/installation-and-deployment/local-install.md">Local Install</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>System Install</strong></td><td>Install NSO for production system-wide use.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/installation-and-deployment/system-install.md">System Install</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Post-install Actions</strong></td><td>Perform post-install actions after installing NSO.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/installation-and-deployment/post-install-actions.md">Post-Install Actions</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Containerized NSO</strong></td><td>Deploy NSO using Cisco-provided container images.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/installation-and-deployment/containerized-nso.md">Containerized NSO</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Dev to Prod Deployment</strong></td><td>Deploy NSO from development to production.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/installation-and-deployment/development-to-production-deployment.md">Development to Production Deployment</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Upgrade NSO</strong></td><td>Upgrade NSO installation to a higher version.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/installation-and-deployment/upgrade-nso.md">Upgrade NSO</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Management

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>System Management</strong></td><td>Configure &#x26; manage your NSO deployment.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/management/system-management.md">System Management</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Package Management</strong></td><td>Learn about NSO packages and how to use them.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/management/package-mgmt.md">Package Management</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>High Availability</strong></td><td>Set up multiple nodes in a highly-available (HA) setup.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/management/high-availability.md">High Availability</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>AAA Infrastructure</strong></td><td>Set up user authentication and authorization.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/management/aaa-infrastructure.md">AAA Infrastructure</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>NED Administration</strong></td><td>Administer and manage Cisco-provided NEDs.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/management/ned-administration.md">NED Administration</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Advanced Topics

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Locks</strong></td><td>Understand how transaction locks work.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/advanced-topics/locks.md">Locks</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>CDB Persistence</strong></td><td>Select the optimal CDB persistence mode.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/advanced-topics/cdb-persistence.md">CDB Persistence</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>IPC Connection</strong></td><td>Learn how client libraries connect to NSO.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/advanced-topics/ipc-connection.md">IPC Connection</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Cryptographic Keys</strong></td><td>Encrypt and decrypt strings in NSO using crypto keys.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/advanced-topics/cryptographic-keys.md">Cryptographic Keys</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Service Manager Restart</strong></td><td>Configure the timeout period of Service Manager.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/advanced-topics/restart-strategies-for-service-manager.md">Service Manager Restart</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>IPv6 on Northbound</strong></td><td>Use IPv6 on Northbound NSO interfaces.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/advanced-topics/ipv6-on-northbound-interfaces.md">IPv6 on Northbound Interfaces</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>LSA</strong></td><td>Learn about Layered Service Architecture.</td><td><a href="/guides/administration/advanced-topics/layered-service-architecture.md">Layered Service Architecture</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://nso-docs.cisco.com/guides/administration/get-started.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
