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Using Configuration Templates for Aruba CX Switch Management

Templates in Aruba Central refer to a set of configuration commands that can be used by the administrators for provisioning devices in a group. Configuration templates enable administrators to apply a set of configuration parameters simultaneously to multiple switches in a group and thus automate switch deployments.

 

To minimize configuration errors and troubleshoot device-specific configuration issues, Aruba recommends that the device administrators familiarize themselves with the CLI configuration commands available on Aruba CX switches.

Creating a Group for Template-Based Configuration

For template-based provisioning, switches must be assigned to a group with template-based configuration method enabled.

For more information, see Creating a Group and Assigning Devices to Groups.

 

Aruba CX switches can only be configured using configuration templates.

You cannot move a Aruba CX switch from a template group to a UI group in Aruba Central. If attempted, a warning is displayed that the Aruba CX switch cannot be moved to a UI group, because UI group is not supported on Aruba CX switches.

When you onboard a factory default Aruba CX switch, the switch is listed under Unassigned Devices in the OrganizationGroups page, because UI group is not supported on Aruba CX switches.

When you pre-provision a Aruba CX switch, the switch is listed under Unassigned Devices in the OrganizationGroups page, because UI group is not available for Aruba CX switches.

For Aruba CX switches, the Import Configuration to New Group feature is not supported.

Creating a Configuration Template

To create a configuration template for switches:

1. In the Network Operations app, set the filter to a template group.

The dashboard context for the group is displayed.

2. Under Manage, click Devices > Switches.

3. Click the Config icon.

The tabs to configure switches using templates is displayed.

4. Click the Templates tab. The Templates page is displayed.

5. Click + to add a new template. The Add Template window is displayed.

6. In the Basic Info tab, enter a name for the template in the Template Name field.

7. In the Device Type drop-down, select Aruba CX.

8. Select the switch model and software version. You can specify any of the following combinations:

ALL for both Model and Version—To apply the template to all switch models and all supported switch software versions.

ALL for Model and a software version for Version—To apply the template to all switch models running the selected software version.

ALL for Version and a switch model for Model—To apply the template to a switch model and all software versions supported by the selected switch model.

A switch model and a software version—To apply the template to a specific switch model and the software version. The template created for a switch model and a software version takes precedence over the template that is created for all platforms and versions.

9. Select the manufacturing part number of the switch in the Part Number drop-down.

 

The Part Number drop-down is displayed only if you select a switch model in the Model drop-down.

If you select a specific switch model and part number, you can apply the template to a standalone switch and not to a stack.

If you select All in the Model drop-down, or if you select a switch model and All in the Part Number drop-down, you can apply a template to both a standalone switch and stack.

10. Click Next. The Template tab is displayed.

11. Build a new template by adding the output of the show running-config from the switch CLI in the Template text box. Ensure that the template text adheres to the guidelines listed in the Important Points to Note.

 

You must manually create the template for the Aruba CX switch in a group, along with the password in plaintext format. You can use the output of the show running-config command to create the template. You can also add variables to use the same template for onboarding multiple Aruba CX switches. For more information on variables, see Downloading Sample Variables File.

All switch templates must include a password command to set a password for the device. The template cannot be saved without adding a password command. If the configuration that is pushed from Aruba Central to the device does not contain a password command, the configuration push is aborted for the device and a log is added to the audit trail. For example, if you add the password command in a condition block and the condition evaluates to false, the configuration that is pushed will not contain the password command. For more information, see Managing Password in Configuration Templates.

For Aruba CX switches, you must configure the password only in plaintext. Also, the format of password must be user admin group administrators password plaintext <string>.

12. Click Save. After you apply the configuration template, switches reboot and reconnect to Aruba Central with the new configuration.

Important Points to Note

Note the following points when adding configuration text to a template:

The CLI syntax in the switch template must be accurate. Aruba recommends that you validate the configuration syntax on the switch before adding it to the template text.

Ensure that the command text indentation matches the indentation in the running configuration.

The commands in the template are case-sensitive.

The following example illustrates the case discrepancies that the users must avoid in the template text:

trunk E1-E4 trk1 trunk

interface Trk1

dhcp-snooping trust

exit

 

trunk E1-E4 trk1 trunk

switch-interconnect trk1

 

trunk E5-E6 trk2 trunk

vlan 5

name "VLAN5"

untagged Trk2

tagged Trk1

isolate-list Trk1

ip igmp forcedfastleave Trk1

ip igmp blocked Trk1

ip igmp forward Trk1

forbid Trk1

 

loop-protect Trk2

 

trunk E1-E4 trk1 trunk

trunk E4-E5 trk2 trunk

spanning-tree Trk1 priority 4

spanning-tree Trk2 admin-edge-port

 

trunk A2-A4 trk1 trunk

igmp fastlearn Trk1

 

trunk E4-E5 trk2 trunk

ip source-binding 2 4.5.6.7 b05ada-96a4a0 Trk2

 

[no] ip source-binding trap OutOfResources

 

snmp-server mib hpSwitchAuthMIB ..

 

snmp-server mib hpicfMACsec unsecured-access ..

 

[no] lldp config <P-PORT-LIST> dot1TlvEnable ..

 

[no] lldp config <P-PORT-LIST> medTlvEnable ..

 

no lldp config <P-PORT-LIST> medPortLocation..

 

[no] lldp config <P-PORT-LIST> dot3TlvEnable ..

 

[no] lldp config <P-PORT-LIST> basicTlvEnable ..

 

[no] lldp config <P-PORT-LIST> ipAddrEnable <lldp-ip>

 

trunk-load-balance L4-based

trunk-load-balance L3-based

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