Managing configuration change using templates

The following example procedures, which are specific to an environment consisting of Cisco IOS routers contain steps that can be performed to manage configuration change using templates in a quick start stand-alone TrueSight Network Automation configuration:

• • Creating a change template
  • Deploying a change using a template
  • Verifying the change took place
  • Accepting the configuration change

Creating a change template

The following example procedure demonstrates how to create a change template. You can also create a template by using an existing configuration for a device as a template, as described in Adding-a-template.

1. Open the Templates page by navigating to Network > Scripts > Templates in the UI.
2. Open the Add Template page by clicking Add in the menu.
3. In the Name field, enter Standard Cisco IOS Banner.
4. Click the Contents tab.
5. Click Add to add template contents.
6. In the Device Type field, enter Cisco and Cisco IOS Switch/Router.
7. In the Contents field enter the following:
   
   banner motd “No Trespassing. All use of this network device must be authorized by the owning organization. This device is being monitored.”
   
   End

8. Click Enter.
   
   

   Note

   You can create multiple entries in the Contents field, each assigned a unique device type and OS version. This enables you to define one template that supports a multi-vendor change. When you use the template in a Deploy to Active job, the system selects the Content entry appropriate to the target device’s device type and OS version.

9. Click Save.

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Deploying a change using a template

Te following example procedure demonstrates how to deploy a configuration change using a template.

1. Open the Add Job page.
2. Open the Deploy to Action pop-up.
   1. In the Annotation field, enter Banner Change.
   2. In the Network Span field, select Device.  
   3. Click  and select your device from the listing in the pop-up.
   4. In the Configuration field, select Template.
   5.  Click  and select Standard Cisco IOS Banner from the pop-up.
   6. Click OK.
   7. In the Actions tab in the Add Job page, note that by clicking on  Report, you can view a Configuration Comparison Report comparing the current configuration with the template.
3. In the Details tab in the Add Job page, enter the following:
   1. In the Run At field, select the Now or When Approved option.
   2. Click Save and Submit.

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Verifying the change took place

The following example procedure demonstrates how to verify that the change took place.

1. After the Deploy to Active action is completed, the status of the action in the Jobs page (Network > Actions > Jobs) should be Completed.
   
   

   Note

   Completed jobs remain in the listing on the Jobs page for 7 to 120 days, depending on how you have set the Purge Completed Jobs After system parameter.

2. Open the Job Details report by clicking  Details in the Actions column for the recently executed job.

    

   Note

   The Job Details report displays the workflow summary along with a link to the Job Summary Report, link to the Transcript Details, and a link to the Deploy to Active script (as applicable) for each device involved in the action.

3. Open the Job Summary Report by clicking on the Job Summary link and note that the workflow parameters and schedule are displayed along with the actual changes made to the devices involved.
   
   

   Note

   You can also view these changes in the Dashboard by clicking  Discrepancy in the Running vs Trusted Running column for the device.

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Accepting the configuration change

The following example procedure demonstrates how to accept the configuration change.

1. Open the Dashboard by clicking the Home tab.
2. Click the Cisco Router device name.
   A pop-up containing information about the device and links to various actions and reports is displayed. 
3. In the pop-up, click Commit in the Actions section.
4. In the Commit window, make the following changes:
   1. In the Annotation field, enter Standard banner change accepted.
   2. Select the Mark As Trusted option.

   3. Click OK.
      
      

      Scalability Note

      If you select the Group or Combo Group view of the Dashboard, and click the name of the group, you can act on all devices in the group with a single operation. Selecting Commit with the Mark As Trusted option selected, for instance, will accept the new configuration as trusted for every device in the group.

5. In the Run At field of the Add Job window, select the Now or When Approved option.
6. Click Save and Submit.

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