Network Configuration Automation With Configlets

In enterprises, when a need arises to fix faulty configurations or to make changes in multiple devices, the network administrators often find it to be physically draining and time-consuming. Also, the occurence of human errors while making changes in multiple configurations is highly possible. This is why automation of commands is important since it helps in reducing human errors and saves administrators from doing repetitive manual changes. Network Configuration Manager provides an ideal solution for this by automating command execution tasks using configuration script templates known as "Configlets".

Let us see the importance of using Configlets:

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Increased network security using configuration script templates

In an IT infrastructure which consists of over thousand network devices, it is quite a task to maintain network security by manual execution of commands. This is why every network environment should have a mechanism which helps to cut down manual work while maintaining security in the devices simultaneously. Configlets or configuration script templates serves this purpose by helping users execute commands which are necessary to build a secure networking environment. Using these script templates, commands to change passwords, enable SNMP etc., which can be executed to maintain security in network devices effectively.

Fix bandwidth bottlenecks using configuration change templates 

In a network environment consisting of large number of employees and network devices, there will be a large amount of incoming and outgoing data traffic which causes a lag in the rate at which data gets transferred. Clogging of data during transmission leads to bandwidth bottlenecks. Configlets help to prevent this from happening by executing configuration change templates. Once you identify network devices consuming a lot of bandwidth using a traffic monitoring tool, you can use 'Access control list' (ACL) commands to control the priority in which data has to be transferred. These ACL commands can be pushed to configurations of multiple devices using the configuration change templates. Thus, Configlets helps to save time by automating ACL commands and fixes bandwidth bottlenecks in multiple devices.

How to add configuration change scripts:

Configlets are available as templates and can also be added manually. Configuration change scripts for various commands can be added as "Configlets" using the three modes. These three modes are based on the nature of the command script that has to be executed. The modes for adding configuration change scripts are given below:
  • File transfer mode
  • Script execution mode
  • Advanced script execution mode

Automate configuration script templates using File transfer mode 

By using file transfer mode, simple configuration script templates for changing SNMP community, forwarding syslog messages, changing interfaces etc., can be implemented.
Thus, a network admin need not login to every network device to execute these configuration script templates whenever a minor change is to be made. Instead, he can use the file transfer mode to apply Configlets in multiple devices. Another advantage of using file transfer mode is that, it allows the user to upload a configuration in many devices/device groups at one go. Thus, administrators can save time by automating configuration upload.

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Automate configuration change scripts using Script Execution mode

You can secure your network by implementing password change commands in many networking devices using the script execution mode. Configuration change scripts containing troubleshooting commands like Synchronizing Running & Startup Configurations, access control etc., can also be automated and executed in the selected devices using Script Execution mode. By implementing these scripts, you can achieve a reliable network performance and pave way to an increased network security in all your devices.

Automate config change templates using Advanced Script Execution mode 

Advanced Script Execution mode can be used to automate complex network commands by executing configuration change templates in multiple devices. Advanced script execution mode can be used in case of the following scenarios:
  • ‌For commands that requires user confirmation 
  • When a prompt changes after a command execution
  • When there is a delay in response after a command execution
  • When  you want to stop command execution due to an error while executing a command
  • When you want to change the order of command execution
Complex network commands like uploading OS images / firmware upgrade, configuring banner message, deleting files from flash etc., can be automated by network configuration manager  using Advanced Script Execution mode. The configuration change templates for executing these commands can be applied in multiple devices at one go.

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After creating the configlets, they can be applied on respective devices and the execution results can be checked in the“execution history”.

Scheduling Configlets

Network Configuration Manager helps to schedule all types of configuration tasks. Tasks that require routine command executions can be scheduled to avoid repetition of work. The admin need not be present at all times, since he can specify a certain time at which he wants the configlets to be applied to devices. Hourly, weekly, monthly and daily scheduling is available for the convenience of the network admins. Thus, Network Configurations will be automated to execute configlets at the scheduled time. Network Configuration Manager also sends email notifications when a configlet is executed.