Understanding Extreme Networks Auto Configuration - Extreme Networks Auto Configuration Configuration

Understanding Extreme Networks
Auto Configuration
This section describes the workings of the Extreme Networks
Auto Configuration feature in detail. We will first examine
the current procedure involved in procurement and
deployment of switches, followed by the new process
enabled by the feature. The rest of this section will cover
the technologies and methods used to achieve this
simplified deployment model.
Figure 1 shows the logistics involved when ExtremeXOS
switches are shipped from Extreme Networks to an end
customer.
• A customer could either directly place an order for
switches with Extreme Networks, or do the same via
either a system integrator, channel partner, or a
Value-Added Reseller (VAR).
• When direct orders are processed, Extreme Networks
ships the switches to the requested location by the
customer. This could either be the headquarters or a
central goods inward location. In either of these
locations, the switch could be staged for initial
configuration before deployment.
• Turnkey solutions provided by system integrators,
channel partners, or VARs could involve a staging and
initial configuration procedure before the switch is
actually deployed in the customer network. Alterna-
tively, any customization in configuration could also be
done at the customer premises prior to deployment.
• The switch could then be shipped to the actual location
of deployment (could be a branch location or a building
within the campus, or to a Network Operating Center
location managed by service providers).
Extreme Networks
© 2010 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.
1
System Integrator
®
Channel Partner
VAR
Figure 1: Logistics Overview
Extreme Networks Application Note Extreme Networks Application Note
The feature allows for the following scenarios as indicated
by the numbers in Figure 1 below.
1. In this scenario where a turnkey or managed network
infrastructure solution is delivered to the customer, the
system integrators, channel partners, or VARs could
enable the feature before shipping the switches out to
the customer location(s).
2. In this scenario where either the customer is managing
the network or a system integrator is required to
configure the switches within the customer premises
prior to deployment in the actual location, then
Extreme Networks Auto Configuration feature could
be enabled in a location (such as the headquarters
or a central staging location) before shipping the
switches to the actual location of deployment (such as
a branch office).
The Extreme Networks Auto Configuration feature can be
enabled using the "enable auto-provision" command.
When the command is executed, ExtremeXOS records the
fact that the switch will have to download the configura-
tion on the next reboot.
Upon successful download of a configuration file (and
execution in the case of a configuration script file) the
switch stores additional information which prevents the
switch from going through the configuration download
procedure during subsequent reboots.
The boot up procedure of a switch with the feature
(enabled) is described in Figure 2.
2
Branch Location
Headquarters or
Central Inward
Location
Extreme Networks Auto Configuration—Page 4
5507-01