Cisco Viptela SDWAN: How to replace a vEdge router via vManage

Cisco Viptela SDWAN: How to replace a vEdge router via vManage

Earlier we talked about the removal of the serial number of the vEdge from the vManage NMS but we have another case where we want to replace it with the old one. 

Replacing the one vEdge router with another vEdge, we need to copy the configuration from the router we are removing to the new router and then put the new router into the network. It is important that you should know the new router serial number should be learned to vManage NMS.

Case 1:
If the replacement vEdge router is a router that you have previously received, such as a router that part of your spares inventory, the vManage NMS will have already learned the router's chassis and serial number when you previously uploaded the serial number file to the NMS.

Case 2:
If we initiated an RMA process and have received a new router as a replacement, you need to upload the updated version of the authorized vEdge serial number file to the NMS.

We need to perform the following procedure for replacing the old router from the vManage NMS

• Copy the configuration from the failed router to the replacement router.
• Invalidate the failed router. Invalidating a router deactivates its certificate and thus removes it from the overlay network.
• Validate the replacement router, to activate its certificate.

The new router is a complete replacement for the failed router, its configuration is identical to that of the failed router. After we copied the configuration from the failed router to the replacement, both routers have the same configurations, including the same IP address. 

As these two routers with the same IP address cannot be present in the network at the same time, one router must be in valid state on the vManage NMS and the other must be in invalid state or both routers must be in invalid state.

Login to the vManage by putting your credentials

Fig 1.1- vManage Login Screen

Copy the Configuration from the Failed to the Replacement Router
From the vManage NMS, you copy the configuration from the failed vEdge router to the replacement router. The vEdge router that you are copying the configuration to must be in invalid state.

To copy the configuration from the failed router to the replacement router:

Step 1: In vManage NMS, select the Configuration --> Devices screen.

Fig 1.2- Devices

Step 2:  From the list of vEdge routers, locate the failed router and Click the More Actions icon to the right of the row and click Copy Configuration.

Fig 1.3- Copy Configuration

Step 3: In the Copy Configuration window, select the replacement router and update

Fig 1.4- Select Replacement

Removed the Failed Router
To remove the failed vEdge router from the overlay network:

Step1: In vManage NMS, select the Configuration --> Certificates screen.
Step 2: From the list of vEdge routers, locate the failed router.
Step 3: In the Validate column, click Invalid.
Step 4: Click OK to confirm invalidation of the device.
Step 5: Click Send to Controllers.

Add the Replacement Router
To add the replacement vEdge router into the overlay network:

Step 1 :In vManage NMS, select the Configuration --> Certificates screen.
Step 2: From the list of vEdge routers, locate the replacement router.
Step 3: In the Validate column, click Valid and Click OK to confirm validation of the device.
Step 4: Click Send to Controllers.

If you attempt to validate a router that has the same IP address as another router in the network, an error message is displayed, and the validation process is terminated.