Configuration Tools and Behavior

The Oracle Enterprise Communications Broker (ECB) Web GUI provides the following tools for working with configurations. Some tools are located in the navigation pane and others are located at the top of the center pane.

The following screen capture shows the locations of all of the Configuration tab controls.

From any sub object on the configuration icon's page, there is a Back to Configuration Home link.

Figure 4-9 The Configuration Tab Display

This screen capture shows the contents of the configuration tab, which now displays configuration category icons for both Service Provisioning and System Administration functions.

Figure 4-10 Back to Configuration Home

From any sub object on the a configuration icon's page, there is a Back to Configuration Home link.

The navigation object on the left side of an icon's configuration dialog is only available for objects that include sublinks.

Figure 4-11 Navigation object on the left side

The navigation object on the left side of an icon's configuration dialog does not display for objects that have no sublinks.

Figure 4-12 Navigation object on the left side with no sub links

The ECB displays Error and Success messages at the top of each configuration dialog.

Figure 4-13 Error Panel

This image displays a configuration error message.

This image displays a configuration success message.

Figure 4-14 Success Message Panel

Controls in the Navigation Pane

The navigation pane is on the left side of configuration lists and remains there as screens change within the center pane. You can think of the Navigation Pane as similar to a table of contents. It displays links to configuration objects or drop down controls to drill into sub-categories of configuration objects.

For example, the System Tab includes a navigation pane that shows Systems Operations and File Management category links. When you click the Systems Operations link, the system opens a drop-down showing all System Operations functions and a table with function descriptions in the center pane. When you click a function, from either the Navigation of Center pane, the system displays that function's configuration dialog.

This screen capture shows the list of Systems Operations configurations and provides their descriptions.

Figure 4-15 List of Systems Operations configurations

This screen capture shows the View Configuration button.

Figure 4-16 View Configuration button

The Editing, Running and Configuration Version commands are available from the top of this dialog.

Figure 4-17 View Configuration

Controls in the Center Pane

The controls located at the top of the center pane on a configuration page help you manage configuration objects.

This screen capture shows the controls located at the top of the center pane on any configuration pane.

Figure 4-18 Center Panel

These controls are described in the following table.

Paste

Opens the Paste Configuration window, in which you can paste the configuration details for one or more objects and save it.

Save

Use to save the current configuration session. Upon Save, the system displays a prompt giving you a choice of whether or not to activate the configuration. If you do not activate the configuration, you can continue to make changes and Save again. When finished, you can save and activate all of the configuration changes.

Verify

Use to confirm that the configuration is valid before you save it.

Discard

Discard the current changes to configuration.

Controls for Multi-Instance Objects

The controls located at the top of a list of multi-instance objects help you manage the objects on the list. The following screen capture shows the controls.

Figure 4-19 Controls located at the top of the center pane on any multi-instance list

This screen capture shows the controls located at the top of the center pane on any multi-instance list. The are described in the following table.

Add

Use to add another instance of the configuration object with one or more parameters set differently.

Delete All

Use to delete all instances.

Caution:

You cannot select a sub-set of instances and delete only those. The system deletes all instances, regardless of how many you select.

Upload

Use to upload a configuration file in CSV format.

Download

Use to download a configuration file in CSV format.

Use to search the list of multi-instances for a specific instance. When you enter the name of an instance, the Web GUI displays it at the top of the list.

Edit

Use to edit the selected configuration element.

Copy

Use to copy the selected configuration element.

Delete

Use to delete the selected configuration element.

Set System Operations

The System Operations link under the System tab displays a list of procedures, for performing selected configuration procedures for the Oracle Enterprise Communications Broker (OECB).

The Configuration Helpers combine related configuration for you to perform entire, specific system tasks:

Set Boot Parameters

Specify the boot file and the boot parameters.

Set Entitlements

Set the number of sessions that a license entitles you to.

Set Initial Configuration

Configure a new ECB or reconfigure an existing one. Includes configuring High Availability.

Set License

Enter the license number for a feature that requires a license.

Set Login Banner

Customize the text on the Web GUI log on banner.

Set Time Zone

Select the time zone for the deployment.

Upgrade Software

Upload a newer version of the software.

Note:

ACLI output sometimes refers to System Operations using the common term, wizard.

Set Boot Parameters

The Oracle Enterprise Communications Broker (ECB) requires you to enter the necessary parameters to boot the system in your deployment.

You can set the ECB boot parameters from the Set Boot Parameters on the Web GUI.

Access the Set Boot Parameters Procedure: System, System Operations, Set Boot Parameters.

In the Set Boot Parameters dialog, enter the following information:

Boot File

Name of the image file.

IP Address

Enter the IP address of the ECB.

VLAN

Range: 0-4095

Net Mask

Enter the net mask IP address in dot decimal format. For example, 255.255.0.0.

Gateway

Internet address of the boot host. Leave blank if the host is on the same network.

IPv6 Address

Enter the IPv6 address that you want to use.

IPv6 Gateway

Enter the IPv6 gateway that you want to use.

FTP Host IP

Enter the IP address of the FTP host.

FTP Username

Enter the FTP username for the FTP user on the boot host.

FTP Password

Enter the FTP password for the FTP user on the boot host.

Flags

Hexadecimal. Always starts with 0x. See "Configurable Boot Loader Flags."

Target Name

Name of the ECB, as displayed at the system prompt.

Console Device

Enter the type of console device. For example, VGA.

Console Baud Rate

Select a console baud rate from the drop-down list.

Other

For miscellaneous and deployment-specific boot settings.

Click Complete.
The system displays a success message.
Click OK.

Configurable Boot Loader Flags

You may configure the following boot flags in the boot loader:

0x04 - disables autoboot timeout (ap3820 and ap4500 only)
0x08 - extend autoboot countdown timer to 15 seconds
0x40 - use DHCP for wancom0 (VM Edition only)
0x80 - network boot using TFTP instead of FTP

Set Entitlements Procedure

Use the Set Entitlements Procedure to enter the maximum number of sessions that your license allows.

Note the session limit number from your license.

You can launch the Set Entitlements on the Web GUI.

Access the Set Entitlements Procedure: System, System Operations, Set Entitlements.

In the Set Entitlements dialog, do the following:

Admin Security

Enabling this feature activates enhanced security functions. Once saved, you cannot revert the security without resetting the system back to factory default state.

Admin Security With ACP/NNC

Set the number of licensed sessions. Enforce stronger password rules and restrictions.

Session Capacity

Enter from 0 to 32000.

MSRP B2BUA Sessions

Set to zero. Do Not Change.

Click Complete.
The system displays a success message.
Click OK.

Set Initial Configuration Procedure

Use the Set Initial Configuration procedure to perform the initial configuration on an unconfigured system and to change the configuration on a configured system. During the configuration, you select the scope of configuration that you want to perform, define the boot parameters, opt to set a VLAN, and configure features such as High Availability (HA) and access to the Oracle Communications Session Delivery Manager (OC SDM). A valid license is required to run the Set Initial Configuration procedure.

Note:

ACLI output sometimes refers to System Operations, including the setup product operation, using the common term, wizard.

You can perform the Set Initial Configuration procedure from the ACLI or the GUI. Use the ACLI for the first system initialization:

Unconfigured system—Immediately after first boot, setting passwords, product and entitlements, you perform system initialization by running the run setup command. When the initial configuration is complete, the system saves the configuration, activates the configuration, and reboots. The system does not backup the initial configuration of an unconfigured system.
Configured system—From the System tab on the Web GUI, click the System Operations link and then the Set Initial Configuration link. When the re-configuration is complete, the system saves a backup of the existing configuration, saves the new configuration, activates the new configuration, and reboots. The backup is stored in /code/bkups.

Before you can configure the ECB, the procedure requires you to make the following selections that determine which configuration parameters the procedure displays.

ECB Mode: Standalone or High Availability

If you select Standalone, you can begin configuring the parameters displayed.
If you select High Availability, the GUI also provides the ECB role, Primary or Secondary, to the display.

ECB Role: Primary or Secondary

If you selected High Availability for ECB Mode:

Select Primary, and configure the displayed parameters.
Select Secondary, and the GUI displays only the parameters needed by a secondary.

Note:

Unlike other ECBs, which provide 2 management interfaces and 2 media interfaces, the Acme Packet 1100 provides 1 management interface and 2 media interfaces. When configuring HA, the configuration dialogs for the Acme Packet 1100 differ from the other ECBs because you must create a second, virtual management interface. For creating the second management interface, the HA dialogs on the Acme Packet 1100 contain more attributes than the dialogs for the other ECBs. Regardless of the ECB model, the path through the Set Initial Configuration procedure to the HA dialogs is the same as described in this topic.

First System Initialization

The system requires an initial configuration of attributes, such as modes and IP addresses, before it can function in the network.

Use the run setup to define the attributes for the system immediately after first system boot, and after you have set passwords, product and entitlements.

Observe the entire first boot sequence.
Login to the Oracle Enterprise Communications Broker.
Set passwords.
Set product, using the set product command.
Set entitlements, using the set entitlements command.
Initialize the system using the run setup command.
The system saves the configuration, activates the configuration, and re-boots.

Configure the system objects.

Reconfigure the System

You can reconfigure the system from the Web GUI.

Use the Set Initial Configuration operation to change the initial configuration on a configured system, for example, change attributes such as IP addresses and modes.

Log on to the system.
Access the Set Initial Configuration dialog: System, Systems Operations, Set Initial Configuration.
Run the Set Initial Configuration operations and change the attributes, as needed.
Click Complete.
The system saves a backup of the existing configuration, saves the new configuration, activates the new configuration, and automatically re-boots.

(Optional) Reconfigure the system objects.

Set License Procedure

Use the Set License procedure to enter the serial number for your license.

Obtain the license, which includes the serial number, for the feature that you want to add to the deployment. See your sales representative for information about specific licenses.

You need the license number for the following procedure.

Access the Set License procedure: System, System Operations, Set License.
In the Set License dialog, enter the license serial number in the Add license field.
Click Complete.
The system displays a success message.
Click OK.

Set Login Banner Procedure

Use the Set Login Banner procedure to add customized text to the log on page.

You can customize the log on page by adding text to help the user. For example, Welcome to <company name> <business unit> <location> session border controller <device name>.

Access the Set Login Banner procedure: System, System Operations, Set Login Banner.
In the Set Login Banner dialog, enter the text that you want to display on the log on page.
Click Complete.
The system displays a success message.
Click OK.

Set Time Zone Procedure

The system requires a setting for time zone.

You can set the system time from the Set Time Zone procedure on the Web GUI. You can select a time zone or Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Access the Set Time Zone procedure: System, System Operations, Set Time Zone.
From the drop down list, select one of the following:
- Time zone by locale
- UTC
Click Complete.
The system displays a success message.
Click OK.

Upgrade Software Procedure

You can upgrade the system software with the Upgrade Software Procedure on the Web GUI. .

Use the Upgrade Software procedure to perform the following tasks:

Check the system health before the upgrade
Download new software
Change boot parameters
Reboot the system

The system requires a reboot after the upgrade for the changes to take effect.

Access the Upgrade Software procedure: System, System Operations, Upgrade Software .
(Optional) In the Upgrade Software dialog, click Verification, and do the following:
- Click View Synchronization Health, and confirm that the system components are synchronized.
- Click View Configuration Version, and note the Current Version and Running Version.
- Click View Disk Usage, and confirm that the system has enough free space.

In the Upgrade Software dialog, do the following:

Upload method

Select an upload method from the drop-down list.

Software file to upload

Browse to the file to upload.

Reboot after upload

Select to reboot the system after the upgrade.

Click Complete.
- If you did not select Reboot After Upload, the system displays a message stating that a reboot is required for the changes to take effect.
- If you selected Reboot After Upload, the system displays a message stating that it is about to reboot.
Click OK.
The system performs the file transfer and any boot parameter changes. If you selected Reboot After Update, the system reboots.

Edit, Copy, and Delete Configurations

You can edit, copy, and delete multi-instance configurations by way of the controls that the Web GUI displays on each multi-instance configuration page. The edit and copy functions act only on a single instance of a configuration. The delete function can act on either a single instance or all instances.

To edit, copy, or delete a single multi-instance configuration, select the configuration and right-click or click the instance's Action button. The Web GUI displays the edit, copy and delete menu.

Figure 4-20 Right-click Menu

This screen capture shows the right-click menu for the edit, copy, and delete operations.

You can delete multiple objects using the checkbox under the select column. You select multiple rows and click the delete icon from the toolbar.

When you click Delete, the system displays a confirmation dialog before performing the operation. When you click either Copy or Edit, the GUI displays the configuration dialog.

Configuration States and Behavior

The Oracle Enterprise Communications Broker (ECB) uses three states of memory to manage configuration changes, which allows you to make changes and decide when you want them to take effect.

At any time, the following three versions of the configuration can exist on the ECB.

Editing—The editing configuration is the version that you are making changes to from the Web GUI. The editing version is stored in the ECB volatile memory. The editing version cannot survive a system restart.
Saved—The saved configuration is the version of the editing configuration that the system copies into the non-volatile memory when you click Save on the Web GUI. The changes do not take effect on the ECB until you activate the saved configuration. Note that the system does not load the saved, but unactivated, configuration as the running configuration upon restart. The Saved configuration requires activation, first.
Running configuration—The running configuration is the configuration that the system is using. When you activate the saved configuration it becomes the running configuration. Most configuration changes can take effect upon activation. Some configuration changes require a system restart. Upon restart, the system loads the running configuration.

The process for saving and activating a configuration, includes the following steps.

OK—All configuration dialogs display an OK button that saves changes to the editing memory. If you restart before the next step, the ECB does not save the changes.
Verify—(Optional) Oracle recommends verifying the validity of the configuration before saving because saving shows any errors after saving. Verify displays the configuration changes and any errors found, before saving.
Save—The Save button on the Web GUI toolbar verifies the configuration, saves the current configuration to the last-saved configuration, and displays errors. Save stores the configuration on the ECB. The system displays any errors at the bottom of the Configuration page.
Activate—After you finish making one or more configuration changes, OK and Save from the last configuration dialog that you need to edit at this time. The system displays the Confirmation dialog containing the Activate button. When you click Activate, the ECB activates all of the saved configuration changes and saves the new configuration to the running configuration. If you cancel the activation function, the ECB saves the configuration in a file and does not change the running configuration. You can continue to make changes to the configuration.

Configuration Error Messages

If you save a configuration that contains errors, the system displays the following error message: There were errors! Are you sure you want to activate the configuration?

The system displays a list of errors at the bottom the page. Click an error to go to the location in the configuration where the error occurred and edit the configuration as needed.

Severity

Identifies the level of severity that the Oracle Enterprise Session Border Controller assigns to the error. Valid values are:

ERROR—Means that the issue identified in the Message column is not correctly configured or it does not exist. You can still verify, save, and activate the configuration if this severity exists.
WARNING—Means that the configuration contains invalid information for the element field identified in the Message column. You can still verify, save, and activate the configuration if this severity exists.
CRITICAL—Means that a critical error occurred in the configuration and you cannot verify, save, or activate until the error is corrected. The Message column indicates the element field where the error has occurred.

Message

Identifies the element field where the error, warning, or critical error occurred, and the reason for the error.

Object

Identifies the element and the field for that element where the error occurred.

Attribute Name

Identifies the attribute within the element where the error occurred.

Other

Identifies any other pertinent information relating to the error.

Uploading and Downloading Configuration File Elements

The Oracle Enterprise Communications Broker allows you to upload and download files containing certain key elements of your configuration that are more easily managed separately from the overall system configuration. Such elements include:

Dial Plans
Dial Patterns
User Database Entries
Route Database Entries
SIP Manipulation Rules

The corresponding dialogs for the items in the preceding list include controls for uploading and downloading files, depending on which action you choose. When you click the Upload button, for example, the system displays the Upload file dialog, which includes a Browse button. When you click Browse, the system opens a browse dialog, from which you can select the file that you want to upload. Download behavior is similar. The system performs the file transfer to the correct system directories in the correct format without requiring any intervention. The following screen capture shows an example of the Upload File dialog.

Figure 4-21 Upload File

This screen capture shows an example of the Upload File dialog.

Using Tag Fields

The Oracle Enterprise Communications Broker provides a configuration element data field referred to as a tag. You enter information into the tag field for descriptive and grouping purposes. You can establish your own criteria for labeling configuration elements with these tags. Tag fields have no operational effect on signaling services.

The following configuration objects display the Tags text field:

Users
Routes

You can enter any text that you want into the field and you can apply as many tags to a configuration object as needed. You can filter the element list searches using tags as a means of organizing these objects. Applicable element list search fields include a down arrow that exposes a tag drop-down list, from which you select the tag on which to filter the list. Tags have no operational function other than supporting this kind of filtering.