Golden Configuration

A golden configuration is a configuration version which can be used as a tool to maintain configuration integrity. Administrators can use the golden configuration as a master version to compare device configurations and report discrepancies.

Users belonging to the administrators and LIAdministrators group can create, edit, and delete the Golden configuration. Other users can create, view, download, and delete the configuration comparison report.

Prerequisites for Creating a Golden Configuration

As an Administrator user, you can create a Golden Configuration for a managed device by selecting the managed device, or by using an archived configuration, or an external file. Ensure that you have read this information before starting the procedure.

Creating a Golden Configuration Using Managed/Associated Device Option

If you are creating the Golden Configuration using the Managed/Associated Device option, ensure that the device is associated with the Oracle Session Element Manager. For more information, see Associate Devices with Session Element Manager. You can create the Golden Configuration uisng the Managed Device option for only such devices that are associated with the Session Element Manager.

Creating the Golden Configuration Using the Archived Configuration Option

If you are creating the Golden Configuration using the Archived Configuration option, make sure that the backup configuration is available for the associated device. The backup configurations can be seen under Archive Configuration under the Configuration Manager slider. For more information, see Add a Backup Schedule.

Creating the Golden Configuration Using the External Files Option

If you are creating the Golden Configuration using the Upload External files option, make sure that the file is an XML or Gzip file, with a valid file name - the file name cannot contain spaces and can only contain letters, numbers, an underscore, or a hyphen. The configuration file must be of the same plugin and same platform type as that of the Golden Configuration.

Creating the Golden Configuration

As a user belonging to the Administrator or LI administrator groups, you can create the Golden Configuration so that users can use it as a basline configuration and identify network discrepancies by comparing it with network function configurations.

You can create only one Golden Configuration per managed device. You can use this Golden Configuration later to compare with multiple other configurations of the same plugin type and platform type identical to the Golden Configuration.
For more information on getting things ready for creating the Golden Cofiguration, see Prerequisites for Creating a Golden Configuration.
  1. Expand the Configuration Manager slider and click Configuration Comparison.
  2. Click Golden Configuration.
  3. In the Golden Configuration page, click Create.

    Table 3-1 Comparing the Configuration Report

    Field Description
    Golden Configuration Name Name of the Golden Configuration. The name must be a valid name and unique name without any space characters.

    A valid name can contain only letters, numbers, an underscore, or a hyphen. No blank space(s) are allowed, and the name should not start with 'ID'.

    Device Association - Associate device from managed device Click to view the Select Managed Device dialog box which displays all devices added in SDM.

    Select any one device.

    Configuration selection - Golden Configuration Seeded from: Select the source to derive the Golden Configuration. You can select the configuration using any one of the three options:
    • Managed/Associated Device: The Golden Configuation is seeded from the running configuration of the associated device that you selected in the previous row.
    • Archived Configurations: Click this radio button to enable the Archived Configuration drop down list.

      Note:

      The Archived Configuration drop-down list is enabled only if you select the Archived Configurations radio button.

      The Archived Configuration drop down list displays a list of backup configurations of the associated device from the configuration archive. Select one backup configuration.

    • Upload external files: Click this radio button to enable the Upload file field. Click the browse button to select an XML or GZip file with a valid name. In the Upload Configuration File window, provide information for the Category and Platform fields. The Category and Platform values must match with that of associated device selected in the previous row. For information on the supported Plugins and Platform, see Supported Plugins and Platforms.
  4. Click Apply.
    The Golden Configuration for the selected managed device is created. You can view the list of Golden Configurations in the Golden Configuration page.
  5. Hover the mouse pointer on any column header to select the sorting order, hide or show columns from the display.

Supported Plugins and Platforms

One of the options to create a Golden Configuration is using Upload External Files. This option requires you to provide information on the Plugin and Platform type associated with the external file that you upload.

Why Do We Need Plugin and Platform Information

When you create a Golden Configuration using the Upload External Files option, the uploaded configuration file does not contain details such as product type and platform. Hence, Plugin and Platform information must be added. In the uploaded configuration file, SDM cannot differentiate the product type. The list of Platforms and Plugins supported by SDM is given below:

Supported Platforms

This table lists supported platforms in SDM.
  • AP4600
  • AP4250

    Note:

    Only SP Edge and core platform
  • AP4500
  • AP6100
  • AP6300
  • AP6350

    Note:

    SP Edge, Enterprise Edge, and Core platform
  • AP1100

    Note:

    Only Enterprise Edge and Core platform
  • AP3900
  • AP3820
  • AP3800

    Note:

    Only SP Edge and Core platform
  • NNOSVM
  • NNOS

Supported Plugins

  • Enterprise Edge and core
  • SP Edge and core

Editing a Golden Configuration

As the Administrator, you can edit or overwrite an exisiting Golden Configuration.

  1. Expand the Configuration Manager slider and click Configuration Comparison.
  2. Click Golden Configuration.
    The Golden Configurations page displays a list of all existing Golden Configurations.
  3. Select the Golden Configuration that you want to edit.
  4. Click Edit.
  5. In the Edit Golden Configuration <name> page, you can change the source of the Golden Configuration. However, you cannot change the name of the Golden Configuration and associated device fields. The process is identical to creating a new Golden Configuration.
  6. Click Update.

Deleting Golden Configuration

As the Administrator user, you can delete a Golden Configuration.

Deleting Golden Configuration can be performed by the Administrator.
  1. Click the Configuration Manager slider and click Configuration Comparison.
  2. Click Golden Configuration.
  3. In the Golden Configuration page, select the one that needs to be deleted.
  4. Click Delete. Click ok to confirm.