Configuration Elements

Elements are used to define configuration parameters. HPE Aruba Networking Central elements include Profiles, Alias, and Services. These elements can be created as shared or local objects.

Figure 1: Configuration Elements

This topic covers the following sections:

Inheritance and Precedence

Each configuration hierarchical node can include configuration elements that are accessible to it either as shared elements (by mapping them) or as local elements. When HPE Aruba Networking Central creates configuration elements and adds them to a configuration hierarchical node, all the subtree nodes (in that configuration hierarchy) automatically inherit these configuration elements. That is, every configuration node effectively possesses configuration elements accessible directly to it (either as shared or local), as well as configuration elements that are inherited from its parent nodes. The fact that configuration object is inherited from parent nodes does not mean that a local copy of these elements are generated in the inheriting configuration node.

Figure 2: Configuration Precedence

Inheritance Rules

  • Configuration node inherits all the active configuration elements from parent configuration nodes regardless of type of configuration object (shared or local).

  • Device node inherits all the active configuration elements from both the vertical hierarchy (site → site-collection → global) and from device groups.

  • Configuration from configuration node that is hierarchically closer is preferred, order device > device-group> site> site-collection > global

  • When a conflict arises between inherited elements from both the site and device-group, the device node prioritizes the copy inherited from the device-group.

Library Profiles (Shared)

The library is a repository housing shared configuration elements. The library supports a variety of use cases including network pre-staging, Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), day 2 network maintenance, and so on. Modification to a library or shared profile impacts all assigned scopes and device functions because of the parent-child inheritance model.

The library or shared elements are represented by the icon, and created in the Configuration Library. These configuration elements support the common configuration model and can be assigned to one or more device functions or scopes. Shared elements are best suited for networks with identical configuration across device types or sites.

Profiles created at the library level are shareable and reusable objects residing in the repository. By default, shared profiles are not automatically mapped to a scope and device function. This makes the shared profiles an excellent choice for pre-staging the network configuration.

Design Considerations

  • Reusable profiles

  • Offers unified configuration

For more information on library or shared profiles, see the following topics:

Viewing Library Profiles

To view the Profiles page, complete the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the HPE Aruba Networking Central configuration page.

    The Profiles tab is displayed with the default selection of Library in the left navigation menu.

  2. Select a profile from one of the profile categories.

  3. To view a profile, click the profile type in the profile category card.

    Alternatively, you can complete the following steps:

    1. On the profile card, click Manage.

    2. On the profile type card, click Manage.

      The selected profile type page displays the list of existing profiles.

Figure 3: Library Profiles List

Creating a Library Profile

To create a shared profile, complete the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the HPE Aruba Networking Central configuration page.

    The Profiles tab is displayed with the default selection of Library in the left navigation menu.

  2. From the Device Function drop-down select All or specific device function checkboxes. The profile category cards are dynamically updated based on the selected device function.

  3. From the applicable profile category card (for example, System), click the profile to be created (for example, Dump Server).

    Ensure that the navigation path shows the correct profile path (for example, Library > System > Dump Server). The selected profile table is displayed.

  4. Click Create Profile.

    The Create Profile side panel is displayed.

  5. Define the profile parameters.

    Parameters marked with an asterisk are mandatory.

  6. Click Create.

Assigning a Library Profile

To assign a shared profile, complete the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the HPE Aruba Networking Central configuration page.

    The Profiles tab is displayed with the default selection of Library in the left navigation menu.

  2. From the Device Function drop-down select All or specific device function checkboxes. The profile category cards are dynamically updated based on the selected device function.

  3. From the applicable profile category card (for example, System), click the profile to be assigned (for example, Dump Server).

    Ensure that the navigation path shows the correct profile path (for example, Library > System > Dump Server). The selected profile table is displayed.

  4. Hover over the applicable profile and click the Ellipsis icon.

  5. Click Assign.

    The Assign Profile side panel is displayed.

  6. In the Assign Profile side panel:

    1. Select the specific device function checkboxes.

    2. (Optional) To assign scopes, click the plus + icon.

      1. In the Add Scope side panel, select the applicable scope from the Scope Level drop-down.

      2. (Optional) For scopes other than Global, from the Assign to scope drop-down, select the applicable scopes.

      3. Click Add.

  7. Click Assign.

Unassigning a Library Profile

To unassign a shared profile, complete the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the HPE Aruba Networking Central configuration page.

    The Profiles tab is displayed with the default selection of Library in the left navigation menu.

  2. From the Device Function drop-down select All or specific device function checkboxes. The profile category cards are dynamically updated based on the selected device function.

  3. From the applicable profile category card (for example, System), click the profile to be assigned (for example, Dump Server).

    Ensure that the navigation path shows the correct profile path (for example, Library > System > Dump Server). The selected profile table is displayed.

  4. Hover over the applicable profile and click the Ellipsis icon.

  5. Click Unassign.

    The Unassign pop-up window is displayed.

  6. Select the scope under the Name column.

  7. Click Unassign.

Deleting a Library Profile

Note:

Profiles cannot be deleted unless they are unassigned from all scope and device functions. For more information, see Unassigning a Library Profile.

To delete a shared profile, complete the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the HPE Aruba Networking Central configuration page.

    The Profiles tab is displayed with the default selection of Library in the left navigation menu.

  2. From the Device Function drop-down select All or specific device function checkboxes. The profile category cards are dynamically updated based on the selected device function.

  3. From the applicable profile category card (for example, System), click the profile to be assigned (for example, Dump Server).

    Ensure that the navigation path shows the correct profile path (for example, Library > System > Dump Server). The selected profile table is displayed.

  4. Hover over the applicable profile and click the delete icon.

    The Delete Profile pop-up window is displayed.

  5. Click Delete.

Local Profiles

Local profiles are created within a scope and configured per device function. These profiles are automatically assigned to the scope in which the profile is created. Local profiles require the administrator to select a device function using the Device Function filter. Modifications to local profiles impact only the assigned scope and device function.

Local elements are represented by the icon and locally significant to the scope in which the element is created. Each scope in the hierarchy includes the Device Function filter which functions as a container for each device type. Unlike library elements (shared), the local elements are not reusable by other hierarchical scopes and device functions.

Design Considerations

  • Not reusable across scopes and device functions

  • Visible within local scope only

  • Does not support common configuration model

For more information on local profiles, see the following topics:

Viewing Local Profiles

To view the Profiles page, complete the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the HPE Aruba Networking Central configuration page.

    The Profiles tab is displayed with the default selection of Library in the left navigation menu.

  2. From the left navigation menu, select one of the following scopes:

    • Global—View profiles at the global level.

    • Site Collections—View profiles at the site collection level.

    • Sites—View profiles at the site level.

    • Devices—View profiles at the device level.

    • Device Groups—View profiles at the device group level.

    Selecting Global scope displays the Profiles Management page by default. For Site Collections, Sites, and Devices, select a row entry from the related table to view the Profiles Management page.

  3. From the Device Function drop-down list, select a specific device function.

    The profile category cards are dynamically updated based on the selected device function.

  4. To view a profile, click the profile type in the profile category card.

    Alternatively, you can complete the following steps:

    1. In a profile category card, click Manage.

    2. In the profile type card, click Manage.

      The selected profile type page displays the list of existing profiles.

Figure 4: Local Profiles List

Creating a Local Profile

To create a local profile, complete the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the HPE Aruba Networking Central configuration page.

    The Profiles tab is displayed with the default selection of Library in the left navigation menu.

  2. From the left navigation menu, select one of the following scopes:

    • Global—Create profiles at the global level.

    • Site Collections—Create profiles at the site collection level.

    • Sites—Create profiles at the site level.

    • Devices—Create profiles at the device level.

    • Device Groups—Create profiles at the device group level. Select a specific device group.

    Selecting Global scope displays the Profiles Management page by default. For Site Collections, Sites, and Devices, select a row entry from the related table to view the Profiles Management page.

  3. From the Device Function drop-down select a specific device function. The profile category cards are dynamically updated based on the selected device function.

  4. From the applicable profile category card (for example, System), click the local profile to be created (for example, Dump Server).

    Ensure that the navigation path shows the correct profile path (for example, Global > System > Dump Server). The selected profile table is displayed.

  5. Click Create Profile.

    The Create Profile side panel is displayed.

  6. Select the Create as a local profile checkbox.

    Note:

    The Create as a local profile checkbox is only available at the hierarchy levels.

    If the Create as a local profile checkbox is not selected, the profile is configured as a library profile and automatically assigned to the selected scope an device function.

  7. Define the local profile parameters.

  8. Click Create.

To verify the profile creation and assignment, navigate to the profile list view. Local profiles are represented by a thumbtack icon.

Deleting a Local Profile

To create a Local profile, complete the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the HPE Aruba Networking Central configuration page.

    The Profiles tab is displayed with the default selection of Library in the left navigation menu.

  2. From the left navigation menu, select one of the following scopes:

    • Global—Create profiles at the global level.

    • Site Collections—Create profiles at the site collection level.

    • Sites—Create profiles at the site level.

    • Devices—Create profiles at the device level.

    • Device Groups—Create profiles at the device group level. Select a specific device group.

    Selecting Global scope displays the Profiles Management page by default. For Site Collections, Sites, and Devices, select a row entry from the related table to view the Profiles Management page.

  3. From the Device Function drop-down select a specific device function. The profile category cards are dynamically updated based on the selected device function.

  4. From the applicable profile category card (for example, System), click the local profile to be deleted (for example, Dump Server).

    Ensure that the navigation path shows the correct profile path (for example, Global > System > Dump Server). The selected profile table is displayed.

  5. Hover over the applicable profile and click the delete icon.

    The Delete Profile pop-up window is displayed.

  6. Click Delete.