How to Work with VLAN Models


NetSight Console lets you create VLAN models and enforce them across multiple network devices. A VLAN model consists of at least one VLAN definition and one VLAN port template, which you can define on the VLAN Definitions window and the Port Template Definitions window.

  NOTE: Configuring VLANs on an X-Pedition Router differs slightly from for other routers. Refer to Configuring VLANs on an X-Pedition Router for information that is specific to these devices.

Once a VLAN model has been defined, you can verify to find the differences between the definitions in the model and the VLAN settings on selected devices and their ports. You can review these differences and make modifications to your VLAN model and/or device VLAN configuration as required, including updating any or all of the definitions in the model with the settings on selected devices and their ports, and writing (enforcing) a model's VLAN definitions and/or VLAN port templates to selected devices or ports. Procedures for working with VLAN models are provided below.

Instructions on:

Creating a VLAN Model

NetSight Console provides you with one VLAN model (the Primary VLAN Model) which is pre-populated with a Default VLAN (VID 1). You can define this VLAN model with VLAN definitions and port templates, and/or you can create other VLAN models.

To create a VLAN model:

  1. Select the VLAN Element Editor from the Tools menu.
  2. In the left panel, right-click the VLAN Elements folder and select Add VLAN Model from the menu. This adds a "New VLAN Model" under the VLAN Elements folder, with its name highlighted.
  3. Type a name for the newly created model, or leave the new name as is, and press Enter.
  4. You can now create VLANs and port templates for the VLAN model.

Creating a VLAN

Creating a VLAN adds a VLAN to a model's VLAN Definitions folder. It also automatically creates a port template in the same model, with the new VLAN's VID set as the PVID. NetSight Console provides you with one Default VLAN (VID 1) for the Primary VLAN Model and for any other model you create. You can define this VLAN, and/or you can create and define other VLANs.

  NOTE: When you create multiple VLAN models, consult the Max VLANs Supported and Max VLAN ID values in the Device VLANs table of the Device view of the VLAN tab, and create your VLANs based on the limitations of the device you are configuring. This will help you to avoid enforcing problems arising from conflicts between the maximums in a template and the maximums supported on a device.

To create a VLAN, follow the instructions below. To define or change a VLAN that has already been created, start with step 3.

  1. Select the VLAN Element Editor from the Tools menu.
  2. In the left panel, expand the VLAN Elements folder, expand the VLAN model whose VLAN(s) you want to create, then select the VLAN Definitions folder. The VLAN Definitions window appears in the right panel.
  3. Click New.
  4. In the VLAN Name text box in the lower portion of the Properties tab, change the name of the VLAN to fit your requirements. Do not create a VLAN name that uses any letters with diacritical marks. Diacritical marked letters are not supported by SNMP.
  5. If required, change the VID for the VLAN in the VLAN ID box.
  6. The VLAN retains the properties of the previously displayed VLAN. Edit these as needed (see VLAN Definitions window for more information).
  7. Click Save. The VLAN is added to the VLAN model.
  8. Once a  VLAN is defined, you can compare it to (verify) the settings on selected device(s), update the model from device VLAN settings, and/or enforce the VLAN on selected devices.

Another way to create and define VLANs is to update the VLAN model with device VLAN settings, using the Device view of the VLAN tab in Console's main window.

Removing a VLAN from a VLAN Model

  NOTES:
  1. The Default VLAN for a model cannot be deleted. If you select a Default VLAN as one of a several VLANs to be deleted, only the non-Default VLANs will be deleted.
  2. On X-Pedition Routers, If you delete a VLAN that is assigned to a port, the PVID for that port will be set to the Default VLAN (1).
  1. Select the VLAN Element Editor from the Tools menu.
  2. In the left panel, expand the VLAN Elements folder.
  3. Expand the VLAN model whose VLAN you want to remove, and expand the VLAN Definitions folder for that model.
  4. In the left panel, right-click the VLAN you want to remove and select Remove from Group
    or
    in the right panel, select the VLAN in the VLANs table on the Properties tab, and click Delete.
  5. Read the confirmation message, and click Yes to proceed.

Creating a Port Template

When you create a new VLAN, a new port template is automatically added to the VLAN model, with the new VLAN's VID set as its PVID. You can also create your own port templates.

To create a port template, follow the steps below. To define an automatically created port template, start with step 3.

  1. Select the VLAN Element Editor from the Tools menu.
  2. In the left panel, expand the VLAN Elements folder, expand the VLAN model for which you want to create a port template, then select the Port Template Definitions folder. The port template Properties tab appears in the right panel.
  3. Click New.
  4. In the Template Name text box in the lower portion of the Properties tab, change the name of the port template to fit your requirements.
  5. The port template retains the properties of the previously displayed port template. Edit these as needed (see Properties Tab (Port Template) for more information).
  6. Click Save. The port template is added to the VLAN model.
  7. Once a port template is defined, you can compare it to (verify) the settings on selected ports, update the port template from port VLAN settings, and/or enforce the template on selected ports.

Another way to create and define port templates is to update the VLAN model with port VLAN settings, using the Advanced Port view of the VLAN tab in the Console's main window.

Removing a Port Template from a VLAN Model

  1. In the left panel, expand the VLAN Elements folder.
  2. Select the VLAN model whose port template you want to remove, and expand the Port Template Definitions folder for that model.
  3. In the left panel, right-click the port template you want to remove and select Remove from Group
    or
    in the right panel, select the port template in the upper VLAN Port Template table on the Properties tab, and click Delete.
  4. Read the confirmation message, and click Yes to proceed.

Working with VLAN Model Settings and Device VLAN Settings

You can compare (verify) a model's VLAN definitions and port templates against the settings on selected devices. You can also update the model settings from device and/or port VLAN settings, and/or enforce the VLAN definitions and/or port templates on selected devices or ports.

Verifying VLANs

Verifying retrieves the VLAN settings on selected devices and compares them with the VLAN definitions in a VLAN model. Only those VLANs whose Write VLAN to Devices property is set are verified. If there are no VLAN models against which to compare the device VLAN settings, the Start Verify (Retrieve) button is grayed out. For more information, see Verifying.

To verify VLANs:

  1. In the My Network folder on the left panel, select the device(s) or group(s) with which you wish to compare model VLAN definitions.
  2. In the right panel, select the VLAN tab in Console's main window.
  3. Ensure that the Device radio button is selected, and that the Device view of the VLAN tab in Console's main window is displayed.
  4. Select the VLAN model whose VLAN definitions you want to verify.
  5. Click Start Verify (Retrieve) . You can stop the verification process at any time by clicking Stop Verify (Retrieve) .
  6. Look at the upper table. A red not-equals sign on a line indicates that there are differences between the VLAN definitions in the model and the VLAN settings on the device.
  7. To view the details of the differences, select the device in the table and click VLAN Details. The VLAN Details window opens, where you can view the differences between the settings on the device and the VLAN definitions in the model. Click Close to close the VLAN Details window.
  8. If you want to update VLAN definitions in your model with settings on the device(s), use the lower portion of the tab. Or, you can enforce VLAN definitions to the device(s).

Updating VLAN Definitions from Device Settings

To update a VLAN definition with the VLAN settings on a device, use the instructions below. This operation is also called "merging."

  1. In the My Network folder on the left panel, select the device(s) whose settings will be updating the VLAN definition.
  2. In the right panel, select the VLAN tab in Console's main window.
  3. Ensure that the Device radio button is selected, and that the Device view of the VLAN tab in Console's main window is displayed.
  4. Select the VLAN model containing the VLAN definition you want to update.
  5. In the VLAN Definitions for Model table in the lower portion of the tab, select the VLAN definition you want to update. You can also choose to create a new VLAN definition with the settings from the devices, by erasing the name of the VLAN definition.
  6. In the right panel, select the setting(s) you want to update the VLAN definition.
  7. Click Update (Merge) . To avoid unpredictable results, allow the merge to complete before selecting another tab or device.
     NOTE:Certain devices that allow the creation of VLANs without VLAN names may create VLANs with blank names in the model. You can rename these if you like, or leave them blank. Either way, these VLANs and their properties (modified or not) will be saved when you click Save. However, for X-Pedition Routers, you cannot create VLANs leaving the name blank.
  8. If you are creating a new VLAN definition, replace the generic name created by Console with a new name if desired.
  9. Click Save to save the changes to the VLAN definition.

Enforcing VLANs

Enforcing VLANs writes the VLAN definitions in a VLAN model to the device(s) selected in the left panel. A VLAN's Write VLAN to Devices property must be set in order for its definitions to be enforced. You may wish to verify prior to enforcing. For more information, see Enforcing.

  NOTE: On the X-Pedition router, enforcing will not overwrite the "System Static" VLAN (SYS_L3_Interface Name). However, you can update a VLAN model definition with the System Static VLAN definition from the router.
  1. In the My Network folder on the left panel, select the device(s) to which you want to enforce VLAN definitions.
  2. In the right panel, select the VLAN tab in Console's main window.
  3. Ensure that the Device radio button is selected, and that the Device view of the VLAN tab in Console's main window is displayed.
  4. Select the VLAN model containing the VLAN definitions you want to enforce.
  5. Click Enforce . To avoid unpredictable results, allow the enforce to complete before selecting another tab or device.

Verifying Port Templates

Verifying retrieves the port VLAN settings on selected devices and compares them with a selected port template. The VLAN associated with the port template must have its Write VLAN to Devices property set in order for the port template to be verified. If there are no VLAN models against which to compare the port VLAN settings, the Start Verify (Retrieve) button   is grayed out. To verify a port template:

  1. In the My Network folder on the left panel, select the device(s) with whose ports you wish to compare port templates.
  2. In the right panel, select the VLAN tab in Console's main window.
  3. Select Advanced Port radio button to display the Advance Port view of the VLAN tab in Console's main window displays.
  4. Select the VLAN model whose port templates you want to verify.
  5. Click Start Verify (Retrieve) . You can stop the verification process at any time by clicking Stop Verify (Retrieve) .
  6. Look at the table. A red not-equals sign indicates that there are differences between the VLAN egress settings in the port template and the port VLAN settings on the device(s). If you select a line in the table, the port template settings are displayed. A green exclamation point on that line indicates that the setting is different from the current setting on the port and will be written to the device if you enforce.
  7. To view the VLAN egress settings on a port, select the port in the table and click Egress Details. The VLAN Egress Details window displays, where you can view the differences between the VLAN egress settings on the port and those in the port template. Click Close to close the VLAN Egress Details window.
  8. If you want to update the port template with port VLAN settings on the device(s), use the lower portion of the tab. Or, you can enforce port templates to the device(s).

Updating a Port Template from Port Settings

To update a port template with port VLAN settings from a device, follow the instructions below. This operation is also called "merging."

  1. In the My Network folder on the left panel, select the device(s) whose port settings will be updating the port template.
  2. In the right panel, select the VLAN tab in Console's main window.
  3. Select the Advanced Port radio button to display the Advanced Port view of the VLAN tab in Console's main window.
  4. Select the VLAN Model containing the port template you want to update.
  5. In the left panel in the lower portion of the tab, select the port template you want to update. (If the lower portion of the tab is not showing, click the panel control up button .) You can also choose to create a new port template with the settings from the ports, by erasing the name of the port template.
  6. In the lower right panel, select the settings you want to update the port template.
  7. Click Update (Merge) .
  8. If you are creating a new template, replace the generic name created by Console with a new name.
  9. Click Save to save the changes to the port template.

Setting Egress States

To set the egress state for a VID prior to enforcing a port template, use the right-mouse menu in the VIDs Table on the lower right in the Port Template Properties tab. See Egress State for more information.

Enforcing Port Settings

Enforcing writes the specified port settings to selected ports. You can enforce port settings using either the Basic Port view or the Advanced Port view of the VLAN tab in Console's main window. A green exclamation point in a ports table indicates that the setting will be written to the device when you enforce. A VLAN's Write VLAN to Devices property must be set in order for a port template associated with it to be enforced.

Enforcing From the Basic Port View

The Basic Port view lets you edit device port settings and enforce them, or enforce a port template (as is, or with edited settings) to selected ports. See Editing Port VLAN Settings for more information. If you wish to compare a port template to the existing VLAN settings on the ports prior to enforcing, use the verify feature in the Advanced Port view.

Enforcing From the Advanced Port View

The Advanced Port view lets you enforce a port template to any or all ports on the devices selected in the left panel. You may wish to verify before enforcing. To enforce from the Advanced Port view of the VLAN tab in Console's main window:

  1. In the My Network folder on the left panel, select the device(s) where the ports to which you want to enforce port templates are located.
  2. In the right panel, select the VLAN tab in Console's main window.
  3. Select the Advanced Port radio button to display the Advanced Port view of the VLAN tab in Console's main window.
  4. From the VLAN Model drop-down list, select the VLAN model containing the port template you want to enforce.
  5. From the Port Template drop-down list in the lower left table, select the port template you want to enforce.
  6. In the upper table, select the ports to which you want to enforce.
  7. Click Enforce . A red appears if the enforcing of a particular setting fails.

Renaming Models, VLANs, and Port Templates

To rename a VLAN model or port template:

  1. In the left panel, expand the VLAN Elements folder and its subfolders until the element you want to rename displays.
  2. Right-click the model or template you want to rename and select Rename.
  3. Type the new name for the model or port template, and press Enter.

To rename a VLAN, follow the instructions below. You cannot rename the Default VLAN for a model.

  1. In the left panel, expand the VLAN Elements folder and its subfolders until the VLAN you want to rename displays.
  2. Select the VLAN.
  3. In the lower left area of the Properties tab in the right panel, edit the VLAN Name text box with the new name.
  4. Click Save.

Editing Port VLAN Settings

You can edit the VLAN settings on individual ports using the Custom editor accessible from the Show/Hide Table Editor button in the Basic Port view of the VLAN tab in Console's main window. You can either edit the existing port setting on the device, or select a port template from the drop-down list in the Custom editor and use it as is or edit it. After editing, you enforce to write the changes to the port(s).

To edit port settings:

  1. In the My Network folder on the left panel, select the device(s) whose port(s) you want to edit.
  2. In the right panel, select the VLAN tab in Console's main window.
  3. Select the Basic Port radio button to display the Basic Port view of the VLAN tab in Console's main window.
  4. Click Show/Hide Table Editor to open the edit area below the table. When editing the table, refer to VLAN Tab (Basic Port) for column definitions, if needed.
    • To change an existing setting on the port: Select the port you want to edit. In the Table Editor, edit the appropriate column, pressing Enter after editing each column.
    • To use settings from a port template to edit port settings: Select the port(s) you want to edit. Select the VLAN model at the top of the tab, then select the port template from the Custom drop-down list. (When you select a template, the column values change to the template settings, but the choice in the drop-down box still displays Custom.) You can leave the template settings as is, or use the Table Editor to edit them as needed. Settings not checked in the template itself are not editable (see Port Template Definitions view. Press Enter after editing a column.
       NOTE:GVRP, GARP Join Time, GARP Leave Time, GARP Leave All Time, and Configure Egress States are not set in the Basic Port view. Use the Advanced Port View to set these values.
  5. A green exclamation point appears in the table if a setting will be written to the port when you enforce.
     NOTE:To cancel changes and restore the original values, click Show/Hide Table Editor  to hide the Table Editor before enforcing the values in the table.
  6. Click Enforce . A red appears if the enforcing of a particular setting fails.

Deleting a VLAN Model

To delete a VLAN model:

  1. In the left panel, expand the VLAN Elements Editor.
  2. Right-click the VLAN Model you want to delete and select Remove from Group. Read the confirmation message, and click Yes to proceed.

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