Auto Discovery: Configure Console Server

The Console Server appliances can be discovered using the Network Devices process. Use the Auto Discovery process to automatically add and configure managed devices for third-party console server ports and KVM switch ports.

Step 1 – Create a Template Device

The template device must be created first. In this process, only enter the details listed.

1. Go to Managed Devices :: Devices.
2. Click Add.
3. On the Add dialog, enter Name (of the template).
4. On Type drop-down, select one (console_server_acs, console_server_acs6000, console_server_lantronix, console_server_opengear, console_server_digicp, console_server_raritan, console_server_perle).
5. For IP Address, enter 127.0.0.1
6. Select Ask During Login checkbox
7. On End Pointmenu, select one
   • Serial Port radio button
   • KVM Port radio button
   • Port Number
8. On Mode drop-down, select Disabled (ensures the device is not displayed on the Access page).
9. Click Save.

CLI Procedure

1. Go to /settings/devices
2. Use the add command to create a new device.
3. Use the set command to define the following:
   name
   type (console_server_acs, console_server_acs6000, console_server_lantronix, console_server_opengear, console_server_digicp, console_server_raritan, console_server_perle)
   ip_address as 127.0.0.1
   Set credential to Ask During Login
   endpoint (serial_port or kvm_port)
   port_number (port number)
   Set mode to disabled
4. Save the changes with commit.

[admin@nodegrid /]# cd /settings/devices 
[admin@nodegrid devices]# add 
[admin@nodegrid {devices}]# set name=Console_Server_Port_Template 
[admin@nodegrid {devices}]# set type=console_server_acs6000
[admin@nodegrid {devices}]# set ip_address=127.0.0.1 
[admin@nodegrid {devices}]# set end_point=serial_port 
[admin@nodegrid {devices}]# set port_number=1 
[admin@nodegrid {devices}]# set credential=ask_during_login 
[admin@nodegrid {devices}]# set mode=disabled 
[admin@nodegrid {devices}]# commit

Step 2 – Create a Discovery Rule

1. Go to Managed Devices :: Auto Discovery :: Discovery Rules.
2. Click Add (displays dialog). 
3. Enter Rule Name
   
4. On Status drop-down, select one (Enabled, Disabled)
5. On Discovery Methodmenu, select one:
   • Console Server Ports radio button. Enter Port List (list of ports to scan (i.e., 1,3,5,10-20). 
   • KVM Ports radio button. Enter Port List (list of ports to scan (i.e., 1,3,5,10-20). 
6. (optional) In Host or VM Identifier menu, enter parameter to further filter (if provided, part of port name must match value).
7. On Action drop-down, select what to do when a new device is discovered: Clone (Mode: Enabled), Clone (Mode: On-Demand), Clone (Mode: Discovered), Discard Discovered Devices.
8. On Clone from drop-down, select the template device (created earlier).
9. Click Save.

After the appliance is created, the Nodegrid Platform automatically starts discovering attached devices (based on the created Discovery Rules).

This process takes several minutes.

CLI Procedure

1. Go to /settings/auto_discovery/discovery_rules/
2. Use the add command to create a Discovery Rule.
3. Use the set command to define the following settings:
   rule_name (for the Discovery Rule)
   status for the rule (enabled, disabled)
   method set to console_server_ports or kvm_ports
   port_list (list of ports which should be scanned – i.e., 1,3,5,10-20)
   host_identifier parameter (apply as a filter) (If a value is provided, part of the port name must match the value.)
4. For action (enter action taken when a new device is discovered) (clone_mode_enabled, clone_mode_on-demand, clone_mode_discovered, discard_device).
5. clone_from (template device created earlier).
6. Save the changes with commit.

[admin@nodegrid /]# cd /settings/auto_discovery/discovery_rules/
[admin@nodegrid discovery_rules]# add
[admin@nodegrid {discovery_rules}]# set rule_name=Console_Server_Ports
[admin@nodegrid {discovery_rules}]# set status=enabled
[admin@nodegrid {discovery_rules}]# set method=console_server_ports
[admin@nodegrid {discovery_rules}]# set port_list=1-48
[admin@nodegrid {discovery_rules}]# set action=clone_mode_enabled
[admin@nodegrid {discovery_rules}]# set clone_from=Console_Server_Ports_Template
[admin@nodegrid {discovery_rules}]# commit

After the appliance was created, the Nodegrid Platform automatically starts discovery of attached devices based on the created Discovery Rules.

This process takes several minutes.