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Step 1: Begin

In this guide, we provide a simple, three-step path, to quickly get you up and running with Juniper Apstra. We'll show you how to install and configure software release 6.0.0 onto a VMware ESXi hypervisor. From the GUI, we'll walk through the elements used to create a new user with administrator privileges. Depending on the complexity of your design, other tasks might be required in addition to the ones included in this workflow.

Meet Juniper Apstra

Juniper Apstra automates and validates your data center network's design, deployment, and operations. After specifying outcomes, Apstra sets up the network, ensures security, alerts you to anomalies, and manages changes. The software supports various vendors and topologies. Apstra offers design templates for repeatable blueprints. It uses advanced IBA to continuously validate the network, eliminating complexity, vulnerabilities, and outages.

Get Ready

The software comes pre-installed on a single virtual machine (VM).

For information about supported hypervisors, see Supported Hypervisors and Versions.

You'll need a server that meets the following specifications:

Table 1: Server Specifications
Resource Recommendation
Memory 64 GB RAM + 300 MB per installed device off-box agent
CPU 8 vCPU
Disk Space 80 GB
Network 1 network adapter, initially configured with DHCP
VMware ESXi installed Version 8.0, 7.0, 6.7, 6.5, 6.0

For more information about Apstra server VM resource requirements, see Required Server Resources.

Install Apstra Server

These instructions are for installing the software on an ESXi hypervisor. For information about installing the software on other hypervisors, see Install Apstra on KVM, Install Apstra on Hyper-V, or Install Apstra on Virtual Box .

You'll first download the VM image file and then deploy it on the VM.

  1. As a registered support user, download the latest OVA Apstra VM image from Juniper Support Downloads.
  2. Log in to vCenter, right-click your target deployment environment, then click Deploy OVF Template.
    VMware vSphere Client interface showing Actions menu for QNC Apstra with Deploy OVF Template option highlighted by red arrow.
  3. Specify the URL or local file location for the downloaded OVA file, then click Next.
    Deploy OVF Template wizard Step 1: Select an OVF template from URL or local file; `aos_server_4.0.2-142.ova` selected.
  4. Specify a unique name and target location for the VM, then click Next.
    Step 2 of OVF deployment: Enter virtual machine name aos_server4.0.2-142 and choose target folder in virtual infrastructure.
  5. Select your destination compute resource, then click Next.
    Deploy OVF Template wizard on step 3, Select a compute resource, with previous steps completed and next steps pending. Cluster option visible.
  6. Review template details, then click Next.
  7. Select storage for the files, then click Next. We recommend thick provisioning for the server.
    Step 5 of VMware vSphere Deploy OVF Template wizard, Select storage, showing completed steps, storage options, datastore details, and encryption checkbox.
  8. Map the Apstra Management network to reach the virtual networks managed by the Apstra server, then click Next.
    Step 6 of 7, Select networks: User selects destination network topology1 for source network VM Network. IP allocation set to Static - Manual, IPv4.
  9. Review your specifications, then click Finish.

Configure Apstra Server

  1. Log in to the Apstra server with the default credentials (user: admin, password: admin) either from the web console or via SSH (ssh admin@<apstra-server-ip> where <apstra-server-ip> is the IP address of the Apstra server.) You must change the default password before you can proceed.

    Admin user prompted to change password immediately as required by root user. Enter current UNIX password and new password.
  2. Enter a password that meets the following complexity requirements, then enter it again:

    • Must contain at least 14 characters

    • Must contain an uppercase letter

    • Must contain a lowercase letter

    • Must contain a digit

    • Must contain a special character

    • Must NOT be the same as the username

    • Must NOT contain a repeat of the same character

    • Must NOT contain consecutive sequential characters

    • Must NOT use adjacent keys on the keyboard

  3. When you've successfully changed the server password a dialog opens prompting you to set the Apstra GUI password.

    Apstra UI setup prompt: Set password to access Apstra UI. Options: Yes or No.
    You won't be able to access the GUI until you set this password. Select Yes and enter a password that meets the following complexity requirements, then enter it again:

    • Must contain at least 9 characters

    • Must contain an uppercase letter

    • Must contain a lowercase letter

    • Must contain a digit

    • Must contain a special character

    • Must NOT be the same as the username

    • Must NOT contain a repeat of the same character

    • Must NOT contain consecutive sequential characters

    • Must NOT use adjacent keys on the keyboard

  4. A dialog appears stating "Success! The UI password is changed." Select OK.

    The configuration tool menu appears

    Apstra Server first boot configuration tool menu with options for managing credentials, network settings, and Apstra service.

    You changed the local and GUI credentials, so no further management is needed.

    The network is configured to use DHCP by default. To assign static IP addresses instead, select Network, change it to Manual, and provide the following:

    • (Static Management) IP address in CIDR format with netmask (for example, 192.168.0.10/24)

    • Gateway IP address

    • Primary DNS

    • Secondary DNS (optional)

    • Domain

  5. Apstra service is stopped by default. To start and stop Apstra service, select AOS service and select Start or Stop, as appropriate. Starting service from this configuration tool invokes /etc/init.d/aos, which is the equivalent of running the command service aos start.

  6. You can add a Software Support Reference Number (SSRN) to the GUI. Select Set SSRN, enter the SSRN number you received when you purchased your license, and click Ok.

    Note: This step is optional. Setting an SSRN is not required, but may speed up support times. The SSRN number is saved in Apstra ShowTech, and lets JTAC Support know you have a valid Apstra license.
    Dialog box titled SSRN Value Input prompts user to enter SSRN value with options Ok and Cancel below.
  7. To exit the configuration tool and return to the CLI, select Cancel from the main menu. (To open this tool again in the future, run the command aos_config.)

You're ready to Replace the SSL Certificate on Apstra server with a signed one.

CAUTION:

We recommend that you back up the Apstra server on a regular basis (since HA is not available). For backup details, see the Apstra Server Management section of the Juniper Apstra User Guide.