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Configuring NextGen Port Extender

NGPE Configuration Process

Use this manual process to create an NGPE network environment. Satellite devices participating in NGPE must have the Junos factory default configuration, or must be zeroized before satellite onboarding. You must have root access to all devices. All interfaces intended for NGPE must be cabled. We strongly recommend that you have console access to all devices during the initial setup process.

Generate the SSH Key on the SD

  1. You'll need to generate and capture the SSH key from each SD. This key is used by the AD to communicate with the SD. Each SD will have a unique SSH key.
    This sets the device as a satellite node and also generates its unique SSH key.
  2. You will need to copy the SSH key and apply it to the AD configuration in a later step. Use this command to display the key. Ensure you copy the entire key output.

    Configure the AD

  3. Configure the required parameters on the AD, under the port-extender stanza.
    Configure the management loopback address used by the AD. This loopback is for management traffic only and is a required parameter..
  4. Configure the data loopback address used by the AD. This is a required parameter.
    This address is for data traffic only.
  5. Enable the EVPN-VXLAN fabric.
  6. Define the satellite model for this SD instance. You can use any name you prefer for <satellite-name>.
  7. Add the interfaces which will become the cascade and uplink ports.
    Note the interfaces are differentiated in this example by the "ad" or "sd" identifier. This example includes 4 interfaces per device. You may configure between 1 and 4 interfaces, although we recommend at least 2 per device. Configure the necessary number of interfaces for your deployment.
  8. Add the SSH key generated during step 2.
  9. Enable the commit scripts used for auto-configuration.
  10. Commit the configuration from the AD.
    You can use "commit" if your device has a single routing engine.

    Apply the SD Minimal Configuration

  11. The AD creates a file which has the required configuration to bring the SD online. You'll need to view and copy the configuration in this file, then apply it on the SD.
    Enter shell mode and grep the contents of the minimal_config.txt. <satellite_name> will be the actual satellite device name.
    Exit the shell and return to configuration mode.
  12. Add the minimal configuration to the SD.
  13. Monitor the SD configuration progress from the console. You can use the "tail" command from the SDs console to view the jnud log.

Verification

Verify the NGPE Configuration

Once the commit script has been started, the full configuration process may take up to 180 seconds to complete. You may seem some warnings about required licenses, and you can disregard those warnings.

Use the following commands to check the state of the NGPE deployment.

  • show chassis jnu role: displays whether a device is a controller or satellite.

  • show chassis jnu satellites: displays the status of a single satellite or all satellites.

  • show chassis port-extender: displays each virtual SD slot number, along with its IP address, MAC address, and cascade port number.

  • show interfaces terse: displays the up/down status of interfaces; useful for confirming the NGPE fabric is up.

  • show interfaces vtep: check the status of VTEP interfaces.

  • request jnu satellite sync: needed if the SD failed to initially sync

  • show configuration | display set: displays the active configuration on the device

  • show log jnud: use this command to either monitor the progress of a satellite onboarding, or use after onboarding to check for any errors.

Offboard and Re-onboard a Satellite Device

Offboard a Satellite Device

You can offboard an existing SD from your NGPE topology by following this process:

  1. Disable the fabric for the target SD.

  2. Commit the change.

  3. The satellite will be in the down state, however it will still be part of the NGPE topology. Remove the SD from the topology. You may either deactivate or delete the SD.

  4. Commit the change.

  5. The device should now be reverted to its pre-SD state.

Re-onboard a Satellite Device

You can re-onboard an SD to your NGPE topology by following this process:

  1. Activate the satellite. If you previously deleted the port-extender satellite configuration, then use set instead of activate.

  2. Commit the change.

  3. Synchronize the satellites.

  4. This will bring the SD back into the topology. Ensure that the fabric-disable statement is not in effect. If it is, remove it.

  5. Commit the change.

Saving the Configuration

Save NGPE User-Generated Configuration

Follow this process to save only the user-generated configuration. This process should be performed when NGPE is in a maintenance window since the process requires disabling the NGPE fabric. We don't support loading configurations with NGPE elements into an active NGPE environment since this can have unexpected effects.

  1. Disable the NGPE fabric.

  2. Save the configuration.

  3. Restore the NGPE fabric.

Reload Existing Saved NGPE Configuration

As previously stated, we don't support loading an NGPE configuration onto an active NGPE environment. You may however load a saved NGPE configuration to a non-NGPE device which will act as the AD. The target AD must have either a baseline Junos configuration, or you must zeroize the device prior to following this process. Ensure that all necessary cabling has been completed in advance, and that any intended SDs are also running a base configuration. Please ensure you have console access to the intended AD.

  1. Load the saved configuration.

  2. Once the configuration has been loaded and committed, you'll need to activate the port-extender stanza.

  3. Enable an SD.

  4. Synchronize the satellite.

  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each SD.