Add Devices

To manage a device with OmniVista Cirrus, you must first add the device to the Device Catalog. When you add a device to the catalog list, you must specify one of the following Management Modes for the device:

• Full Management Mode - The device is directly managed and configured through OmniVista Cirrus 10. After a device is added in this mode, the device is then validated by OmniVista Cirrus 10. Once the device is validated and connected to your network, it is available for full management. An overview of the device catalog workflow is shown below.

• Analytics Only Mode - The device is directly managed and configured by an OmniVista Legacy instance (OmniVista 2500 NMS or OmniVista Cirrus 4), but OmniVista Cirrus 10 will only gather and monitor analytic data sent from the device. The validation process for the device is completed through the OmniVista Legacy Server and the device is only declared in OmniVista Cirrus R10 for monitoring purposes.

OmniVista Cirrus 10 supports only the Full Management Mode for Switches. The Full Management Mode and Analytics Only Mode are both supported for Access Points.

To add one or more devices to the Device Catalog list, use one of the following methods:

• Import Multiple Devices from an Excel Sheet

• Import Multiple Devices from an OmniVista Cirrus CSV File

• Manually Add a Device in Full Management Mode

• Manually Add a Device in Analytics Only Mode

Device Catalog Workflow for Full Management

The following provides an overview of the basic process flow for adding/licensing devices:

1. Add a device to the Device Catalog.

2. OmniVista Cirrus validates the device.

3. The device status changes to “Waiting for First Contact”. At this stage, the device has been validated and the OmniVista Cirrus Server is waiting for the device to connect to it. Once the device is connected to the network, the device will be ready for licensing.

4. OmniVista Cirrus licenses the device.

5. The device status changes to “OV Managed” and is now ready for full management.

The device status is displayed in real time in the Activation Status column on the Device Catalog screen. Note that a device may go through several intermediate steps (for example, Upgrading) before reaching a final step (for example, OV Managed).

Automatic Call Home Feature

Stellar Access Points and OmniSwitch devices support the Automatic Call Home Feature. These devices automatically contact OmniVista Cirrus 10 at regular intervals. For these devices, there is no need to manually start or restart the activation process. The devices will automatically contact OmniVista Cirrus 10 at the configured Call Home interval.

Starting the Activation Process on Devices

A device must connect to OmniVista Cirrus 10 to complete the activation process. If it is an unconfigured device (a new device, or an old device that has been reset to the factory default configuration), or a device that supports the Automatic Call Home Feature, just connect the device to your network. Otherwise, connect the device to your network (if necessary) and restart the activation process on the device.

Connecting Devices to Your Network

Connect the device to your network and power it on. The device will automatically contact the OmniVista Cirrus 10 and complete the activation process, if the Network and Device Prerequisites are met. Refer to Onboarding Devices for OmniVista Cirrus Management for more details and requirements.

Restarting the Activation Process

If the device supports the Automatic Call Home Feature, the device will automatically retry the activation process. Otherwise, use one of the following options to restart the activation process on the AP:

• OmniSwitch - Use one of the following options:

  • Manually Reboot the Device - Power on and power off the device.

  • Restart the Cloud Agent on the Device - Telnet to the device and disable the Cloud Agent using the following command: cloud-agent admin-state disable force (enter y at the confirmation prompt). Then enable the Cloud Agent using the following command: cloud-agent admin-state enable.

• AP - Use one of the following options:

  • Manually Reset the AP - Press the "Reset" button on the device until the LED starts flashing Red. When the light stops flashing or goes out, release the reset button.

  • SSH to the AP and Reboot the AP - SSH to the AP and execute "firstboot" and "reboot" commands.

  • Use the Express UI - If the AP Work Mode column on the Device Catalog Screen displays "Cluster", go to the Express UI, select the device(s) you want to add to OmniVista and click on the Connect to OmniVista Cirrus button.

When the activation process completes, the Activation Status column will display "OV Managed". If you have trouble activating devices, click here for common problems and troubleshooting tips.