Extreme Networks EPICenter 7.1 Job Scheduler Overview

Extreme Networks Technical Brief

© 2010 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reser ved. EPICenter 7.1 Job Scheduler—Page 1

Job Scheduling with EPICenter 7.1

The EPICenter® 7.1 Job Scheduler feature enables network
managers to execute specific time driven actions on
ExtremeXOS

®

based switches. Base-level scripts have been
created with the ability to include almost any functionality
desired or imaginable. Intricate tasks such as VLAN creation
with EAPS (Ethernet Automatic Protection Switching) can
be easily accomplished through the integration of scripting
functionality in EPICenter.

Configuration Manager Scripting

EPICenter configuration manager is capable of running or
pre-staging scripts on switches for later usage. It relies on the
built-in capabilities within the ExtremeXOS operating system
and allows configuration or reconfiguration of features on
individual switches or on multiple switches in parallel. Unlike
other central management systems, configuration manager
scripting does not require constant interactions with the remote
device. Thus, scripts can be created for deployment onto
switches and run autonomously even when changes could
cause a loss of communications with the unit. Other common
uses include scripts used to configure a new switch or to
enable new feature on a switch.

New Features are Now Available
through Scripts

In many competing network management systems (NMSs),
new software features must be requested from the manu­facturer. Once the request is made the administrator must
wait for the feature to show up in the next feature pack.

EPICenter 7.1 has taken a different approach: Network
administrators now have the ability to add their own custom
features, whether they are very simple or extremely complex,
through scripts. The only knowledge needed is the sequence
of CLI commands needed to do a task. Now administrators
can rapidly create and deploy custom features and tasks
as needed.

Additionally, by providing users with a simple method to reuse
scripts with variables and a dynamic custom scripting GUI,
these grouped commands have a push-button-type ease of
use. This capability allows for faster reuse and deployment
of scripts through the scripting feature, without the need to
wait for a future software feature pack.

EPICenter 7.1 Job Scheduler

Figure 1: EPICenter Main Screen

Extreme Networks Technical Brief

© 2010 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reser ved. EPICenter 7.1 Job Scheduler—Page 2

Figure 2: Graphical Representation of Ring Topology

Custom Deployment Sequence

EPICenter also now allows users to run a script on devices
all at once, or to follow a specific predefined sequence. This
feature enables administrators to make network-wide updates
in a sequenced order with a few simple clicks. Prior to this
capability, a network operator had to log into each individual
system, make the changes, logout and then repeat the process
for each device. Since this was a manual process, the user
needed to be very careful to avoid typos or making errors in
sequencing. With the custom deployment sequence feature
in EPICenter, the plan can now be laid out and then executed
with confidence. Network operators are no longer faced with
manually typing a long sequence of commands, with the
likelihood of accidentally going out of order or forgetting a
critical step. Through the EPICenter custom deployment
sequence capability, deployment can be speedy, repeatable,
and error free.

Figure 2: Custom Deployment Sequence

Power of Tcl

EPICenter 7.1 scripting leverages the power of Tcl, an industry­standard scripting language that allows for data and string
manipulation, programming control structures, and other
logical operations. Multifaceted scripts can be created and
used for a wide range of functions, from making simple changes
in the network to complex data-gathering activities and decision
handling. With the availability of Tcl functions, it is now possible
to capture data from multiple outputs, parse that information
for key data points and then take action. Some tasks that
would benefit from this capability include:

• Parsing of status screens to provide a summary of
key information

• Obtaining a quick summary of device health and utilization

• Deploying an additional network feature after checking
for dependencies

• Debugging and isolating network issues

• Achieving feature configuration uniformity

Auto-Generated GUI

One of the powerful features of scripting in EPICenter is its
ability to auto-generate a user interface. Metadata can be
embedded in the script where EPICenter then translates
this data into labels and data entry fields. The GUI provides
a simplified interface so that knowledge of how to create
scripts can be isolated to specific staff members thereby
significantly reducing training costs. Less-trained staff members
can use the auto-generated GUI to customize variables at
deployment without needing to understand the details of the
scripts, and the GUI protects the scripts from accidental edits
or changes.

Figure 3: Auto-Generated GUI