Onboarding an edge device to your network can be complicated, but with Graphiant’s Network as a Service, it becomes straightforward and efficient. In this guide, we’ll take you through onboarding an edge device using Graphiant’s system. 

1. Access the Portal and Start the Onboarding Process 

To begin the onboarding process, log in to the Graphiant portal. Once logged in, click on the “Onboarding Edges” button. This will display the new assigned inventory, where you will see your edge device in a “down” status, ready to be onboarded. The device will be in staging mode, meaning that while it’s connected to the management plane, it’s not yet transmitting routing information or data traffic.

2. Connect the Edge Device 

Graphiant’s software-defined solution separates the management, control, and data planes. At this stage, only the management plane is active. If your device has multiple interfaces, such as Port 1 (fiber) and Port 4 (copper), you can use either for connectivity. 

• For DHCP Configuration: If your network uses DHCP, plug an internet connection into Port 1 or 4. The device will automatically pick up an IP address and connect to the portal. 
• For Static IP Configuration: If you need to configure a static IP, connect your laptop to Port 8, use the local web server, and manually configure the static IP for Port 1 or 4. 

3. Authenticate and Sync the Device  

Once connected, the device will authenticate using a tamperproof module burned in during manufacturing. This ensures secure authentication and authorization of the device. 

At this point, the device should appear as “up” in the portal, indicating that it has synced successfully with the Graphiant management portal. 

4. Configure Basic Settings  

While still in staging mode, you can configure basic parameters like the hostname and site name to make the device easier to find. For example, you might set the site name to “New York City” to identify the device by location. 

Once you’ve set these parameters, click “Review” and then “Apply Config.” The portal will push this configuration to the device via the management plane, even though the control and data planes are inactive. 

5. Activate the Edge Device 

With the configuration in place, the next step is to activate the edge device. Activating the device enables both the control and data planes, allowing it to begin handling real traffic. To activate, click the checkbox next to the device in the portal and hit “Activate.” 

The portal will change the device status from “staging” to “active,” completing the onboarding process. Once done, the edge device will appear in the “Active Edges” section and be ready to route traffic. 

6. Monitor and Manage the Device 

After activation, you can access various configuration options to manage your device, such as interface settings, routing policies, and traffic policies. You can also switch to monitoring mode, which provides a real-time visual representation of your device’s performance. 

In monitoring mode, you can check the device’s connection to the management, control, and data planes, see the service provider in use (e.g., Verizon), and view the device’s overall health. 

7. You’re All Set! 

Once onboarded and activated, your edge device is ready to pass control and data traffic. You can integrate it into your network, seamlessly connecting branches, data centers, and cloud resources. 

Conclusion 

Onboarding an edge device with Graphiant is a streamlined and secure process. With clear steps from portal access to device activation, you can get your edge device up and running quickly, ensuring efficient connectivity for your network.