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Creating an MVE Integrated with Aruba Using a System Tag

This topic describes how to create and configure a Megaport Virtual Edge (MVE) with Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN using a system tag.

System tag configuration simplifies MVE deployment by automating several required configuration tasks. This method automatically performs these tasks:

• Enables Aruba Orchestrator to approve and configure the newly discovered EC-V without user intervention.
• Upgrades Orchestrator to version 9 or later.
• Registers the MVE with the Cloud Portal and Orchestrator.
• Assigns the appropriate group memberships and roles to the MVE.
• Applies the MVE configuration using your custom deployment settings.
• Spins up an EdgeConnect (EC-V).

Note

In Orchestrator, a Megaport MVE is called an Aruba EdgeConnect (EC-V). The terms EC-V and MVE are used interchangeably in this topic.

Before you begin, you need user accounts with ordering permissions that provide access to the Megaport Portal and to Aruba.

For more information on setting up a Megaport account, see Creating an Account.

For more information on creating an MVE integrated with Aruba manually, see Creating an MVE Integrated with Aruba Manually.

Tip

Aruba provides documentation for their SD-WAN product, including Orchestrator and cloud connections, at Aruba (SilverPeak) Documentation Library.

Basic steps

The basic configuration steps using a system tag are:

• Obtain a license from Aruba.
• Create a preconfiguration template in Aruba Orchestrator. The template includes a system tag.
• Create the Aruba MVE in the Megaport Portal, assigning the system tag to the MVE. Orchestrator configures the MVE using the deployment parameters specified in the template.

The next sections provide details.

Licensing

Before you create an MVE in the Megaport Portal, you need to buy a valid EdgeConnect SD-WAN license from Aruba. All licenses are managed by the Aruba Cloud Portal.

Creating a preconfiguration template

Aruba Orchestrator system tags identify a unique preconfiguration template used to register the MVE with the Cloud Portal and Orchestrator, and enable Orchestrator to automatically accept and configure the newly discovered MVE appliance.

To preconfigure a template

1. Log in to Aruba Orchestrator.
2. Choose Configuration > Overlays & Security > Discovery > Preconfiguration.

3. Click New.

   

4. Name the template.

5. Enable Auto Approve when Discovered.
6. Enter the Appliance/System Tag name to use as the unique identifier to associate with the MVE. For example, aruba-test-1. Make a note of the system tag for use in the Megaport Portal later. Orchestrator will match this tag with the MVE during discovery.
7. Enter any deployment-specific parameters by modifying the script values on the right side of the page. The example script applies these deployment settings automatically:
   • Upgrades the appliance to the specified 9.x software version.
   • Assigns appropriate roles and group memberships to the appliance.
   • Converts the appliance to inline router mode.
   • Creates a LAN-side placeholder interface.
   • Assigns WAN-side bandwidth calculations based on the MVE sizing.
   • Enables stateful source NAT (SNAT) firewall settings on the WAN public-facing interface.
8. Delete any unused parameters.
9. Click Validate to test the configuration.
10. Click Save.

Once you have saved the template, you are ready to create the MVE in the Megaport Portal.

Creating an MVE in the Megaport Portal

Before you create an MVE, you need to determine the best location - one that supports MVE and one that is in the most compatible metro area. You can connect multiple locations to an individual MVE. For more information about location details, see Planning Your Deployment.

You can deploy multiple MVEs within the same metropolitan area for redundancy or capacity reasons. As part of the MVE creation process, you will also create a Megaport Internet connection.

To create an MVE

1. In the Megaport Portal, go to the Services page.

2. Click Create MVE.
   

3. Select the MVE location.

   Select a location geographically close to your target branch and/or on-premises locations.

   The country you choose must be a market in which you have already registered.

   If you haven’t registered a billing market in the location where you will deploy the MVE, follow the procedure in Enabling Billing Markets.

   To search for your local market in the list, enter a country in the Country Filter or a metro region detail in the Search filter.

4. Select a diversity zone.

   You can select either Red or Blue, or select Auto and have Megaport select the zone for you. The selected or allocated diversity zone will be displayed on the location details through the rest of the provisioning, and on the summary page at the end.
   For more information, see MVE Diversity.

   

5. Click Next.

6. Select Aruba EC-V.

7. Specify the MVE details:

   • Version – Select the software version. The MVE will be configured to be compatible with that version of Aruba.

   • MVE Name – Enter a name for the MVE that is easily identifiable, particularly if you plan on provisioning more than one. This name appears in the Megaport Portal.

   • Size – Select a size from the drop-down list. The list displays all sizes that match the CPU capacity at the selected location. The sizes support varying numbers of concurrent connections, and individual partner product metrics vary slightly. For more information, see Planning Your Deployment.

     Note

     If the MVE size you want is not in the list, then there is not enough capacity at the selected location. You can either select another location with enough capacity or contact your Account Manager to discuss requirements.

   • Service Level Reference (optional) – Specify a unique identifying number for the MVE to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number or a unique customer ID. The service level reference number appears for each service under the Product section of the invoice. You can also edit this field for an existing service.

   • Orchestrator Account Name – Enter the Account Name from Aruba Orchestrator. To view your Account Name, log in to Orchestrator and choose Orchestrator > Licensing | Cloud Portal.

   • Account Key – Enter the Account Key from Aruba Orchestrator. The key is linked to the Account Name. To view your Account Key, log in to Orchestrator and choose Orchestrator > Licensing | Cloud Portal. If a key isn’t visible in Orchestrator, click Generate Account Key.
     

   • System Tag – Aruba Orchestrator System Tags and preconfiguration templates register the EC-V with the Cloud Portal and Orchestrator, and enable Orchestrator to automatically accept and configure newly discovered EC-V appliances. Enter the Appliance/System Tag you specified when you created the preconfiguration template in Orchestrator.

   • Virtual Interfaces (vNICs) – Each MVE is configured with one vNIC named Data Plane by default. To change the name, you can simply type over the Data Plane text.

     You can add a total of five vNICs to the MVE, including the one added by default. For more information, see Types of vNIC Connections.

     To add a vNIC:

     • Click + Add.

       

     • Enter a name for the vNIC.

       

     Note

     If you want to increase or decrease the number of vNICs on this MVE after it has been deployed, you will have to delete the entire MVE and recreate it. You can’t add or delete vNICs on a deployed MVE.

   • Megaport Marketplace Visibility – By default, each service is private to your enterprise and consumes services from the Megaport network for your own internal company, team, and resources. When set to private, the service is not searchable in the Megaport Marketplace, however, others can still connect to you using a service key. Megaport Marketplace visibility is controlled on your Megaport Marketplace profile. For more information about how to make your service visible to the Megaport Marketplace, see Adding services to your profile.

   • Minimum Term – Select No Minimum Term, 12 Months, 24 Months, or 36 Months. Longer terms result in a lower monthly rate. 12 Months is selected by default. For more information, see MVE Pricing and Contract Terms.

     Note

     Partner and partner-managed accounts select MVE subscriptions instead of MVE contract terms.

8. Click Next to view the Summary page.
   The monthly rate is based on location and size.

9. Confirm the configuration and pricing then click Add MVE.
   You are prompted to create a Megaport Internet connection. A Megaport Internet connection provides connectivity and allows MVE to register and communicate with Aruba SD-WAN.

   

To create the Megaport Internet connection

1. Click Create Megaport Internet to proceed (recommended), or click Not now to provision internet access at a later time.

   Note

   MVE requires connectivity to the internet onto the management plane virtual interface. You can either provision a Megaport Internet connection or configure a third-party internet connection using a private VXC. We strongly recommend that you create a Megaport Internet connection for the initial MVE startup and deployment to ensure that the MVE is provisioned and functioning correctly.

2. Select the target Port (the internet router).
   The B-End of a Megaport Internet connection can be anywhere that Megaport Internet is available.
   You can filter by diversity zone, or select to view all.

3. Click Next.

4. Specify the connection details:

   • Connection Name – The name of your Megaport Internet connection to be shown in the Megaport Portal.

   • Service Level Reference (optional) – Specify a unique identifying number for the Megaport Internet connection to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number or a unique customer ID. The service level reference number appears for each service under the Product section of the invoice.

     Tip

     Use the same Service Level Reference numbers for the Megaport Internet connection and MVE to help identify the matching pair in your invoice.

   • Rate Limit – The speed of your connection in Mbps. The speed is adjustable from 20 Mbps to 10 Gbps in increments of 1 Mbps. You can change the speed as needed after you create the Megaport Internet connection. Monthly billing details appear based on location and rate limit.

   • VXC State – Select Enabled or Shut Down to define the initial state of the connection. For more information, see Shutting Down a VXC for Failover Testing.

     Note

     If you select Shut Down, traffic will not flow through this service and it will behave as if it was down on the Megaport network. Billing for this service will remain active and you will still be charged for this connection.

   • A-End vNIC - Specify a vNIC from the drop-down list. The list shows the vNICs that were created with the MVE.

   • Preferred A-End VLAN (optional) – Specify an unused VLAN ID for this connection. This must be a unique VLAN ID on this MVE and can range from 2 to 4093. If you specify a VLAN ID that is already in use, the system displays the next available VLAN number. The VLAN ID must be unique to proceed with the order. If you don’t specify a value, Megaport will assign one.
     Alternatively, you can click Untag. This selection removes the VLAN tagging for this connection and it will be configured without a VLAN ID.

   • Minimum Term – Select No Minimum Term, 12 Months, 24 Months, or 36 Months. Longer terms result in a lower monthly rate. 12 Months is selected by default.
     Take note of the information on the screen to avoid early termination fees (ETF). For more information, see Megaport Internet Pricing and Contract Terms and VXC, Megaport Internet, and IX Billing.

   

5. Click Next to proceed to the connection detail summary.

6. Click Add VXC to order the connection.

   

7. Click Order in the Configured Services area.

8. If you have a promotional code, click Add Promo Code, enter it, then click Add Code.

9. Click Order Now.

   

Ordering MVE provisions the appliance and assigns IP addresses from the Megaport SDN. The MVE provisioning takes only a few minutes to complete. The provisioning process spins up an Aruba EdgeConnect (EC-V).

Viewing the MVE

You can view the MVE in Orchestrator and the Megaport Portal.

Viewing in Orchestrator

The MVE is now managed via Aruba Orchestrator and you can view it in the list of Discovered Devices.

To view an MVE in Orchestrator

1. Log in to Orchestrator.
2. Choose Orchestrator > Configuration > Deployment.

3. Click the Edit icon next to the appliance.

   

As you add to your network, you can clone and modify the template for reuse with other EC-V deployments, assigning each EC-V a unique system tag.

Viewing in the Megaport Portal

After creating the MVE, you can view it in the Megaport Portal on the Services page. You can also view the public IP addresses assigned.

To view an MVE in the Megaport Portal

• Go to the Services page.

The Megaport Internet icon differs from a standard VXC icon in the Megaport Portal, as shown in the image.

For more information on the Services page, see Understanding the Services Page.

Updating the Megaport Internet connection

• Click the gear icon next to the Megaport Internet connection in the Megaport Portal to make changes.

  

You can modify the Megaport Internet connection details including the connection name, rate limit, VLAN ID, invoice reference, connection state, and contract terms. Once submitted, those changes take effect in a few minutes.

To delete the Megaport Internet connection, click the trash icon. For more information, see Terminating a Megaport Internet Connection.

To lock or unlock the Megaport Internet connection, click the padlock icon.

To view the public IP addresses assigned to the MVE

1. Click the gear icon next to the Megaport Internet connection.
   The Connection Configuration screen appears. From here, you can modify any of the Megaport Internet connection details.
   
2. Select the Details tab.
   
3. Locate the Public IP address (IPv4 or IPv6).
   These are the public IP addresses assigned to the MVE.

If you have set Orchestrator to automatically approve and upgrade the EC-V appliance, you will see the EC-V under Discovered Appliances. If not, you need to manually approve and upgrade its software to version 9.1.0.0_91199.

To approve and upgrade the new EC-V appliance

Before Aruba Orchestrator adds the EC-V to its list of managed appliances, you need to manually approve it.

1. Log in to your enterprise Aruba Orchestrator system.

2. Choose Configuration > Discovery | Discovered Appliances or click Appliances Discovered on the upper right of the screen.
   You’ll see a new device awaiting approval.
   

3. Click Approve next to the new device.
   The Upgrade Appliance screen appears. MVE requires that you upgrade Aruba Orchestrator to a minimum of version 9 or later.
   
4. Choose a 9.x software version from the drop-down list that is compatible with your version of Orchestrator.
5. Click Upgrade & Reboot Appliance.
   The upgrade and reboot process takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Click Close when the upgrade is complete.
7. Click Refresh Discovery Information in the Discovered Devices screen to verify the new software version.
   
8. Click Approve.
   The Upgrade Appliance screen shows that no upgrades are available, confirming that Orchestrator is up to date.
9. Click Skip.
10. Click Run Manual Configuration Wizard in the Apply Appliance Preconfiguration screen.
    You can also select a preconfiguration template, if available.
11. Provide the appliance details:
    • Hostname – Megaport assigns a hostname by default, however this is a free text field allowing you to assign an easily identifiable name for this appliance.
    • Group – As required for your network, specify a group name for the appliance.
    • Admin Password – Specify and confirm a secure password.
    • Serial Number – This number is assigned by default.
      The rest of the fields are optional.
12. Click Next.
    
13. Select a profile in the Deployment Profile drop-down list, or click Next to skip.
    
14. (Optional) Click Add to add a loopback interface and IP address that meet your network requirements, or click Next.
    
15. As required for your network, select Use SD-WAN Fabric Learned Routes and/or Automatically include local subnets and click Next.
    
16. As required for your network, select or deselect the appropriate options under Add Business Intent Overlays to this Site and Select Template Groups to be applied to this Site.
    Note that improper configuration of overlays and/or labels can result in Orchestrator communication errors. See the Aruba documentation for more information.
    
17. Click Apply.
    The Appliance Wizard applies the configuration updates to the MVE EC-V appliance.
    
18. Click Close.

The appliance is now managed via Aruba Orchestrator and you can view it in the list of Discovered Devices.

Next steps

Once the MVE is provisioned with an Active status, the next step is to connect a VXC to a CSP, a local port, or a third-party network. You can optionally connect a physical Port to the MVE through a private VXC or connect to a service provider in the Megaport Marketplace.

For more information, see Creating a VXC.