> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.megaport.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Creating a VM-Series MVE
> This help topic describes how to create and configure a VM-Series Megaport Virtual Edge (MVE).
export const Anchor = ({name}) => {
const errorPrefix = '\x1b[31;1;4mERROR\x1b[0m: Anchor -';
if (name === undefined || name === null || name === 'undefined') {
console.error(`${errorPrefix} \`name\` must have a value — rendering an empty string instead`);
return <>;
}
const raw = typeof name === 'string' ? name : JSON.stringify(name);
const id = raw.replace(/\s+/g, '-').replace(/[^A-Za-z0-9_-]/g, '').replace(/-+/g, '-').replace(/^-+|-+$/g, '');
if (!id) {
console.error(`${errorPrefix} \`name\` "${name}" sanitizes to an empty id — rendering an empty string instead`);
return <>;
}
return ;
};
export const Image = ({src, alt = '', caption, width, height, shadow}) => {
const errorPrefix = '\x1b[31;1;4mERROR\x1b[0m: Image -';
if (typeof src !== 'string') {
src = String(src);
}
if (!src || src === 'undefined') {
console.error(`${errorPrefix} \`src\` is required — rendering an empty string instead`);
return <>;
}
const img = ;
return caption ?
{img}
{caption} : img;
};
export const InlineImage = ({src, alt, height = 16, shadow, width}) => {
const errorPrefix = '\x1b[31;1;4mERROR\x1b[0m: InlineImage -';
if (typeof src !== 'string') {
src = String(src);
}
if (!src || src === 'undefined') {
console.error(`${errorPrefix} \`src\` is required — rendering an empty string instead`);
return <>;
}
if (typeof alt !== 'string') {
alt = String(alt);
}
if (alt === 'undefined') {
console.error(`${errorPrefix} \`alt\` is required (use "" for decorative images) — rendering an empty string instead`);
return <>;
}
if (height) {
height = height.toString().replaceAll(/\D/g, '');
}
if (width) {
width = width.toString().replaceAll(/\D/g, '');
}
return ;
};
export const Link = ({href, children}) => {
const errorPrefix = '\x1b[31;1;4mERROR\x1b[0m: Link -';
if (typeof href !== 'string') {
href = String(href);
}
if (!href || href === 'undefined') {
console.error(`${errorPrefix} the \`href\` property is required — rendering an empty string instead`);
return <>;
}
if (href.includes('{') || href.toUpperCase().includes('%7B')) {
console.error(`${errorPrefix} could not resolve a variable in href "${href}" — rendering an empty string instead`);
return <>;
}
const isExternal = (/^https?:\/\//).test(href);
return
{children ?? href}
{isExternal && (opens in a new tab)}
;
};
This topic describes how to create and configure a Megaport Virtual Edge (MVE) with VM-Series next-generation firewall (NGFW). You can use VM-Series to secure application traffic that flows through the MVE.
Before you begin, you need user accounts with ordering permissions that provide access to the Megaport Portal and the VM-Series firewall.
For more information about setting up a Megaport account, see [Creating an Account](/setting-up/registering).
Palo Alto Networks provides documentation for VM-Series at [VM-Series Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/vm-series).
## Basic steps
This section provides an overview of the configuration steps in the Megaport Portal and PAN-OS. Detailed procedures follow this basic step summary.
The basic steps are:
* Obtain a VM-Series license from Palo Alto Networks.
* Set a temporary admin password for VM-Series.
* Generate an SSH Public Key for authentication.
* Create the Palo Alto Networks VM-Series MVE in the Megaport Portal.\
We strongly recommend that you provision a Megaport Internet connection onto the management plane virtual interface.
* View the MVE public IP address assignment in the Megaport Portal.
* Allow secure console access to the VM-Series.
## Licensing
Before you create an MVE in the Megaport Portal, you need a valid license from Palo Alto Networks. After purchasing a VM-Series firewall, you receive an authorization code via email. You will use this Auth Code to register the MVE with Palo Alto Networks.
**To obtain an authorization code from Palo Alto Networks for VM-Series**
1. Log in to the Palo Alto Networks [Customer Support Portal](https://support.paloaltonetworks.com/) with your account credentials.
2. Choose Assets > VM-Series Auth-Codes > Add VM-Series Auth-Code.
3. Enter the Auth Code you received by email in the **Add VM-Series Auth-Code** field.
4. Select the check box on the far right to save.\
The page displays the list of Auth Codes registered to your Support account.
5. To view all the assets that are deployed, choose Assets > Devices.
Once the product is registered, it appears in the Palo Alto Networks Registration Completion page.
The next step is to generate an SSH key pair for authentication.
## Administrative access to MVE
You connect your MVE through a public/private SSH key pair to establish a secure connection. The public SSH key allows you to use SSH to access the MVE and perform administrative tasks, such as setting the administrative password, enabling HTTPS access, and optionally registering the MVE to your management platform.
Megaport supports the 2048-bit RSA key type.
**To generate an SSH key pair (Linux/Mac OSX)**
* Enter the SSH keygen command in the terminal.
```shell theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light-high-contrast","dark":"github-dark-high-contrast"}}
ssh-keygen -f ~/.ssh/megaport-mve-instance-1-2048 -t rsa -b 2048
```
The key generator command creates an SSH key pair and adds two files to your \~/.ssh directory:
* **megaport-mve-instance-1-2048** - contains the private key.
* **megaport-mve-instance-1-2048.pub** - contains the public key that is authorized to log in to the vendor account.
**To generate an SSH key pair (Windows, using [PuTTYgen](https://www.puttygen.com))**
1. Open PuTTYgen.
2. In the Key section, choose RSA 2048 bit and click **Generate**.
3. Move your mouse randomly in the small screen to generate the key pairs.
4. Enter a key comment to identify the key.\
This is convenient when you use several SSH keys.
5. Enter a Key passphrase, and re-enter to confirm.\
The passphrase is used to protect your key. You will be asked for it when you connect via SSH.
6. Click **Save private key**, choose a location, and click **Save**.
7. Click **Save public key**, choose a location, and click **Save**.
You will copy and paste the contents of the public key file in the Megaport Portal later to distribute the public key to the MVE. Your private key will match the public key to grant access. Only a single private key has access to the MVE for SSH access.
## Creating an MVE in the Megaport Portal
When creating an MVE, select a location that supports the MVE and is in a compatible metro area for your network design. You can connect multiple locations to an individual MVE. For more information about location details, see [Planning Your Deployment](/mve/palo-alto/plan-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 two Megaport Internet connections.
**To create an MVE**
1. In the Megaport Portal, go to the **Services** page.
2. Click **Add Services**, then select **MVE**.
3. Select **Palo Alto VM-Series**.
4. Select the software version.
The MVE will be configured to be compatible with that version of Palo Alto VM-Series.
5. Click **Next**.
6. Specify the MVE details:
* **Location** -- 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](/finance/enabling-market).
You can use the **Search** field to find the Port name, Country, Metro City, or address of your destination Port. You can also filter by diversity zone.
* **Diversity Zone** -- 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](/mve/mcr-mve-diversity).
* **Size** -- Select a size from the list of available sizes. Available sizes are highlighted in green and labeled **Available**. The sizes support varying numbers of concurrent connections, and individual partner product metrics vary slightly.
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.
* **Minimum Term** -- Select No Minimum Term, 12 Months, 24 Months, 36 Months, 48 Months, or 60 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).
Enable the [Minimum Term Renewal](/portal-admin/auto-renew/#auto-renew) option for services with a 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60-month term to automatically renew the contract at the same discounted price and term length at the end of the contract. If you don't renew the contract, at the end of the term, the contract will automatically roll over to month-to-month contract for the following billing period, at the same price, without term discounts.
For more information, see [MVE Pricing and Contract Terms](/finance/mve-pricing).
7. Click **Next**.
8. Specify the Palo Alto VM-Series-specific settings:
* **License Data** (optional) -- Specify the VM-Series Auth Code (the valid license for the virtual appliance). The Auth Code is used to register the VM-Series MVE instance with Palo Alto Networks. You can find it in the Palo Alto Networks Support portal.
* **Admin Password** -- Specify a temporary administrator password. The password must be a minimum of 8 characters and include:
* 1 uppercase character (A-Z)
* 1 lowercase character (a-z)
* 1 number (0-9)
* 1 symbol
Megaport does not store customer passwords.
* **SSH Key** -- Copy and paste the contents of your public SSH key here. You can find the public key in the **megaport-mve-instance-1-2048.pub** file generated earlier.
* **Virtual Interfaces (vNICs)** -- Each MVE is configured with two vNICs named *Management Plane* and *Data Plane* by default. To change the name, type over the name text in the box. You can also change the vNIC name later, after the MVE has been deployed.
You can add a total of five vNICs to the MVE, including the two added by default. For more information, see [Types of vNIC Connections](/mve/vnic-connections).
To add a vNIC:
1. Click **+ Add**.
2. Enter a name for the vNIC.
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 cannot add or delete vNICs on a deployed MVE.
* **Megaport Marketplace** -- 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](/marketplace/service-keys). 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](/marketplace/profile#adding-services-to-your-profile).
9. Click **Next**.
10. Specify optional settings:
* **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.
The MVE name is auto-generated based on the location name and shown on the Summary page. You can override it by entering your own.
* **Service Level Reference** (optional) -- Specify a unique identifying number for your Megaport service to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number, unique customer ID, or purchase order number. 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.
* **Resource Tags** -- You can use resource tags to add your own reference metadata to a Megaport service.\
To add a tag:
1. Click **Add Tags**.
2. Click **Add New Tag**.
3. Enter details into the fields:
* **Key** -- string maximum length 128. Valid values are a-z 0-9 \_ : . / \ -
* **Value** -- string maximum length 256. Valid values are a-z A-Z 0-9 \_ : . @ / + \ - (space)
4. Click **Save**.
If you already have resource tags for that service, you can manage them by clicking **Manage Tags**.
Never include sensitive information in a resource tag. Sensitive information includes commands that return existing tag definitions and information that will identify a person or company.
11. Confirm the configuration and pricing on the Summary page.
The monthly rate is based on location and size.
12. 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 Palo Alto Networks licensing systems and, optionally, Panorama.
**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.
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 use the **Search** field to find the Port name, Country, Metro City, or address of your destination Port. You can also filter by diversity zone.
3. Click **Next**.
4. Specify the connection details:
* **Connection Name** -- The name of your Megaport Internet connection to be shown in the Megaport Portal.
As a best practice, we recommend including "Management Plane" in the name for reference later.
* **Service Level Reference** (optional) -- Specify a unique identifying number for your Megaport service to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number, unique customer ID, or purchase order number. 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.
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 rate limit is configurable starting from 20 Mbps and can scale to several Gbps or more, in 1 Mbps increments. Available speed tiers might vary by location and service type. You can change the speed as required 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](/connections/shut-down-vxc).
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** -- Select **vNIC-0 Management Plane** from the drop-down list.
The internet connection on the *management virtual interface* will be used only for management purposes such as licensing, updates, and communication with Panorama. If you require internet traffic to flow between branches, users, and/or the cloud, you will create a second Megaport Internet connection on the *data plane virtual interface*. For more information, see [To create a second Megaport Internet connection on the data plane](#dataplane).
* **Preferred A-End VLAN** (optional) -- Select **Untagged** to remove VLAN tagging and allow first-time administrative login to the device.
* **Minimum Term** -- Select No Minimum Term, 12 Months, 24 Months, 36 Months, 48 Months, or 60 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).
Enable the [Minimum Term Renewal](/portal-admin/auto-renew/#auto-renew) option for services with a 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60-month term to automatically renew the contract at the same discounted price and term length at the end of the contract. If you don't renew the contract, at the end of the term, the contract will automatically roll over to month-to-month contract for the following billing period, at the same price, without term discounts.
For more information, see [Megaport Internet Pricing and Contract Terms](/finance/megaport-internet-pricing) and [VXC, Megaport Internet, and IX Billing](/finance/billing-details).
* **Resource Tags** -- You can use resource tags to add your own reference metadata to a Megaport service.\
To add a tag:
1. Click **Add Tags**.
2. Click **Add New Tag**.
3. Enter details into the fields:
* **Key** -- string maximum length 128. Valid values are a-z 0-9 \_ : . / \ -
* **Value** -- string maximum length 256. Valid values are a-z A-Z 0-9 \_ : . @ / + \ - (space)
4. Click **Save**.
If you already have resource tags for that service, you can manage them by clicking **Manage Tags**.
Never include sensitive information in a resource tag. Sensitive information includes commands that return existing tag definitions and information that will identify a person or company.
5. Click **Next** to proceed to the connection detail summary.
6. Click **Add VXC** to order the connection.
7. Click **Review 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**.
A second Megaport Internet connection is required if the firewall will be exchanging internet traffic with branches. Each data plane Megaport Internet connection receives its own unique public IP Address.
**To create a second Megaport Internet connection on the data plane virtual interface**
1. In the Megaport Portal, go to the **Services** page.
2. Click **+Connection** on the Palo Alto Networks MVE.
3. Select **Megaport Internet**.
4. 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.
5. Click **Next**.
6. Specify the connection details:
* **Connection Name** -- The name of your data plane Megaport Internet connection to be shown in the Megaport Portal. As a best practice, we recommend including "Data Plane" in the name for reference later.
* **Service Level Reference** (optional) -- Specify a unique identifying number for your Megaport service to be used for billing purposes, such as a cost center number, unique customer ID, or purchase order number. 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.
* **Rate Limit** -- The speed of your connection in Mbps. This speed is adjustable starting from 20 Mbps, in 1 Mbps increments. Maximum available speed depends on location and service availability. You can change the speed as required 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](/connections/shut-down-vxc).
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** -- Select *vNIC-1 Data Plane* from the drop-down list.
* **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 select **Untagged**. 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, 36 Months, 48 Months, or 60 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).
Enable the [Minimum Term Renewal](/portal-admin/auto-renew/#auto-renew) option for services with a 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60-month term to automatically renew the contract at the same discounted price and term length at the end of the contract. If you don't renew the contract, at the end of the term, the contract will automatically roll over to month-to-month contract for the following billing period, at the same price, without term discounts.
For more information, see [Megaport Internet Pricing and Contract Terms](/finance/megaport-internet-pricing) and [VXC, Megaport Internet, and IX Billing](/finance/billing-details).
* **Resource Tags** -- You can use resource tags to add your own reference metadata to a Megaport service.\
To add a tag:
1. Click **Add Tags**.
2. Click **Add New Tag**.
3. Enter details into the fields:
* **Key** -- string maximum length 128. Valid values are a-z 0-9 \_ : . / \ -
* **Value** -- string maximum length 256. Valid values are a-z A-Z 0-9 \_ : . @ / + \ - (space)
4. Click **Save**.
If you already have resource tags for that service, you can manage them by clicking **Manage Tags**.
Never include sensitive information in a resource tag. Sensitive information includes commands that return existing tag definitions and information that will identify a person or company.
7. Click **Next** to proceed to the connection detail summary, click **Add VXC**, and order the connection.
8. Repeat these steps to provision any additional VXCs.
9. Click **Review Order** to proceed through the checkout process, or click **Save** to save the configured services before placing the order.
10. Review the Important Information section and confirm agreement with the Service Agreements.
If you do not have a promotion code, skip to the **Order Now** step. If you do have a promotion code, enter it into the **Enter discount code** field then click **Apply**. Alternatively, if a code already appears in the **Discounts** field, verify it is correct and click **Apply**.
The promotional discount appears below the Standard Term discount. This discount is not reflected in the Monthly Rate shown here, it is applied at the time of billing. If an invalid or expired code causes an error with your order, contact your Megaport Account Manager for a replacement code.
If you entered an incorrect promotion code, you can remove it by clicking **Remove**.
11. Click **Order Now**.
Ordering MVE provisions the instance and assigns IP addresses from the Megaport SDN. The Palo Alto Networks MVE provisioning time varies between versions and depends on whether you provide a license authorization code. It can take up to 15 minutes for the MVE to provision before you can log in and continue configuration.
After you order the MVE from the Megaport Portal, you can use Palo Alto Networks Panorama to manage the firewall.
## Viewing the MVE 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 about the Services page, see [Understanding the Services Page](/portal-admin/services-page).
**To view the public IP addresses assigned to the MVE**
1. Click the gear icon next to the Management Plane 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.
## Updating the administrator password
Next, you will replace the temporary password you set in the Megaport Portal with a new secure password.
**To update the administrator password**
1. Log in to the Palo Alto Networks system using the temporary admin password you set in the Megaport Portal.
2. Choose Device > Administrators.
3. Select the `admin` user.
4. Enter the old temporary password, a new secure password, and confirm the new password.
5. Click **OK**.
6. Choose Config > Save Changes.
## Configuring the data plane interface
Next, you will configure the data plane interface and assign it an interface type.
**To configure the data plane interface**
1. Choose Network > Interfaces.
2. Select `ethernet1/1` from the Interface column.
3. Select Layer3 from the Interface Type drop-down list.
4. Click **OK**.
5. Highlight the ‘ethernet1/1’ row and click **Add Subinterface** at the bottom of the screen.
6. Provide these details:
* **Interface Name** -- Enter a name for the subinterface. In the adjacent field, enter a number to identify the subinterface.
* **Comment** -- Enter an alternate name.
* **Tag** -- Specify the A-End VLAN value associated with the Megaport Internet destination Port.
* **Virtual Router** -- Select a virtual router to the interface, as required by your network.
7. Select the **IPv4** tab.
8. Select **DHCP Client** as the Type.
9. Click **OK**.
10. Click **Commit** in the top right corner.
11. Review the changes and click **Commit**.
## Next steps
Once the MVE is provisioned with an Active status, the next step is to connect a VXC to a Cloud Service Provider (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](/mve/palo-alto/creating-mve-vxc).