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  • 1.  New to Simulator (Question about Client VMs)

    Posted Jun 16, 2021 11:59 AM
    Hello All,

    New to Aruba-CX Simulator.

    I have deployed the OVA in ESXi and have a basic configuration in place on the CX Switch.  I am interested in testing out Local/Dynamic User Roles.  I have my ClearPass configured.  Last piece is testing - which brings me to my question.  How do I test client connectivity when this is a VM?  Is there a way to test with a ClientVM in VMWare?

    Thanks!

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    David Parrish
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  • 2.  RE: New to Simulator (Question about Client VMs)

    Posted Jun 16, 2021 12:10 PM
    Hi, 

    We just posted a lab for configuring local roles here this was done in an EVE-NG environment:

    https://community.arubanetworks.com/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?GroupId=565&MessageKey=d7d8d838-e2d5-4842-aba0-b8629c9f755a&CommunityKey=aa40c287-728e-4827-b062-5eff4ed6410b&tab=digestviewer&ReturnUrl=%2fcommunity-home%2fdigestviewer%3fcommunitykey%3daa40c287-728e-4827-b062-5eff4ed6410b%26tab%3ddigestviewer

    To authenticate, you just need to make sure your client VM has the appropriate vswitch configuration to be able to access the CX simulator OVA and that the OVA has connectivity to ClearPass.  Be aware if you're testing downloadable roles you'll need an FQDN for your clearpass server so the switch can download the role.

    Thanks, 

    Justin

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    Justin Noonan
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: New to Simulator (Question about Client VMs)

    Posted Jun 16, 2021 03:27 PM
    Appreciate the response.

    I have he LUR/DUR component and configured.  And yes, I have a FQDN for my ClearPass cluster, so those parts are covered.

    I am stuck on trying to figure out this portion "y​ou just need to make sure your client VM has the appropriate vswitch configuration to be able to access the CX simulator OVA".  I'm not 100% sure how to accomplish this within VMWare.  While I realize this may be more of a VMWare question that specifically for the Aruba simulator, I figured someone on here has to know. 

    This is VMWare 6.7 with vCenter and a vCenter managed distributed switch.  Trying to figure out how a Windows 10 Client VM in VMWare would be able to simulate connecting a port on the Aruba CX Switch.

    Thanks in advance!

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    David Parrish
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: New to Simulator (Question about Client VMs)

    Posted Jun 17, 2021 03:41 AM
    Hi,
    This is certainly possible to create an additional dvs dedicated port-group on which you attached one interface of the AOS-CX Simulator and one interface of your Windows VM.
    Simulating the port connection would be by disabling/enabling the interface in Windows.
    The state of an interface on the CX Simulator is already UP, unless administratively set down, regardless if the port is connected or not.

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    Vincent Giles
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: New to Simulator (Question about Client VMs)

    Posted Jun 17, 2021 04:21 AM
    Hi David,

    All is much easier if using EVE-NG ....

    However, some connectivity can be obtained using vSphere switches and cx simulator software directly within vSphere/Vcenter. It's not complicated but it is a bit fiddly if you wish to scale

    if you are using OVAs on vSphere/vCenter and wish to interconnect simulator switches together,  - create a dedicated vswitch topology, try the following topology for general guidance. For interconnecting CX simulators this will work fine.



    However, I have had poor results on L2 connectivity between host and and CX simulator using the  topology below, and would not recommend it for a host connectivity model to the cx simulator, too many connectivity errors. 

    Notes on interconnecting CX Simulators;
    • create a dedicated standard vSwitch between each device for each interface required.
    • Assign a separate port group for each simulator connecting to a  vSwitch - Leaf1 portgroup1 connects to vSwitch9, Leaf2 Port group 2 connects to vSwitch9 for example for the appropriate interfaces..

    You will also need to set the following parameters at the port group (or vswitch and 'inherit')

    For the host connectivity, it is probably a good idea to try and break out  the host on a separate vSwitch like this to an external physical switch :-


     I haven't tried this host connectivity model yet at L2 or L3 a connectivity model, but I feel it should work. Interconnecting the CX simulator switches in the above model should work fine

    If you try it out, let us know how you get on.

    Cheers

    Regards, Steve

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    Steve Bartlett
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: New to Simulator (Question about Client VMs)

    Posted Jun 17, 2021 08:02 AM
    Hi Steve,

    Appreciate the detailed response.  I will work to mock this up in my vSphere environment, and test it out.  Happy to share the results and provide any additional feedback once I make it that far.

    Thanks!

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    David Parrish
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    Original Message


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