Domotz allows to easily backup and restore configuration of a number of networking devices.
In particular, Domotz allows to:
- automatically back-up configuration
- manually back-up specific configuration
- compare across different versions
- getting alerted if something changes
- getting notified if running configuration is different from the saved one
- restore previous saved configuration
- upload and update the device with a new configuration
Major brands such as Cisco, Luxul, FortiGate, WatchGuard are supported. View the complete list of supported devices.
Feature Access
The feature is available in the device Config section:
Device Configuration Management Interface
1. View device status at the top with device name "SW2" and its online status, which shows the IP address.
2. Use the navigation bar for device details, including model and location.
3. Access management options like Info, Connect, Alerts, History, SNMP, TCP, Interfaces, and Config.
4. In the "Configuration Management" section, check automatic backup settings set to occur every 6 hours, with the last check shown.
5. Perform an immediate backup using the "Backup Now" button.
6. Observe a list of backups, including the latest backup with a configuration misalignment warning.
7. Restore or view previous backups from the archived backups list, with options clearly labeled.
8. Add a new configuration file to the archive via the provided upload area.
Please note that currently, only the last 10 backups will be visible on the Domotz GUI. In order to access older backups (up to 40 and up to 1 year old), you have to delete some from the list.
Spot differences between config files:
If you select the “View” link just at right to the “Restore” one you can see the differences between the Backup selected and the Last Backup which has been made:
Comparing and Restoring a Manual Backup
1. The interface shows a comparison between "Manual Backup" on the left and "Automatic Backup" on the right.
2. Lines highlighted in red on the left indicate differences in configuration from the automatic backup. For example, lines involving network configurations such as "spanning-tree portfast" and "switchport mode trunk" are only in the manual backup.
3. The right side shows corresponding lines in the automatic backup, with fewer entries, indicating where changes or deletions exist.
4. A "Restore this Backup" button is available at the bottom, allowing users to revert to the manual backup configuration if desired.
Configuration Misalignment
Also if the appliance has two config files (running config and startup config), if there is a discrepancy between the two, you will be alerted on that, both on your alert contact channel (for example your email), and visually here:
Configuration Management Interface for Backups
1. Navigate to the "Config" tab in the menu to access Configuration Management.
2. Under Configuration Management, view options for "Automatic Backup" which checks every 6 hours, and a "Backup Now" button to initiate an immediate backup.
3. Below, see the "Last Configuration Backup" section displaying the date and time of the last automatic backup.
4. A red alert labeled "Configuration Misalignment" indicates an issue that needs attention following the last backup.
Once clicked, a diff view will be opened to show you the differences which have been spotted by Domotz:
Handling Configuration Misalignment
1. The image shows a dialog indicating a misalignment between the Running and Startup Configurations, suggesting that changes will occur if the device reboots.
2. The "Running Configuration" section on the left highlights differences with red lines and text.
3. The "Startup Configuration" section on the right shows the current saved configuration without highlighted differences.
4. To resolve the misalignment, you can choose one of two options: "Save Running Configuration as Startup" or "Apply Startup Configuration over Running." Select the appropriate option based on whether you want to preserve recent changes or revert to the last saved configuration.
Feature Unlock
In order to unlock this feature you will need to configure your network appliance first.
Please take a look to the following links, choose your brand/model, and follow the configuration instructions:
Notes for Cisco IOS series:
https://help.domotz.com/user-guide/cisco-ios-how-to-enable-configuration-management-backup-restore/
Notes for Cisco SG series:
https://help.domotz.com/user-guide/cisco-sg-series-how-to-enable-configuration-management-backup-restore/
Notes for Cisco CBS series:
https://help.domotz.com/user-guide/cisco-cbs-series-network-configuration-management-set-up/
Notes for Luxul:
https://help.domotz.com/user-guide/luxul-how-to-enable-configuration-management-backup-restore/
Notes for FortiGate:
https://help.domotz.com/user-guide/fortigate-how-to-enable-configuration-management-backup-restore/
Notes for WatchGuard:
https://help.domotz.com/user-guide/watchguard-how-to-enable-configuration-management-backup-restore/
Notes for Juniper:
https://help.domotz.com/user-guide/juniper-how-to-enable-configuration-management-backup-restore/
Notes for HP Aruba OS (ProCurve, ProVision, and CX Switchs, HP Access Points based on Aruba OS):
https://help.domotz.com/user-guide/how-to-enable-configuration-management-backup-restore-hp-aruba-os-procurve-provision-and-cx-switchs-hp-access-points-based-on-aruba-os/
Notes for SonicWall:
https://help.domotz.com/user-guide/sonicwall-how-to-enable-configuration-management-backup-restore/
Notes for MikroTik (Router OS):
https://help.domotz.com/monitoring-management/enable-mikrotik-network-configuration-management/
Notes for Dell EMC (N series – and OS 6):
https://help.domotz.com/user-guide/dell-switch-nseries-how-to-enable-configuration-management-backup-restore/
Notes for Netgear:
https://help.domotz.com/user-guide/netgear-how-to-config-management/
If the device is successfully unlocked, the following screen is shown:
Configuration Management Interface Overview
1. Navigate to the "Config" tab in the software interface to access configuration management features.
2. The section displays options for managing device configuration backups.
3. To set up automatic backups, refer to "Automatic Backup" showing a check every 6 hours. Current status is indicated as "Last check N/A."
4. For immediate backup, use the "Backup Now" button.
5. The "Last Configuration Backup" section currently shows a message: "Last backup not available yet, please wait..."
6. In the "Archived Backups" section, click to add a configuration file to the archive or drag and drop your file into the designated area.
In order to trigger the Domotz driver to discover configuration files, SNMP should be enabled on the Network appliance (and Domotz Agent should be able to access SNMP for that device). In this way, Domotz is able to correctly identify the device, and trigger the correct driver for configuration management purposes.
Automatic and Manual Backup, and Configuration changes check
Domotz automatically checks and backup the configuration of the device and shows the history of the last configuration files. The check/backup is executed every 6 hours, and a new version is only saved (and shown) only if it differs from the previous version.
Moreover, Domotz allows the manual backup of the configuration file. A new version is created, regardless if it differs or not from the previously saved version:
Device Configuration Management Interface
1. The top section displays device information: "Master Switch" with a status showing "online" and the IP address 192.168.122.100. There are management tabs available: Info, Connect, Alerts, History, SNMP, TCP, Interfaces, Config.
2. The middle section, under "Configuration Management," allows you to manage backups. You can set "Automatic Backup (check every 6 Hours)" or trigger a "Backup Now" action. The last automatic check was 5 days ago.
3. The "Last Configuration Backup" section shows a "Manual Backup" entry from April 2, 2020. Options to "Restore" or "View" this backup are available.
4. In the "Archived Backups" section, there are listed backups such as "Safe Backup" and "Automatic Backup" with options to "Restore." You can add configuration files to the archive.
5. The right panel lists "Latest Events," showing recent changes and misalignments in configuration, along with timestamps.
6. A section for creating new connections is available, alongside details of the latest updated TCP Sensors like "http" and "ssh" with usage stats.
7. A "Notes" section is provided at the bottom to write additional remarks.
Upload/Download/Remove Configuration files
Through the same interface, it is possible to upload a new configuration file (which can then be applied to the device). In addition, each saved configuration file can be locally downloaded.
Misalignment Error
If you get a Misalignment error it means that the Startup configuration file is different from the Running configuration file inside the device. It’s best practice to keep the Startup configuration file aligned with the Running configuration file. In fact, when you restore a configuration file from Domotz, we’ll replace both Startup and Running configuration files with the selected backup.
You can also set an alert on the misalignment error.
Note: It is possible to get a misalignment error with Cisco, Luxul, and HP Aruba.
Compare and Restore Configurations
Through the same interface, it is possible to upload a new configuration file (which can then be applied to the device). In addition, each saved configuration file can be locally downloaded.
Compare and Restore Automatic Backup
1. Access the "Compare Automatic Backup" window to review differences between two configuration backups.
2. The "Selected Backup" on the left is labeled "Automatic Backup" with a date and timestamp of April 1, 2020, 01:49:45 PM (CEST).
3. The "Compare with" option allows you to select a backup using a dropdown, currently showing a timestamp of April 2, 2020, 03:38:55 PM (CEST).
4. In the comparison pane, differences between the two backups are highlighted. A line showing "- hostname revirechange" indicates removal, while "+ hostname amewchange" indicates an addition.
5. To restore the configuration shown, use the "Restore this Backup" button at the bottom of the window.
