Migrating from Templates to Profiles

Profiles represent the full configuration of a device and are created using a full wizard-style GUI.  There are also reusable objects for WLAN and Management that can be linked to Profiles.  This is a major change from the text-file based template approach used previously.  This article will guide you in migrating from Templates to Profiles.

Since Profiles represent a full configuration of the device your Template should as well.  If you will be migrating a partial Template, missing items should be entered into the Profile, WLAN and Management during creation.  The cnMaestro Profile wizard aligns closely with the structure of device web UI, so can be used as a reference when entering values into cnMaestro.

  1. Open a legacy template and copy its text.
  2. Navigate to Configure -> Profiles. Click the Add New Profile button.
  3. Select your Device Type, Enter a Name and select a Country. Click Next.
  4. On the WLAN page click the Add button.
  5. Enter a Name and click Next.
  6. Uncheck Enabled and enter an SSID. Click Next until you are able to select Save.
  7. Check the WLAN you just created and click the right arrow button > and then click Next.
  8. On the Management page click the Add button.
  9. Enter a Name and click Next until you are able to select Save.
  10. Select the row you just created and click Next.
  11. Continue to click Next until you reach the User-defined Overrides page.
  12. In the text box past the legacy template you previously copied.
  13. Click Save.

Text entered in the User-Defined Overrides page uses the same format as Templates.  Replacement variables are supported in the same way: ${VARIABLE_NAME=optional default}.  Macros are also supported to automatically insert a device’s MAC Address or Serial Number using %{ESN} or %{MSN}.

  • MAC Address: %{ESN}
  • Serial Number:  %{MSN}

Text entered in the User-Defined Overrides page will be given preference over any configuration values selected in the Profile.  This is why if you are migrating a full configuration template no editing of default values is required.  If a partial configuration template was used you will need to enter configuration parameters missing from the template into the profile during creation.  Default values used in cnMaestro will match the default values used on the device during creation.

You will now be able to apply this Profile to devices.  When a Profile is applied it will be mapped to the device and cnMaestro will track when the device become out of sync with the Profile.  The Sync Configuration button at the top-right of the Profiles and Devices screens provides a centralized location for out of sync devices with a fast method for re-syncing them.

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