About Datasets

When you define configuration jobs, you can choose between two modes for preparing the job: GUI mode and dataset mode. GUI Mode is described in "About Configuration Jobs".
Dataset mode is explained in this chapter.

In dataset mode, you define the data required to configure devices in dataset files. Dataset files are text files in CSV format. Datasets are also used for the Discovery Trigger. See "About Assurance Sensor Discovery".

Dataset mode is a flexible and convenient way to define configuration jobs:

• A configuration job can consist of multiple configuration steps (tasks).
• You can set different parameter values for individual devices or for groups of devices.
• A particular configuration step can be applied to specified devices.

Three types of dataset file can be defined:

• ME Reference: This type of dataset file contains a list of the Managed Elements (ME) on which a configuration job will be executed. For more information about ME Reference datasets (including examples), see "About ME Reference Datasets (Device Datasets)".
• Configuration Step Dataset: This type of dataset file defines one or more configuration steps to be applied to the set of devices defined in an ME Reference dataset. A configuration step is a configuration task that can be performed on a device. Typically, the configuration tasks must be performed in a specific sequence and for that reason they are called configuration steps.
• Flow token data set: This dataset supplies the value for the parameters that were defined with flow tokens. It used to specify which Flow template configuration should be performed on which devices defined in an ME Reference dataset, based on Device token or Flow template configuration name. It is used for running a Configuration Flow Executor using data sets. See “Creating a Configuration Flow Executor using Data Sets” . For more information about Flow token data set (including examples), see "About Flow token data set"."

In addition to dataset files, you can define CLI set files that make it possible to execute CLI commands on devices by means of configuration jobs. For more information about CLI sets, see "About CLI Sets".