VMware - 1 CPU Deployment and Setup for Non-NFV TWAMP Deployment Types

This section explains how to install the Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance Sensor Control on a VMware ESXi Hypervisor so that you can complete the following tasks:

• Launch a Sensor Control instance on the appliance or server running the Hypervisor
• Configure access to the Sensor Control instance for management
• Discover the reachable Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance Sensor Modules deployed in the network using the discovery instances supported by the controller via one of the network access ports
• Authorize the reachable Sensor Modules that are linked to the Sensor Control instance
• Use the Sensor Control to configure the Sensor Modules or Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance Sensor SFP as remote devices in the controller
• Monitor the traffic and activity on the linked Sensor Modules to ensure connectivity with them is maintained and that network traffic is going through them
• Activate or configure features supported by the Sensor Control release

Once you connect the Sensor Control to Sensor Modules, you can leverage NFV-based vCPE features to conduct a variety of tests described in the Sensor Control User Manual.

Preparing the NFV Infrastructure Environment

The NFV Infrastructure (NFVI) environment must be prepared prior to installing the controller virtual appliance.

The procedure below describes the installation of VMware ESXi 6.5 to run the Sensor Control instance.

To prepare the NFVI environment

1. Power up the server and enter the BIOS settings; ensure that all the virtualization options are enabled and the server power management profile is set to maximum performance.

2. Boot from an external CD or USB storage medium with the appropriate installer for VMware ESXi. Keep in mind that some server hardware may require a custom VMware installer to support specific hardware (such as RAID controllers), check with your server manufacturer in case of doubts.

3. Complete the VMware ESXi installation per the given instructions.

4. Use the vSphere web client to manage the VMware ESXi server.

Provisioning the Sensor Control using ESXi 6.5+

Use the vSphere client to load the Accedian provided *.ova file and start the Sensor Control virtual machine instance.

To install the module on the server

1. Launch the vSphere web interface.

2. Click the Host ▶ Create/Register VM button and follow the on-screen instructions.

• Choose the Deploy a virtual machine from an OVF or OVA File option.

• Enter the name of your choice.

• Drag & drop the file from your PC onto the designated area or click & navigate to the *.ova file, then select it.

• Set to Thin mode.
  

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  CAUTION: Do not accept the default setting Thick. Ensure that the virtual machine is deployed using Thin mode to limit the storage to the configured size.

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• Click Finish when done.

3. The system will inform you when the installation has completed. The installed Virtual Appliance will appear in the inventory on the left side of the page (the list panel).
   

4. Click the Sensor Control virtual machine instance, ensure the VM is currently shutdown, then choose Edit from the toolbar.
   

5. Review the Memory, CPU, and Network parameters. Adjust to your use case if required.
   For standard module management the default values can be kept as-is.
   For Direct PM Actuation with i350, SR-IOV, and Reduced NFV PM Footprint deployment types, the following parameter configuration is required:

   1. In the Virtual Hardware tab, set the following parameters:

      • CPU: 1
      • RAM: 4 GB
      • Reserve all guest memory: Selected
      • Scheduling Affinity: Select the CPU core to dedicate to the Sensor Control (Value shown here for demonstration purposes).

        Pick a CPU index appropriate for your own deployment. Review and adjust the Memory, CPU and Network parameters for your use-case.

   2. Save & Close the Property windows and return to the instance main screen.

6. (Direct PM Actuation with i350 and Reduced NFV PM Footprint only) On top of the above configuration, for locally-generated PM using Intel I350 chipset hardware timestamping assist, a dedicated network port access needs to be assigned to the Sensor Control virtual machine (PCI-pass through, or direct PCI access).
   To assign a dedicated network port access:

   1. Under the Host, click the Manage menu entry.
   2. In the Hardware tab, select the I350 networks ports you want to enable for pass through and click the Toggle pass-through button. Note that some multi-port network adapter cards do not allow passing through single ports. In this case, you need to enable two or more ports to pass through. .
   3. Restart the VMware Hypervisor to activate the pass-through mechanism.
   4. After the restart, the selected ports are available for assigning to Sensor Control Virtual Machines.
   5. Stop the Sensor Control Virtual Machine that should make use of direct PCI network access.
   6. Navigate to the the Sensor Control virtual machine instance, then select Edit.
   7. In the Virtual Hardware tab, click the Add other device button.
   8. Select PCI device from the list..
   9. Select the port that should be passed through to this virtual machine from the drop-down selector..
   10. Repeat these operations if you need more than one PCI device pass-through.
   11. Click Save.
       The new device(s) can be now seen in the Hardware configuration. .

7. Power On from the toolbar.
   A green triangle is superimposed on the Sensor Control icon to indicate it has been powered on.

8. To open the console to the Sensor Control, select the desired instance and click the Console button.

Login to the Sensor Control virtual machine

To Log in to the Sensor Control virtual machine

1. Log in to the module when prompted.
   The name of the console (displayed in the menu bar of the window) is the same as the VM in the inventory.

2. A default IP address has been assigned to the application’s Management interface. You can use the CLI to assign a different static IP address to the application if needed by entering the following commands:
   login: admin
   password: admin
   interface edit Management dhcp disable
   interface edit Management address < ip address > netmask < netmask > gateway < gateway ip >
   interface show
   

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   Note: Alternatively, you can use the CIDR notation to specify the netmask:

   interface edit Management address < ip address >/< CIDR Mask > gateway < gateway ip >

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• The default username is admin and the password is admin.
• The default IP address is 192.168.1.254.

3. If your Sensor Control virtual machine configuration connects the first virtual port to a VM Network that connects to a valid server NIC, you can access the instance by entering the IP address you assigned into your Web browser address bar.

4. Log in to the Sensor Control’s Management Web interface when the Sensor Control page appears. The default username is admin and the password is admin.

5. Access the System tab for all standard management settings including:

• SNMP trap forwarding
• Remote syslog
• Date and time