Clearing host configuration to make a clone template

Bonders can be be built from the hard disk template image of a default bonder. However, if a bonder is cloned by simply copying the hard disk from one device to another, the cloned device will be configured incorrectly. For example, it will share SSH host keys and log file contents with the original node.

Warning

The template image must be taken from a default bonder. Using a bonder that has been configured with a node key can cause serious issues that are complicated to fix.

To avoid these configuration issues, follow these steps to create a template image:

  1. Image a new bonder with the default configuration. See Node installation methods and Initial Bonding configuration. Use the same hardware you plan to use for the clones—for example, if you plan to clone to Lanner FW-7535s, use a Lanner FW-7535 for the template image. If you clone to multiple hardware models, you should create multiple image templates.
  2. Reboot the bonder.
  3. Start a shell via the troubleshooting IP, serial port, or keyboard/monitor. See Accessing a node.
  4. Stop bonding with: service bonding stop
  5. Run this command: bonding-sysprep
  6. Confirm your action by typing Y, then pressing <enter>.
  7. Run the following command to ensure the root Bash history file will not be written when you log out: unset HISTFILE
  8. Turn off the host by running: halt

Warning

If you restart the bonder before making the template image file, you must complete these steps again before shutting it down. A bonder that has been started after running bonding-sysprep is not suitable to be used as a template, because it will have configured a number of services when it started.

You can now use the host as a template to clone new bonders. The cloned bonders will include any custom hooks or other special configuration applied to the template host. Since each partner has unique provisioning requirements, we do not provide specific instructions on creating template image files.

Note

Remember to update your templates when a new version of SD-WAN is released so that cloned bonders are not already out-of-date when they are imaged.