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Cisco IoT Operations Dashboard

Onboarding a device

Onboarding varies if you are using new devices (greenfield) or re-purposing previously used devices (brownfield). The Device Readiness portion differs between the two types.

  • A greenfield device is defined as a device that has not been used.
  • A brownfield device is defined as a device that has been used or previously onboarded.

This is the process and workflow needed to onboard a device-–the end goal. The steps are broken into the following four units:

  • Step 1: Device readiness (follow new or existing devices)
  • Step 2: Customer site readiness
  • Step 3: Cloud infrastructure and Operations Dashboard readiness
  • Step 4: Device onboarding

Step 1A: Device readiness–new devices

  1. Plan to purchase devices supported by IoT OD. See Supported devices and firmware.
  2. Place order for bundle (new hardware + OD subscription) or for new hardware and for SaaS OD license later. Cisco recommends using bundles for operational efficiency. See How to order.
  3. After you receive device(s), cable the devices securely. Use the power cable and uplink connection cables.

Step 1B: Device readiness–existing devices

  1. Ensure your device is supported by IoT OD. See Supported devices and firmware.

  2. Cable the device securely. Use the power cable and uplink connection cables.

    Note the 11 character device serial number of your network device. Use the following command to show the PID and serial# for your device:

    #show license udi

    For example: FTX2000000N. This is used to add the device to IoT OD.

  3. Verify the device has the minimum software version. Update the device, if necessary.

  4. Wipe the device config using a factory reset procedure.

Step 2: Customer site readiness

Please verify the following:

  1. Have Windows 10 OS or later on your local computer if you plan to use the SEA Plus user application.
  2. For SEA Plus access, have both the SEA agent on a managed Cisco device and the SEA Plus application installed.
  3. If you have VPN clients installed on your computer, only use the SEA Plus App without any other VPN client in active mode.
  4. Make sure that your virus scanner (antivirus) doesn't block the SEA Plus application.
  5. Refer to Firewall Rules: Device and network requirements and verify you are using available IP addresses and network ports for your region (EU or US).

Step 3: Cloud infrastructure and Operations Dashboard readiness

Follow these steps to begin onboarding a new device into IoT OD.

  1. Create a Smart Account and Virtual Account. See Set up IoT Operations Dashboard (IoT OD).
  2. Create a unique Organization on OD with the PnP feature enabled. See Set up IoT Operations Dashboard (IoT OD).
  3. Link your Smart Account and Virtual Account to your organization on Operations Dashboard. See Link your Smart Account to your organization.
  4. Verify with a Cisco sales representative that all required features are active (within the purchased OD license).
  5. For the device(s), create a Group configuration in IoT OD. Use an available eCVD template and choose the required uplink.
  6. Apply the Group to a device or set of device(s). See Create Configuration Group.

Step 4: Device onboarding

Follow these steps to begin onboarding a new device into IoT OD.

  1. Power up the device. Avoid any local config changes on the device during onboarding.
  2. Verify on OD that the device onboarded and is in good health. See Modify the heartbeat and metric interval timings.
  3. In case of issues, use troubleshooting tools and consult documentation to troubleshoot. See Group Properties for the Configuration Group in Manage Configuration Group.
  4. For more assistance, use the GuideMe help tool in the UI. See "Device onboarding assistance."
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