Initial Set-up

This page provides the initial setup steps for standalone CML installations. For a cluster installation, skip this page and use Clustering Initial Setup instead.

After you finish your installation, the first time you start your CML server, it will start the initial configuration wizard for the application. You will see this wizard in the console for your CML server. For a VM installation, open the VMware console for your CML VM. For a bare metal installation, connect to the server’s console or remote console app, like CIMC’s remote KVM. You must complete the initial configuration wizard to create the initial user accounts and specify networking details before you can start using Cisco Modeling Labs’ web UI.

Note

The configuration wizard will not continue if the required CPU extensions have not been enabled. You should also ensure that the refplat ISO file has been connected as a CD/DVD drive before you start the initial setup.

Procedure

Confirm that you are setting up a standalone CML server.

Depending on how many active network interfaces your CML server has, you will see one of two dialogues.

  • If your CML server has more than one active network interface, the dialog will ask you whether you are installing a CML cluster. Choose Standalone for a standalone CML server.

  • Otherwise, you will simply see a dialog that indicates that it is proceeding with a standalone deployment.

Create a system administrator account.

Define the username and password for the system administrator account for the CML server. We recommend using a complex password for better security. The system administrator cannot be used to log into CML’s HTML5 UI, but it has permissions to manage the CML server itself. You can use the system administrator account to log into the System Administration Cockpit, which runs on the CML server’s management IP address on port 9090.

Create an initial user account.

Define the username and password for the initial account for the CML application. We recommend using a complex password for better security. You can use this account to log into CML’s HTML5 UI or to authenticate with the web services API. The initial user will have application administrative access in the Dashboard but will not be able to make system changes with the System Administration Cockpit. The initial user account may also create labs and run simulations.

Provide network information.

Choose Static or DHCP (default) addressing and provide the requested network information. The CML server addressing may also be changed after deployment. See the Cisco Modeling Labs Administrator’s Guide for detailed instructions on configuring networking and the management IP address for your installation.

A confirmation dialog displays your settings. Verify the settings and press the Confirm button.

If any of the settings are incorrect, press the Back button to return to previous steps and make any required changes.

If you attached the refplat ISO to the CML server before you booted it up, the initial set-up will copy its contents to CML’s local drive.

The copy process takes about 10 minutes, assuming a fast connection to the refplat ISO file. After CML is done copying the last VM Image from the refplat ISO, wait a couple of minutes before pressing the Continue button.

If you forgot to attach the refplat ISO before starting the CML server, you may ignore the warning dialog and complete the installation process. Once the installation is complete, you can use Copy Refplat ISO to Disk to copy the VM images to your CML server.

When you are done, the CML server will reset and apply your new settings.

Wait for the CML server to reset.

The initial configuration wizard will exit and drop you back at the CML server’s Linux login prompt.

The CML server is now available. You can log into the UI by visiting the URL that is displayed in the virtual machine’s console with a supported web browser. To manage the CML server, log into the System Administration Cockpit with the system administrator account. If the UI is available at https://nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn, then the System Administration Cockpit should be available at https://nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn:9090.

Before you can start any network simulations, you must complete Product Configuration and apply a registration token to license your CML server.

If you are running a multi-user CML-Enterprise or CML-Education installation, you will also need to use your admin account to log into the CML UI and configure CML User Authentication. If you are using Local user authentication, you also need to create accounts for your users in the CML UI.

Attention

If you are running macOS Big Sur or later (macOS version 11+), you must also disable nested virtualization in your CML VM before you can start any network simulations. See Disabling Nested Virtualization.

Related Information