About the Templates feature in Digi Remote Manager
A template is a reusable configuration that allows you to apply consistent settings and actions across multiple devices. Using the templates wizard, you can create and configure templates through a guided, step-by-step workflow that adapts based on the components you select, showing only the steps relevant to your setup. Templates can be used to:
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Update the firmware version of devices and any attached peripheral modems
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Update device settings or files
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Deploy containers
How templates work
Templates define both what changes are applied and how they are executed. You can configure:
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Whether the template governs all settings or only selected ones
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When and how often devices are scanned
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How actions are carried out
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Retry behavior if an update fails
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Additional execution parameters
You can also use a CSV file to override global template settings with device-specific values, enabling more granular control when needed.
What is the Templates wizard
The Templates wizard is a step-by-step workflow experience that guides you through the creation and configuration of a new template . You can define the template’s configuration from one of the following three sources:
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Import settings from a model device.
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Copy an existing template and then modify.
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Create a net new template with no device configuration.
The wizard then walks you through selecting components, configuring settings, and defining behavior such as compliance and scanning, so you can build a template tailored to your deployment needs.
When you should copy a template versus creating a new one
Copy a template when you want to reuse an existing configuration that is already close to your desired setup—such as when applying the same settings to additional devices or making minor changes like updating firmware or adjusting a few parameters. This approach saves time and helps maintain consistency.
Create a new template when your configuration needs are significantly different, when no existing template closely matches your requirements, or when you want full control over all settings from the start. This is also the better option when introducing new features, components, or configurations that are not present in existing templates.
Benefits of using templates
Templates enable you to efficiently manage large numbers of devices by:
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Applying consistent configurations across your fleet
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Reducing manual effort and setup time
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Minimizing the risk of human error
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Streamlining firmware updates and configuration changes
Use cases
Templates are particularly useful for:
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Managing large device fleets
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Performing bulk firmware updates
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Standardizing device configurations
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Enforcing organizational or regulatory compliance
Best practices
Digi recommends using templates for:
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Firmware updates
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Network, firewall, and routing configuration changes
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General device configuration management
Using templates ensures devices remain aligned with defined standards and simplifies ongoing device management.
In simple terms
A template is like a blueprint you can apply to many devices at the same time. Instead of configuring each device individually, you define the setup once and apply it everywhere, saving time and ensuring consistency.
Yes, you can enable more than one template for a group that contains more than one device type. See How templates and groups work together for more information.
To use the template feature in Digi Remote Manager, you will need the following:
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Digi Remote Manager and a user account.
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Device(s) powered up and connected to the internet.
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A group that contains the device(s) you want to configure.
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A template that is targeted for the device type and group you want to configure, whether you created it new or copied the configuration from a different template to a new one.
Devices will be scanned and updated with the configuration set in the template.
How you create a template depends on what you are trying to do. You can:
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Create a new template.
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Copy the configuration from a device or from another template to a new template.
You can quickly and efficiently update many devices at the same time, ensuring they all use the same configuration. Templates are particularly useful when managing large fleets of devices, as they save time and reduce the risk of human error during initial setup, firmware updates, or any other configuration changes. They can also help maintain compliance with organizational policies or industry regulations by ensuring that all devices adhere to the same standards.
You may want or need to use the template feature when you want to configure multiple devices at the same time, update the DAL OS firmware on many devices, frequently configure devices, track configuration history for auditing purposes, or ensure that your devices adhere to required standards and policies.
A managed setting is is any global or device-specific parameter that is part of the device configuration governed by a template.
An unmanaged setting is is any parameter that is part of the device configuration not governed by a template.
A device-specific setting is a local parameter that overrides a global parameter on one or multiple devices
Zero-touch configuration refers to the method of automating the setup and deployment of devices, particularly in networking and IoT environments. It enables you to configure and provision devices without the need for manual intervention. How? The Templates feature in Digi Remote Manager.
You cannot change the firmware version in an already-existing template. You have to create a new template or copy the configuration from the current template to a new one and then select the firmware version to which you want to update your devices. If you have a fleet of devices and are looking to update them at the same time, see Best practice | Update the firmware on multiple routers using a template.
Yes. Devices are scanned and/or remediated automatically in certain circumstances: when they connect to Digi Remote Manager for the first time and belong to a group controlled by a template OR when the device is moved to a group that is controlled by a template.
Digi does not recommend using Excel when editing the data in a CSV file. It can cause unexpected errors to occur when you upload the file to the template. We recommend you use other spreadsheet software to edit the CSV file.