Copy a template

There are two options available when you want to copy a device configuration to a new template: The option you choose depends on where the configuration is coming from: a model device or another template.

Option 1: Create a new template. Use this option if you have never utilized the template feature before - in other words, you do not have any templates - OR you do not have a template with a device configuration you want to use as a baseline for a new template.

Option 2: Use this option when you have a template with a device configuration you want to use, but you need to update the firmware on your devices. You may not need or want to change the settings and/or files, though you may need to as these can vary by firmware version. If you are updating your firmware, make sure review Best practice | Update the firmware on multiple routers using a template

  1. Configure a model device (the device with the settings you plan to copy) with the firmware and/or settings you want to copy to the template, if you do not already have one ready.

  2. Make sure the device is functioning correctly. Troubleshoot any issues before proceeding.

  3. Create a new group, if needed, and add a devices(s) to the group.

  4. Click Devices, and then in the device list, select the checkbox for the device that has the configuration you want to copy.

  5. Click Actions Create Template from Device Configuration.

    The wizard opens.

  6. Complete the mandatory and/or optional settings for each step. The following table highlights information you may want to know about some of the settings as you move through the steps in the wizard.

    Details

    Create New Template

    1. Complete the Details card.

    2. Complete the Device Type & Firmware card.

      The Device Type is the product model of your devices (for example, EX15 or XBee Gateway).

      For Firmware Version, you have two options:

      • Select the firmware version already on your devices, which means the template will not update the firmware for the group(s) of devices it controls.

      • Select a new firmware version, which means the template will update the firmware for the group(s) of devices it controls.

        Note Watch for firmware-specific caution statements. When selecting the firmware version in a template, firmware-specific caution statements may appear based on the version chosen. These messages provide important information such as known limitations, compatibility considerations, step updates, or other impacts. Review all caution statements carefully before proceeding, as they may affect device behavior, deployment success, or overall system stability.

        Tip Step-firmware update may be needed. Do you want to use a template to update your devices to a new configuration, but you've been cautioned about a step-firmware update that must be done first? If so, you can use an automation to update all the devices in the group to the required step-firmware version, and then use the new template to update them to the newer configuration. You can also configure this automation to run before the template performs it scan. You can set up this automation in the Automation step.

    Components

    Template Components

    1. Enable Settings if you want the template to enforce a device configuration for the group(s) of devices it controls.

      1. For Model Device, choose the device you updated.

    2. Enable File System if you want the template to manage the files for the group(s) of devices it controls.

    Cellular Modem Firmware

     

    Select a Model Device - Choose the device that you updated.

    Groups - Only device(s) in the group(s) you select will be updated by this new template. As you add devices to the group associated with the new template, they are automatically scanned and/or remediated.

    Note You will not see this step if you do not have a modem in or attached to your devices, your modems do not support being updated via templates, or you are running 24.9 or older firmware.

    Specify whether you want to update the firmware on the peripheral modems attached to your devices.

    Settings

    Configuring Settings - Choose whether you want to import all, some, or none of the settings from a device, or skip this step.

    • If you skip this step, none of the settings are imported to the new template.

    • If you want to import the settings with no changes, then make sure the Initially make all settings managed checkbox is turned on, then click the Import from button.

    • If you want to import the settings , but make some changes to those settings, then make sure the Initially make all settings managed checkbox is turned off, then click the Import from button. You will be able to change the settings before proceeding.

    After the settings are imported, you can also use a CSV file to specify site-specific settings.

    Containers

    Note If you do not have this feature, you will not see this step.

    Specify the container(s) you want to add to the template or continue to the next step.

    File System

    Upload and organize the files required for your device. Make any changes, or continue to the next step.

    Actions

    Specify how often your devices are scanned, and the actions that should occur.

    Enable Scanning - Turn on if you want the template to be active.

    Remediate - Turn on so that when a device is scanned and its settings and files are not in compliance with the configuration specified in the template, the device is automatically scanned and updated. If the Remediation setting is not enabled, the device is scanned, but not updated. This allows you to review the change(s) that would be made before turning on remediation.

  7. Click Save.

    The configuration is saved to a new template and you can see the new template in the Templates list.

  1. Click Templates, and then in the template list, select the checkbox for the template that has the configuration you want to copy.

  2. Click Actions Copy and Update.

    The wizard opens.

  3. Complete the mandatory and/or optional settings for each step. The following table highlights information you may want to know about some of the settings as you move through the steps in the wizard.

    Details

    Name - Specify the name of the template

    Tip Consider adding the device type and group in the template name for quicker identification.

    Groups - Only devices in the group(s) you select will be updated by this new template. As you add devices to the group associated with the new template, they are automatically scanned and/or remediated.

    Note If you use the same group as the template from which you are copying, the initial template needs to be disabled before enabling the new one.

    Firmware Version - Choose the new firmware version to which you would like to update.

    Tip Tip Do you want to use a template to update your devices to a new configuration, but you've been warned about a step-firmware updates that must be done first? If so, you can use an automation to update all the devices in the group to the required step-firmware version, and then use the new template to update them to the newer configuration. You can also configure this automation to run before the template performs it scan. You can set up this automation in the Automation step.

    Cellular Modem Firmware

    Note You will not see this step if you do not have a modem in or attached to your devices, your modems do not support being updated via templates, or you are running DAL OS 24.9 or older firmware.

    Specify whether you want to update the firmware for cellular modem(s). If you have devices that use different cellular modems, you can select a different firmware bundle for each type.

    Settings

    Configuring Settings - Settings - global and local - are automatically imported from the old template to the new one. As a result of choosing a new firmware version, settings may have changed.

    What's Changed - If there are changes between firmware versions (modified, new, or removed settings), you will see them listed. This does not appear if there are no changes to the settings between the firmware versions. Review the list and make any necessary changes. Click Accept Changes to proceed.

    Managed Template Settings - Edit the settings you want managed by the template. You can also use a CSV file to specify site-specific settings.

    Containers

    Note Note If you do not have this feature, you will not see this step.

    Specify the container(s) you want to add to the template or continue to the next step.

    File System

    Review the files copied to the new template. Make any changes, or continue to the next step.

    Actions

    Specify how often your devices are scanned, and the actions that should occur.

    Remediate - Enabling this setting in the template means that when a device is scanned and its settings and files are not in compliance with the configuration specified in the template, the device is automatically scanned and updated. If the Remediation setting is not enabled, the device is scanned, but not updated.

  4. Click Save.

    The configuration is saved to a new template and you can see the new template in the Templates list.

Tip Do you have a template that is superseded by the new template you just created? It is up to you how you want to manage your templates. You may want to keep them as a visual history of changes made or delete them to keep your template list current. The choice is up to you! If you keep old templates, make sure to disable them.