As technology evolves, so must our clients’ network infrastructure. Recently, we embarked on a journey to migrate our customer’s PPPoE and PPPoE over L2TP clients from the aging SmartEdge 600 to the virtual Broadband Network Gateway (vBNG) from NetElastic.
Understanding the Need for Migration
Our client’s existing SmartEdge 600 was reaching its limits in terms of scalability and performance. They needed a solution that could handle increased demand while offering modern features and flexibility. NetElastic vBNG emerged as the ideal choice.
Preparing for the Migration
1. Network Assessment
The first step was conducting a thorough assessment of the client’s network:
– Inventory: We meticulously documented all configurations, including PPPoE sessions and L2TP tunnels.
– Performance Analysis: Identifying bottlenecks was crucial for a smooth transition.
2. Resource Planning
We ensured that the client’s infrastructure was ready:
– Hardware Requirements: Adequate CPU, memory, and storage were essential for vBNG deployment.
– Software Compatibility: Compatibility checks guaranteed seamless integration with existing protocols.
The Migration Process
To prepare for the migration, we started with configuration export and translation to the new vendor. We exported the configurations from SmartEdge 600 and translated them to fit the NetElastic vBNG format, focusing on session parameters and authentication methods.
Next step was to set up vBNG, that involved the deployment, installation of vBNG software on the client’s virtual infrastructure. Afterwards we moved to configuration of initial parameters, such as IP addressing and VLANs.
Here are some of the critical configurations used for vBNG deployment:
Customer Access Interfaces
Routing for L2TP
Radius Configuration
PPPoE and L2TP Templates
Domains Configuration
L2TP-lns configuration
Authenticating PPPoE and L2TP Customers
After migration, the authenticated PPPoE/L2TP customers appeared as follows:
vBNG# show smgr-session all
SESSION AUTH AUTH IPV6 TUNNEL DOMAIN
USER TYPE ID MAC ADDRESS TYPE STATUS IPV4 ADDRESS ADDRESS SESSION USER NAME NAME CIRCUIT VLAN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pppoe 76 d0:04:92:xx:xx:xx radius accept 89.X.X.X - - user1 pppoe 10gei-1/1/0.930 930
l2tp-lns - 00:00:00:00:00:00 radius accept 77.X.X.X - 10966/1 user2 l2tp 10gei-1/1/1.2134 2134Testing the Waters
Before full migration, we created a test environment to simulate PPPoE and L2TP sessions, ensuring configurations were correct and performance was optimal.
We transitioned clients gradually, starting with low-priority users. Special attention was given to customers with private VRFs, which were migrated seamlessly.
After the migration, we conducted comprehensive testing to ensure stability and performance. A security audit confirmed that all policies were enforced correctly.
Finally, we updated all documentation and trained our client’s network operations team to manage the new vBNG platform effectively.
Conclusion
Migrating to NetElastic’s vBNG has empowered our client with enhanced performance and scalability. By following a structured approach, we ensured a smooth transition with minimal downtime, setting the stage for future growth. This journey was a testament to careful planning and execution, paving the way for a more robust and efficient network infrastructure.