Replacing Switches Using the ZTR Feature

The Zero Touch Replacement (ZTR) feature enables you to replace switches without having to configure the new switch. When you replace a switch using this feature, the new switch assumes the identity (IP), image, and configuration of the old switch. You use the Network Provisioning screen to replace switches using the (ZTR) feature.
Pre-requisites: Before you can begin the process to replace a switch using ZTR, make you must complete the following steps:
  1. Make sure that the old switch is physically powered down and is not physically connected to the network.
  2. Physically connect the new switch to the network exactly as the old switch was connected.
  3. Power on the new switch.
  4. Make sure the new switch comes up using ZTP, and that it shows up in the undefined container as an available resource. The new switch must have a different IP address from the switch that is being replaced at this point in the process.
Note: Verify the new switch has a different IP address from the switch that is being replaced.

Complete these steps to replace a switch using ZTP:

  1. Go to the Network Provisioning screen.
  2. Right-click on the old switch, and select Replace. This initiates ZTR, and opens the Undefined Device screen.
    Figure 1. Selecting the switch to be replaced


  3. Select the new switch by checking the checkbox next to the Serial No. column, and then click Replace.
    Figure 2. Selecting the new device and replacing the old device


  4. In the Network Provisioning screen, click Save. A task icon T shows on the old switch, indicating that a task to replace it has been scheduled. Also, an R icon shows on the new switch, indicating that it is the replacement switch for a scheduled ZTR task.
    Figure 3. Topology view showing device with pending replace task


  5. Go to the Tasks screen.
  6. Select the task and click the play icon to execute the task.

    While the task is executing, you can open the logs for the task to view how ZTR manages the replacement. ZTR first pushes the old switches image and configuration to the new replacement switch, and then initiates the reboot.

    Figure 4. Task log showing processing of device replacement