Managing EOS Extensions

The most simple and efficient way to make the most of the extensibility in EOS through the use of extensions. An extension provides a pre-packaged optional feature or a set of scripts in an RPM Package Manager (RPM) or Software image extension (SWIX) format. Arista provides a variety of extensions on the EOS Software Downloads page.

These sections describe basic EOS extension tasks:

Installing EOS Extensions

Complete the following steps to install an EOS extension.

  1. Download the desired extension and copy it onto the devices flash storage. 
    switch# dir 
Directory of flash:/  
-rwx 479183792 Jun 23 09:46 EOS-4.13.3F.swi  
-rwx 21280296 Feb 6 16:48 arista-splunk-extension.swix  
-rwx 27 Jun 23 10:08 boot-config  drwx 4096 Sep 26 2012 schedule  
-rwx 1481 Jun 27 05:54 startup-config

  2. Copy the file from the flash storage to the extensions partition. 
    switch# copy flash:arista-splunk-extension.swix extension: 
Copy completed successfully.

  3. Install the EOS extension. 
    switch# extension arista-splunk-extension.swix 
If this extension modifies the behavior of the Cli, any running Cli sessions will 
need to be reset in order for the Cli modifications to take effect.

  4. If you require extension persistence across rebooting the switch, copy the extension into the boot-extensions partition. 
    switch# copy installed-extensions boot-extensions

  5. Run the extension. As the CloudVision extension adds additional CLI commands to EOS, the CLI session must be restarted so that the additional commands become available. To achieve this, close the SSH or the Telnet session and open a new session.

Installing EOS Extensions on a Dual-Supervisor Switch

Automated SWIX Installation on Dual Supervisor Systems

This feature automates the end-to-end workflow for EOS extensions by copying the source file from a remote or local location, installing it into the switch extension partition, and ensures adding it to the boot-extensions list so it persists across reloads. On dual-supervisor systems, the switch handles peer synchronization internally, removing the need for session peer-supervisor manual intervention.

The command has the following syntax:

install extension source URL [ {force | signature-verification ignored | delay-restart-agents } ]
  • source URL - Specify a remote or local URL for an SWIX or RPM extension.
  • force - Override dependency checks.
  • signature-verification ignored - Ignores verification of an SWIX extension.
  • delay-restart-agents - Delays restarting agents in the SWIX.

Use the command only on the active supervisor switch. If used on a standby supervisor, the command exits with an error.

Complete the following to install the extension across the active and standby supervisors.

Copy the source file from a remote or local location, and install it into the extension partition on the active switch. Then, add it to the boot extensions list to persist the extensions across reloads.
switch(s1)# install extension source flash:/docker.x86_64.swix
Copying extension from flash:/docker.x86_64.swix to temporary file flash:/docker.x86_64.swix_tmpd4a3
Copy completed successfully.
Copying docker.x86_64.swix from active to standby supervisor
Copy completed successfully.
Copying docker.x86_64.swix to extensions on standby supervisor
Installing docker.x86_64.swix on standby supervisor
Adding to boot-extensions on standby supervisor
Removing temporary file on standby supervisor
Copying extension from temporary file to extension:/docker.x86_64.swix
Copy completed successfully.
Installing docker.x86_64.swix
Adding to boot extensions
Removing file at flash:/docker.x86_64.swix_tmpd4a3

Repeat the steps listed in the Verifying EOS Extensions Installation to verify the extension installation.

Exit the standby supervisor.

switch(s2)# exit 
Connection to 127.1.0.1 closed. 
switch(s1)#

Verifying EOS Extensions Installation

Complete the steps to verify that the EOS extensions installed correctly.

  1. Run the show extensions command to verify that the EOS extensions are available and installed correctly. 
    switch# show extensions 
Name Version/Release Status Extension 
------------------------------------------ -------------------------  
EosSdk-1.2.1-fl.boca-1943435.i686.rpm 1.2.1/1943435.flbocaeossd A, NI 1 
arista-splunk-extension.swix 0.95/1498976.2013ltdsplun A, I 2 
fping-2.4b2-10.fc12.i686.rpm 2.4b2/10.fc12 A, I 1 
gnuplot.swix 1.10.0/1.fc14 A, I 16 
splunkforwarder-5.0.9-213964.i386.rpm 5.0.9/213964 A, NI 1 

    A: available | NA: not available | I: installed | NI: not installed | F: forced

  2. Run the show boot-extensions command to verify that the EOS extensions are enabled for boot persistence. 
    switch# show boot-extensions 
arista-splunk-extension.swix 
fping-2.4b2-10.fc12.i686.rpm 
gnuplot.swix

Uninstalling an EOS Extension

Complete the following steps to uninstall an EOS extension.

  1. Uninstall the existing EOS extension using the no extension command. 
    switch# no extension fping-2.4b2-10.fc12.i686.rpm 
switch#show extensions 
Name                                       Version/Release              Status extension 
------------------------------------------ -------------------------    ---------- 
EosSdk-1.2.1-fl.boca-1943435.i686.rpm      1.2.1/1943435.flbocaeossd A,  NI 1 
arista-splunk-extension.swix               0.95/1498976.2013ltdsplun A,  I 2 
fping-2.4b2-10.fc12.i686.rpm               2.4b2/10.fc12 A,              NI 1 
gnuplot.swix                               1.10.0/1.fc14 A,              I 16 
splunkforwarder-5.0.9-213964.i386.rpm      5.0.9/213964 A,               NI 1

    A: available | NA: not available | I: installed | NI: not installed | F: forced

  2. Remove the extension from the boot-extension using the copy installed-extensions boot-extensions command. 
    switch# copy installed-extensions boot-extensions

    Note: If you have a Dual-Supervisor Switch, connect to the secondary supervisor using the session peer-supervisor command, repeat steps 1 and 2, and finally exit from the secondary supervisor.