Comparing modeled configurations

Use this procedure to compare and view the differences between modeled configurations on a device. The modeled configurations being compared can be any that exist in the Netcool Configuration Manager database, regardless of whether these configurations have been obtained from an actual network resource or simply entered by a user as a “draft” configuration.

Before you begin

Access rights
Your access rights are determined by group membership, and they dictate the commands for which you can view any differences.
For example, if you do not have view rights for 'ntp server', you would not see any differences for the ntp server command.
Juniper devices
The 'show diff' functionality is only available for Juniper devices that are using SmartModel drivers.

About this task

Generating a list of configuration differences allows you to quickly view any differences in command values between one modeled configuration (or a part of that modeled configuration) and another.

To compare and view the differences between modeled configurations, follow these steps.

Procedure

  1. Select the Resource Browser in the navigation tree.

    The Resource Browser displays.

  2. Search for the resources or configurations that you want to compare.
  3. Click to highlight the selected devices.
    Note: The Ctrl key may be used to select more than one device. Selected devices must have the same device model in order to compare.
  4. Right click and select Show Differences.
    Remember: The 'show diff' functionality is only available for Juniper devices that are using SmartModel drivers.
  5. If you chose one device, the Show Differences wizard displays the Select Master and Compared dialog.

    Select which device you want to consider the master and click Next. You can change your selections, and even choose different devices at this point. In addition, you must choose the same model devices for comparison. Deciding which device to use as the master is important if you decide to leave the Show All Differences check box unchecked. You can click the Switch icon to change your master and compared selections. Click Next to continue.

  6. If you chose multiple devices, the Show Differences wizard displays the Select View of Report dialog. If the support level of the device/configuration is SmartModel, there are options for a Modeled view and a Native View.

    To compare and view modeled device configurations:

    1. Select the Modeled View radio button. If you want to view all differences, check the Show All Differences check box.

      Information is displayed according to the following scenarios:

      Scenario Show All Differences radio button is selected Show All Differences radio button is unselected

      Command is in the Master config, but not in the Compared config.

      Command shown in report.

      Command shown in report.

      Command is in Compared config, but not in Master config.

      Command shown in report

      Command not shown in report.

      Command is in both configs.

      Command shown in report

      Command shown in report

    2. Click Finish.

      The Configuration Differences report begins executing immediately. When finished executing, the report displays in a new dialog box. The following table provides descriptions of the items that the Configuration Differences report displays:

      Report item Description

      File

      Select File > Close to exit the report.

      Edit

      Select to access options on finding information within the report.

      Tools

      From this option you can view the next or previous set of differences.

      Left Pane

      Displays each command found on the master configuration.

      Right Pane

      Displays each command that differed from the value found on the master configuration.