Configuring Feature Templates for vSmart

In a Cisco SD-WAN deployment, templates play a crucial role in centralizing device configuration and management. Feature templates, specifically, enable administrators to define reusable configurations for devices like vSmart, vEdge, and cEdge routers. Among these, the vSmart controller is a vital component of the control plane, responsible for orchestrating route exchange, enforcing policies, and ensuring that the overlay network functions smoothly. By configuring feature templates for vSmart, you can streamline provisioning, reduce configuration errors, and ensure consistency across deployments.

This guide focuses on how to configure feature templates for vSmart, with a particular emphasis on system settings, VPN0 (transport), VPN512 (management), and their associated interface templates. The instructions align with real-world network operations and will help anyone interested in gaining practical SD-WAN experience.

Role of vSmart in Cisco SD-WAN Architecture

The vSmart controller acts as the policy engine in the Cisco SD-WAN solution. It facilitates the secure exchange of route information between vEdge devices and enforces data and control policies. All overlay routing decisions and policy distribution flow through this centralized entity. Therefore, it is essential to configure vSmart correctly from the beginning to ensure proper functionality across the SD-WAN fabric.

The use of feature templates simplifies this process by abstracting individual settings into modular components. These templates can be reused across multiple vSmart instances or other devices, significantly enhancing scalability and manageability.

Creating the System Template for vSmart

The system template includes basic but critical parameters such as the system IP, site ID, hostname, and timezone. These are foundational settings that must be defined before any service-related configuration can take place.

To create the system template:

Navigate to the feature templates section within the SD-WAN manager interface. Choose to add a new template for vSmart and select the system template type.

Assign the following parameters:

Template Name: vSmart-System
Description: vSmart-System-Description
Site ID: Device Specific
System IP: Device Specific
Hostname: Device Specific
Timezone: Default

By marking fields like site ID and system IP as device-specific, you allow for dynamic population of these values during deployment, offering flexibility across different locations and roles.

Saving this template stores the system configuration in the vManage repository, making it available for attachment to any vSmart device you plan to onboard.

Building the VPN0 Template for Transport Network

VPN0 is reserved for transport interfaces in the Cisco SD-WAN architecture. It handles communication with the underlay network, enabling connections to the internet, MPLS, or any other transport medium.

To create the VPN0 template:

Access the feature templates interface and select the VPN template under the vSmart device type.

Configure the following parameters:

Template Name: vSmart-VPN-VPN0
Description: vSmart-VPN-VPN0-Description
VPN: Global value VPN0
Name: Transport VPN IPv4 Route
Add a new IPv4 route to allow internet-bound traffic:

Prefix: 0.0.0.0/0 (this represents a default route)
Next Hop: 200.1.1.1 (adjust according to your lab or production environment)

Once configured, this route directs all unmatched outbound traffic to the specified next hop, enabling internet access or WAN connectivity. This setting is essential for establishing reachability to remote sites through overlay tunnels.

Defining the VPN Interface for VPN0

The interface template for VPN0 ties the logical VPN settings to a physical interface on the vSmart device. This step connects the controller to the transport network and enables tunnel configuration.

To define this interface template:

Go to the feature templates section and select the VPN Interface Ethernet option under vSmart.

Enter the required details:

Template Name: vSmart-VPNINT-VPN0-E1
Description: vSmart-VPNINT-VPN0-E1-Description
Interface Name: Eth1
Shutdown: No (ensures the interface is active)
IPv4 Address: Static, Device Specific

Next, enable tunnel functionality to allow secure communications over the transport:

Tunnel Interface: On
Color: Default (or any other color like public-internet, mpls, lte as per topology)
Allow Service: Enable All, NETCONF, SSH

These service options ensure that remote management and communication are possible through this interface. It’s important for NETCONF to be active, as it is required for template-based management through vManage.

Saving this interface template completes the VPN0 transport configuration for vSmart. It is now capable of establishing control plane tunnels to peer devices, like vBond and vEdge routers.

Creating the VPN512 Template for Management Network

VPN512 is designated for out-of-band management in SD-WAN setups. This VPN is used solely for administrative access and does not handle user or application traffic. Separating management traffic from data traffic provides enhanced security and operational stability.

To create the VPN512 template:

Return to the feature template section and select the VPN template for vSmart.

Configure the following values:

Template Name: vSmart-VPN-VPN512
Description: vSmart-VPN-VPN512-Description
VPN: Global value VPN512
Name: MGMT VPN

This template establishes a logical container for all management-related settings. Though it doesn’t define an interface yet, it sets the groundwork for administrative access configuration, such as SSH, logging, and out-of-band communication with vManage or external tools.

Saving this template ensures a clean segregation of management functionality within your vSmart setup.

Assigning the Interface Template for VPN512

The final step is binding a physical interface to VPN512 using a dedicated interface template. This enables the vSmart controller to interact with the management network, allowing access for monitoring and configuration changes.

To define the interface:

Choose to create a new VPN Interface Ethernet template under the vSmart category.

Configure the settings as follows:

Template Name: vSmart-VPNINT-VPN512-E0
Description: vSmart-VPNINT-VPN512-E0-Description
Interface Name: Eth0
Shutdown: No
IPv4 Address: Static, Device Specific

This interface should connect to a secure segment of the network that is isolated from user traffic. It is typically used by administrators or automation platforms for out-of-band access to the controller.

Once saved, this template ensures that the vSmart controller has a management path distinct from its control and data plane traffic. This architecture aligns with best practices for segmentation and operational control.

Benefits of Using Feature Templates in SD-WAN

Implementing feature templates offers a number of benefits in SD-WAN environments. These include:

Consistency: By reusing templates, you maintain uniform configurations across devices.
Scalability: Easily extend the same configurations to new devices without starting from scratch.
Flexibility: Use device-specific variables for values like IP addresses and hostnames.
Centralized Management: Modify configurations in one place and push updates to multiple devices.
Reduced Errors: Templates reduce manual input, minimizing the risk of configuration errors.

In environments where multiple devices need similar configurations, templates act as standardized building blocks that simplify both initial deployment and future management.

Common Troubleshooting Tips

When working with feature templates, certain challenges may arise. Here are a few tips to address common issues:

Ensure all required fields are populated, especially when using device-specific values. Missing information can prevent template activation.
Validate IP address formats and subnet masks to avoid routing conflicts.
Use descriptive names and labels for each template to ease troubleshooting and documentation.
Confirm that necessary services, like SSH and NETCONF, are enabled on appropriate interfaces.
Always test configurations in a lab environment before pushing them into production.

Proper validation and testing help prevent disruptions and ensure smooth deployment of templates across your SD-WAN network.

Summary of Configuration Steps

To recap, the configuration of feature templates for vSmart includes:

Creating a system template to define the identity and basic attributes of vSmart.
Setting up VPN0 to handle transport network connectivity and route default traffic.
Binding VPN0 to interface Eth1 and enabling tunnel services for overlay communication.
Establishing VPN512 for secure administrative access via a management network.
Assigning interface Eth0 to VPN512 for out-of-band management connectivity.

These modular templates come together to provide a structured, scalable configuration for the vSmart controller, ensuring it functions effectively within the SD-WAN overlay.

Practical Relevance and Real-World Usage

In a real-world scenario, enterprise networks often span multiple sites, and consistent configuration becomes a key operational goal. Feature templates not only simplify the onboarding process of controllers and routers but also make it easier to update policies and routing strategies in bulk.

Network administrators can design a base set of templates and assign device-specific values for each deployment, reducing the time and effort required for provisioning. Whether you’re deploying ten or a thousand devices, the principle remains the same—templates are your best ally for structured, error-free configuration.

Advanced Feature Template Configuration for vSmart

After establishing the foundational feature templates for vSmart, including the system, VPN0 (transport), and VPN512 (management) configurations, the next phase focuses on refining and enhancing the setup to ensure greater control, security, and service availability across the SD-WAN fabric. This part continues the configuration journey by detailing how to integrate additional capabilities into vSmart’s template structure, including tunnel-specific options, service allowances, interface behaviors, and policy support.

The objective is to build upon the base configuration by introducing more detailed interface attributes, improving manageability, and enabling features critical for production-grade SD-WAN networks. These steps are essential for teams aiming to deploy scalable, reliable, and secure enterprise-grade WAN environments.

Enhancing Tunnel Interface Attributes for VPN0

Tunnel interfaces are the backbone of SD-WAN communication, allowing overlay networks to function over multiple types of transport such as MPLS, broadband internet, or LTE. Enhancing tunnel configuration within the VPN0 interface improves performance, security, and service reachability.

To update the tunnel section of the VPN0 interface (Eth1), revisit the Ethernet interface template created previously.

Update or verify the following attributes:

Tunnel Interface: Enabled (this must be marked as “On” to establish overlay tunnels)
Color: Select based on your transport medium. Common options include:
- public-internet
- mpls
- metro-ethernet
- biz-internet
- lte
Allow Service Options:
- All: Enabled
- NETCONF: Enabled
- SSH: Enabled

These service options enable the device to communicate with SD-WAN controllers, support secure remote access, and perform automated configuration tasks.

Optionally, advanced options like Hello Interval, Hold Timer, ICMP Probe, and BFD settings can be added for finer control over tunnel behavior. These parameters optimize how vSmart detects link failures and path availability.

Defining Tunnel Color and Its Strategic Importance

The “Color” attribute defines the logical designation of a WAN transport. It doesn’t refer to the actual color but rather categorizes the type of link used by the SD-WAN device. Assigning different colors to each transport allows vSmart to apply policies and route traffic intelligently across multiple links.

For example:

Assigning mpls to a private WAN circuit allows business-critical applications to prioritize latency-sensitive routes.
Assigning public-internet to broadband can be used for less sensitive applications or backup paths.

In multi-transport environments, setting the tunnel color appropriately ensures that traffic is handled according to business policy.

Customizing Interface Behavior for High Availability

High availability in SD-WAN is often achieved by leveraging multiple tunnels over various transports. To support failover and load balancing, ensure that:

Each transport link has its own interface and corresponding template.
Each tunnel interface includes a unique color.
Redundancy groups or tracking mechanisms are configured if supported.

You can also enable additional features like:

IP SLA-based tracking to switch tunnels based on reachability
DNS-based path selection for domain-specific routing

This modular template approach allows each WAN interface to act independently while being centrally managed by vSmart policies.

Refining the Management VPN Interface on VPN512

The VPN512 interface (Eth0) can also benefit from enhancements. Although primarily used for management access, additional attributes help improve security and accessibility.

Review and optionally add:

DNS settings if the vSmart will resolve names for external services.
Static routes if access to vManage or other controllers is routed indirectly.
Administrative services like:
- HTTP/HTTPS (for GUI access)
- SNMP (for monitoring and alerts)
- Syslog (for centralized logging)

These adjustments allow the vSmart controller to integrate more closely with enterprise management systems.

Also, consider enabling:

NTP client: Ensures that logs, alerts, and control-plane synchronization operate with accurate timestamps.
Logging options: Helps troubleshoot issues with clear system messages.

Template Variables and Device-Specific Entries

In earlier configurations, fields like IP address, hostname, and system IP were marked as “Device Specific.” This flexibility allows one template to be used across multiple devices, minimizing redundancy.

When deploying a vSmart using these templates, you’ll be prompted to input the specific values. This approach enhances operational efficiency by enabling:

Centralized template design
Decentralized variable assignment
Rapid device provisioning

This method is especially useful in large-scale environments, where dozens or hundreds of controllers and routers must be configured with similar logic but unique addressing schemes.

Attaching Templates to vSmart Device

Once all feature templates are defined, the next step is to group them into a Device Template and apply them to the actual vSmart controller instance.

Follow these steps:

Navigate to the Device Templates section.
Create a new Device Template for vSmart.
Add the following Feature Templates:
- System Template (vSmart-System)
- VPN Template for VPN0 (vSmart-VPN-VPN0)
- Interface Template for VPN0 (vSmart-VPNINT-VPN0-E1)
- VPN Template for VPN512 (vSmart-VPN-VPN512)
- Interface Template for VPN512 (vSmart-VPNINT-VPN512-E0)
Review the template group and save.

When attaching the device template to a vSmart controller, you’ll be asked to provide all device-specific values such as system IP, site ID, hostname, and interface IPs. These are filled out either manually or by uploading a CSV file with all the required values.

Once submitted, vManage pushes the configurations to the vSmart controller via NETCONF, and the device becomes fully operational within the SD-WAN fabric.

Monitoring the Template Push and Validation

After pushing the templates to vSmart, monitoring the deployment status is critical. vManage provides a status panel where you can check:

Configuration push success or failure
Real-time operational status
Tunnel up/down indicators
Route advertisements
Control connection status with vBond and vEdge routers

If an error occurs, logs and alerts will guide you to the root cause. Common issues include:

Mismatched IP configurations
Missing device-specific values
Disabled interfaces
Service or tunnel misconfigurations

Using vManage’s monitoring tools, these issues can be identified and resolved quickly, ensuring minimal disruption during rollout.

Advantages of Modular Template Design

Breaking down the configuration into modular feature templates introduces numerous benefits:

Easier management and editing of individual features
Reusability across multiple device types and roles
Simpler troubleshooting by isolating functionality
Scalability for large enterprises or service provider deployments

Instead of creating separate device configurations for every router or controller, you maintain a library of reusable templates that can be mixed and matched as needed. This saves time and reduces error rates, especially when deploying updates or patches across the network.

Template Best Practices

To maintain a high-quality SD-WAN deployment using templates, consider the following best practices:

Use naming conventions that are descriptive and consistent (e.g., vSmart-VPNINT-VPN0-E1).
Always include a detailed description field for clarity.
Keep templates focused on specific tasks. Avoid combining unrelated settings.
Test changes in a lab environment before applying to production.
Document each template’s purpose, usage, and any device-specific dependencies.
Periodically review templates to retire outdated configurations and refine logic.

This level of discipline in template design ensures long-term maintainability and supports compliance audits, performance reviews, and rapid onboarding.

Security Considerations in Feature Templates

Templates can enforce a baseline security posture across all devices. Some ways to integrate security into your vSmart feature templates include:

Enabling only necessary services on tunnel interfaces
Restricting management access to known IP ranges
Defining encryption protocols and authentication methods
Using firewall or access control templates alongside VPN configurations
Applying data policies via vSmart to control application behavior
Though the current focus is on connectivity and system setup, security templates should be part of the long-term strategy to protect the SD-WAN fabric.

Integrating Templates with Policy Frameworks

Beyond basic configuration, vSmart is also responsible for policy enforcement. While not covered in this exact stage, the templates you define now directly affect what policies can be applied later. For example:

VPNs must be defined correctly before applying traffic engineering or segmentation policies.
Tunnel interfaces must be functional to support control and data policy propagation.
Services like SSH or NETCONF must be available to allow for configuration updates and monitoring.

By ensuring your foundational templates are complete and accurate, you pave the way for advanced traffic and security policies.

Preparing for Future Growth

One of the major benefits of using feature templates in SD-WAN is the ability to future-proof your network. As your organization grows or changes:

New sites can inherit existing templates with minimal adjustments.
Changes in policy or design can be rolled out centrally.
Configuration errors are minimized by using validated, repeatable logic.
Integrations with other systems like identity services or cloud gateways become easier.

Ultimately, templates serve as the scaffolding for a dynamic, agile network that can adapt to business needs.

Managing and Scaling vSmart Feature Templates

Once the vSmart feature templates have been defined and applied successfully, the focus shifts to operational management, scalability, and integration with broader SD-WAN functions. In real-world networks, administrators must monitor, optimize, and adapt these templates to evolving network demands, user behaviors, and application requirements. This part of the guide explores how to maintain template-based configurations, leverage automation for deployment at scale, troubleshoot operational issues, and integrate vSmart’s templates with control and data policies to enforce enterprise network objectives.

Through careful monitoring, strategic policy design, and efficient change management, organizations can ensure that their vSmart controllers remain effective as central orchestrators of the SD-WAN control plane.

Managing Device Template Associations

Device templates serve as containers that bind multiple feature templates into a cohesive configuration set for a specific vSmart instance. Managing these associations effectively ensures seamless updates and consistency.

When modifying any feature template (for example, changing an IP address or tunnel service setting), administrators can simply update the template in vManage. Once changes are made, the system prompts to push the updates to all associated devices. This approach:

Reduces downtime
Avoids full reconfiguration
Centralizes control and auditability

To maintain clarity in a large environment:

Use meaningful labels for device templates
Tag templates with roles, such as hub, branch, or controller
Document dependencies between templates and devices

This structured approach ensures scalability and simplifies troubleshooting.

Cloning and Reusing Feature Templates

One of the most powerful aspects of Cisco SD-WAN’s template architecture is the ability to clone and reuse existing templates for new devices or modified roles. For instance, if another vSmart controller needs to be deployed for redundancy or regional control, administrators can:

Clone the existing feature templates
Modify only the device-specific fields
Create a new device template using the cloned components

This avoids configuration drift and accelerates the deployment of additional infrastructure. Cloning also supports configuration baselines, where templates can be pre-approved and version-controlled across the organization.

Monitoring Template-Based Deployments

Once templates are active, ongoing monitoring is critical to ensure their effectiveness. vManage provides visibility into:

Device status (up/down, configuration success/failure)
Tunnel establishment and teardown
Interface statistics
Control connections with vBond and vEdge devices

Administrators should regularly review:

Control connection status
BFD session stability over tunnels
CPU and memory utilization on vSmart
Logs and syslogs for configuration-related events

These insights help detect issues early, validate template correctness, and track operational performance. Integration with external logging or alerting systems enhances proactive management.

Troubleshooting Template Issues on vSmart

When configuration problems occur, they often relate to mismatches between template definitions and device-specific values. Common issues include:

Missing or incorrectly formatted IP addresses
Overlapping site IDs or system IPs
Services disabled on interfaces required for communication
Mismatched tunnel colors or transport routes

To troubleshoot:

Review the Monitor > Devices section in vManage.
Check for any failed configuration pushes.
Use the Real-Time Logs to examine error messages.
Compare the generated device config with the intended template values.
Verify that device-specific entries (provided manually or via CSV) are accurate.

By narrowing down whether the issue stems from a feature template, device variable, or interface configuration, administrators can quickly resolve problems and restore connectivity.

Automating Template Deployment at Scale

In enterprise or service provider environments, deploying SD-WAN controllers and routers at scale demands automation. Cisco SD-WAN supports several approaches:

CSV Import: Populate device-specific fields for hundreds of devices via CSV, streamlining template attachment.
APIs: Use vManage REST APIs to programmatically create, modify, and assign templates.
Third-party Tools: Integrate with orchestration platforms like Ansible, Terraform, or custom Python scripts.

These methods reduce manual effort, accelerate deployment, and ensure consistency across global SD-WAN sites. Automation becomes essential for network rollouts involving thousands of devices, allowing teams to focus on design and policy instead of repetitive tasks.

Leveraging Feature Templates in Multi-Region Deployments

In multi-region architectures, different vSmart controllers may serve separate geographies or business units. Feature templates support such segmentation by allowing region-specific customization without sacrificing overall consistency.

Approaches include:

Creating region-based system and VPN templates (e.g., vSmart-System-US, vSmart-System-EMEA)
Defining transport preferences based on available WAN types (e.g., MPLS in one region, broadband in another)
Implementing separate management VPNs for each administrative domain

This modular approach supports regional autonomy while preserving a unified operational model, particularly valuable for multinational corporations or distributed service providers.

Integrating Feature Templates with Policy Configuration

Templates define the foundational configuration, but SD-WAN’s true power emerges through policies. Once vSmart is fully configured and operational, it begins participating in policy distribution and enforcement.

Policies include:

Control Policies: Determine what route information is exchanged between sites.
Data Policies: Apply filtering, redirection, or service chaining based on application traffic.
App-Aware Routing: Direct traffic based on performance metrics like jitter, latency, or packet loss.

The template-defined interfaces, tunnels, and VPNs provide the necessary infrastructure on which policies act. For example:

If a template includes a tunnel with color mpls, a policy can prioritize voice traffic on that tunnel.
If VPN512 is defined in templates, management policies can restrict access or enable remote administration.

Templates and policies are deeply intertwined. Consistent template structure ensures that policies operate predictably across the entire SD-WAN fabric.

Version Control and Template History

vManage tracks changes to templates over time. This version control enables:

Reviewing configuration history
Rolling back changes if an issue arises
Comparing template versions for troubleshooting

Before making significant changes to a feature template, it is good practice to export or clone the current version. This allows for rollback in case of unforeseen problems. Audit logs also help teams trace who made what changes and when, which supports compliance and operational transparency.

Best Practices for Long-Term Template Management

To sustain a stable and efficient SD-WAN environment, implement these long-term best practices:

Regularly audit template usage to eliminate outdated or unused versions
Standardize naming conventions for easier search and categorization
Maintain a library of approved templates for different device roles
Periodically review device-specific values for accuracy and consistency
Train staff on the modular template model to reduce errors and improve handover

By treating templates as managed assets rather than static files, organizations gain more control over their network infrastructure and maintain agility as business requirements evolve.

Scaling to Thousands of Devices with Template Efficiency

As networks scale, template efficiency becomes more critical. Each new vSmart, vEdge, or cEdge added to the environment can be configured in minutes if the template system is properly structured. Whether onboarding a remote office, a cloud region, or a new data center, the deployment process becomes predictable and repeatable.

Templates are also vital for:

Mergers and acquisitions (quickly onboarding new networks)
Disaster recovery scenarios (restoring configurations)
Compliance audits (demonstrating consistent configurations)

These advantages make the feature template system not just a technical requirement, but a strategic asset for enterprise IT.

Using Templates to Enforce Configuration Standards

Feature templates can also enforce compliance with internal standards and industry regulations. For instance:

Enabling logging and SNMP across all devices ensures monitoring is in place
Standardized ACLs or firewall rules can be baked into templates
Management VPNs can be configured to restrict access to authorized IP ranges only

By embedding such rules in templates, every device in the network adheres to baseline requirements, reducing the risk of human error or security gaps.

Transitioning from Manual Config to Templates

Organizations migrating from manually configured WANs to SD-WAN templates may initially struggle with the shift in operational model. Some steps to ease this transition include:

Mapping current configurations to modular templates
Training operations teams on template concepts and vManage workflows
Using phased rollouts to validate template effectiveness
Creating documentation and naming standards for templates

Once teams adapt, the benefits in terms of speed, reliability, and visibility become clear.

Conclusion

Mastering the management, deployment, and scaling of vSmart feature templates unlocks the full potential of Cisco SD-WAN. These templates not only simplify the controller’s configuration but also form the bedrock upon which robust, scalable, and secure networks are built.

With the right practices, teams can automate deployments, reduce operational overhead, and apply consistent network logic across hundreds or thousands of devices. Whether it’s for regional expansion, cloud integration, or zero-touch provisioning, feature templates enable a modular and flexible approach to network design.

As the SD-WAN ecosystem grows, the importance of well-designed, maintainable, and auditable templates will only increase. By investing in template mastery today, organizations position themselves for efficient and secure network operations well into the future.