Introduction to Deploying Device Templates on vSmart

Cisco SD-WAN brings a transformational approach to managing wide area networks by introducing centralized control, automation, and visibility. A core component of this architecture is the vSmart controller, responsible for enforcing policy and managing routing across the fabric. One of the most efficient ways to manage vSmart devices is by using device templates. These templates simplify configuration deployment, enforce consistency, and reduce human error.

This detailed guide explores how to configure and deploy a device template specifically tailored for a vSmart cloud controller. Through this configuration, VPN0 and VPN512 interfaces are set up using predefined feature templates. By assigning variable parameters like interface IP addresses, hostname, system IP, and site ID, you ensure that vSmart is correctly initialized and able to participate in the SD-WAN fabric.

Understanding and mastering device templates is essential for network professionals working with Cisco SD-WAN, as it enhances scalability, operational efficiency, and long-term network manageability.

Overview of Device Templates in Cisco SD-WAN

Device templates are a collection of feature templates grouped together to represent the configuration of a network device. In Cisco SD-WAN, these templates allow centralized configuration of all devices from vManage. This means network engineers no longer need to log into each device individually; instead, they can apply settings from a single dashboard.

A device template is built using multiple feature templates such as system settings, interface parameters, VPN definitions, and routing protocols. Once these feature templates are assembled into a device template, it can be applied to one or more devices. Any device-specific parameters can be declared as variables, making the template reusable across multiple devices with different IP addresses or hostnames.

This process greatly reduces configuration time and improves accuracy, especially in environments where multiple controllers or edge devices are being deployed.

Key Components Required for vSmart Template Deployment

Before diving into the configuration steps, it’s important to understand the components that will be configured in this process. The goal is to create a vSmart device template and then attach it to a vSmart cloud instance with specific parameters.

The required components for this deployment include:

Template Name: vSmart-TEMP
Template Description: vSmart-TEMP-Description
System Template: vSmart-System
VPN 0: vSmart-VPN-VPN0
VPN Interface for VPN 0: vSmart-VPNINT-VPN0-E1
VPN 512: vSmart-VPN-VPN512
VPN Interface for VPN 512: vSmart-VPNINT-VPN512-E0

When attaching the device to the template, the following variable values are required:

Interface IP for Ethernet1: 200.1.1.3/24
Interface IP for Ethernet0: 192.168.10.3/24
Hostname: vSmart
System IP: 200.1.1.13
Site ID: 1

These settings ensure that the vSmart controller has proper connectivity to the transport network (VPN 0), management network (VPN 512), and can be uniquely identified within the SD-WAN fabric.

Preparing to Build the vSmart Device Template

To begin the process of creating a vSmart device template, it’s necessary to access the configuration interface within vManage. This is typically done through the Templates section where you can create both feature templates and full device templates.

The first step is to gather or confirm all required feature templates. If these templates already exist (such as vSmart-System or vSmart-VPN-VPN0), you can reuse them. If not, you will need to create them beforehand.

The following prerequisites should be confirmed:

All required feature templates are created or available
The vSmart device is added to vManage and in a ready state
You have administrator privileges in vManage to create templates and push configurations

By confirming these steps ahead of time, you can avoid interruptions during the template deployment process.

Creating the vSmart Device Template

Navigate to the Templates section in the vManage dashboard and begin by creating a new device template. Choose the vSmart device model as the base.

Name the template vSmart-TEMP and provide a brief description, such as vSmart-TEMP-Description. This helps in identifying the purpose of the template among potentially many in the system.

Next, start assigning the necessary feature templates to this device template. Begin with the system settings by selecting the vSmart-System feature template. This template typically includes values for the system IP, site ID, and hostname, which can be defined as variables.

Proceed to the transport and management VPNs:

For VPN 0, select the vSmart-VPN-VPN0 feature template.
Assign the interface template vSmart-VPNINT-VPN0-E1 to VPN 0.
For VPN 512, select the vSmart-VPN-VPN512 feature template.
Assign the interface template vSmart-VPNINT-VPN512-E0 to VPN 512.

These configurations will allow the vSmart controller to operate within both its management and transport planes, forming the basis of communication within the SD-WAN environment.

After assigning all relevant feature templates, click Create to finalize the device template. The new template will now appear in the list of available templates within vManage.

Attaching the vSmart Cloud Device to the Template

With the device template created, the next step is to attach it to the vSmart device. Begin by selecting the newly created vSmart-TEMP template. Click on the options menu and choose Attach Devices.

From the right-hand panel, find the vSmart cloud device that you intend to configure. Move it into the selected list by clicking the arrow icon.

After selecting the device, click on Attach. A form will appear prompting you to fill in the variable values that were defined in the feature templates. This is where device-specific configurations are applied.

Enter the following values:

Interface IP for Ethernet1 (Transport): 200.1.1.3/24
Interface IP for Ethernet0 (Management): 192.168.10.3/24
Hostname: vSmart
System IP: 200.1.1.13
Site ID: 1

Review each value carefully to ensure accuracy. These parameters are critical in allowing the vSmart device to participate in routing, communication, and policy enforcement.

Click Update to continue. This action saves the variable configuration to the device template, preparing it for deployment to the selected device.

Deploying the Configuration to the vSmart Device

Once the variables are filled in and saved, proceed to the next step by clicking Next. A summary screen appears showing the complete configuration that will be pushed to the vSmart device.

Review the configuration closely, paying attention to VPN 0 and VPN 512 settings. These define how the vSmart will communicate over the WAN and with the vManage controller.

Click Configure Devices to initiate the deployment. vManage will now push the entire device template, along with the assigned variable values, to the selected vSmart device.

Monitor the status of the deployment. A green success sign indicates that the configuration has been successfully applied and that the vSmart is now fully operational within the SD-WAN fabric.

Verifying Configuration and Device Status

After the configuration is deployed, it’s essential to verify that the vSmart controller is functioning correctly. Begin by checking the status in the Device tab of vManage. Ensure that the vSmart device is listed as reachable and that there are no configuration errors or alarms.

Next, validate the applied configuration. This can be done by:

Checking the system IP and hostname from the Device CLI or GUI
Verifying that interfaces Eth0 and Eth1 are configured with the correct IPs
Confirming connectivity between vSmart and vBond/vManage
Inspecting routing behavior across VPN 0 to ensure OSPF or BGP is operating as expected

These checks ensure that the vSmart is correctly configured and that it’s successfully participating in the SD-WAN control plane.

Benefits of Using Device Templates for vSmart

Using device templates for vSmart configuration offers numerous advantages over manual setup. These benefits include:

Consistency: Ensures that all devices follow a uniform configuration pattern
Scalability: Easily replicate the same template across multiple devices with variable values
Speed: Reduces configuration time by eliminating repetitive tasks
Accuracy: Minimizes human errors by centralizing configuration management
Auditability: Allows easy review and versioning of templates over time

Device templates serve as a foundational practice in large-scale SD-WAN deployments where dozens or hundreds of controllers and edge devices may be involved.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

In some cases, the deployment may not be successful. Here are common issues and how to resolve them:

Invalid IP formatting: Ensure all IP addresses include the correct subnet mask (e.g., /24)
Interface mismatch: Verify that the assigned interface templates match the correct interface numbers on the physical or virtual vSmart
Connectivity problems: Confirm that vSmart has reachability to the vBond orchestrator and vManage
Missing variables: Ensure all required variables were entered during the device attachment process

Checking logs in vManage and vSmart can also provide insight into failed deployments or unexpected behavior.

Diving Deeper into Template Variables and Flexibility

In Cisco SD-WAN, device templates are not static. One of their most powerful capabilities is support for variables. Instead of hardcoding values for every vSmart controller (like system IP, hostname, or interface IPs), you can define these parameters as device-specific variables in the template.

When a device is attached to the template, vManage prompts you to input values for these variables. This design allows the same template to be reused across multiple devices, with each device receiving its unique configuration.

For example:

Hostname can vary between vSmart01, vSmart02, etc.
System IP will be different for each vSmart in the topology
Interfaces like Ethernet0 and Ethernet1 may have unique IP addresses for each site

This approach simplifies operations dramatically, especially in deployments involving dozens or even hundreds of vSmart or vEdge devices.

Reusability of Device Templates Across Environments

Let’s say your organization is deploying SD-WAN across multiple branches. Instead of building a unique device template for every vSmart controller, you create a single template that uses variables for all device-specific values.

Once created, this single template can be used to onboard every vSmart controller, regardless of site, by simply entering the correct values when attaching a device.

This strategy:

Saves time
Promotes standardization
Reduces risk of configuration errors
Speeds up deployments

As a result, you maintain a consistent SD-WAN architecture across all branches or data centers, even if they differ slightly in network topology or IP addressing.

Template Management and Naming Conventions

Organizing templates effectively is crucial in larger deployments. A few best practices include:

Descriptive Template Names: Use clear naming like vSmart-Template-USA-East or vSmart-CoreTemplate-BGP to make it obvious what the template is for.
Versioning and Notes: Include version numbers or last-updated timestamps in descriptions to track changes.
Role-Based Naming: Separate templates by device function (e.g., vEdge, vSmart, vBond) for cleaner management.

By maintaining a clean naming convention and structuring templates logically, the entire SD-WAN team can understand and manage configurations without confusion.

Managing and Updating vSmart Templates

Once a template is deployed, it’s not static. You can edit the device template or its associated feature templates to push new configurations to attached devices.

Here’s how changes typically work:

Edit Template: Navigate to the Templates section and select the template you want to modify.
Update Feature Templates: Change parameters like interface description, bandwidth, OSPF settings, etc.
Push Changes: Save and re-deploy the updated template. vManage will automatically push the changes to all attached devices.

This method allows you to roll out configuration updates across your infrastructure with minimal effort and downtime.

Using Feature Templates for Modularity

Cisco SD-WAN encourages the use of feature templates for modular configuration. A feature template is a building block for a specific function like system, interface, VPN, or routing. By reusing these blocks, you can build consistent device templates more easily.

For example:

A System Template contains device ID, site ID, and hostname
A VPN Template defines logical VPNs like 0 (transport) and 512 (management)
An Interface Template sets IP address, MTU, and DHCP settings for a specific port
A Routing Template enables OSPF or BGP on a VPN

Benefits of this modularity include:

Easier troubleshooting (change one feature instead of the whole template)
Reusability across device types (same VPN template can apply to both vEdge and vSmart)
Centralized updates (modify one feature template and affect all templates using it)

This modular design is essential when managing large, distributed SD-WAN networks.

Viewing and Verifying Template Assignments

After you attach a vSmart to its device template, it’s important to verify the configuration. Within vManage, you can:

Go to Monitor > Network
Select the vSmart device
Click on Real-Time to view live status
Use Show Running Configuration to verify that the pushed template values match expectations

Look for:

Correct interface IPs for Eth0 (management) and Eth1 (transport)
Proper assignment of VPN0 and VPN512
Accurate system IP and hostname
Expected routing protocols active (like OSPF if enabled)

This helps ensure that the vSmart controller is not only configured but functioning as intended in the SD-WAN fabric.

Ensuring High Availability with vSmart Controllers

In production deployments, it’s common to use multiple vSmart controllers for redundancy. Templates make managing these high-availability setups easier.

Here’s how templates help:

Apply the same configuration to all vSmart controllers, varying only system IP and hostname
Ensure consistent routing, VPNs, and policy configurations across all controllers
Use templates to scale quickly when adding additional controllers

With consistent templates, failover between controllers becomes seamless, and troubleshooting becomes more straightforward due to configuration uniformity.

Handling Common Configuration Scenarios

Let’s say you want to add VPN 10 to vSmart for an internal service. You don’t need to recreate the template. Just follow these steps:

Create a VPN 10 Feature Template and configure required settings (IP address, interface, etc.)
Edit the existing vSmart Device Template and add VPN 10 to the list
Push the updated template to the device

This allows you to scale services without disrupting existing connectivity.

Enabling OSPF on VPN 0

Suppose your transport network requires OSPF instead of static routes:

Create an OSPF Feature Template
Associate it with VPN 0 in the device template
Define OSPF parameters like area ID, hello/dead intervals, and interfaces
Re-deploy the updated template

The vSmart controller will now advertise and learn routes via OSPF over its transport VPN.

Benefits of Centralized Template Deployment

Using device templates in vManage offers several operational benefits beyond basic configuration:

Scalability: Templates let you roll out new locations rapidly without manual CLI configuration.
Consistency: Human errors are minimized as configuration is predefined and repeatable.
Speed: Onboarding a new vSmart takes minutes, not hours.
Auditability: Templates provide a centralized history of configuration changes and deployments.
Security: Ensure all devices follow corporate security policies by enforcing them in templates.

This centralized model aligns with modern DevNet and NetOps strategies where automation, consistency, and rapid deployment are critical.

Real-World Use Case: Global Enterprise Deployment

Imagine a global enterprise with data centers in New York, London, and Singapore. Each data center hosts a vSmart controller. Instead of manually configuring each vSmart with site-specific IPs and VPNs, engineers create a unified template with variable fields.

During deployment:

The same vSmart-TEMP template is used in all three locations
Engineers input each site’s unique IP addresses and hostname
Configuration is pushed from vManage with identical logic and policy

Results:

All vSmart controllers have consistent routing and management logic
Onboarding time is cut drastically
Maintenance and updates can be performed centrally with zero-touch provisioning

This model also supports template-based automation scripts for massive deployments, further simplifying management.

we explored the advanced capabilities of vSmart device templates in Cisco SD-WAN, including:

The power and flexibility of using variables
Reusability across environments
Modular design through feature templates
Managing and updating templates over time
Real-world applications and use cases

Integrating Policies with vSmart Templates

vSmart controllers are not just routing engines—they’re also responsible for enforcing data policies, control policies, and application-aware routing (AAR) rules. Once the device template is in place, the next step in SD-WAN configuration is policy attachment.

Policies are not embedded in the device template itself but are tightly associated with vSmart’s operation. After deploying a vSmart controller using a template, you can start attaching various policies based on enterprise requirements.

Common policy types include:

Control Policies: Influence route advertisements and path selection across the control plane.
Data Policies: Define how data packets are forwarded (e.g., route based on application type, destination).
Application-Aware Routing Policies: Select preferred transport paths (like MPLS or Internet) based on real-time performance metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss.

Once created, these policies are assigned to sites or VPNs and enforced through the vSmart controller. The device template ensures consistent system and VPN configuration, while the policies define traffic behavior dynamically.

Using Templates in End-to-End Automation Workflows

In large-scale environments, manual configuration—even with templates—can become cumbersome. That’s where automation tools come into play. Cisco SD-WAN integrates seamlessly with tools like:

Ansible
Python APIs
Terraform
Cisco NSO (Network Services Orchestrator)

With these tools, network engineers can automate:

Template creation
Device onboarding
Variable population
Policy assignment
Monitoring and alerting

For example, you could write a script that:

Queries a list of new vSmart controllers
Applies a predefined template
Assigns unique variables pulled from a database
Pushes configuration
Verifies deployment success
This approach greatly enhances efficiency, especially in environments where hundreds of controllers or edge routers are deployed simultaneously.

Monitoring Template Deployment and Device Health

Once a template is deployed and active on a vSmart controller, continuous monitoring is crucial to ensure system integrity and performance. Cisco vManage offers built-in tools to help monitor device state and deployment success.

Key monitoring features include:

Device Status Dashboard: Shows whether the configuration was successfully pushed and if the device is operational.
Alarms and Logs: Track real-time errors, template mismatches, or policy violations.
Live Monitoring Tools: View real-time statistics for CPU, memory, tunnel status, and control connections.
Configuration Diff Tool: Compare running config on the device with the expected template to ensure compliance.

By actively monitoring, you can catch misconfigurations, unresponsive devices, or transport issues early—before they cause downtime.

Template Rollback and Recovery Strategies

Despite best efforts, configurations may occasionally need to be rolled back due to human error or unforeseen side effects. Cisco SD-WAN provides mechanisms to safely revert changes made by templates.

Rollback strategies include:

Reapplying Previous Template Version: Templates can be cloned or versioned before major changes. If needed, the old version can be reapplied.
Unattaching a Template: A device can be detached from a template and configured independently for urgent manual fixes.
Template Preview and Validation: Before deploying a new configuration, vManage previews the changes and allows engineers to validate them. This pre-deployment step helps catch syntax issues or missing variables.

Best practice: Always clone or export templates before making significant changes. Keeping backups ensures a reliable recovery option without rebuilding configurations from scratch.

Template Lifecycle Management

Templates, like any configuration artifacts, have a lifecycle:

Creation: Build initial templates from base feature templates.
Testing: Deploy in lab or pilot sites to validate.
Deployment: Push templates to production devices with unique variables.
Version Control: Update templates to match evolving infrastructure needs (e.g., new VPNs, interface additions).
Deprecation: Retire outdated templates and migrate devices to newer versions.

vManage supports organizing and archiving templates, making it easier to manage changes over time. This helps maintain a clean and efficient management interface, particularly in enterprise settings where multiple teams work collaboratively.

Real-World Example: Multi-Region Enterprise Rollout

Consider an enterprise expanding across three geographic regions—North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Each region has a dedicated vSmart controller and unique transport network. By using a common base template with site-specific variables, the deployment team can onboard each vSmart consistently:

Template Name: vSmart-Global-Base
Variables: Site ID, system IP, interface IPs, hostname
Policies: Region-specific AAR and security policies attached post-template deployment
Monitoring: vManage dashboards grouped by region

This method ensures:

Standardized configurations across regions
Easy scalability when new sites or controllers are added
Centralized monitoring and troubleshooting
Rapid policy enforcement and change management

By using templates, the enterprise gains not only operational agility but also governance and compliance controls.

Best Practices for Template Success

To maximize efficiency and minimize risks, follow these best practices:

Keep templates modular: Break configurations into small, reusable feature templates.
Use clear naming conventions: Avoid confusion by clearly labeling each template’s purpose.
Test before deploying: Validate all templates in a lab or pilot environment.
Document variable definitions: Keep a record of what each variable means to reduce errors during assignment.
Monitor proactively: Use vManage’s monitoring tools to track deployment status and device health.
Backup templates regularly: Export templates and keep versioned backups.

Following these guidelines ensures a scalable and error-resilient SD-WAN configuration environment.

Future-Proofing vSmart Deployments with Template Strategy

As SD-WAN evolves, so do the demands on vSmart controllers—new services, new security requirements, and integration with cloud-native tools. Templates allow network teams to adapt quickly without reinventing the wheel.

Examples of future enhancements that templates can support include:

Zero Trust segmentation across VPNs
Cloud on-ramp configurations for SaaS acceleration
Integration with SASE frameworks
Dynamic NAT and firewall rules for internet breakouts

Rather than reconfiguring each controller manually, templates make deploying these advanced services faster and safer.

Templates also fit well into CI/CD pipelines, allowing network configuration to mirror software development best practices. This opens the door for modern NetDevOps workflows and agile infrastructure management.

Conclusion

Templates are not just a convenience—they’re a necessity for modern SD-WAN operations. From onboarding a single vSmart to managing hundreds across the globe, device templates ensure consistency, scalability, and operational efficiency.

Throughout this series, you’ve learned:

How to create and assign feature templates to build a vSmart device template
The power of variable-driven configurations and template reuse
The role of templates in automation, monitoring, and rollback
How to integrate policies and plan for lifecycle management

By mastering device templates, network engineers unlock the full potential of Cisco SD-WAN and can confidently deploy and scale vSmart controllers in even the most complex enterprise environments.

The next step? Practice hands-on in a lab, experiment with variables and feature sets, and integrate template workflows into your broader automation strategies. With these skills, you’re well-equipped to architect reliable, agile, and secure WAN infrastructures.