Create a metadata image with the local management interface

We can create a metadata image that contains essential configuration data for the initial setup of an appliance with the local management interface. This image can later be used for the silent configuration of a new virtual appliance.

A metadata image that is created with the local management interface provides more information than a manually created metadata image does. For example, we can choose to include the system policy when creating the image through the local management interface. If the system policy is included in the image, it is possible to accept the license agreement silently and complete the first-steps wizard automatically on first boot.

Steps

  1. Select System > Secure Settings > Silent Configuration.

  2. Enter the hostname to be configured on the new appliance.

  3. Select the IPv4, IPv6, or both check boxes to specify static IP addresses.

    • If the IPv4 check box is selected, complete the IPv4 section.

    • If the IPv6 check box is selected, complete the IPv6 section.

  4. To include the system policy, select the Include system policy check box.

    • The system policy excludes the following configuration:

      • Management interfaces
      • Application interfaces
      • Cluster configuration
      • Advanced Access Control runtime configuration

    • Besides the previously mentioned policy exclusions, there are also a few non-policy exclusions. The support license, Security Verify Access runtime environment, reverse proxy instances, authorization server instances, local LDAP server, policy databases, custom pages, and other files that are uploaded to the appliance are not included in the system policy.

    • If the system policy is included, when the silent configuration takes place on a new appliance, the license agreement is automatically accepted and the first-steps wizard is automatically completed.

  5. At the bottom of the page, click Generate CDROM Image or Generate USB Image to download an image that contains this metadata.

    • To use the USB image, write the IMG file to a partition on a USB device using the dd tool.

    • To use the CD-ROM image, attach the ISO file to a CD-ROM device on your virtual appliance.

Parent topic: Silent configuration