Connected Bus by Wavecom
Episode 2 – Zero Touch Provisioning
ZTP (Zero-Touch Provisioning) helps Systems Integrators quickly and automatically provision and deploy network devices such as modular Gateways in a large-scale environment such as Bus Operators’ fleets, eliminating most of the manual interaction involved.
On Wavecom Technologies Connected Bus, configurations are managed and provisioned from the cloud by IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform (5G WAN Manager | SD-WAN) via templates. In deployment, Systems Integrators’ staff may even perform configurations and updates from remote locations, such as Bus Operators’ sites.
Overall, ZTP improves provision and deployment efficiency of a Connected Bus solution, reducing operational costs for Systems Operators.
Introduction
The emergence of SDN (Software Defined Network) paradigm brought of all benefits SD-WAN and ZTP (Zero-Touch Provisioning). ZTP is a tool that simplifies provisioning and configuration of equipment like modular Gateways, automatically without any manual intervention.
Manual configuration takes time and is prone to human error, especially if many modular Gateways must be configured at a scale. So, with ZTP, Systems Integrators can enormously reduce the time in comparison with what they spend on manual configuration.
This tool enables Systems Integrators to install networking devices such as modular Gateways without manual intervention, as depicted in Figure 1.
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On Wavecom Technologies Connected Bus, configurations are managed and provisioned from the cloud by IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform (5G WAN Manager | SD-WAN) via scripts. In deployment, Systems Integrators’ staff may even perform configurations and updates from remote locations, such as Bus Operators’ sites.
Thus, ZTP allows Systems Integrators to automatically update, pre-configure initial configuration and update scripts. This is done by pointing Wavecom Technologies modular Gateways (5G Native) to a configuration repository, from where they retrieve the necessary configurations.
Zero-Touch Provisioning
Zero-Touch Provisioning helps Systems Integrators quickly and automatically provision and deploy network devices such as modular Gateways in a large-scale environment such as Bus Operators’ fleets, eliminating most of the manual interaction involved.
Overall, it improves provision and deployment efficiency of a Connected Bus solution, reducing labor costs for Systems Integrators.
In the definition of Connected Bus Project/Delivery/Purchase, the basic requirements/functionalities are defined, which will be configured in the Wavecom Technologies environment.
How does Connected Bus ZTP work?
On Connected Bus, ZTP is implemented on IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform (5G WAN Manager | SD-WAN), which is the top tier of SD-WAN service, as shown in Figure 2.
The basic ZTP’s requirements include the following:
- Modular Gateway with ZTP
- IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform
In the definition of a Connected Bus Project/Delivery/Purchase, the basic requirements/functionalities are defined, which will be configured in the Wavecom Technologies environment.
The system image software has an identical basic configuration for all modular Gateways ready to go into operation, according to the requirements/functionalities initially established.
When modular Gateways are connected, these configurations are associated, among which the connection to the corresponding IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform is assumed, i.e., the VPN is already configured from scratch in the equipment image (Table 1).
ZTP carries out the basic configuration, after which the modular Gateway can be deployed in an environment where custom configuration changes are made. ZTP uses provided script to connect to the IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform.
Stage 1 (Connect)
- Power On and connect modular Gateway
Stage 2 (Enrolment) & Stage 3 (Provisioning)
- Once connected, the modular Gateways establish a VPN to the IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform that places them in the inventory, associated with a Bus Operator, pre-provisioned
- The system image software has an identical basic configuration for all modular Gateways according to the requirements/functionalities initially established
Stage 4 (Operation)
- Then, only final configurations are missing, such as which Bus Vehicle is installed, and which type of Bus Vehicle and modular Gateway is ready to work
- Finally, modular Gateway is ready to go into Operation in a Bus Vehicle
ZTP carries out the basic configuration, after which the modular Gateway can be deployed in an environment where custom configuration changes are made.
Key Features
Multi-tenant
A multi-tenant approach is interesting, as it allows the System Integrator to manage multiple Connected Bus modular Gateways cloud managed by one ZTP system, such as IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform.
Provisioning anywhere
IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform can provision, update and configure modular Gateways for Systems Integrators wherever the Bus Operator’s fleet is, if it is connected to WAN.
SD-WAN
Until some time ago, each network asset connected to the WAN was manually configured on installation site by the Systems Integrator’ staff. This type of operation took a long time and was error prone.
Nowadays, the use of an SD-WAN methodology has simplified the configuration of the gateways. Using a management platform like our IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform, a set of configuration rules or changes can be implemented remotely. And they can be instantly and automatically applied to modular Gateways connected over the WAN.
In addition, SD-WAN provides smarter traffic routes based on centralized priorities, security and requirements, managed in the cloud by a platform such as the IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform.
ZTP benefits
ZTP fully automates provisioning and deployment on modular Gateways, providing many benefits, with huge savings in operational costs.
- Less time being spent on set up
- When hundreds of modular Gateways need to be provisioned and deployed, ZTP can help implement the configuration faster without requiring manual one-by-one configuration, saving time.
- Faster and easier updates
- Having multiple configurations across network modular Gateways is an operational nightmare. This can delay troubleshooting and requires the Systems Integrator’s staff to keep a good record of all the configurations. Thus, ZTP makes the configuration faster and updates easier.
- Configuration consistency
- With ZTP, the configuration across modular Gateways will be consistent rather than site-specific configuration.
- Avoids opportunities of human error
- Manual configuration is prone to human error. If errors occur during provisioning, the launch of the Connected Bus may be delayed causing constraints in the Bus Operators’ operation. Thus, ZTP can help eliminate it by removing human errors that occur due to repetitive typing in the CLI (Command Line Interface).
- Saves time and costs
- Configurating many modular Gateways in the Bus Operator’ fleet with hundreds or thousands of bus vehicles to be deployed, the use of ZTP can help to set up faster without requiring one-on-one manual intervention.
Connected Bus | Zero Touch Provisioning
Most Bus Operators’ fleets have a high number of bus vehicles. Thus, Systems Integrators deploying a Connected Bus solution, will have tens or hundreds of modular Gateways to provision and configure, taking significant time.
If modular Gateways are configured individually, it will take more time and effort to connect. This means that Systems Integrator’s staff must spend more time at a CLI, configuring each modular Gateway.
Let’s assume that a Systems Integrator has a set of Bus Operator Sites (each with a fleet composed of a large number of bus vehicles), as illustrated in Figure 3.
In a Connected Bus solution, each bus vehicle needs the installation of its own modular Gateway. On the other hand, we have the IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform.
Thus, by adding multiple modular Gateways at once to a Bus Operator Site, ZTP makes this task easier, saving time and money for Systems Integrators, by automatically provisioning them.
Likewise, if each of these modular Gateways needs upgrading, then ZTP would also be the most efficient choice for Systems Integrators.
Conclusion
At the end of Episode 2, it is expected you as a Systems Integratorto know:
- what is Zero-Touch Provisioning and how can this tool/installation can benefit configuration tasks in terms of operation and costs.
- we provide a Zero-Touch Provisioning tool cloud managed by IoT Manager/Multi-Tenant Platform that improves the efficiency of provisioning and deploying of a Connected Bus solution.
- how our Zero-Touch Provision tool can be used in a real-world operation scenario of Bus Operators’ fleets sites.
The next White Paper, Episode 3 – Minimal Time and Reduced Operating Costs, will cover how to minimize time and reduce operating costs when deployment a Connected Bus
