Email-based Deployment

What Is Email-based Deployment?

Email-based deployment is a method used to distribute configuration settings, software updates, or other deployment tasks via email. In this approach, administrators specify the necessary deployment information within an email, typically including uniform resource locator (URL) parameters. Recipients, often deployment engineers or end-users, then access the provided URL to initiate the deployment process. This method allows for remote and automated deployment of resources without requiring physical presence or manual intervention at the deployment site.

Why Do We Need Email-based Deployment?

In the conventional deployment approach, deployment personnel must physically connect cables, configure devices, and verify various settings on-site to ensure accurate device setup. Consequently, trained engineers are required to carry out these tasks directly at the deployment location.

With advancements in network technologies such as software-defined networking (SDN) and cloud computing, an increasing number of enterprise and carrier networks are adopting cloud-based management solutions. However, employing traditional deployment methods for large-scale deployments poses several challenges, including slow manual configuration, potential errors in configuration, high deployment expenses, and extended deployment timelines. To address these issues, email-based deployment has emerged as a solution. Email-based deployment offers the following benefits:

• Streamlines the process of ZTP through a centralized controller, thereby enhancing deployment efficiency and simplifying the rollout of deployments across multiple sites.

• Utilizes URL parameters for deployment configuration, streamlining the deployment process and enabling one-click deployment functionality.

• Delivers deployment instructions via email and requires straightforward actions within a web user interface, eliminating the need for specialized deployment engineers and significantly reducing labor and time expenditures.

• Supports a variety of deployment devices (including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and PCs) and both wireless and wired connectivity options. This ensures flexible selection of deployment devices and straightforward operations.

How Does Email-based Deployment Work?

Email-based deployment streamlines the process of network deployment by leveraging email communication and simplifying procedures. The process involves two main roles:

• Network Administrator: This individual is responsible for planning network deployment, maintaining the network, and configuring and sending a deployment email. The email must include a URL to activate the deployment process. Additionally, it is recommended that the email contains operation instructions for deployment engineers.

• Deployment Engineer: Also known as network installation or maintenance engineers, these individuals receive the deployment email and perform email-based deployment on-site. This eliminates the need for professional network engineers to be physically present for deployment.

Before initiating deployment, the following tools need to be prepared:

• Deployment Terminal: This can be a smartphone, tablet, or PC used by deployment engineers to receive the deployment email and connect to customer-premises equipment (CPE) for deployment.

• Optional Network Cable: If the deployment terminal is a PC, a network cable may be used to connect it to a CPE.

As shown in the preceding figure, the email-based deployment process includes the following steps:

1. Configuration and Sending of Deployment Email:

- The network administrator logs in to the controller to configure a deployment email and sends it to a specified mailbox.

- The administrator enters the device's ESN (Electronic Serial Number) on the controller.

2. Reception of Deployment Email:

- The deployment engineer logs in to the mailbox and confirms receipt of the deployment email.

3. Email-based Deployment:

- Once the device is installed and started, the deployment engineer connects a deployment terminal to the device either wirelessly or via a network cable.

- The engineer accesses the URL provided in the deployment email using the deployment terminal, triggering the deployment process on the device.

- The device resolves the URL information and displays the deployment Portal page. The engineer confirms deployment on this page, and the device automatically completes configurations based on the URL parameters, including interface, network access, and VPN configurations.

4. Internet Connection and Controller Registration:

- Following configuration, the device automatically connects to the Internet based on the specified network access mode in the URL parameters, which can include DHCP, PPPoE dial-up, or LTE dial-up for cellular connections.

- If specified, the device displays the Portal page for authentication using the link_url parameter from the URL parameters.

- Finally, the device registers with the controller using the IP address and port number specified in the URL. If successful, the deployment process concludes. If not, the device initiates automatic registration attempts until successful.