Files: rancid-exercise.txt

Using RANCID!

Network management & monitoring Workshop

how to configure it:

1. Start by installing the postfix mail system + mail client

        # apt-get install postfix
        # apt-get install mutt

        (answer "Internet Site" at the question of which type of host you are
        running)

2. Add an alias for the rancid user in /etc/aliases

        rancid-all:                     mgmt
        rancid-admin-all:       mgmt

        Save the file, then run:

        # newaliases

3. Install Rancid itself

   apt-get install rancid-core

        (just say yes to the questions)

   apt-get install rancid-util
   apt-get install rancid-cgi
   apt-get install cvsweb
   apt-get install cvs

4. Edit /etc/rancid/rancid.conf

        Find the line with the parameter LIST_OF_GROUPS, and replace it with

        LIST_OF_GROUPS="all"

5. Choose which router you will manage:

        pc1 + pc2               169.223.142.11
        pc3 + pc4               169.223.142.12
        pc5 + pc6               169.223.142.13
        pc7 + pc8               169.223.142.14
        pc9 + pc10              169.223.142.15
        pc11 + pc12             169.223.142.16
        pc13 + pc14             169.223.142.17
        pc15                    169.223.142.18

6. Change to the rancid user

        # su -s /bin/bash rancid
        
        - Check that you ARE the rancid user:

        > id

        - You should see something similar:

        uid=115(rancid) gid=123(rancid) groups=123(rancid)

7. Create /var/lib/rancid/.cloginrc

        > vi /var/lib/rancid/.cloginrc

        add user 169.223.142.x admin
        add password 169.223.142.x apr10cot apr10cot

        (Remember to replace x with .11 - .18)

        > chmod 600 /var/lib/rancid/.cloginrc

7. Initialize the CVS repository for rancid:

        > /usr/lib/rancid/bin/rancid-cvs

        - You should see something similar to this:

No conflicts created by this import

cvs checkout: Updating all
Directory /var/lib/rancid/CVS/all/configs added to the repository
cvs commit: Examining configs
cvs add: scheduling file `router.db' for addition
cvs add: use `cvs commit' to add this file permanently
/var/lib/rancid/CVS/all/router.db,v  <--  router.db
initial revision: 1.1


8. Test login to the router

        >  /usr/lib/rancid/bin/clogin 169.223.142.x

        (where x is the IP of the route (from .11 - .18))

        - You should now be logged in to the router, and see something like:

rtrX#

        - Type 'exit' to logout

9. Add the router.db

        > vi /var/lib/rancid/all/router.db

        Add:

        169.223.142.x:cisco:up

        (remember to replace x with .11 - .18)

10. Let's run rancid!

        > /usr/lib/rancid/bin/rancid-run

        (Should take a few seconds)

11. Check out the logs:

        > cd /var/lib/rancid/logs
        > ls -l

        ... View the contents of the file:

        > more all.*


12. Look at the configs

        > cd /var/lib/rancid/all/configs
        > more 169.223.142.x

        - If all went well, you can see the config of the router.


13. Let's change an interface Description on the router

        > /usr/lib/rancid/bin/clogin 169.223.142.x

        - At the "rtrX#" prompt, enter the command:

        config terminal

        - You should see:

Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
rtrX(config)#

        - Enter:

        interface FastEthernet 0/0

        - You should get this prompt:

rtrX(config-if)#

        - Enter:

        description testing rancid from PCX             # X = the number of your PC


        - Then type CTRL-Z (press Control + the Z key)

        - You should now have this prompt:

rtrx#

        - To save the config to memory:

        write memory

        - You should see:

Building configuration...
[OK]

        - If you are running on a virtual router (.11 - .18), run this as well:

        copy running-config flash:running-config

        (press enter at every prompt)

        - Type to exit:

        exit

14. Let's run rancid again:

        > /usr/lib/rancid/bin/rancid-run

        Look at the config and logs

        > ls /var/lib/rancid/logs/

15. Let's see the differences

        > cd /var/lib/rancid/all/configs
        > ls -l

        You should see all the router config files

        > cvs log 169.223.142.x

        (where X is the IP of the router, .11 - .18)

        Notice the revisions.  Let's view the difference between two versions:

        > cvs diff -r 1.2 -r 1.3 169.223.142.x | more

        ... can you find your changes ?

16. Check your mail

        As the user "mgmt", run the "mutt" mailer to see the mails that
        Rancid has sent:

        > exit
        # su mgmt

        > mutt

        If everything goes as planned, you should be able to read the mails
        sent by Rancid.

        (use q or x to quit mutt)

17. Finally, let's make rancid run automatically every 30 minutes from cron

        > crontab -e

        - Add this line:

        */30  *  *  *  *  /usr/lib/rancid/bin/rancid-run

        ... then save and quit