Tokalabs LaunchStation. Software Defined Solution for Inventory Management, Topology Creation, Test Automation, & Resource Utilization

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1 Tokalabs LaunchStation Software Defined Solution for Inventory Management, Topology Creation, Test Automation, & Resource Utilization

2 LaunchStation Overview Tokalabs LaunchStation (LS) is a Software Defined Labs appliance offering complete management of physical, virtual, and cloud-based network resources. LaunchStation can be deployed as a physical or virtual appliance and enables teams across the IT space to abstract, manage, and instantiate networking devices from an easy-to-use web GUI or through a robust set of RESTful APIs. An automation overlay allows teams to develop or import scripts for test and development purposes or to automate topology construction and reservation processes. The key features of Tokalabs LaunchStation include: Inventory Management Native support for virtually any IP-enabled device Create VM & VNF instances with or without external hypervisor Launch & manage 3rd party applications Add private & public cloud instances to inventory Monitor resource utilization Automation Management Powerful step-by-step Automation GUI for any device Ability to import existing test automation framework Integrated support for 3rd party tools Dropdown Web Options for quick automated provisioning Full REST API support Topology Management Utilize virtual/physical resources by assigned abstraction Create & store infinite number of softwareprovisioned network topologies & test beds Automated provisioning of devices Execute imported & external scripts User Management Create user profiles and privileges Bind users to topologies Create time-based topology reservation

3 Inventory Management A centralized canvas view of all IP-enabled devices Tokalabs LaunchStation enables teams in the IT space (Network Administration, R&D, Development, QA, Sales/TME, Interoperability, POC, Support) to abstract all their devices into an easy-to-use UI for drag-and-drop topology creation, reservation, running of tests, orchestration, and automation. Devices are assigned by abstraction as opposed to specific device names and IP addresses, which enables utilization of resources for an infinite number of use cases and topologies. Figure 1: LaunchStation Inventory Management Web GUI Virtual & physical devices can be added using push-button approach The drop-down menus include both physical and virtual devices as well as private and public cloud instances. Virtual devices (VMs & VNFs) can be added on an external hypervisor or can be hosted on the LaunchStation appliance. In addition to devices, applications such as file servers, Jenkins, IxDeveloper, LAMP and a list of others can be added for use. Figure 2: Push-button UI for Adding Devices to Inventory

4 Inventory Management Access any device right from the web GUI Every device is accessible directly from LaunchStation s Web GUI by simply right-clicking on the device. Devices can be accessed using a variety of methods including but not limited to: Telnet SSH Figure 3: Managing Devices from the UI RDP VNC The device s console management (for any protocol) is invoked in another browser within the same session. Figure 4: Console Management for Sample Switch

5 Topology Management Topology Creation using a seamless Software Defined approach Creating topologies is easy in LaunchStation s Topology Management interface. Users can select the devices and connections they want to include within the topology and LaunchStation seamlessly creates logical connections using Tokalabs Software Defined Labs technology. Since topology creation is achieved at a software level and no physical manipulation of the connections is needed, users can create many topology templates using the same devices for future use and these topologies remain reusable and shareable. Figure 6: Topology Creation using LS Topology Management

6 Topology Management Automated provisioning of devices in topologies Easily provision the orchestration of any number of actions within a topology once activated. A topology template can include bringing up devices - regardless of vendor or device type - with specific software releases, configurations, and even the execution of external scripts. Upon reservation of the topology, this specific snapshot will be loaded for the duration of its use and then removed when the topology is released. Users can also clone topologies to make two topologies with the same attributes and provision them with specific changes (such as a different firmware on one device or a set of devices). Figure 7: Provisioning Startup for Devices in Topology

7 Automation Management Test suite creation and execution for topologies Run tests across devices by simply importing existing test suites, cloning tests from existing suites, editing from the library, or creating brand new tests using a powerful step-by-step GUI in multiple scripting languages. Users can integrate physical and virtual devices in the test framework including load generation tools such as IXIA. The reservation of load generation tools for a specific topology is on a port or interface basis. Figure 8: Import an existing test suite and add new tests to existing or newly-created test suites

8 Automation Management Test automation monitoring from LS Web GUI An entire test suite can be executed from LaunchStation s Web GUI with a complete record of results, the storing of logs, and the generation of tables and graphs for short and long-term test analysis. Figure 9: Test Execution in real-time and automated storing of historic results Web Options feature allows for quick automated changes LaunchStation s Web Options feature allows you to create quick automated tasks for any Telnet or SSH-enabled device. Some examples of these tasks could include enabling or disabling interfaces, configuring specific features, or executing entire scripts on a device by simply right-clicking on the mouse and selecting the option. Web options can also be staged within test editor and executed within any automated test. Figure 10: Customized Web Options can be accessed & executed on a device with a simple right-click

9 Automation Management Full REST API support Nearly every action available in LaunchStation s UI can also be executed through a robust set of RESTful APIs. Adding and removing network devices to inventory, management of devices, construction and provisioning of topologies, and the execution of test scripts can all be automated tasks. Figure 5: RESTful APIs allow you to automate inventory, topology, and test automation tasks REST Inventory Services Topology Services Automated Testing

10 User Management Create user profiles and privileges An unlimited number of user profiles with different privilege levels or roles can be assigned to virtually segment network inventory and constructed topologies. Limiting access and control to certain users is possible through LaunchStation s predefined roles. Table 1: User profiles can be created under these predefined roles each with different privileges Admin System Settings System Reports User Settings Inventory Management Physical Connection Management Logical Connection Management Testbed Creation Testbed Control Testbed Assignment Test Edit & Execution Manager Inventory Management Physical Connection Management Logical Connection Management Testbed Creation Testbed Control Testbed Assignment Test Edit & Execution Reports Engineer Logical Connection Management Testbed Creation Testbed Control Testbed Assignment Test Edit & Execution Reports User Testbed Control (by assignment only) Test Edit & Execution

11 LaunchStation: Learn More To learn more about Tokalabs LaunchStation, contact us at or visit our website at www. About Tokalabs Tokalabs enable customers to create Software Defined Labs (SDL) - a simple push-button approach to building and sharing lab resources, network topologies, and automated test beds. Through Tokalabs, teams in the IT space can design, create, manage, and automate functions across any network device regardless of vendor or supported management protocol. Whether it s automating simple device functions or full-scale network orchestration, Tokalabs removes the pain and complexity out of the process.