Batch Processing

Step 1: Access Batch Processing

Navigate to Operations → Batch Processing in the left sidebar to access the batch command execution interface.

The Batch Processing page allows you to execute commands on multiple network devices simultaneously, saving time and ensuring consistency across your infrastructure.

Key Features:

• Multi-Device Selection: Select multiple devices from your network inventory
• Command Execution: Execute the same commands on all selected devices
• Real-Time Output: View command output from each device in real-time
• Tab Management: Organize different batch operations in separate tabs
• Command History: Access previously executed commands for quick reuse

The interface is divided into two main sections:

• Left Panel: Device selection list with checkboxes for each device
• Right Panel: Command input area and output display

Note: Batch processing uses SSH connections to execute commands on your network devices. Ensure devices are properly configured with SSH access credentials.

Step 2: Select Devices for Batch Operations

In the left panel, you'll see a list of all configured network devices. Select the devices you want to include in your batch operation.

Device Selection Options:

• Individual Selection: Check the box next to each device you want to include
• Select All: Use the "Select All" button to quickly select all devices in the list
• Deselect All: Use the "Deselect All" button to clear all selections

Device Information Displayed:

• Device Name: The configured name of the device
• IP Address: The device's IP address
• Device Type: The device type (Cisco IOS, Juniper, etc.)
• Status Indicator: Visual indicator showing device connectivity status

Selection Best Practices:

• Group Similar Devices: Select devices of the same type when executing device-specific commands
• Test on Few Devices First: Test commands on a small group before running on all devices
• Verify Device Status: Ensure selected devices are online and accessible before executing commands

Step 3: Enter Commands to Execute

In the command input area on the right side, enter the commands you want to execute on all selected devices.

Command Input Format:

• One Command Per Line: Enter each command on a separate line
• Sequential Execution: Commands are executed in the order they appear
• Multi-Line Support: You can enter multiple commands to create a command sequence
• Command History: Access previously used commands from the dropdown menu

Example Commands:

• Show Commands: show version, show running-config, show interfaces
• Configuration Commands: configure terminal, interface GigabitEthernet0/1, description Server Port
• Status Checks: show ip interface brief, show cdp neighbors
• Filtered Output: show running-config | include hostname

Command Execution Context:

• Privileged Mode: Commands execute in the context of the device's current privilege level
• Configuration Mode: Commands that enter configuration mode will maintain context for subsequent commands
• Device-Specific: Commands must be valid for the device type (Cisco, Juniper, etc.)
• Error Handling: If a command fails on one device, execution continues on other devices

Important: Always verify commands are safe to execute on multiple devices. Destructive commands (like "reload", "no" or "delete") should be used with extreme caution.

Step 4: Execute Commands and View Results

After selecting devices and entering commands, click the Execute button to run the commands on all selected devices.

Execution Process:

• Sequential Processing: Commands are executed on each device one at a time
• Real-Time Output: Results appear in the output area as each device completes
• Progress Indication: Visual indicators show which device is currently being processed
• Error Handling: Failed connections or command errors are clearly marked

Output Display Format:

• Device Header: Each device's output is clearly separated with device name and IP address
• Command Echo: Each executed command is shown before its output
• Formatted Output: Command output is displayed exactly as returned from the device
• Error Messages: Connection errors or command failures are highlighted in red
• Success Indicators: Successful command execution is marked with green indicators

Output Features:

• Scrollable View: Output area scrolls automatically to show the latest results
• Copy to Clipboard: Select and copy output text for documentation or analysis
• Clear Output: Clear the output area to start a fresh batch operation
• Stop Execution: Use the Stop button to cancel execution if needed

Interpreting Results:

• Successful Execution: Green checkmarks and complete command output indicate success
• Connection Failures: Red error messages indicate devices that couldn't be reached
• Command Errors: Device-specific error messages show invalid commands or permission issues
• Timeout Errors: Commands that take too long may timeout - check device responsiveness

Tip: Review the output carefully to ensure commands executed correctly on all devices. Compare outputs across devices to identify configuration differences.

Step 5: Advanced Features and Best Practices

The Batch Processing interface includes several advanced features to help you manage complex operations efficiently.

Tab Management:

• Multiple Tabs: Create multiple tabs to organize different batch operations
• Tab Persistence: Each tab maintains its own device selection and command history
• Tab Switching: Switch between tabs to manage different operations simultaneously

Command History:

• History Button: Access previously executed commands from the history modal
• Quick Reuse: Select a command from history to quickly reuse it
• History Persistence: Command history is saved per tab and persists across sessions
• History Limit: The system maintains up to 50 recent commands per tab

Best Practices for Batch Operations:

• Test Commands First: Always test commands on a single device before running on multiple devices
• Use Read-Only Commands: Start with show commands to verify device connectivity and access
• Backup Before Changes: Perform backups before executing configuration changes
• Document Operations: Keep notes of commands executed and their results
• Monitor Output: Watch the output in real-time to catch errors early
• Verify Results: Review output from all devices to ensure consistent execution

Common Use Cases:

• Configuration Updates: Apply the same configuration changes to multiple devices
• Status Checks: Check the status of interfaces, services, or protocols across devices
• Information Gathering: Collect version information, inventory data, or configuration details
• Troubleshooting: Run diagnostic commands on multiple devices to identify issues
• Compliance Audits: Verify configuration compliance across your network