Basic Alias

About this task

A basic alias is a set of configurations that consist of VLAN, Host, Network and Address Range alias configurations. VLAN configuration is a configuration for optimal VLAN re-use and management for local and remote deployments. A host alias configuration is for a particular host device‘s IP address. A network alias configuration is utilized for an IP address on a particular network. An address range alias is a configuration for a range of IP addresses.

A basic alias configuration can contain multiple instances for each of the five (5) alias types.

To edit or delete a basic alias configuration:

Procedure

Go to Configuration → Devices.
Select an RF Domain from the options on left-hand side of the UI, and then go to the Basic Alias tab.

RF Domain - Basic Alias screen
Select + Add Row to define VLAN Alias settings.

Use the VLAN Alias field to create unique aliases for VLANs that can be used at different deployments. For example, if a named VLAN is defined as 10 for the central network, and the VLAN is set at 26 at a remote location, the VLAN can be overridden at the deployment location with an alias. At the remote deployment location, the network is functional with a VLAN ID of 26 but utilizes the name defined at the centrally managed network. A new VLAN need not be created specifically for the remote deployment.


Name	If adding a new VLAN Alias, provide it a distinguishing name up to 32 characters. The alias name always starts with a dollar sign ($).
VLAN	Use the spinner control to set a numeric VLAN from 1 - 4094.

A VLAN alias can be used to replace VLANs in the following locations:

Bridge VLAN
IP Firewall Rules
L2TPv3
Switchport
Wireless LANs

Select + Add Row to define Address Range Alias settings.

Use the Address Range Alias field to create aliases for IP address ranges that can be utilized at different deployments. For example, if an ACL defines a pool of network addresses as 192.168.10.10 through 192.168.10.100 for an entire network, and a remote location‘s network range is 172.16.13.20 through 172.16.13.110, the remote location‘s ACL can be overridden using an alias. At the remote location, the ACL works with the 172.16.13.20-110 address range. A new ACL need not be created specifically for the remote deployment location.


Name	If adding a new Address Alias, provide it a distinguishing name up to 32 characters. The alias name always starts with a dollar sign ($).
Start IP	Set a starting IP address used with a range of addresses utilized with the address range alias.
End IP	Set a ending IP address used with a range of addresses utilized with the address range alias.

An address range alias can be used to replace an IP address range in IP firewall rules.

Select + Add Row to define Host Alias settings:

Use the Host Alias field to create aliases for hosts that can be utilized at different deployments. For example, if a central network DNS server is set a static IP address, and a remote location‘s local DNS server is defined, this host can be overridden at the remote location. At the remote location, the network is functional with a local DNS server, but uses the name set at the central network. A new host need not be created at the remote location. This simplifies creating and managing hosts and allows an administrator to better manage specific local requirements.


Name	If adding a new Host Alias, provide it a distinguishing name up to 32 characters. The alias name always starts with a dollar sign ($).
Host	Set the IP address of the host machine.

A host alias can be used to replace hostnames in the following locations:

IP Firewall Rules
DHCP

Select + Add Row to define Network Alias settings:

Use the Network Alias field to create aliases for IP networks that can be utilized at different deployments. For example, if a central network ACL defines a network as 192.168.10.0/24, and a remote location‘s network range is 172.16.10.0/24, the ACL can be overridden at the remote location to suit their local (but remote) requirement. At the remote location, the ACL functions with the 172.16.10.0/24 network. A new ACL need not be created specifically for the remote deployment. This simplifies ACL definition and allows an administrator to better manage specific local requirements.


Name	If adding a new Network Alias, provide it a distinguishing name up to 32 characters. The alias name always starts with a dollar sign ($).
Network	Provide a network address in the form of host/mask.

A network alias can be used to replace network declarations in the following locations:

IP Firewall Rules
DHCP

Select + Add Row to define String Alias settings.

Use the String Alias field to create aliases for strings that can be utilized at different deployments. For example, if the main domain at a remote location is called loc1.domain.com and at another deployment location it is called loc2.domain.com, the alias can be overridden at the remote location to suit the local (but remote) requirement. At one remote location, the alias functions with the loc1.domain.com domain and at the other with the loc2.domain.com domain.


Name	If adding a new String Alias, provide it a distinguishing name up to 32 characters. The alias name always starts with a dollar sign ($).
Value	Provide a string value to use in the alias.

A string alias can be used to replace a domain name string in DHCP.

Select OK when completed to update the basic alias rules. Select Reset to revert the screen back to its last saved configuration.