Using Zero-Touch Provisioning for IP Deployments 

Doing something thousands of times can make you an expert. But, once you’ve reached a professional level of expertise, tedious repetition becomes a chore, not a learning experience. 

When it comes to deploying IP devices to fulfill your IT or telecom needs, zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) is the key to keeping your operating expenses low and system setup speed high. It’s essential to understand exactly how ZTP is used with the devices to make your deployment seamless. 

What is Zero-Touch Provisioning? 

Zero-touch provisioning is a method of configuring devices automatically, simplifying and speeding up the deployments in large-scale environments. This removes the need for manual configuration which is both timely and costly and gives installers the ability to configure devices remotely.  

Many telecommunications and UCaaS companies, such as Cisco, Microsoft, and Zoom, offer ZTP options for configuring their technology. To meet growing demands for efficient deployment solutions, Algo also has a ZTP option for all IP endpoints to alleviate complexity with IP endpoint setup.  

Benefits of ZTP for Large Deployments  

Previously, to set up the initial configuration on a device, IT personnel were required to do one of two things:  

• Open each individual device and preconfigure all devices before installing them 
• Request permission for access to the local network, which offered security complications and often restrictions for service providers installing deployments for customers 

In addition to saving installers time and effort, ZTP offers additional benefits such as: 

1. Ease of Setup & Installation

Devices connected to a network can be provisioned in bulk from any location when using ZTP. This eliminates the need to coordinate in-person meetings with end users to make changes, minimizing disruption to both your team and your customers’ day.  

2. Increased Security  

When a ZTP-enabled device makes a request for provisioning data, it can be redirected to an off-site provisioning server that’s separate from the customer’s main network. This is exactly how Algo’s ZTP service works. A ZTP redirection is especially useful for installers and service providers as they do not need full access to a customer’s network which can help maintain a greater level of security and privacy for the customer. 

ZTP redirection also allows installers to have full-control over management and maintenance, enabling them to provide customer service effectively and efficiently. 

3. Fewer Mistakes, More Consistency 

Manual configuration leaves plenty of room for human-error while ZTP helps avoid it. Because you can configure in bulk, you can thoroughly review your configuration file and apply changes across all devices exponentially faster than configuring them one by one.  

Using Zero-Touch Provisioning for Algo Deployments 

Algo IP endpoints, including speakers, paging adapters, displays, intercoms, and visual alerters, can all use ZTP for deployment and configuration. Once powered up, the device reaches out to Algo’s hosted ZTP. When this occurs, your device can: 

• Be redirected to your selected provisioning server (remote or on-premise) 
• Assigned to and enabled in your Algo Device Management Platform (ADMP) account 
• Receive any other full configuration file immediately 

Algo’s ZTP service is available for free and can be accessed via ADMP. Though full ADMP access requires licensing, no license is required to use the ZTP service.  

Algo devices have ZTP enabled by default. However, this setting is disabled as soon as you begin to configure a device. To use ZTP, you simply upload a configuration file to your ADMP account and designate the target devices. Devices can be entered manually or uploaded via a text file containing all the MAC addresses.  

As an installer or Algo Integrator, that’s all you need to do to begin deploying your devices. 

Here is what happens behind the scenes when you use Algo’s ZTP service:  

1. Retrieve Configuration File: The device will reach out to the Algo ZTP server to request a configuration or redirection file.  

2. Apply Configuration: Once the file is received, the device will either apply the configurations or be redirected to the provisioning server you specified in the file.  

3. Finalize Setup: In the case that the device was redirected, the device will now receive and apply the configuration specified in the configuration file.