rancid-cvs
Version control network device configurations using CVS
SYNOPSIS
rancid-cvs
PARAMETERS
None
rancid-cvs is generally executed without specific command-line parameters by the rancid-run script or a cron job. It operates based on the RANCID environment and configuration files.
DESCRIPTION
rancid-cvs is an integral script within the RANCID (Really Awesome New Cisco Idiosyncratic Deleter) suite, designed for network device configuration management. Its primary function is to provide version control for collected network device configurations by committing them to a Concurrent Versions System (CVS) repository.
Typically invoked by `rancid-run` or directly via a cron job, rancid-cvs compares the newly collected device configurations with their previously stored versions. If changes are detected, new configurations are added or updated in the CVS repository. This process ensures that a historical record of all configuration changes is maintained, facilitating auditing, troubleshooting, and the ability to roll back to previous configurations if necessary. It processes all RANCID-managed groups, detecting new devices, removed devices, and changes in existing configurations, making it a critical component for tracking network infrastructure evolution.
CAVEATS
["CVS Dependency:<\/b> Requires a functional CVS<\/I> server and client setup. If RANCID is configured for Git<\/I>, rancid-cvs<\/code> is not used; instead, rancid-git<\/code> is utilized.","Permissions:<\/b> Must be run with appropriate user permissions (typically the rancid<\/code> user) to access configuration directories and the CVS<\/I> repository.","Repository Size:<\/b> Over time, the CVS<\/I> repository can grow significantly, especially with frequent configuration changes across many devices, potentially impacting performance and storage.","Legacy System:<\/b> CVS<\/I> is considered a legacy version control system; modern RANCID deployments often prefer Git<\/I> for its advanced features and wider adoption."]
DAILY OPERATION
rancid-cvs is typically executed as part of a daily automated process, usually via a cron job, which first calls rancid-run. After rancid-run collects and processes device configurations, rancid-cvs handles the commit to the CVS repository, ensuring that all detected changes are versioned without manual intervention.
BENEFITS OF VERSION CONTROL
By integrating with CVS, rancid-cvs enables several critical network operations capabilities. This includes the ability to easily audit who made what changes and when, compare current configurations with previous versions, and quickly revert a device's configuration to a known good state, significantly reducing downtime from erroneous changes.
HISTORY
The rancid-cvs script is an original component of the RANCID (Really Awesome New Cisco Idiosyncratic Deleter) suite, which was first publicly released around 1999. In its early development, CVS (Concurrent Versions System) was the dominant version control system, making rancid-cvs a natural choice for managing configuration changes. While the RANCID project has evolved significantly over the years, introducing support for other version control systems like Git (via rancid-git), rancid-cvs has maintained its role for deployments specifically utilizing CVS. Its consistent functionality reflects the core purpose of RANCID: to provide robust version control and change tracking for network device configurations.
SEE ALSO
rancid-run(1), rancid(1), clogin(1), cvs(1)
