Difference between “auth-key” and “vm-auth-key” while bootstrapping.
Question
What’s the difference between “vm-auth-key” and “auth-key” in my user data / init-cfg.txt file?
Environment
- Bootstrapping a VM-Series Firewall while using basic configuration to bootstrap it (Palo Alto Networks, Inc., 2024).
- (Optional) The Firewall is expected to: onboard a Panorama; and be licensed by the Panorama Software Firewall License Plugin (Palo Alto Networks, Inc., 2024).
Answer
- "auth-key" is the value generated by the Panorama Software Firewall License plugin when it is used to license the Firewall, as discussed in step 4 of the “Use Panorama-Based Software Firewall License Management” document (linked in the References in the “Additional Information” section).
- "vm-auth-key" is the Auth key you get when you generate an auth key from Panorama > Device Registration Auth Key:
…
Additional Information
References
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (2024, 03 14). Choose a Bootstrap Method. Palo Alto Networks TechDocs. https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/vm-series/11-1/vm-series-deployment/bootstrap-the-vm-series-firewall/choose-a-bootstrap-method
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (2024, 03 14). Use Panorama-Based Software Firewall License Management. Palo Alto Networks TechDocs. https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/vm-series/11-1/vm-series-deployment/license-the-vm-series-firewall/use-panorama-based-software-firewall-license-management
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (2024, 04 23). Panorama Software Firewall License Plugin. Palo Alto Networks TechDocs. https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/plugins/vm-series-and-panorama-plugins-release-notes/panorama-software-firewall-license-plugin