--- title: Step 1: Create an Activation Configuration in Manufacturing Connect slug: step-1-create-an-activation-configuration-in-manufacturing-connect docTags: createdAt: 2023-07-25T12:47:45.466Z --- Several parameters can be changed for the activation of Manufacturing Connect Edge devices in the corresponding Manufacturing Connect installation. It is important to review these options and to carefully implement the correct configurations. An example of a basic activation configuration can be found in [Example: Create a Basic Activation Configuration](docId\:I0BwrG5Vp3iV2pN0ER071). Note that this example demonstrates the implementation in a fairly basic configuration which might not meet your specific needs. # Overview An activation configuration can be configured with limits, templates and/or template variables. These configurations are all entirely optional. Some of these configurations have existing default values while others can be left blank. These configurations are all implemented in the first four sub-steps and can be skipped if no additional customization is needed. Generating the details for an activation configuration occurs only in *Step 1f: Save* while retrieving the key details are in *Step 1g: Retrieve Activation Code/URL*. # Before You Begin - If you are using a node-locked license, make sure you have a license key for deployment. To get a license key, contact your account executive. - If you are using a site-based license, make sure you’ve already applied the license in Manufacturing Connect. See [License Server](docId\:L6IFlimi9MgYG4MXoEUyt). # Step 1a: Navigate to Activation Configuration Follow these initial steps to access the Activation Configuration options. 1. Log in to Manufacturing Connect. 2. From the navigation panel, navigate to **Edge Management **> **Activation Configs**. The *Activation Configuration* pane appears. 3. Click the **Add (+)** icon. The *Activation Config List/ NEW* pane appears. # Step 1b: Configure Limits You have the option of configuring limits, specifically number of edge devices, lease TTL, and expiration date. If no changes are needed, proceed to the next step. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/G2NcrKJev-hZzWs82mjje_image.png" size="80" width="1697" height="361" position="center" caption="Limits section" showCaption="true"} - **Number of Edge devices:** Enter the number of devices that will share the activation code. The activation code (created after saving) can be used for multiple edge device activations. - **Lease TTL: **Enter the number of days the identity certificate for the activation will be valid from the day you activate the edge device. - **Expiration Date: **Select the expiration date when the activation code can no longer be used. # Step 1c: Add Templates You have the option of applying templates when activating a Manufacturing Connect Edge device. Learn more about [Templates](docId\:SZWx7grBr36GqnHHhoPrD). If the Manufacturing Connect Edge device doesn't need a template, proceed to the next step. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/yF6bPzZo9nQz1saMHCHXk_image.png "Templates section") **To add at least one template**: 1. From the *Template *section, click the **Add** icon. The *Template Select *dialog box appears. 2. Select one or more templates from the list, and then click **Select**. The selected template appears in the *Templates* list. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/H3R0dkvHOzin-UiqrOz_D_image.png" size="80" width="1525" height="462" position="center" caption="Template Select section" showCaption="true"} # Step 1d: Add Template Variables You have the option of applying template variables when activating a Manufacturing Connect Edge device. To use template variables, you'll need to [Parameterize a Template](docId:6tBz1C52eesM9ft9s1JU0) first. If the Manufacturing Connect Edge device doesn't need any template variables, proceed to the next step. ## Add Template Variables Manually ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/fRHkwHAkuh6uxoZ2cJddS_image.png "Template Variables section") **To add at least one template variable manually:** - From the *Template Variables*** **section, click the **Add **icon. The *Add new variable set* dialog box appears. ### Add Template Variables for All Devices ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/VjiaO_6PuhnVHdl7zZTU7_image.png" size="80" width="574" height="338" position="center" caption="Add new variable set dialog box" showCaption="true"} 1. From the *Add new variable set*** **dialog box, click the **Variable set type toggle** so it displays *All Devices*. 2. Click **Add**. The Variable set: *All devices* appears in the *Template Variables* list. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/VwIuoa7-3pwuQMt5TehUt_9ygmrfekvyv5nmxacjmloimage.png" size="100" width="1411" height="145" position="center" caption="Variable list" showCaption="true" indent="2"} 3. Click the **Add** icon next to the variable set. The Variables line items drop down. 4. In the **Variable Name **field, enter a variable name. 5. in the **Variable Value **field, enter a variable value. ### Adding Template Variables for Individual Edge Device ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/_P1qfcHi3mCThhyYYxppJ_image.png" size="80" width="579" height="342" position="center" caption="Add new variable set dialog box" showCaption="true"} 1. From the *Add new variable set*** **dialog box, click the **Variable set type** toggle so it displays *Per Edge Device*. 2. In the **Host Name** field, enter the host name for an edge device. To find host name for an edge device, see [Configure the Network Settings](docId\:HC0nDx7I-slwQdyFl_qYt)' *Host Information*. 3. Click **Add**. The *Variable set: per Edge Device*: \ appears in the *Template Variables *list. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/zUoavZfCetmP2EAW2EXMN_e0wobrnpssfg5w0ajzflimage-1.png" size="100" width="1422" height="176" position="center" caption="Variables set per Edge Device" showCaption="true" indent="2"} 4. Click the **Add** icon next to the variable set. The Variables line items drop down. 5. In the **Variable Name **field, enter a variable name. 6. In the **Variable Value **field, enter a variable value. ## Adding Template Variables Using .csv File Multiple template variables can be uploaded using a `.csv` file. A sample `.csv` file is available to download for customization. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/gOLI3tb00C3y5wOYz5YTj_image.png "Template Variables section") **To add at least one template variable using a .csv file:** 1. From the *Template Variables* section, click the Upload icon. The **Upload variable sets** dialog box appears. 2. (Optional) Click the here link to download a sample `.csv` file. 3. Click** Select File**, navigate to a variable set `.csv` file, and then click **Open**. The selected `.csv` file appears in the *File Name* field.** ** 4. Click **Upload**. The variable sets listed in the `.csv` file appear in the Variable Sets list. # Step 1e: Configure Provision Options The Manufacturing Connect Edge device can be customized to automatically integrate a PubSub Connector or connect a Simulator device. See *Google Cloud Pub/Sub Connector* section of [Connector Provider Reference Table](docId\:rUFnTE_9NkhJYI-haP4hK) and [Generator](docId\:yRNLMXUMixr5YeVHcVJHj) for details. For Manufacturing Connect version 2.12.0 and later, you can apply the [default password policy](docId\:Tfje5cVg12WxmHuk5kM_z) during activation, select the *Password Policy* checkbox. If there are multiple password policies, the master default password policy that can't be deleted is implemented. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/EIkx-pauoOkZ-9p_0-2xb_image.png" size="80" width="1089" height="262" position="center" caption="Provision Options section" showCaption="true"} After activation, you can update the [default password policy](docId\:n7wSoz720xz3cGZUR3tnQ) for individual edge devices. # Step 1f: Configure Advanced Settings :::hint{type="info"} **Note**: The* Advanced Settings* feature is available for Manufacturing Connect 2.11.0 and later. ::: When Manufacturing Connect (MC) connects to a Manufacturing Connect Edge (MCe), it uses Remote Access. Remote Access has a parameter `PersistentKeepalive` that you can reconfigure on how often to send an authenticated empty packet to a Manufacturing Connect Edge for the purpose of maintaining the MC-MCe connection. By default, Remote Access uses 22 seconds. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/HcojceRE0J0VCWnuAXrjY_image.png "Advanced Settings section") To set advanced settings, from the **Remote Network Persistent Keepalive** field, enter a number of seconds between 1-25. # Step 1g: Save When done configuring the Activation Configuration, click** Save**. Once saved, the activation code will then be generated at the *Activation Code* field. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/ApRUnseySMCUsIWG55rHu_image.png" size="80" width="1920" height="937" position="center" caption="Save button" showCaption="true"} # Step 1h: Retrieve Activation Code/URL After saving, the activation code will display underneath the *Activation Code* section. This code and the *Activation URL* will be needed when activating a Manufacturing Connect Edge instance. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/3MITuALZxn0aUKeoM9tnC_image.png "Activation code section") **To retrieve the activation code/URL**: 1. **Copy to clipboard** the *Activation Code*. It will be needed for activating a Manufacturing Connect Edge instance. 2. **Copy to clipboard** the *Activation URL*. It will be needed for configuring a Manufacturing Connect Edge instance. # Next Steps Use the copied *Activation Code* and *Activation URL* to [Create an Activation Request in Manufacturing Connect Edge](docId\:bnSVrYW9RngOMkUg9WlPF).