External Trace (ACS)

External Trace manages the external tracing configuration for ACS. You configure the tracing protocol and the list of traced methods for the ACS and CPE directions.

Where to find parameter descriptions: The page shows field labels and short section hints only. The Fields section below explains each field.

When to use it

Use External Trace to:

  • configure the protocol and the URL for external tracing (SYSLOG or SOAP),

  • enable or disable tracing for specific remote procedure call (RPC) methods,

  • add a new method to the trace list,

  • manage the methods for the ACS to CPE direction and the CPE to ACS direction separately,

  • export the tracing configuration before you change it,

  • import a new configuration with a dry-run preview.

ACS means the Auto Configuration Server. CPE means customer-premises equipment. SOAP means Simple Object Access Protocol.

Before you start

  1. Sign in to the correct environment.

  2. Open the ACS dashboard and select External Trace.

  3. Check your role:

    • VIEWER: browse the configuration and use Export properties.

    • EDITOR and ADMIN: change settings, manage methods, and use Import.

A VIEWER account works in read-only mode. You cannot edit, import, or enable and disable methods.

Fields

Configuration fields

Field Type Required Validation

Trace URL

String

No

URL of the tracing server. The page checks the URL against a pattern.

Protocol

Enum

Yes

Must be SYSLOG or SOAP

Method fields

Field Type Required Validation

Direction

Enum

Yes

ACS (ACS to CPE) or CPE (CPE to ACS)

Method name

String

Yes

RPC method name, for example GetParameterValues. Must be unique for each direction.

Enabled

Boolean

Yes

Enables or disables tracing for this method

The page groups methods in the ACS methods tab and the CPE methods tab. Each tab shows the number of methods and the number of enabled methods.

Trace methods define the RPC calls to track. Each method has a direction:

ACS

Methods called by ACS on the CPE (ACS to CPE).

CPE

Methods called by the CPE on ACS (CPE to ACS).

Change the configuration

  1. In the Trace configuration section, select the protocol from the list.

  2. Enter the URL if you need one.

  3. Click Save config.

Expected result: The snapshot updates and a notification appears. Save config is disabled if you made no changes or the form is not valid.

The Trace URL is optional and can stay empty.

Find a method

  1. Open the ACS methods tab or the CPE methods tab.

  2. Enter text in the search field.

The list filters while you type. The search checks only the current tab.

The methods table shows these columns:

  • Method: RPC method name.

  • Updated: time of the last change, relative to now.

  • Enabled: switch to enable or disable the method.

  • Actions: delete button.

Add a method

  1. Click Enable method.

  2. Select the Direction (ACS or CPE).

  3. Enter the Method name, for example GetParameterValues.

  4. Click Enable method in the dialog.

Expected result: The list shows the method, and the method is enabled. The page does not allow duplicates. The backend checks for duplicates.

Enable or disable a method

  1. Find the method in the table.

  2. Use the Enabled switch.

The switch is unavailable during an update. A loading indicator shows the update.

Delete a method

  1. Disable the method.

  2. Click the delete button (trash icon) on the method row.

  3. Confirm the deletion in the dialog.

You can delete only disabled methods.

Export a snapshot

  1. Click Export properties.

  2. Save the downloaded file.

The .properties file contains:

  • the configuration parameters (protocol, URL),

  • the list of all trace methods for both directions.

Import with dry-run

A dry-run is required before you apply an import.

  1. Click Import.

  2. Select a properties file, or drag it to the dialog.

  3. Wait for the dry-run analysis.

  4. Read the difference table and the change details panel. It shows:

    • summary counts (to add, update, delete, skip),

    • details for each method, grouped by status,

    • errors and warnings.

  5. If the dry-run shows warnings, select Apply despite warnings.

  6. Click Apply import.

Expected result:

  • The dry-run starts after you select the file.

  • You must accept warnings before you apply.

  • Errors block apply until you fix them.

Import safety checklist

  1. Check the environment name.

  2. Check the selected client type. It must match the file.

  3. Export a snapshot before you change data.

  4. Run Dry-run and review:

    • the errors: you must fix them,

    • the warnings: you must understand them,

    • the create, update, and delete counts.

  5. If you use REPLACE, review the deletions in the dry-run plan. Continue only if you accept them.

  6. Apply the import.

  7. Refresh the page and open the changed entries to check them.

Refresh the snapshot

  1. Click Refresh.

Expected result: The page loads the current configuration snapshot. Use Refresh after an import or after changes by other operators.

Troubleshooting

Edit actions are disabled

Your role does not allow changes. Use an EDITOR or ADMIN role.

Cannot enable method

The method name exists in the selected direction, or you entered the name wrong. Check both points.

Cannot delete method

The method is enabled. Switch Enabled off, then delete the method.

You cannot apply the import

The dry-run shows warnings or errors. Fix the issues in the properties file.

Configuration not found

The configuration does not exist. Click Refresh, or import a properties file to create a snapshot.

Error loading snapshot

The page shows a banner with error details. Read the details and click Retry. If the problem stays, contact an administrator.

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