Administrator’s

Guide

Orion Series
Network Performance Monitor
Version 7
Administrator’s Guide for Orion Series Network Performance Monitor, Version 7, June
2005

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About SolarWinds.Net
SolarWinds.Net, Inc., founded in 1995, is a privately held Oklahoma Corporation with
headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The company develops and markets an array of
network management, monitoring, and discovery tools to meet the diverse
requirements of today’s network management and consulting professionals.
SolarWinds’ comprehensive products continue to set benchmarks for quality and
performance and have positioned the company as the leader in network management
and discovery technology. SolarWinds’ customer base now includes over 45 percent of
the Fortune 500 and customers from over 90 countries. The SolarWinds global business
partner distributor network now exceeds 100 distributors and resellers.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................13
Who Should Read This Guide........................................................................................13
What’s Covered in This Guide .......................................................................................13
Overview of Orion ...........................................................................................................13
What's New in This Release ...........................................................................................14
How to Contact SolarWinds...........................................................................................15
Chapter 2: Installation and Setup......................................................................................17
Licensing and Version Options......................................................................................17
System Requirements ......................................................................................................18
Server Sizing.....................................................................................................................19
Step 1: Installing SQL Server ..........................................................................................21
Step 2: Installing Orion NPM .........................................................................................21
Step 3: Configuration and Setup ....................................................................................22
Setup Database............................................................................................................23
Create Website ............................................................................................................25
Install Services.............................................................................................................26
What to Do Next ..............................................................................................................26
Chapter 3: Using System Manager....................................................................................27
Getting Started .................................................................................................................27
Adding Nodes and Interfaces ........................................................................................28
Node Details .....................................................................................................................30
Interface Details................................................................................................................32
Volume Details.................................................................................................................34
Events ................................................................................................................................35
Real-Time Views ..............................................................................................................37
Printing Views.............................................................................................................39
Exporting View Data..................................................................................................40
System Settings.................................................................................................................41
Database.......................................................................................................................41
Polling ..........................................................................................................................42
Statistics .......................................................................................................................43
Charts ...........................................................................................................................44
Network .......................................................................................................................45
Node Tree ....................................................................................................................46
Advanced Settings ...........................................................................................................47
 Baseline Calculation ...................................................................................................47
Availability Calculation.............................................................................................48
Node Warning Interval..............................................................................................49
Counter Rollovers.......................................................................................................50
XML Snapshots ...........................................................................................................51
Management Pack Integration .......................................................................................52
Viewing Charts ................................................................................................................54
Right-Click Chart Options.........................................................................................55
Chapter 4: Alerts...................................................................................................................59
Getting Starting ................................................................................................................59
Creating a New Alert ......................................................................................................61
General Tab .................................................................................................................61
Property to Monitor Tab ............................................................................................62
Monitored Network Objects Tab ..............................................................................63
Alert Trigger Tab ........................................................................................................64
Time of Day Tab .........................................................................................................65
Alert Suppression Tab................................................................................................66
Actions Tab..................................................................................................................68
Send an E-mail/Page .............................................................................................69
Play a Sound ..........................................................................................................70
Log the Alert to File ..............................................................................................70
Windows Event Log..............................................................................................71
Send a Syslog Message .........................................................................................72
Execute an External Program...............................................................................72
Execute a VB Script ...............................................................................................73
E-mail a Web Page ................................................................................................73
Change Node or Interface Property....................................................................74
Text to Speech Output ..........................................................................................74
Send a Windows Net Message ............................................................................76
Dial Pager or SMS Service ....................................................................................76
Send an SNMP Trap..............................................................................................77
Get or Post a URL to a Web Server .....................................................................78
Testing an Alert................................................................................................................79
Editing an Alert................................................................................................................80
Copying an Alert..............................................................................................................80
Deleting an Alert..............................................................................................................80
Deactivating an Alert ......................................................................................................80
Chapter 5: Network Discovery...........................................................................................81
Before Getting Started .....................................................................................................81
Chapter 1: Introduction 5

Using the Network Discovery Tool ...............................................................................82

Chapter 6: Map Maker.........................................................................................................91
Example Maps..................................................................................................................92
Getting Started .................................................................................................................93
Understanding the Menu................................................................................................94
File Menu .....................................................................................................................94
Edit Menu ....................................................................................................................96
Tools Menu..................................................................................................................97
Map Menu ...................................................................................................................98
Window Menu ............................................................................................................99
Making a Basic Map ......................................................................................................100
Nesting Maps .................................................................................................................103
Printing Maps.................................................................................................................105
Customizing Objects Using Properties Dialogs .........................................................107
Node Properties ........................................................................................................107
Object Styles .........................................................................................................107
Network Link Properties .........................................................................................109
Label Properties ........................................................................................................110
Map Properties..........................................................................................................111
Advanced Options .........................................................................................................112
Using the Alignment Toolbar .................................................................................112
Using the Auto-Arrange Toolbar............................................................................112
Using the Map Toolbar ............................................................................................112
Setting a Background Image ..............................................................................113
Setting a Background Texture............................................................................114
Setting a Background Color ...............................................................................115
Customizing Links ...................................................................................................116
Drawing Straight and Curved Lines.................................................................116
Changing the Line Appearance .........................................................................116
Associating a Node or Interface to a Line ........................................................116
Customizing Nodes..................................................................................................117
Adding Nodes to a Map .....................................................................................117
Changing the Node Appearance .......................................................................117
Associating a Node or Interface to an Icon ......................................................117
Customizing Labels..................................................................................................117
Adding a Label to a Node ..................................................................................118
Adding a Label to a Line ....................................................................................118
Adding a Label to a Map....................................................................................118
Changing the Label Appearance .......................................................................118
Adding a URL to an Object .....................................................................................119
 Importing and Migrating Maps ...................................................................................120
Importing a Map.......................................................................................................120
Migrating Maps ........................................................................................................121
Exporting Maps..............................................................................................................122
Exporting Maps as an Image...................................................................................122
Exporting Maps as HTML.......................................................................................122
Publishing Maps to a Remote Web Server .................................................................123
Map Maker Settings.......................................................................................................124
Icon Styles Tab ..........................................................................................................124
Line Styles Tab ..........................................................................................................125
Map Defaults Tab .....................................................................................................126
Node Tree Tab...........................................................................................................127
Chapter 7: Custom Property Editor .................................................................................129
Getting Started ...............................................................................................................130
Understanding the Menu..............................................................................................130
File Menu...................................................................................................................131
Edit Menu ..................................................................................................................132
Properties Menu .......................................................................................................133
Adding a Custom Property ..........................................................................................134
Adding a Predefined Custom Property.................................................................134
Building a Custom Property from Scratch ............................................................135
Removing a Custom Property......................................................................................136
Editing Custom Properties ...........................................................................................137
Editing Custom Properties on Nodes ....................................................................137
Editing Custom Properties on Interfaces...............................................................137
Editing Custom Properties on Volumes ................................................................137
Using Filters in Edit View.............................................................................................138
Creating a Filter ........................................................................................................138
Removing a Filter .....................................................................................................139
Importing Custom Property Data................................................................................139
Exporting Custom Properties.......................................................................................143
Printing Custom Properties ..........................................................................................144
Custom Property Editor Settings.................................................................................145
Chapter 8: Report Writer...................................................................................................147
Getting Started ...............................................................................................................147
Preview Mode ................................................................................................................149
Design Mode ..................................................................................................................150
The General Tab........................................................................................................150
The Select Fields Tab ................................................................................................151
Chapter 1: Introduction 7

The Filter Results Tab...............................................................................................153

The Top XX Tab ........................................................................................................155
The Time Frame Tab.................................................................................................156
The Summarization Tab...........................................................................................157
The Field Formatting Tab ........................................................................................157
The Report Grouping Tab........................................................................................159
The SQL Tab ..............................................................................................................159
Exporting Report Data ..................................................................................................160
Example Report..............................................................................................................161
Chapter 9: Account Limitation Builder ..........................................................................167
Getting Started ...............................................................................................................167
Adding an Account Limitation ....................................................................................168
Deleting an Account Limitation...................................................................................169
Chapter 10: Web Administration.....................................................................................171
Starting Orion NPM.......................................................................................................171
Admin Option ................................................................................................................172
Account Manager...........................................................................................................172
Account List....................................................................................................................173
Account Views ...............................................................................................................174
Customize Views ...........................................................................................................174
Creating New Views ................................................................................................175
Editing Views ............................................................................................................175
Copying Views..........................................................................................................179
Resource Configuration Examples .........................................................................180
Selecting a Network Map ...................................................................................180
Displaying a List of Objects on a Network Map .............................................181
Displaying a Custom List of Maps....................................................................183
Displaying an Event Summary - Custom Period of Time..............................184
Specifying User Defined Links ..........................................................................185
Specifying Custom HTML or Text ....................................................................186
Specifying an Orion Report................................................................................187
Displaying a Custom List of Reports ................................................................188
Grouping and Filtering Nodes ..........................................................................188
Views by Device Type...................................................................................................190
Assigning Views by Device Type ...........................................................................190
Customize Menu Bars ...................................................................................................191
To Edit or Add a New Menu Bar............................................................................192
Adding a Custom Menu Item ............................................................................195
Color Scheme..................................................................................................................196
 NPM Web Settings.........................................................................................................197
Thresholds ......................................................................................................................198
Database Details.............................................................................................................199
License Details................................................................................................................200
Polling Engines...............................................................................................................201
Clear Web Cache............................................................................................................201
Launching Integrated Remote Desktop ......................................................................201
SolarWinds Toolset Integration ...................................................................................202
Toolset Integration Settings.....................................................................................204
SNMP Community Strings Tab.........................................................................204
Menu Options Tab ..............................................................................................205
Automatic Menu Items Tab ...............................................................................206
Chapter 11: Account Manager..........................................................................................209
Creating New Accounts ................................................................................................209
Editing User Accounts ..................................................................................................211
Disabling Accounts ..................................................................................................211
Setting Expiration Dates on Accounts ...................................................................212
Setting Administrator Rights on Accounts ...........................................................212
Allowing Customized View Creation....................................................................212
Allowing Event Acknowledgment and Removal.................................................213
Setting Account Limitations....................................................................................213
Setting Default Menu Bars.......................................................................................214
Setting a Default Home Page View ........................................................................215
Setting Default Network Devices ...........................................................................215
Setting Default Views...............................................................................................215
Setting a Report Folder ............................................................................................216
Chapter 12: Database Utilities .........................................................................................217
Database Manager .........................................................................................................217
Getting Started ..........................................................................................................217
Adding a Server........................................................................................................218
Database Backup.......................................................................................................219
Restore a Database....................................................................................................219
Compact a Database.................................................................................................220
Compact Individual Tables .....................................................................................221
View Database Details .............................................................................................221
View Table Details....................................................................................................221
Exporting Data..........................................................................................................222
Editing Database Fields ...........................................................................................222
Detach a Database ....................................................................................................222
Chapter 1: Introduction 9

Creating a Database Maintenance Plan .................................................................223

Using Enterprise Manager.......................................................................................223
Database Maintenance ..................................................................................................225
Nightly Maintenance................................................................................................225
Database Compaction ..............................................................................................226
Database Migration........................................................................................................226
Chapter 13: Syslog..............................................................................................................227
The Syslog Protocol .......................................................................................................227
Syslog Priorities ........................................................................................................228
Syslog Facilities List: ...........................................................................................228
Syslog Levels List: ...............................................................................................228
Getting Started ...............................................................................................................229
Syslog Viewer Settings ..................................................................................................231
General Tab ...............................................................................................................231
Maximum number of messages to display ......................................................231
Automatically Refresh the Current Messages view........................................231
Displayed Columns Tab ..........................................................................................232
Word wrap long messages .................................................................................232
Message Parsing Tab................................................................................................233
Remove embedded Date/Time from Syslog Messages...................................233
Remove Message Type from Syslog Messages................................................233
Remove Domain Name from DNS Lookups ...................................................233
Retain Syslog Messages Slider...........................................................................234
Filters / Alert Rules Tab ...........................................................................................234
Show Rules for .....................................................................................................234
Configuring Filters and Alert Rules ............................................................................235
General Tab ...............................................................................................................235
Apply this Rule to ...............................................................................................235
Source IP Addresses............................................................................................235
Message Type Tab ....................................................................................................236
Severity / Facility Tab...............................................................................................237
Time of Day Tab........................................................................................................237
Trigger Threshold Tab .............................................................................................238
Alert Actions Tab......................................................................................................240
Viewing Current Messages...........................................................................................241
Acknowledging Messages .......................................................................................241
Search Messages.............................................................................................................242
Grouping ..............................................................................................................242
Maximum Number of Messages to Display ....................................................242
Auto Refresh Every .............................................................................................243
 Hiding the Search Criteria Pane ........................................................................243
Chapter 14: Upgrades and Migrations............................................................................247
Upgrading to Manage More Elements........................................................................247
Upgrading From Version 7.0.5 to Version 7.x............................................................247
Upgrading From Version 6.x to Version 7.x...............................................................248
Upgrading from Evaluation 7.x to a Licensed Copy.................................................249
Upgrading From Version 5.x SL-Series to Version 7.x..............................................249
Upgrading From Version 5.x AX100 to Version 7.x ..................................................250
Moving Orion NPM to a New Server/Computer ......................................................251
Migrating SQL Server to a New Server/Computer ...................................................251
Migrating Desktop Engine to SQL Server Standard or Enterprise Version.............252
Alert Suppression Examples ............................................................................................253
Dependent Node Alert Suppression Example...........................................................255
Failure of Load Balancing Alert ...................................................................................258
Polling Engine Tuning......................................................................................................265
Using the Polling Engine Tuner...................................................................................265
Estimating a Good Value ..............................................................................................266
Example .....................................................................................................................267
Setting the Registry for Maximum Polls Per Second.................................................267
Web Configuration Backup..............................................................................................269
Creating a Web Configuration Backup .......................................................................269
Restoring a Web Configuration Backup with Overwrite .........................................270
Restoring a Web Configuration Backup with Merge ................................................270
Migrating a V6 Web Engine Database to V7 ..............................................................270
Software License Key ........................................................................................................271
Installation ......................................................................................................................271
Automatic Login.................................................................................................................275
Using Windows Pass-Through Security .....................................................................275
Using the DirectLink Account......................................................................................278
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................................279
Things to Try First .........................................................................................................279
Back Up Your Data...................................................................................................279
Verify Program Operation.......................................................................................279
Stop and Restart........................................................................................................279
Rerun Configuration Wizard ..................................................................................279
Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................................................280
Chapter 1: Introduction 11

Website Problems .....................................................................................................280

Map Maker Problems...............................................................................................284
System Manager Problems ......................................................................................284
Network Discovery Problems .................................................................................289
Database Manager Problems...................................................................................290
Configuration Wizard Problems.............................................................................291
Getting More Help.........................................................................................................293
Alert Macros........................................................................................................................295
Macro Modifiers........................................................................................................295
Buffer Errors ..............................................................................................................296
Interfaces....................................................................................................................296
Interface Errors..........................................................................................................297
Interface Status..........................................................................................................297
Interface Polling ........................................................................................................298
Interfaces (CATV version only) ..............................................................................298
Interface Traffic .........................................................................................................299
Nodes .........................................................................................................................300
Node Polling..............................................................................................................300
Node Statistics...........................................................................................................301
Node Status ...............................................................................................................301
Object Types ..............................................................................................................301
Volumes .....................................................................................................................302
Volume Polling .........................................................................................................302
Volume Statistics.......................................................................................................302
Volume Status ...........................................................................................................303
Date/Time ..................................................................................................................303
Alert-Specific .............................................................................................................304
Example Messages Using Macros...........................................................................305
Glossary ...............................................................................................................................307

Index .....................................................................................................................................311
Chapter 1: Introduction

Who Should Read This Guide

T his guide is intended for those responsible for installing and setting up the
SolarWinds Orion Network Performance Monitor version 7.x (hereafter referred to
as Orion NPM). This will normally be the system/network administrator, but could also
include the Webmaster. The Windows account used to install Orion NPM will need to
have administrative rights on the server.

What’s Covered in This Guide

This guide includes sections that discuss
· Installation and upgrades
· Configuration of the system
· Discovering your network
· Creating and configuring alerts
· Making maps of your network
· Creating custom properties
· Setting up users
· Configuring the Web Interface for users
· Database utilities
· Advanced configuration and customization
· Troubleshooting

Overview of Orion
The SolarWinds’ Orion NPM is a highly customizable, web-enabled fault and
performance management tool suite for IP networks. Orion NPM collects and stores
real-time data and historical statistics that make it easier for you to evaluate and
improve the performance and reliability of your network. Orion NPM provides a
flexible interface for displaying the data and statistics that are important to you. Orion
NPM features a configurable alerting engine that can automatically notify the people
who need to know about network events — by a variety of methods — based upon
user-defined event thresholds and the time of day or day of week the events occur.
Multiple users can access the system simultaneously using Internet Explorer, each with
their own customized views. Orion NPM includes a customizable charting engine that
enables powerful views of your data at a glance.

The Orion NPM package includes a Windows service that runs in the background, a
website, and a set of utility programs for setup, configuration, and maintenance.
Components in the application suite include:

· SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Service

· System Manager
· Configuration Wizard
· Network Discovery Wizard
· Map Maker
· Custom Property Editor
· Account Limitation Builder
· Database Manager
· Database Maintenance tools

What's New in This Release

· Operating System Support - now supports Windows 2003, Windows XP
Professional, and Windows 2000 Server technologies.
· Web Capabilities - new functionality supports grouping and filtering, web
based reports, enhanced maps and features new charts, gauges, and LEDs.
· Monitoring Capabilities - additional monitoring capabilities for CPU,
Memory, and High Capacity Counters for several device types including
devices from Cisco, Nortel, Foundry, and more...
· Network Diagramming and Mapping - now includes a new and advanced
Map Maker application that allows the creation of complex network maps and
diagrams used to depict the status of your network on the Orion website.
· New Tools - the addition of several tools to the Orion suite including the
Custom Property Editor, Report Writer, Account Limitation Builder, and
Report Scheduler (download only).
· And much more!
Chapter 1: Introduction 15

How to Contact SolarWinds

The SolarWinds website is an excellent resource located at http://www.SolarWinds.Net.
If you fail to find what you need via the web, please do not hesitate to contact a
SolarWinds representative.

Support

Visit the Support website at http://SolarWinds.Net/Support/index.htm to access the

Knowledge Base, Frequently Asked Questions, obtain Program Updates, contact the
Support Team, provide feedback, visit the User Forum, and more!

Phone

You can phone SolarWinds in the USA at 918-307-8100. Faxes can be sent to 918-307-
8080.

Sales

Send e-mail to a Sales representative at [email protected] for all your sales needs.

Mail

SolarWinds.Net
8221 East 63rd Place
Tulsa, OK 74133 USA
Chapter 2: Installation and Setup
T his chapter will walk you through the installation process for Orion Network
Performance Monitor (Orion NPM). If you are reinstalling Orion NPM or
upgrading from another version, see Upgrades and Migrations on page 247. Installation
proceeds in 3 steps:

· Installing the Microsoft SQL Server

· Installing Orion NPM
· Running the Orion Configuration Wizard

Licensing and Version Options

Licensing of Orion NPM is based upon the highest of the following three values:
· Total number of managed network interfaces - including switch ports,
physical interfaces, virtual interfaces, sub-interfaces, VLANS, etc.
· Total number of managed nodes - including routers, switches, servers,
access points, modems, etc.
· Total number of managed volumes (logical disks).
Orion NPM is available in the following versions:

SL100 SL250 SL500 SL2000 SLX

Maximum number of
elements that can be 100 250 500 2000 Unlimited1
monitored

1
While the SLX version is not limited in the number of elements that it can manage in terms of licensing, there
is performance limitations on how many elements can be managed based on the server hardware. Current
technology limits management to an estimated 8,000 – 10,000 elements per SLX polling engine.
System Requirements
System requirements for Orion NPM vary based upon the number of elements
managed, polling frequency, number of simultaneous users, and several other factors.
The table below represents some general guidelines for a minimum configuration.

Minimum System Requirements

Operating System Windows 2000 Server or Advanced Server with Service Pack 4
Windows 2003 Server
Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1a or 2
Web Server Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS), version 5.0 or 6.0
Web Browser Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 or later
Database Microsoft SQL Server 20002

2
Orion NPM SL series uses SQL Server’s Open architecture database. A Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop
Engine with 2GB capacity is included with this product.
Chapter 2: Installation and Setup 19

Server Sizing
Orion NPM is capable of monitoring networks of any size — from small corporate
LANs to large enterprise and service-provider networks. Most Orion NPM systems will
perform well on Pentium-class 1GHz systems with 1GB of RAM using the default
polling engine settings. However, when monitoring large networks, you should give
additional consideration to the hardware used and the configuration of the system.

There are three primary variables that affect scalability. The most important item to keep
in mind is the number of elements that you will be managing. Systems monitoring more
than 1,000 elements may need to be tuned to offer optimal performance. The second
item to consider is polling frequency. For instance, if you are collecting statistics every
five minutes instead of the default nine, the system will have to work harder and system
requirements will increase. Finally, the number of simultaneous web users accessing the
system will have a direct impact on the performance of the system.

When planning your Orion NPM installation, there are four main factors to keep in
mind with respect to scalability. These four items are CPU, memory, number of polling
engines, and polling engine settings. The tables displayed on the following page list
SolarWinds’ recommendations for minimum configuration of CPU, memory, and
numbers of polling engines. Polling engine settings are discussed in the appendix,
Polling Engine Tuning.

' In some situations, Orion NPM will be installed on a different computer than SQL Server. If you
experience performance problems or you plan to monitor a very large network with Orion NPM, you
should consider placing Orion NPM and SQL Server on different computers. This scenario offers several
performance advantages, as the Orion NPM server does not have to perform any SQL Server processing
and does not have to share resources with SQL Server.
Orion Version SL100 SL250 SL500 SL2000

Managed Elements3 £100 £ 250 £ 500 £ 2K

CPU Speed 800MHz 1.0GHz 2.0GHz 2.4GHz
RAM 512MB 768MB 1GB 2GB
SQL 2000 DE 4
DE DE DE/SE5,6

SLX

Managed
Elements3 <5K < 10K < 15K < 20K < 25K < 30K < 35K < 40K < 45K < 50K > 50K

CPU Speed
(in GHz) 2.6 3 2.6 3 2.6 3 2.6 3 2.6 3 3
7

RAM 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2+
5

Additional
Polling 0 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5+
5

Engines8
Location of
9 10 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
SQL Server Local Rem Rem Rem Rem Rem Rem Rem Rem Rem Rem

SQL 2000 SE
3
SE
3
SE
3
SE
3
SE
3
SE
3
SE
3
SE
3
SE
3
SE
3
SE
3

¤ The tables assume default statistics collection intervals of nine minutes. Decreasing the polling
interval will increase the system requirements.

3
An element is defined as the smallest managed component of a device for which statistics are stored. Examples of
an element would be a serial interface on a router or a VLAN on a switch. For the purposes of counting elements,
Orion NPM keeps track of the number of nodes, the number of interfaces, and the number of volumes you have
selected for monitoring.
4
SQL Server Desktop Edition (included with Orion NPM distribution) is adequate, but you may use the Standard or
Enterprise version.
5
SQL Server Standard or Enterprise Edition
6
If you have configured Orion for frequent polling and/or roll data up into statistics on a long schedule, or due
to other performance reasons, you may need SE.
7
For more than 50,000 managed elements, please contact the SolarWinds Sales Team at [email protected].
8
Increasing the number of polling engines will decrease the system requirements. The inverse is true as well.
Additional Polling Engines are sold separately.
9
SQL may be installed on the same (local) machine as Orion if performance requirements are modest.
10
SQL may be installed on the same (local) machine as Orion if performance requirements are modest.
Remote SQL Server. For systems monitoring more than 10,000 elements, it is recommended that SQL Server be
installed on a separate server.
Chapter 2: Installation and Setup 21

Step 1: Installing SQL Server

Orion NPM uses a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 database. A licensed copy of SQL Server
2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE) is distributed with each copy of Orion NPM. MSDE
supports a maximum database size of 2GB. If you are installing Orion SL2000 or Orion
SLX, we recommend that you acquire and install either the Standard or the Enterprise
version of SQL Server. You may install MSDE from the CD or by logging into the
customer area of the SolarWinds.Net website and downloading Orion NPM. If you are
installing from download, be sure to follow the instructions in the included ReadMe file.

¤ SQL Server installation defaults are specified in the SETUP.INI file. If you want to install SQL
Server anywhere but the default location, or to enable logging for troubleshooting, this file can be
modified once it is saved to your hard drive. More information about installations options can be
found on Microsoft’s website at http://www.microsoft.com/sql.

Step 2: Installing Orion NPM

1. Begin the Installation of Orion from either the CD or the download file. If you
are upgrading or migrating, please refer to the Upgrades and Migrations
section on page 247 for specific instructions.

2. Choose the target directory where you would like to install Orion NPM. The
default is C:\Program Files\SolarWinds\.

3. Follow the steps of the Installation Wizard and if prompted to do so, restart
your computer.

¤ If prompted to Install the Software License Key, please follow the instructions on page 271, then
proceed with the Configuration Wizard.
Step 3: Configuration and Setup
When Orion NPM has been installed on your system, you will need to run the
Configuration Wizard to continue the installation and setup process. The Wizard will
configure connectivity to your SQL database, the Orion NPM website, and the
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Service.

To begin,
1. Open the SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Configuration Wizard
from the Windows Start menu: Start SolarWinds Network Performance
Monitor Configuration Wizard.

¤ If prompted to Install the Software License Key, please follow the instructions on page 271, then
proceed with the Configuration Wizard.

The Configuration Wizard opens to display up to four tabs, which must be completed in
the order at which they are displayed. The Welcome tab displays the version of the
Orion NPM Wizard that you are running and shows the name of the tool that you are
installing.

2. Click Start to proceed to the Setup Database tab.

¤ If any SolarWinds services are currently running, you will be prompted to stop them after clicking
Start. SolarWinds recommends stopping all services before continuing the Configuration
Wizard.
Chapter 2: Installation and Setup 23

Setup Database
The Setup Database tab configures SQL Server connectivity and creates a database.
Click Continue to proceed with the database setup.

1. Select the name of the SQL server to which you will be connecting from the
drop down list provided. Normally you will find any SQL Servers on your
network in the drop down list, but you may need to enter the name (or IP
address) of the servers located elsewhere. Use the radio buttons to select the
authentication type for the SQL Server. Click Continue.

¤ If you use the SQL Server ID and password option, you must use an ID with sufficient rights to
create new databases on that server (for example, the SQL Administrator account).

2. Create a new database by entering a Database Name in the text box provided
or connect to an existing database by selecting the Database Name from the
list. Use the Ellipsis button to display your directory structure. Navigate
to the location you wish the database to be stored. The default path is
C:\Program Files\SolarWinds\Data.
3. Once satisfied with your database selections, click Continue.
4. Next, set a User Name and Password on the SQL Server that can be used by
Orion NPM's website and polling engines to access the database. The default is
SolarWindsNPM.

5. Click Continue to advance to the Create Website tab.

¤ The information specified in this portion of the Configuration Wizard is stored in the
SWNetPerfMon.db file located in the default location of C:\Program Files\SolarWinds\Network
Performance Monitor V7 directory. Within this file is the "connection string" that Orion NPM will
use to communicate with your SQL Server
Chapter 2: Installation and Setup 25

Create Website
1. Select the IP address, TCP port number, and root directory you want to use for
your Orion NPM website and click Continue.

¤ If you specify any port number other than 80, you will have to include it in URLs that access the
Orion NPM site, in the form http://OrionServer/NetPerfMon:Port Number. For example, if you
specify port 8080, the URL would be http://OrionServer/NetPerfMon:8080.

2. A message will be displayed asking if you wish to overwrite the existing

website, if you are installing the Orion NPM website on a server that already has
another website running on it - including the default site that installs with IIS.
The website must be either disabled or given its own IP address or TCP port in
order to coexist with the Orion NPM site. If you choose Yes, the existing website
will be overwritten.
3. Once the Website has been created, click Continue to proceed to the Install
Services tab.
Install Services
The Install Services tab of the Wizard installs and starts the SolarWinds Network
Performance Monitor Service (NPM Service).

1. Select the Services you wish to install.

2. Click Continue to install and run the NPM Service.

3. After the NPM Service is installed and running, click Continue. The
Configuration Wizard will close and System Manager will launch.

+ In order to install the Syslog Server service, Microsoft’s .NET Framework 1.1 needs to be installed.

What to Do Next
After successfully completing the Configuration Wizard, you must populate the
database with the network elements you want to be monitored. This can be
accomplished by either adding Nodes/Interfaces manually in System Manager or by
using the Network Discovery Wizard to automatically discover the devices on your
network and import them into your database.

Instructions on adding Nodes and Interfaces manually via System Manager are located
on page 28.

Details on using the Network Discovery Wizard are found on page 82.
Chapter 3: Using System Manager
O rion NPM’s Web Interface displays data and statistics that are collected by the
NPM Service and stored in a SQL database. The NPM Service is configured,
customized, and managed in System Manager. System Manager is also used to perform
functions such as adding and deleting nodes, configuring polling options, and adding
new elements to be monitored. System Manager is a comprehensive tool in its own
right, and can be used to view much of the same information about nodes and interfaces
available from the Orion NPM Web Interface.

¤ While the Alert feature is configured within the System Manager, its extensive functionality merits a
separate chapter. Please see the Alerts chapter beginning on page 57.

Getting Started
System Manager is opened by selecting Start SolarWinds Network Performance
Monitor System Manager.

System Manager opens with an expandable tree displaying the monitored network
resources on the left and a Splash Screen on the right. The Splash Screen provides
additional application information and presents a collection of buttons that can be used
to perform the software's most common functions. This functionality is also available
from the application menu and toolbar.
Adding Nodes and Interfaces
Adding nodes and interfaces is the fundamental task in System Manager. While groups
of nodes can be added by Network Discovery (for more information, see Network
Discovery on page 82), individual nodes and interfaces can easily be added using
System Manager. Selecting either Nodes Add Node or Interfaces Add Interface from

the menu (or clicking the New button on the toolbar) will open the Add Node or
Interface to Monitor dialog.

¤ For our purposes, a Node is defined as anything with an IP address. For example, Nodes typically
include routers, switches, e-mail servers, and workstations.

Enter the IP address or network name of the node you want to add and supply the
SNMP community string by either entering it or selecting it from the drop-down list. In
most cases, the read-only community string is sufficient.

To support the use of dynamic IP addresses, select the check box labeled “Dynamic IP
Address (DHCP or BOOTP), and the IP address will be automatically determined.

If you want to monitor only network latency or response time and availability of a node,
check the box labeled "Node does not support SNMP . . ." and the host will be
monitored only for its response times, node status, and packet loss. In this case, no
community string is required. If you choose this option, the device is added to your list
of monitored nodes immediately without offering any additional resource monitoring
options.

Once satisfied with your entries in the Add Node dialog, click OK. A Resource dialog is
displayed listing all discovered interfaces and volumes on the specified node. Use the
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 29

check boxes or the series of Select/Deselect buttons to specify all Resources11 you wish to
monitor and which sets of charts you want to make available for each interface.

When you have made your selections, click OK. Your choices will be added to the
database and monitoring will begin.

¤ To monitor CPU Load, Memory, and Disk space for Unix based devices, you will need to install the
UCD/Net SNMP agent on those devices.

Resource What is Monitored

CPU CPU load as percentage of capacity

12
Memory Memory and buffer utilization as total usage and percentage of capacity
12
Volume Disk space utilization as total usage and percentage of capacity
Interface Bandwidth utilization, percentage of capacity, errors and discards, and total bytes
transferred

11
For our purposes, Resources are defined as interfaces, volumes, memory, and CPUs.
12
For Memory and Volume monitoring on Windows 2000 systems, Service Pack 4 must be installed on the
Windows machine being monitored.
Node Details
By right clicking on a node in the Node Tree, you can pop up a menu that includes an
option to view Node Details.

The Node Details screen contains a live view of data from the Node.

From this view, you can poll the node on demand, rediscover the node, and display and
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 31

modify its monitored resources by clicking the appropriate button on the right side of
the window. You may also set the polling intervals for status checking (the Node Details
frequency that the device is tested for up or down status) and statistics gathering (a
query that gathers statistics on everything you are monitoring on that node) by moving
the sliders provided.

¤ Changes made in this window affect only the node being viewed. For example, you can make the
polling interval shorter for critical devices, while leaving a longer default interval in effect for others.

If you have high-speed interfaces and are experiencing frequent counter rollovers, you
may wish to enable 64-bit counters. Confirm that the device supports 64-bit counters
and select the Allow 64-bit Counters check box on the Node Details screen.

+ Some Vendor implementations of 64-bit counters produce faulty data. If you are experiencing erratic or
incorrect data, you may wish to disable 64-bit counters by unchecking the Allow 64-bit Counters box.

You may also give the Node a new name, IP address, or community string from this
screen. Changing the Node name only affects the way the Node is identified on charts
and graphs within System Manager and the Orion NPM website. It does not impact the
device on the network.

+ While changing a node’s name does not affect data collection, changing its IP address or community
string does. You should change the IP address or community string in this dialog only if they have
changed on your network. Changing these values in this dialog allows you to continue to accumulate
statistics for a node rather than having to start over when these values have been changed on the
network.
Interface Details
When you right-click on an interface name in System Manager’s Node Tree, you are
presented with a pop-up menu including an option to view Interface Details.

The Interface Details screen provides a complete listing of the most recently acquired data
and statistics for the interface of interest, along with several tools.

Just as with the Node Details view, you can adjust the polling and statistics collection
intervals for the chosen Interface without affecting the values for other Interfaces. You
can change the name for the Interface within System Manager, thus modifying the way
it appears on charts and graphs (this only affects the way the node is identified within
System Manager and the Orion NPM website, and does not change the name in the
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 33

network). You may also poll the node on demand (to update the Interface Details
statistics) or rediscover the node (to verify and update the identity information) using
the appropriate buttons.

This dialog is also used to view the ifIndex of the Interface. An ifIndex of zero indicates
that the interface is no longer present on the node.

There are also text boxes that allow you to change the Transmit and Receive Bandwidth
values. These values are used when calculating Percent Utilization. The System
Manager sets initial configured bandwidth values when the interface is added. These
values are not updated during rediscovery; therefore, the bandwidth values can be
manually set. They may also be set independently for asymmetric circuits (ADSL or
CATV interfaces, for example, with different upstream and downstream data rates).

¤ Setting thresholds when monitoring customer circuits is another frequent use of the Transmit and
Receive Bandwidth settings. For example, a customer may have a 10 Mbps connection (via Ethernet),
but may only be paying for 512 Kbps with overcharges when they exceed the 512k limit. You could set
the Transmit and Receive Bandwidth settings to 512000 and display Percent Utilization charts for their
circuit in terms of 512 Kbps.

Buttons for administratively shutting down and enabling the interface are also
provided. In order for these to work, the read-write community string must have been
provided for the node to which the interface is attached.

+ If you choose to administratively disable an interface, be certain that you are not disabling the interface
you are using to connect to the device.
Volume Details
If you right-click on a volume in the Node Tree, you are presented with a pop-up menu
offering you choices for managing volumes.

Selecting Volume Details opens the view below.

As with views of Nodes and Interfaces, all current data and statistics for the volume are
displayed, and sliders are provided that allow you to adjust the polling intervals for this
volume, without affecting the default interval for other volumes. You may also poll the
node on demand (to update the statistics) and rediscover the node (to verify and update
the identity information) using the appropriate buttons.
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 35

Events

Select Events Event Details, (or click the Events button ) to view a log of all
Events recorded by your system.

The Event Details view lists all Current Events in the database, with the most recent at
the top. Individual Events can be acknowledged — and cleared from view — by
clicking the acknowledgment icon ( ) at the left side of the line for an Event’s entry. If
you right-click anywhere in the Event Details screen, a pop-up menu offers choices to
clear various categories of Events.

From the Event Details screen, you can also view Past Events, which include all Events
— acknowledged or not — still in the log. When you click Past Events at the bottom of
the Event Details screen, you are presented with a screen showing no Events, but with a
set of text boxes and drop-down lists at the top of the window in which you can specify
the range of time, type of event (or all events), and particular objects (or all objects) for
which you wish to view event information.

¤ The Network Event Log is maintained as part of the Nightly Database Maintenance plan defined within
the Database tab of the System Manager's Settings dialog. Records are kept for the number of days
specified using the Network Events slider in the Statistics Summarization section (the default is 30
days). For more information, see page 41.

Select Events Event Monitor, to view a summary of logged events.

As events occur, they are added to the view; as they are acknowledged, they are
removed (from the view, but not from the Events database). A displayed category of
events can be acknowledged by clicking the acknowledgment icon ( ) at the left of the
category’s entry. If you click anywhere else within the Event Monitor screen — or on
Events Event Details, or on the Event icon on the toolbar — the Event Details screen
will open.
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 37

Real-Time Views

The View option on the System Manager menu or tool bar opens a vast range of
possibilities for viewing the real time data and statistics gathered by System Manager.
There are over 20 views already defined, and you may define as many others as you
like.
A view presents data and statistics in tabular format.

Right clicking in the view window pops up a menu of tools for managing the item
under the cursor.

¤ The options in the bottom panel of the menu above will only function if you have installed a SolarWinds
toolset that includes them.

From the View menu, selecting either New View or Customize Current View opens a
dialog from which you can select the items you want to include in the View you are
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 39

creating.

Upon making your selections and clicking OK, you will be presented with a tabular
view of your data. You can rearrange the columns by dragging the column headings left
or right to the position you want and dropping them. Clicking in the column head will
cause the data in that column to become the sort-order basis for all the data shown, and
clicking in it again will cause the order to reverse.

Printing Views
When a view is on the screen arranged in the way you want it, click the print button to

print the view - using standard printing procedures.

Exporting View Data
View data may be exported for use or viewing in other programs in a variety of formats,
including comma-delimited ASCII, plain text, HTML (viewable in a web browser), PDF
(Adobe Acrobat), and XLS (Excel spreadsheet). With the view you want to export
selected, click File Export and make a choice of the data format you want.

You will then be presented with a window that allows you to select the fields you want
to include.

When you click OK, you will be asked to provide a file name for your exported data,
and the data will then be exported to the file.

' The difference between the choice labeled Export to Excel Spreadsheet and the option labeled
Export Directly to Microsoft Excel is that the first saves an Excel file only, while the second opens
the saved spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 41

System Settings
System Settings are maintained in a dialog found by selecting File Orion Network
Performance Monitor Settings in the menu or by clicking the Settings button on
the toolbar. In this dialog, you can specify how your data is initially collected, how often
it is rechecked, how often it is rolled up into statistics, the behavior of charts, the
parameters for polling, the appearance of the interface, and much more. In other words,
this is the place where you make Orion NPM behave the way it works best for you.

Database
The Database tab contains options that control the routine maintenance of your
database. It is here that you select the time for Nightly Maintenance to run, and the
frequency of data summarization.

· Nightly Maintenance runs at the time you specify at the top of the dialog,
and consists of
· Summarizing detailed statistics older than a specified number of days
(default is 7) into hourly statistics
· Summarizing hourly statistics older than a specified number of days
(default is 30) into daily statistics
· Deleting daily statistics older than a specified number of days (default is
365)
· Deleting monitored network events older than a specified number of days
(default is 30)
¤ The longer you keep statistics — particularly the fine-grained detailed statistics — the larger your
database will be.

A button at the bottom of the dialog runs the Database Maintenance program, from
which you can force Nightly Maintenance to run immediately or run the Shrink
Database Size option.

' For suggestions in creating a comprehensive plan for backup of your SQL database, see Creating a
Database Maintenance Plan on page 223.

Polling
Polling consists of a check that determines availability status (up or down) of resources
on your network and their response times. Polling is the function that determines
Availability, Status, Network Latency, and Packet Loss and is normally done more
frequently than Statistics collection. In the Polling tab, you can set default values for the
frequency with which polling is conducted.

These settings will be applied to new devices as they are added, and can be applied to
all current devices by clicking the Apply these Settings to All button.

+ If you click Apply These Settings to All, the values you may have set for individual devices will be
replaced by the new default values.

The Rediscover Resources slider controls the frequency that Orion NPM verifies
discovered details about monitored devices. Orion uses this information to validate the
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 43

identity of monitored nodes, interfaces, and volumes and automatically adjusts for most
changes in this information.

Statistics
Statistics collection goes much further than a status check. When statistics are collected,
all monitored nodes, interfaces, and volumes are checked for the values of interest.
Statistics collection retrieves data from your devices’ interface traffic and errors, as well
as Volume and CPU usage. It is normally done less frequently than Polling. The
frequency of statistics collection is set in the Statistics tab.

You can set default statistics collection intervals for newly added Nodes, Interfaces, and
Volumes. You can also apply these values to all currently monitored devices by clicking
Apply These Settings to All. If you click Apply These Settings to All, the values you
may have set for individual devices will be replaced by the new default values.

¤ This is not a snapshot. Statistics represent summaries, peaks, and averages collected during an entire
window of time. Unlike the SolarWinds Bandwidth Gauges, Statistics do not represent just the value of
activity occurring at the time of the collection, but are calculated values that summarize total activity
since the last collection.
Charts
The Charts tab offers the opportunity to adjust the appearance of printed charts by
selecting a preference with the Print Charts in … command. If printing to a
monochrome printer, instead of converting each chart to black and white with symbols
before printing, you can select Monochrome with symbols and System Manager will
convert the charts to black and white each time one is printed.

Default Font Size is adjusted globally by selecting one of the three settings: Small,
Medium, or Large. System Manager will also dynamically adjust the font size for each
chart as the chart window is resized.

Node and Interface performance charts can also be set to refresh automatically by
checking the button of your choice. If you choose to have charts auto refresh, you will be
presented with a slider used to set the period of time to elapse before a chart will be
refreshed.

¤ This setting affects only the display of Charts in System Manager, not on the Orion NPM website.
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 45

Network
Under the Network tab are the controls for the behavior of SNMP packets, and for the
behavior and content of the ICMP packets used to PING the devices on your network.

The ICMP Timeout is the maximum amount of time (in milliseconds) that the NPM
Service will wait for a response from an IP address. If there is no response within the
limit set, then the NPM Service changes the Node Status to Warning. If the device
continues to fail to respond during the Node Warning Interval, the Node Status will
change to Down (for more information about setting the Node Warning Interval, see
page 49). The Timeout value can be increased or decreased by moving the slider. You
should adjust this value to the minimum practical value possible in order to maximize
performance. A good starting point is twice the maximum PING time across your
network. A few days or weeks of observing your network’s normal response times will
give you a good idea of what a practical minimum should be.

The ICMP packets’ content may also be edited to make them identifiable with a
particular source or to adjust their size. The data payload size can vary from zero (0) to
200 bytes.

' Some network devices consider ICMP packets with data in the payload part of the packet to be
suspicious. Try adjusting the packet size to be less than 10 bytes or remove the data from the payload part
of the packet.

¤ The counter at the right above the Data Portion text box maintains a running count of bytes in your
packet.

Values can also be set for SNMP packets to timeout, and the number of retries for
sending packets. The Timeout setting determines the number of milliseconds the NPM
Service will wait for a reply before assuming the packet was lost and try again. This
setting should normally be set to twice the maximum PING time to any device you are
monitoring. Again, by observing your network’s behavior, you will be able to adjust
these values to the lowest values that assure a response if the device is active, but
without wasting time waiting for devices that are not.

Node Tree
In the Node Tree tab, the display of icons representing Nodes in the Node Tree at the
left side of the System Manager window can be configured.

By default, Nodes are represented by an icon that signifies the type of device and
Interfaces are represented by a status indicator. You may change this, as you wish, with
both display options available for both types of monitored devices.
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 47

Advanced Settings
The Advanced Network Performance Monitor Settings dialog is displayed by selecting File
Advanced Settings from the System Manager menu. Within this dialog you may set
the baseline and availability calculations, the interval of time for a Node's status to
remain as warning, the counter rollover method, and XML snapshot file creation.

Baseline Calculation
When the NPM Service starts up (usually when its host is started), there is no current
data for your network. By default, a Baseline Calculation is made where all Resources
are polled right away. As soon as the poll is complete for the network, it is polled again.
This results in two sets of data from which statistics can be calculated for a nearly instant
view of your network’s performance.

This calculation clearly requires a lot of data gathering and number crunching, which
will affect the performance of the Orion NPM host and some router’s CPUs until
Baseline Calculation is completed. If you are unlikely to need statistics immediately
when starting Orion NPM’s host, select Disable Baseline Calculation at Startup from
the Baseline Calculation tab.
Availability Calculation
The Availability Calculation tab allows you to select one of two methods for device
availability. The first method, the default, is based upon the Node's up or down status.
As long as the device responds to a ping within the default two-minute warning interval
(set in the Node Warning Interval tab), the node is considered up. Method 2 bases the
nodes availability on a packet loss percentage. It is best to leave calculations based on
Method 1, unless you have a need for packet loss percentage based availability.
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 49

Node Warning Interval

A device may drop packets or fail to respond to a poll for many reasons. When it does
fail to respond, its status is changed from Up to Warning. In this tab, you specify how
long it will remain in the Warning status before it is marked as Down. During the
interval specified, the service performs a "fast polling" to continually check the node
status.

¤ You may see Events or receive Alerts for Down Nodes that are not actually down. This is commonly
caused by intermittent packet loss within the network. You can set the Node Warning Interval to a
higher value to avoid these false notifications.

¤ To reduce the amount of packet loss reported by Orion, you can have the polling engine retry ICMP
pings a specific amount of times before reporting packet loss. To do this, add the string value:
“Response Time Retry Count” to the Windows Registry in the folder;
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/SolarWinds.Net/SWNetPerfMon/Settings Set the Value to 1 or
however many retries you prefer.
Counter Rollovers
Depending upon the types of devices that you are monitoring and your Orion NPM
settings, Orion may be gathering information from 32-bit counters on your network
devices. 32-bit counters have a maximum value of 2 32 or 4,294,967,296. The Counter
Rollover setting controls how Orion will compensate when it detects that a 32-bit
counter has reached its maximum capacity and "rolled over" to zero.

Orion NPM also has the ability to gather statistics from the 64-bit counters on network
devices - for those devices that support the use of these high capacity counters. 64-bit
counters have a capacity of 2 64 or 18,446,744,073,709,551,616. To enable the use of 64-bit
counters on a network device, select the "Allow 64-bit Counters" check box on the Node
Details view in System Manager. For more details, see page 30.

+ SolarWinds Orion NPM fully supports the use of 64-bit counters; however, some hardware vendors'
implementation of these high capacity counters exhibit erratic behavior and bugs. If you notice peculiar
results when using these counters, use the Node Details view to disable the use of 64-bit counters for the
device and contact the hardware manufacturer.
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 51

XML Snapshots
System Manager can be set to make an XML file of its data on a periodic basis. This
XML Snapshot can be used by other programs, most commonly web applications, for
the purpose of displaying information about selected devices or interfaces at a chosen
point in time.

+ XML Snapshot generation is a CPU-intensive activity. Leave this option disabled unless you are actually
using the XML Snapshots.
Management Pack Integration
Management Packs are now directly integrated with the Orion System Manager. Nodes
can be managed by right clicking on the Node and choosing a Management Pack.

+ The associated Management Pack must be installed in order to use the System Manager Integration.
Please refer to the Management Pack documentation for installation instructions.
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 53

Right clicking on a module within the Node Tree will present you with more specific
options for the associated Management Pack.

To monitor Wireless Statistics with the Wireless Networks Management Pack, right
click on an Access Point and select List Resources. Check the box Wireless Network
Performance Monitoring and then click OK.
Viewing Charts
System Manager provides substantial means for viewing information about your
network in its own right. If you expand the Node Tree at the left of the screen, you will
find that there are a large number of charts available for viewing statistics about Nodes
and Interfaces you have chosen to monitor. Clicking on any of these will cause the chart
to be displayed.

The charts themselves will dynamically redraw themselves as the windows containing
them are resized, and the scales will adjust for maximum readability and detail. It is also
possible to drill into a chart by drawing a bounding box around an area of interest,
which has the effect of zooming in to the selected area.

¤ When you drill into a chart, you must begin dragging with your cursor within the bounds of the graph
itself. With the view zoomed in, all the data remains available for display by scrolling the image using
the scroll bar that appears at the bottom of the chart.
Chapter 3: Using System Manager 55

The charts display the most recent data and statistics by default. Use the tabs at the
bottom of each chart to specify different periods of time. The Custom Period option
opens a dialog that allows you to specify the period for which you want information.

The Autorefresh button, located in the lower-left of the chart window, toggles
Autorefresh on and off for Node, Interface, and Summary charts. The button will
initially display in the state selected for the default — on or off — in the Settings menu
on the Charts tab (see Charts on page 43 for more details).

Right-Click Chart Options

Charts may be configured to display in the way you wish from a large range of options
available by right-clicking within the chart.

Many of the options available on the fly-out menus are summarized on several tabs in
the Customization dialog, shown below.
¤ These settings affect only the charts as displayed in System Manager, and have no effect on the charts
displayed in Orion NPM’s website.

Charts may be quickly modified by using the buttons on the toolbar, as detailed in the
table below.

Refreshes the chart (also returns it to its default state)

More detail (bars become lines, lines become points…time compresses)

Less detail (points become lines, lines become bars…time expands)

Opens Customization dialog (above)

Adds tabular display of data to chart showing values at each poll

Chapter 3: Using System Manager 57

In addition to diverse options for displaying information in chart form, the Export dialog
offers choices for formatting data included in a chart to be exported for use by other
programs.
Chapter 4: Alerts
A lerts are generated for network events, and may be triggered by the simple
occurrence of an event or by the crossing of a threshold value for a monitored
Interface, Volume, or Node. Alerts can be set to notify different people on different days,
different times of the day, different people for different events, or any combination of
times, events, and people. Alerts may be configured to notify the people who need to
know about the emergent event by several mediums, including:

· Sending an e-mail or page

· Playing a sound on the NPM machine
· Logging the Alert details to a file
· Logging the Alert details to the Windows Event Log
· Sending a Syslog message
· Executing an external program
· Executing a VisualBasic script
· E-mailing a web page
· Changing the value of a Interface or Node property
· Playing a text to speech output
· Sending a Windows Net Message
· Dialing a Paging or SMS Service
· Sending an SNMP trap
· Posting a URL to a web server

Getting Starting
Alerts are configured within the System Manager application. You may open System
Manager by selecting Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor System
Manager.

To begin, click Alerts on the toolbar or Alerts Configure Alerts from the menu.
Clicking the Alerts button will display the Active Alerts dialog. The Active Alerts dialog
displays a table view of your Alerts log allowing you to customize the list by selecting a
grouping criterion. Select either Type of Alert or Node from the drop down to change
the display. A Refresh button is provided to display the most recently triggered alerts
that have not yet been reset.
Click Configure Alerts to display the Configure Alerts dialog. The dialog includes a
collection of predefined Alerts and a series of action buttons.

As you add new Alerts to the system, they will be listed in the display. A check box is
included at the bottom of the dialog allowing you to Disable all Actions for All Alerts.
This will disable the actions configured for All Alerts (send e-mail, page, etc.), but each
Alert occurrence will still be recorded in the log and displayed in the Alerts dialog. This
feature is particularly useful when you are working on a network issue where the Alert
actions would only prove more cumbersome. Alternatively, to activate or inactivate an
individual Alert, simply check or uncheck the target Alert accordingly.
Chapter 4: Alerts 61

Creating a New Alert

To create an Alert, click New Alerts within the Configure Alerts dialog. The Edit Alerts
dialog is displayed with the General tab active.

General Tab
The General tab allows you to change the name of the Alert, provides a check box to
enable the alert, and includes a brief overview of alert functionality. As you complete
the information in the General tab, click on the Property to Monitor tab to advance to the
next step.
Property to Monitor Tab
The Property to Monitor tab displays a tree structure with all available properties.
Navigate through the tree structure and select the property that you wish to monitor for
this Alert. For most properties a description is displayed at the bottom of the dialog
upon selection. The system only allows you to select one property per Alert action,
replacing the previous selection with each new selection. This feature allows you to click
on each property, view the description without the concern of deselecting it later, aiding
in the determination of the desired property.
Chapter 4: Alerts 63

Monitored Network Objects Tab

The Monitored Network Objects tab displays a checklist of the objects on your network
based upon your selection in the Property to Monitor tab. By default, all objects are
selected. Individually uncheck the objects you do not wish to monitor for this Alert, or
use the Clear All, Select All buttons provided. Once satisfied with your selections,
proceed to the Alert Trigger tab.
Alert Trigger Tab
The Alert Trigger tab dynamically changes to display criteria based upon the Property
you chose to monitor in the Property to Monitor tab. In the example provided, the Node
Status property was selected. Follow the instructions on the display to set the Alert's
trigger and reset conditions before advancing to the Time of Day tab.

¤ When an Alert is triggered, the specified action(s) result. The action(s) will not be repeated until
the Reset condition has first been satisfied.
Chapter 4: Alerts 65

Time of Day Tab

Set the days and times at which you would like the chosen property to be monitored.
The selections made within this tab will effect when the Alert action will be triggered
and reset. For instance, if you want the Alert to be active only during non-working
hours you would specify 5:01 PM to 7:59 AM and check mark each weekday. You
would then use the Copy Alert button on the Customize Alert dialog to create a separate
alert for the weekend, specifying 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM and selecting the check boxes
next to Saturday and Sunday in the Time of Day tab.
Alert Suppression Tab
Use the options available on the Alert Suppression tab to define the conditions or
dependencies for which you would like to receive or suppress Alerts. Many error
conditions can occur in a network that will trigger multiple Alerts from a single Event.
There are also conditions that may not need to trigger an Alert by themselves, but
should if they occur with other conditions.

By default Alert Suppression is inactive. The two other options under the Alert
Suppression tab allow you to set up the conditions that handle complex situations,
including the suppression of the alert if; 1) any of one or more conditions exist, or 2) all of
two or more conditions exist. If either of the later two options is selected, the Alert
Suppression tab changes to display a list of configured alerts to choose from. Add, Edit,
and Delete buttons are also provided.
Chapter 4: Alerts 67

The Add and Edit buttons display the Add or Edit Alert Suppression dialog providing the
Property to Monitor, Network Object, and Suppression Trigger tabs. Specify the network
object, object property, and conditions, which need to be met in order to suppress the
Alert. Once satisfied with your suppression configuration, proceed to the Actions tab.

¤ Refer to the Alert Suppression Examples beginning on page 253 for more information.
Actions Tab
The Actions tab displays a list of all current actions for the selected Alert. To delete an
action from the list, highlight the action and click Delete Selected Action. You may also
change a selected action's configuration by clicking Edit Alert Action.

The Add Alert Action button will display the Select an Action for this Alert dialog
presenting a collection of action types available. Choose an Action and click OK. Each
action type displays a distinct collection of tabs for configuring the action parameters.
Chapter 4: Alerts 69

Send an E-mail/Page
The Edit E-mail/Page Action dialog includes several tabs for configuration. The top
portion of the E-Mail/Pager Addresses tab includes free form entry fields to enter one or
more e-mail and/or pager recipients. When entering multiple addresses in a field,
separate each address with a comma only. The bottom portion of the tab includes the
information regarding the From E-mail Account. Enter the Name and a Reply
Addresses in the fields provided. This information will display when the recipient
receives the e-mail or page.

¤ Some pager systems require a valid reply address in order for the page to complete.

The SMTP Server tab includes a field for you to enter the Hostname or IP Address that
you wish to use to send the e-mail and/or page message. This field is required and will
not let you exit without specifying.

The Trigger Message and Reset Message tabs include default messages that will be
sent in the e-mail and/or page. You may change this text if you wish, but it's important
that you understand the use of Macros beforehand. Click the Help with Macros button
for online help or visit Alert Macros on page 295 of this guide.

' If you would like to suppress the e-mail for either the alert trigger or reset condition, simply remove the
text from the subject and message fields on the corresponding Trigger or Reset Message tab.
Play a Sound
Alert actions can be configured to play a sound from the Orion Server. The Edit Play
Sound Action dialog displays allowing you to specify a sound file for the Alert Trigger
and Alert Reset condition. Type the complete path and name of the file in the text box or
use the Ellipsis button to navigate your folder structure and select a file. Once you
have specified a sound file, you may click the musical note button to test the sound.

Log the Alert to File

To log an Alert to a file, specify the file in the Edit Alert Logging Action dialog. Use the
Ellipsis button to navigate your folder structure and select the target file, or enter a
file name and complete directory path in the text box provided. If the file specified does
not exist, it will be created with the first Alert occurrence.

Default messages are provided for the trigger and reset conditions. You may change this
text, if you wish, but it's important that you understand the use of Macros beforehand.
Click the Help with Macros button for online help or visit Alert Macros on page 295 of
this guide.
Chapter 4: Alerts 71

Windows Event Log

You may specify that an Alert be logged to the Window's Event Log on either the
NetPerfMon server or a Remote server. Use the radio buttons provided to make your
event log selection.

Default messages are provided for the trigger and reset conditions. You may change this
text, however, a basic understanding of Macros is required. Click the Help with Macros
button for online help or visit Alert Macros on page 295 of this guide.
Send a Syslog Message
The Edit Send Syslog Action dialog enables you to specify the target Hostname or IP
Address of the machine's Syslog for which you would like to record the alert trigger and
reset messages.

The Trigger Message and Reset Message tabs include the default message text and a
drop down list to select the severity that shall be recorded in the Syslog. As with all
alerts, the default messages may be changed if you have a basic understanding of
macros. For this reason, the Help with Macros button has been provided along with an
Alert Macros section on page 295 of this guide.

Execute an External Program

There are several circumstances where a program may need to be executed with the
occurrence of a network event. You may use the Edit Execute Program Action dialog to
specify the complete path and name of the executable that shall be kicked off when the
specified Alert is triggered or reset. The Ellipsis buttons provided aid in specifying
the desired program by displaying your file structure.
Chapter 4: Alerts 73

Execute a VB Script
In some situations you may wish for a VisualBasic script to be executed with the
occurrence of a network event. The Edit Execute Program Action dialog is used to specify
the name and complete path of the file that shall be executed when the specified Alert is
triggered or reset. You may use the Ellipsis buttons to display your file structure to
aid in specifying the desired program. Select the appropriate VB Script Interpreter
installed on the NPM machine from the drop down provided.

E-mail a Web Page

The Edit E-mail Web Page Action dialog includes several tabs for configuration. The top
portion of the E-Mail/Pager Addresses tab includes free form entry fields to enter one or
more e-mail and/or pager recipients. When entering multiple addresses in a field,
separate each address with a comma only. The bottom portion of the tab includes the
information regarding the From E-mail Account. Enter the Name and a Reply Address
in the fields provided. This information will display when the recipient receives the e-
mail or page.

The SMTP Server tab includes a field for you to enter the Hostname or IP Address that
you wish to use to send the e-mail and/or page message. This field is required and will
not let you exit without specifying.

Within the Trigger URL and Reset URL tabs you must specify the URL for the website
and Windows userid and password, if required. This will only be needed if the website
is not running with anonymous access. You may test the URL specified by clicking the
Preview URL button. A default subject line for the e-mail and/or page is provided. You
may change this text if you wish, but it's important that you understand the use of
Macros beforehand. Click the Help with Macros button for online help or visit Alert
Macros on page 295 of this guide.

Change Node or Interface Property

You may specify that an alert change a custom property value upon meeting the
defined alert trigger and/or reset condition(s). For information on adding a custom
property to your database, see the Custom Property Editor chapter on page 129. This
can be useful in situations where you have limited the users Orion NPM Web Interface
view based upon a property value, thus showing the users a moving depiction of the
nodes, interfaces, or volumes they need to monitor. You may also populate the property
with a custom URL for each issue needing monitoring. For more information on
limiting users views see page 213.

¤ You must enter the name of the Property exactly as it appears in the table header of the Edit View
within the Custom Property Editor application. See Editing Custom Properties on page 137 for
more details.

Within the Edit Change Property Action dialog, enter the Property name and the values
that shall be populated upon alert trigger and reset. Click OK when you are satisfied
with your specifications.

Text to Speech Output

Chapter 4: Alerts 75

You may specify a phrase that will be spoken upon Alert trigger and a separate phrase
for the Alert reset. Microsoft Speech Synthesis Engine version 4.0 is included with
Windows 2000 and version 5.0 is included with Windows 2003 and XP Professional.
You also may install and utilize another engine by visiting the SolarWinds website at:
http://www.solarwinds.net/support/orion/TextToSpeech.htm.

If you do not like the way the engine pronounces a word, use the Pronunciation
Dictionary button to tweak the word to your liking. Test the phrases specified clicking
the Test button and use the sliders provided to adjust the speed, pitch, and volume of
the speech.

Default text is included within the Trigger Phrase and Reset Phrase tabs. You may
change the text to anything you wish, with a basic understanding of Macros. Click the
Help with Macros button for online help or visit Alert Macros on page 295 of this guide.
Send a Windows Net Message
Alerts can be configured to display a pop-up Windows Net Message on a specified
computer. Use the Edit Net Message Action dialog and specify the target Computer
Name or IP Address. Check the box if you wish to send the Net Message to all
computers in the Directory or Workgroup.

Default message text is provided for the Trigger and Reset messages within the
corresponding Trigger Message and Reset Message tabs. You may change this text if
you wish, but it's important that you understand the use of Macros beforehand. Click
the Help with Macros button for online help or visit Alert Macros on page 295 of this
guide.

Dial Pager or SMS Service

¤ If you don't have messaging software installed, you will be prompted with a dialog including a
hyperlink to download (www.SolarWinds.Net/Orion/NotePage.htm).

Alert actions can be integrated with NotePage messaging software and configured to
send a SMS message to a mobile phone or pager. Within the Edit NotePage Action dialog,
Target Machine or Domain tab, specify the Page Recipient and From values.
Chapter 4: Alerts 77

Click on the Ellipsis button to be presented the NotePager Recipients dialog, which
provides a list of all individuals and groups configured in the NotePager registry.
Double-click on a Recipient in the All Recipients box on the left to move it to the Send
Page To box on the right, or use the arrows provided. Alternatively, a double-click or
the use of back arrows will remove an individual or group from the Send Page To box.

' Utilize Shift + click to highlight multiple consecutive rows or Ctrl + click to highlight multiple non-
consecutive rows.

Once satisfied with your selections, click OK to return to Edit NotePage Action dialog.
Default message text is provided for the Trigger and Reset messages within the
corresponding Trigger Message and Reset Message tabs. You may change this text if
you wish, but it's important that you understand the use of Macros beforehand. Click
the Help with Macros button for online help or visit Alert Macros on page 295 of this
guide.

Send an SNMP Trap

SNMP Traps can be configured for Alert Trigger and Alert Reset conditions within the
Edit SNMP Trap Action dialog. Specify the IP Address or Hostname of the PC that will
receive the trap in the text box provided on the Target Machines tab and click Add. The
added machine will appear in the display screen. Continue adding machines using this
method, clicking the Delete button to remove any unwanted machines.
Once all desired machines are added, advance to the Trap to Send on Trigger and Trap
to Send on Reset tabs. Select from the Trap Template drop down the type of SNMP
trap that shall be sent upon meeting the Trigger and Reset conditions. Options include
Generic and Detail. The Generic provides whom the trap is from and the message, while
the Detail provides additional information. You may change the default messages
provided using the procedures presented when clicking the More Information on
Customizing SNMP Traps hyperlink.

Get or Post a URL to a Web Server

You may specify a URL when the Alert is triggered and for when the Alert is reset
within the text fields provided in the Edit Post URL Form dialog. The specified URL
could be an interface into a trouble ticket system, and by correctly formatting the GET,
you could automatically create a new trouble ticket. Whatever your desired use, enter
the URL(s), specify the Get or Post command, and click OK.
Chapter 4: Alerts 79

Testing an Alert
Alert actions may be tested before activation to ensure proper configuration. To display
the Test Fire Alerts dialog, click Test Alert within the Configure Alerts dialog or open from
the Windows Start menu: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Advanced
Features Shutdown NetPerfMon.

Use the drop down to select the Network Node you would like to use to test the Alert. If
applicable, choose the Interface or Volume radio button for the Node and select the
desired value from the drop down. Once you have made the Object selections, choose
the Alert you wish to test from the drop down provided. Use the Test Alert Trigger and
Test Alert Reset buttons to test the Alert actions. Additional buttons are included at the
bottom of the dialog to Display and Clear the Alert Error Log.

' You may edit the alert from the Test Fire Alerts dialog by double-clicking on the alert name in the
display. This will open the alert in Edit mode.
Editing an Alert
To edit an Alert listed in the Configure Alerts dialog, highlight the desired Alert and click
Edit Alert. The Edit Alerts dialog is displayed with the General tab active. Follow the
instructions for Creating a New Alert beginning on page 61.

¤ Keep in mind that checking or unchecking the Alert activates or deactivates the Alert actions and
is not the same as highlighting the Alert for editing.

Copying an Alert
To copy an Alert listed in the Configure Alerts dialog, highlight the desired Alert and
click Copy Alert. The Edit Alerts dialog is displayed with the General tab active.
Navigate to the tab that contains the criteria in which you would like to change. For
instance, you may have an alert set to notify an individual for weeknights and would
like to notify a different individual on weekends. In this example, you would copy the
first alert and change the specifications in the Time of Day and Action tabs accordingly.
Refer to the instructions for Creating a New Alert beginning on page 61 for descriptions
of each tab.

Deleting an Alert
To delete an Alert, highlight the desired Alert in the Configure Alerts dialog and click
Delete. Deleting an Alert will permanently remove an Alert and its configuration from
the system. If you would like to retain the Alert's configuration, you may opt to simply
deactivate the individual Alert action instead of deleting it entirely.

Deactivating an Alert
To deactivate an alert, deselect the check box preceding the Alerts name within the
Configure Alerts dialog. Deactivating an Alert prevents the defined action from occurring
while still retaining the Alert configuration for activation at a later time.
Chapter 5: Network Discovery
T his chapter will discuss procedures for using the Network Discovery tool to find
devices on your network and import them into the Orion NPM database. There are
a few things to keep in mind about the Network Discovery process. First, the Network
Discovery process will not duplicate devices already included in your database, so its
safe to use it to recognize new devices added to your existing network. Next, CPU and
Memory Utilization are automatically enabled for your Windows, CISCO Systems, and
Foundry Networks devices. Last, the Volumes on your devices are not automatically
discovered. If you desire, manually add Volumes through System Manager by right
clicking on the device in the node tree, selecting List Resources from the list, and
checking each volume you wish to monitor.

Before Getting Started

The Network Discovery tool works by first collecting information in a temporary
database, then processing the gathered information through the NPM Service and
populating a SQL Server database with the results. It is therefore very important that the
NPM Service be running for this process. In the Services control panel, find the
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Service, and verify that it is running.

¤ Since the database created during Network Discovery is the same as a SolarWinds Network Sonar
Database, if you already have a Network Sonar Database, you can use it as the basis of your
discovery process. At Step 2 of the following Using the Network Discovery Tool section, just select
Open Discovery Database and select your existing Network Sonar Database, then proceed as
detailed for a new database.
Using the Network Discovery Tool
1. Start the Network Discovery tool. The application is launched from the
Windows Start Menu: Start SolarWinds Network Performance
Monitor Network Discovery and opens to display a Splash Screen as
illustrated below.

The Splash Screen provides additional application information and presents a collection
of buttons that can be used to perform the software's most common functions. This
functionality is also available from the menu and toolbar.

2. Select File New Discovery Database. Specify a filename and location to create
and store the database. Save your choice. The Step 1 - SNMP Community
Strings window appears.
Chapter 5: Network Discovery 83

3. Enter all the SNMP community strings used on your network. The community
strings “public” and “private” are included by default. To add other values,
enter them in the New SNMP Community String field, and then click Add.
When you have added all your community strings, you can highlight them,
then move them up or down in the list by using the arrows to the right.

' To speed up discovery, move the most commonly used community strings on your network to the top of
the list.

4. Click Next Step to advance to the Network tab.

5. Add the subnets on which your devices can be found. There are two ways to
add subnet information (follow “a” or “b” described below):
a. From the menu bar, choose Subnets Add Subnets or just click Add
Subnets.

From the Add Subnets dialog,

1. Enter subnet addresses and masks.
2. Click Add Subnet to add
them to the list.
3. When you are done, click
OK to continue.
b. From the menu bar, choose Subnets Discover Subnets Using Seed
Routers or just click Discover Subnets Using Seed Routers.

1. Add your seed routers by typing in their IP addresses in

the Add Router window, then click Add.

2. When all your seed routers have been added, click

Continue. The Network Discovery tool will then discover
Chapter 5: Network Discovery 85

the subnets that are connected to your seed router.

3. When the subnet discovery is complete, click OK to close

the Network Topology Discovery window and continue.

6. Select the subnets on which you wish to discover devices by checking the
boxes beside the subnets.

¤ By default, the Network Discovery Engine will scan any additional subnets it finds during the
discovery process. To avoid this, click Settings and select Exclude any new Subnets found during the
Network Discovery.

7. Click Next Step, and then click Start Network Discovery. When the network
discovery has started, a window will be displayed showing the progress and
speed of the discovery. You can speed up or slow down the network discovery
by moving the slider to the left or right, respectively.
 ¤ If you have a high-speed network, you can confidently set the slider for maximum speed. If you
have a slower network or are accessing your network by way of a dial-up connection, you should
set the slider to a lower setting. If you notice the discovery process did not find all elements on
your network, rerun the discovery with the slider set at a slower speed.

When network discovery is complete, the Discovering Network window will display
“Network Discovery Complete”.
Chapter 5: Network Discovery 87

¤ Network Discovery can be paused by clicking Pause Discovery Process. If you then click
Close, you can even shut off your computer and resume later by restarting Network Discovery.
At Step 2, select File Open Discovery Database and open the database you defined before.
Click Next Step through the Wizard to get back to the Discover Network Devices panel, and click
Start Network Discovery. Discovery will resume where it left off.

8. Click Close to return to the Discover Network Devices screen. The screen will list
the types and numbers of devices that were discovered.

9. Click Next Step to advance to the Import tab. This part of the discovery will
import the discovered devices into the Orion NPM database.

10. Click Next to continue.

¤ If you get an error stating “Unable to load service configuration object…, ” you will need to start
the SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Service before continuing. (See Before Getting
Started on page 81 for more details.) Click OK and start the SolarWinds Network Performance
Monitor Service before continuing.

11. Check the boxes beside the devices you want to import or click Select All.

12. Click Next to advance to a screen that allows you to select the types of
interfaces you want to import.
Chapter 5: Network Discovery 89

13. Check the boxes beside the interfaces to import or click Select All, then click
Next. You advance to a screen offering choices about the operational status of
interfaces to be imported. You may choose to import only interfaces that are
operationally up, operationally down, interfaces that are shut down, or any
combination of the above.

14. Make selections, then click Next. The Wizard presents a screen that offers a
selection of devices to be included in the monitoring database. All devices
selected for import by default. You may uncheck those you wish to omit, or
use Clear All to omit everything, and then recheck those you wish to include.
 ¤ The import process will stop when the number of elements for which you have a license is met,
and any elements not already processed will be excluded.

15. When satisfied with your choices, click Next to import the devices into the
Orion NPM database.

¤ If the import process fails to start and you get an error message instead, it is probably because
your SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Service is not running. (See Before Getting
Started on page 59 for more details.)

As your choices are imported, the progress of the process is indicated, and successful
completion is signaled with the message “Import Completed.”

Upon completion, you can view the results of your discovery by viewing the Node Tree
in System Manager, or opening the Orion NPM website.
Chapter 6: Map Maker
O rion Map Maker is a powerful tool for creating custom maps and network
diagrams. The maps created in Map Maker enable users to view a graphical
depiction of their network on the Orion NPM Web Interface. You can also utilize the
Map Maker application to create network documentation, which can then be printed
(pg. 105) and exported (pg. 122) to meet your needs. Creating a map can be as simple as
selecting a background image, dragging nodes to the image, and connecting them with
a few lines. However, Orion Map Maker 7.x presents options enabling you to be as
creative as you like, including:

· A large set of predefined background colors, textures, and images for use,
but doesn't stop there, as Map Maker also allows you to use a map of your
own. See Using the Map Toolbar on page 112 for details.
· The ability to display Nodes in LED, shape, or graphical form; each with
their own set of styles used to visually portray the Node status. You can create
numerous effects; visit Customizing Objects Using Properties Dialogs on page
107 to discover the options.
· Alter Lines to virtually any shape, size, color, or style; illustrating the
associated object's status. Refer to Network Link Properties on page 109.
Following the mastery of "Making a Basic Map" with the instructions presented on page
100, explore the ability to:

· Utilize the customizable toolbars that contain additional software features

for use in the creation of more sophisticated maps. See Advanced Options on
page 112 for further details.
· Upgrade and enhance the maps created with previous Map Maker
versions using the Importing and Migration feature explained on page 120.
· Nest maps (pg. 103) allowing the user to “drill down” to the next level of
detail. For example, a user may be presented with a map of the world
including several icons that would progressively drill down through multiple
levels ending with a display of a router interface.
Example Maps
Shown below are just a few examples of maps you can create using Orion's Map Maker.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 93

Getting Started
Before you can begin creating a Map for use on the Orion Web Interface, you must have
a database populated with devices and interfaces to be monitored. (See Using the
Network Discovery Tool on page 82 for specifics.) If you choose to use your own
images, some consideration should be given to the scale of the images, as they will
display at their full size on Orion web pages. You may rescale the image, however, it is
best to use the image at scale for optimal display quality. Before you settle on a size,
consider the layout of the pages of which they will be a part (for more information about
page layouts, see Editing Views on page 175), and the resolution of the screens on which
they will be displayed.

The Map Maker application is launched from the Windows Start Menu:
Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Map Maker and opens to a Splash
Screen as illustrated below:

The Splash Screen provides additional application information and presents a collection
of buttons that can be used to perform the software’s most common functions. This
functionality is also available from the Map Maker menu and toolbars.
Understanding the Menu
Map Maker includes a Menu that dynamically configures based upon the action you are
performing and tailors itself to display only your most commonly used functions. For
instance, if you never use the Export feature, your File menu display will not be
“cluttered” by displaying this unused function. Click or hover over the double arrow
included at the bottom of the menu and the list will expand to make your rarely used
features available. For the purpose of this section, screen shots with the full list of
functions are displayed.

' You can remove the Personalized Menu feature by right-clicking any menu or toolbar. Choose
Customize from the list and select the Options tab. Check or un-check the Personalized Menu options
based on your individual preferences and click Close.

File Menu

A list of icons and functional descriptions is included below:

New Map Creates a new map. See Making a Basic Map on page 81 for
a description of the simple steps necessary to create your
own map.

Open Map Displays the Open Orion Map dialog, which allows you to
navigate through your folder structure and select an existing
map to open.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 95

Save Saves the open map to its current location. If the map has not
been previously saved, opens the Save As dialog allowing
you to name the map and select a location in which to save.

Save As Opens the Save As dialog allowing you to name the map and
select a location in which to save.

Revert to Saved Displays the map as it was last saved, discarding all changes.
Copy

Import Imports maps created using a previous version of Orion. Visit

Importing a Map on page 120 for complete instructions.

Export Provides a list of formats to export the open map. See

Exporting Maps on page 122 for details.

Publish to Remote Starts a publishing wizard enabling you to publish your maps
Web Server to a remote web server. Refer to Publishing Maps to a
Remote Web Server on page 123 for a discussion on the
uses of this functionality.

Print Setup Displays the Print Setup dialog, which allows you to enhance
the printout of your map.

Print Preview Displays the open map in a Preview mode allowing you to
view the way your map will appear on a printed page.

Print Displays the Print dialog, which allows you to specify the
desired printer and basic printing options.

Settings Displays the Map Maker Settings dialog allowing you to

customize the default application settings. For a complete
discussion on Settings and the options available, visit Map
Maker Settings on page 124.

Exit Closes the Map Maker application prompting you to save

changes to open maps.
Edit Menu

A list of icons and functional descriptions is included below:

Cut Cuts the selected object from the map and saves it to the
clipboard.

Copy Copies the selected object from the map and saves it to the
clipboard.

Paste Pastes the most recently cut or copied object from the
clipboard onto the open map.

Paste Special Allows the pasting of an object created with an external

application as either an object of a map or a map background
image.

Duplicate Makes a copy of the selected object, including all associated

properties, and pastes a duplicate onto the open map.

Delete Permanently removes the selected object, including all

associated properties. This command is often used in
conjunction with the Select functions.

Delete All Deletes all selected objects from the map. This command is
often used in conjunction with the Select functions.

Hide Selected Hides the selected object from view.

Chapter 6: Map Maker 97

UnHide All Displays all previously hidden objects on the map.

Select All Selects all objects associated to the open map.

Select All Network Selects all Network Objects included on the open map. This
Objects does NOT include objects hidden from view.

Select All Network Selects all Network Links included on the open map. This
Links does NOT include objects hidden from view.

Select All Labels Selects all Labels included on the open map. This does NOT
include objects hidden from view.

Tools Menu

A list of icons and functional descriptions is included below:

Select Displays the cursor as a narrow enabling you to select any
object on a map.

Pan Displays the cursor as a hand enabling you to drag the view
of the map to any area of the Map window.

Zoom Provides a list of preset zoom percentages and the ability to

set a custom zoom.

Marquee Zoom Displays the cursor as a magnifying glass enabling you to

click and draw a box around the area in which you wish to
zoom.

Interactive Zoom Displays the cursor as a magnifying glass with arrows

enabling you to click the desired area of the map; drag up to
zoom out, drag down to zoom in.
 Navigate Follows the path of the line with a single click on the line. This
is particularly useful if the entire map does not fit in the
display window. A single click on the truncated line will scroll
the display to show the endpoint.

Add Lines Displays the cursor as a line enabling you to draw a straight
line. See Customizing Links on page 116 for additional line
features.

Add Curved Lines Displays the cursor as a curved line enabling you to draw a
curved line by clicking each point you wish the curve to
appear. Fine tune the shape by grabbing the line and
dragging it to the desired shape. Refer to Customizing Links
on page 116 for additional line features.

Add Graphics/Nodes Displays the cursor as a transparent box enabling you to click
the desired location on the map in which you would like the
new Node to appear.

Locked Locks any tool for repetitive use by selecting lock followed by
the desired action. The action will remain locked until you
deselect Locked, or change the locked focus by selecting
another action. Alternatively, if the tool is Unlocked the cursor
returns to Select after each action.

Map Menu

A list of icons and functional descriptions is included below:

Background Color Displays the Color dialog for selection of a background color.

Background Texture Displays the Select Background Texture dialog providing a

list of available textures and a preview pane.

Background Image Displays the Select Network Diagram dialog providing a list of
available background images.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 99

Clear Background Removes the background image leaving all other map
Image properties in tact.

Auto-Arrange Provides a list of arrangements for the objects on your map.

For complete details on the auto-arrange feature visit Using
the Auto-Arrange Toolbar on page 112.

Grid Lines Provides a list of available grid line styles to display on the
open map. When active, enables”snap to grid” functionality.

Map Properties Displays the Map Properties dialog. This is generally

considered an advanced feature and is best left utilizing the
default settings. For details, see Map Properties on page 111.

Window Menu

A list of icons and functional descriptions is included below:

Cascade Displays all open maps in a cascade view.

Tile Vertically Displays all open maps side by side.

Tile Horizontally Displays all open maps on top of each other.

Minimize All Minimizes the view of all open maps.

Close All Closes all open maps prompting you to save any changes.
Making a Basic Map
The steps necessary for creating a map can be as simple as selecting a background
image, dragging nodes to the image, and connecting the nodes with lines. Map Maker
also includes several customizable toolbars (refer to the Advanced Options section on
page 112) for which you can use to enhance your maps. We’ll start with the steps for
building a basic map for which you can later explore the advanced options to expand
upon.

¤ Free Video Tutorials on the Map Maker application are available on the SolarWinds website at
http://SolarWinds.Net.

1. Open Map Maker from Start SolarWinds Network Performance

Monitor Map Maker.

2. Select a New Map using New Map on the Standard toolbar, or File New
Map. The New Map window opens.

3. If you desire, choose a background image for your map by selecting Map
Background Image, or Background Image on the Map Toolbar. The
Select Network Diagram dialog opens with a list of folders containing default
images available in Orion. Folders are named for the pixel-width of the
images included. Keep in mind that Map Maker also allows you to use one
of your own images. Navigate through the folder structure and select the
desired image. Click Open.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 101

' Select Thumbnails from the View Menu within the Select Network Diagram dialog to aid in
image selection.

¤ Additional backgrounds are available to customers with active maintenance. To obtain these
backgrounds, login to the customer area of the SolarWinds website with your CustomerID and
password, then go to Unsupported.

4. Drag the desired node or interface object from the left column of the Map
Maker screen to the New Map window and drop it in the desired place. Repeat
this step until all desired objects have been added.

¤ When you select an object on the map, the objects detail is displayed within the New Map

window. The Ellipsis provides the Properties dialog for advanced features. Without any
objects selected, the Ellipsis provides the Properties dialog for the Map. See Customizing Objects
Using Properties Dialogs on page 107 for a more detailed discussion on object properties.
 5. Connect the objects with lines using Add Lines on the Tools toolbar, or
Tools Add Lines. For more tips on drawing lines see page 116.

' Use Revert to Saved Copy found in the File menu to undo any mistakes made while creating your
map. Remember to save often during map creation for optimal use of this feature.

6. Save the map, using Save on the Standard toolbar, or File Save.

¤ In order to publish to the Orion NPM website the map must be saved in the default directory:
C:\Program Files\SolarWinds\Network Performance Monitor V7\Maps.

+ Maps saved using Terminal Services will result in poor map quality as Map Maker's image
management function uses the current settings of the machine. Terminal Services runs in 8-bit
color.

Now that you have created and saved your map, put it to use on the Orion NPM Web
Interface (see Customize Views on page 174) or export (visit Exporting Maps on page
122) your map for uses outside the Orion realm.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 103

Nesting Maps
Map Maker includes the ability to drag and drop a map as an object on another map.
Simply drag the maps icon from the tree structure found on the left of the Map Maker
window and drop it on the desired location of the open map. The levels for nesting
maps are virtually limitless and, once published to the Orion NPM Web Interface,
provide a user with the ability to “drill down” to any level of detail desired. For
example, to create the nested effect you may make a map of a machine room and drop
its icon on a map of a region. The regional map could then be included in a map of the
country, and country maps onto a map of the world. For more information on how to
make your Maps available on your Orion NPM Web Interface, see Customize Views on
page 174.

¤ The total number of objects on a map, including those displayed on a child or sub-map, directly
impacts the speed at which the map will load on the Orion NPM Website. If your maps are
loading slowly, try decreasing the number of objects included on the maps.

Illustrated below, the parent map of the United States includes an icon for the child map
of Oklahoma.
A user would have the ability to drill down on the icon in Oklahoma to see the next
level of detail.

The child map of Oklahoma can also become a parent map to a network diagram.
Therefore, each sub-map will include a view of objects (devices or other maps) deployed
on it. Any object can be clicked on to move down to the next level of detail, until a Node
or Interface level is reached, displaying all available information.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 105

Printing Maps
Orion Map Maker not only provides you with an extensive set of map building tools to
create maps for the Orion NPM Web Interface, but also includes expanded print
capabilities enabling your maps to be printed for other uses. The Print Setup dialog
(File Print Setup) allows you to select exactly which part of the graph to print (entire,
current window, or a selection) and scale the print job. The option to include borders,
backgrounds, grids, captions, page numbers, and crop marks helps you to create the
exact finish you desire.

The Page Setup button in the bottom left corner of the Print Setup dialog enables you to
further customize your print job by allowing you to select paper size, orientation, and
create margins.
A Printer button is provided on the bottom right corner of the Page Setup dialog that
enables you to select the desired printer and further customize the print results.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 107

Customizing Objects Using Properties Dialogs

Properties dialogs are available for Nodes, Links, Maps, and Labels. Each object can be
associated to a device, and with the exception of Labels, customized to pictorially
display the device status.

' Clicking the Ellipsis button, within the Properties dialog, will display the Select Network Object
dialog enabling you to change the device assigned to the object.

Node Properties
The Node Properties dialog is accessed by clicking Node Properties or by right-
clicking the Node and selecting Node Properties from the list. The Node Properties dialog
provides a window to view details pertaining to the selected object, including the device
assigned to the object, and the ability to set the object's style.

Object Styles
Map Maker includes the ability to customize the appearance of the icons on your map
by providing an extensive set of object styles and graphics. The styles and graphics
allow you to not only tailor the visual appeal of the objects on your map, but also
enhance the amount of information the user can derive pictorially. For instance, you
may select an object's icon to display a Mainframe graphic, which will visually
distinguish the type of device being monitored. You may then select a status style, such
as 3D Pad Underneath, which will illustrate the icons up, down, warning, or unknown
status.

The Object Style may be set from the radio buttons located in the middle of the Properties
dialog. The selected style will appear in the preview pane enabling you to easily
determine the desired object style. The drop down box located just below the preview
pane dynamically changes based on the selected object style. Toggle between the radio
buttons and the drop down until the desired result is achieved in the preview pane.

' It’s best to select the Graphic radio button and choose a Style from the drop down box before clicking
Select Graphic. This will display the status style in the Select Graphic Image dialog preview pane. You
can then toggle between dialogs to derive the desired icon effect.

Just a few examples of how you may customize Nodes are illustrated in the following
table.

Radio Button Drop Down

Object Example
Selection Selection

LED Small LED

Shape Diamond

Pad
Graphical
Underneath

Graphical Tri Color

Lightening
Graphical
Bolt

Pad
Graphical
Underneath
Chapter 6: Map Maker 109

Network Link Properties

The Link Properties dialog is accessed by clicking Network Link Properties or by
right-clicking the Link and selecting Network Link Properties from the list. The Network
Link Properties dialog provides details pertaining to the selected link. The interface or
node assigned to the link is displayed with the ability to set the links width, color, and
style.

' The default width, style, and color set in the Link Properties dialog represent how the link will display
when the device status is Up.
Label Properties
The Label Properties dialog is accessed by clicking Label Properties or right-clicking
the Label and selecting Label Properties from the list. The Label Properties dialog
provides a means to change the labels text, set the font, color, and alignment, as well as
specify a hyperlink. A check box is provided to give a transparent background to the
label. The preview pane at the bottom of the dialog is displayed to aid in the formatting
process.

¤ If you choose to create a hyperlink you must type in the complete URL (including http://) for the
link to work properly.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 111

Map Properties
The Map Properties dialog is accessed by clicking Map Properties (or right-clicking a
blank space on the map and selecting Map Properties from the list). The Map Properties
dialog is used to configure the way the map is displayed on the Orion Web Interface.
The Zoom Level slider controls the size of the map as it will appear when viewed from
the Orion website. The Map Status slider is used to configure the way the map itself will
change status when used as an object on another map. Use the slider to set the
percentage of objects on the map that must be "up" in order for the map to have an "up"
status. The default setting is 100%, meaning 100% of the objects contained on the map
must be "up" in order for the map's status to be up when displayed on a parent map.
Alternatively, if part of the objects on the map are in a "down" or "warning" state, the
map's status will be "warning". Likewise, if all of the objects on the map are "down", the
map's status will be "down".

You may also override the account limitations set at the user account level on the Orion
NPM Web Interface. If this feature is allowed, the user will be able to view all Nodes on
the map regardless of the restrictions set at the user account level. However, the user
will still be restricted from "drilling down" on the nodes according to the limitation. If
this feature is not allowed, all restricted Nodes will be removed from the map display.
Visit page 213 for details on how to Set Account Limitations on the Orion NPM Web
Interface.

¤ Map properties are generally considered an advanced feature and are best left utilizing the default
settings.
Advanced Options
Once you’ve mastered the basic map-making functions, explore Map Maker’s advanced
toolbars and menu options. To display an Advanced toolbar, right-click any blank part
of the Map Maker toolbar and select the desired toolbar name from the list.

¤ Free Video Tutorials on many of the advanced tools are available on the SolarWinds website at
http://SolarWinds.Net.

Using the Alignment Toolbar

The Alignment toolbar helps create a professional touch to your maps. Select the desired
objects by holding down the Shift key and click each object (or Edit Select all Network
Objects). Then use the Alignment toolbar to distribute, center, and align the selected
objects.

Using the Auto-Arrange Toolbar

The Auto-Arrange toolbar provides a quick means of organizing your map's objects into
one of several arrangements. Use Edit Select All (or draw a bounding box around the
objects) and select the desired format from the Auto-Arrange toolbar. Utilize the
Arrange Labels button after choosing Select All Labels from the Edit menu.

Using the Map Toolbar

The Map toolbar enables you to turn gridlines on and off and select or change the
background of the map. Map Maker has several background images available, or you
can choose one of your own. As an alternative to a background image, the Map Toolbar
provides the ability to select a background texture or color. The Map Properties button
is also included. Visit Map Properties on page 111 for more details.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 113

Setting a Background Image

' Images and objects created with external applications (Visio, PowerPoint, etc.) can be used as a
background image. Simply copy the object or collection of objects to the clipboard and select Edit Paste
Special. Select “Paste the Image from Clipboard as the Map Background”.

1. With the desired Map open, select Map Background Image (or Background
Image from the Map toolbar). The Select Network Diagram dialog opens with a
list of folders containing the default maps available in Orion. Folders are
named for the pixel-width of the images included.

' Select Thumbnails from the View Menu within the Select Network Diagram dialog to aid in image
selection.

2. Navigate through the folders and select the desired background image. (Keep in
mind you can select one of your own images.)

¤ If you choose to use your own image, some consideration should be given to the scale of the
image, as it will display full size on Orion web pages. Before you settle on a size, consider the
layout of the page of which it will be a part (for more information about page layouts, see Editing
Views on page 175), and the resolution of the screens on which it will display.

3. Click Open.

' Additional World, International, and USA maps are available for download to all customers with a valid
maintenance agreement. Go to http://www.solarwinds.net/login.htm, login with your SolarWinds
customer ID and password, and download these additional images.
Setting a Background Texture
1. With the desired Map open, select Map Background Texture (or Background
Texture from the Map toolbar). The Select Background Texture dialog opens with
a list of textures available on the left and a preview pane on the right.

2. Highlight the desired texture in the list using the preview pane to aid in
selection.
3. Set the Width and Height of the map size by typing the values in the
corresponding text box.
4. Once you are satisfied with your selections, click OK to set your background
texture.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 115

Setting a Background Color

To Set a Background Color,

1. With the desired Map open, select Map Background Color (or Background
Color from the Map toolbar). The Color dialog opens with a list of basic colors
available on the left and a button for adding custom colors.

2. Select the desired color and click OK.

Customizing Links

Drawing Straight and Curved Lines

Selecting either Add Lines or Add Curved Lines on the Tools toolbar (or from the Tools
menu), enables you to draw straight or curved lines. Both permit the drawing of lines in
the most intuitive manner to you. Click on the node and drag along desired line path to
the next node and release, or click on the desired node as a start point and then click on
the node you wish to be the end point. Once the line is drawn, you can reshape it any
way you prefer. Simply grab the part of the line you wish to reshape and pull it to the
desired shape. You can remove the shaping by dragging the point back until the line
“pops” back to straight.

Changing the Line Appearance

You may customize the line width, style, color, and end point appearance using the
Network Links toolbar. With the exception of line color, changes are visible on your map
upon selection. To see the change in color you must deselect the line. For additional
information on line appearance, see Network Link Properties on page 109.

¤ If a link is assigned to an interface or any other object, when that object’s status is “Down”, the link
will be colored Red.

Associating a Node or Interface to a Line

To associate a Node or Interface to a line, select the desired line and click Attach
Network Link on the Network Links toolbar. The Select Network Object dialog opens.
Scroll through the list of Nodes and Interfaces, select the desired object, and click OK.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 117

Customizing Nodes

Adding Nodes to a Map

Nodes may be added to a map by dragging the desired object from the Node tree on the
left of the Map Maker Main screen and dropping it on the Map (or select Tools Add
Graphics/Nodes and click the location(s) you wish the Node to display on the Map).
The drag and drop option automatically associates the icon to the Node, whereas
Tools Add Graphics/Nodes only drops an icon on the map.

' Images and objects created with external applications (Visio, PowerPoint, etc.) can be used as a Node
object. Simply copy the object to the clipboard and select Edit Paste Special. Select “Paste the Image
from Clipboard as a new Object”.

Changing the Node Appearance

A Node's appearance may be customized to pictorially distinguish the associated object
and object's status. You may select a graphic for the Node using Select Graphic on the
Nodes toolbar. Styles are also available to visually portray the associated object's status.
For a complete discussion on the customization of Nodes appearance and using styles
see Node Properties on page 107.

Associating a Node or Interface to an Icon

To associate a Node or Interface with an icon on your map, select the desired icon and
click Attach Selected Object on the Nodes toolbar. The Select Network Object dialog opens.
Scroll through the list of Nodes and Interfaces, select the desired object, and click OK.

Customizing Labels

' Utilize macros in label text to display additional information about the object. For example you may wish
to display Interface Utilization or CPU Load. Refer to the Alert Macros section for more details on macro
syntax.
Adding a Label to a Node
Labels may be attached to Nodes by selecting the desired node and clicking Add Label
from the Nodes toolbar (or by right-clicking the Node and selecting Add Label). The
label is placed on the map attached to the Node. If you change the location of the node,
the label will move with it. You may double-click on the label to change the text, or
right-click and select Label Properties from the list to customize the label.

' To add Labels to all Nodes, click and drag to draw a bounding box around all of the Nodes and select
Add Label from the network Links toolbar.

Adding a Label to a Line

Labels may be attached to Lines by selecting the desired line and clicking Add Label
from the Network Links toolbar (or by right-clicking the Line and selecting Add Label).
The label is placed on the map attached to the Line. If you change the location of the
line, the label will move with it. You may double-click on the label to change the text, or
right-click and select Label Properties from the list to customize the label.

¤ You can add Macros to any label that is associated with an object. The macro will parse the latest
data for that field. For example, add ${InPercentUtil} to a label for a link to see the current
inbound percent utilization.

Adding a Label to a Map

To add a Label to a Map, right-click the area of the Map where you would like the label
to reside and select Add Label from the list. The label can be repositioned by dragging it
to the desired location. Simply double-click on the label to change the text.

Changing the Label Appearance

You may customize the font, size, color, and orientation of a label using the Formatting
toolbar. The formatting toolbar lists the 6 basic fonts recognized on most web servers in
the font drop down. Map Maker allows you to type in additional fonts that are handled
on your web server. Changes made using the Formatting toolbar are visible on your
map upon selection. For additional discussion on customizing label appearance, see
Label Properties on page 110.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 119

Adding a URL to an Object

URL’s may be automatically generated or manually specified and associated with any
object (node, link, label) on a map. To add a URL to an object, select the object and
click Edit Hyperlink on the Standard toolbar. The Edit Hyperlink dialog appears. Select
the appropriate radio button and click OK.

¤ If you choose to manually create a hyperlink, a Hyperlink text box is displayed in the Edit
Hyperlink dialog. You must type in the complete URL (including http://) for the link to work
properly.
Importing and Migrating Maps
Maps created using a previous version of Map Maker can easily be migrated and built
upon using the Import and Migrate features.

Importing a Map
1. Open Map Maker from Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
Map Maker.
2. Select File Import Import from V1 NPM Map. The Import from V1 NPM Map
File dialog opens.

3. Navigate to the folder where the desired map is stored.

¤ The default directory for Maps created with Orion NPM V6 is C:\Program
Files\SolarWinds\Network Performance Monitor V6\Maps.

4. Select the desired map and click Open. The map will be opened, saved in the

default directory, and available in the Node tree.

Chapter 6: Map Maker 121

Migrating Maps
1. Open Map Maker from Start SolarWinds Network Performance
Monitor Map Maker.

2. Select File Import Migrate Older Maps to Orion format. The Migrate Older
Maps to the new Orion format dialog opens.

3. Check the box next to each map you want to migrate or click the Select All
button.
4. Click Migrate. Each selected map will flash open as it is being imported, saved,
and displayed in the Node tree.
Exporting Maps
Orion Map Maker not only provides you with an extensive set of tools to create maps
for the Orion NPM Web Interface, but also includes exporting capability allowing your
maps to be available for other uses. Map Maker provides the ability to export maps as
an image saved in several formats, or as HTML with the option to include or exclude
manually added hyperlinks.

Exporting Maps as an Image

To export a Map as an Image, with the desired map open, select File Export Export
Map as * Image, substituting the desired image format for *. Available formats include
JPEG, GIF, PNG, Bitmap, and Enhanced Metafile. You will be presented with the Export
Map dialog prompting you to choose a location to save the exported map. Navigate to
the desired location and click Save.

Exporting Maps as HTML

To Export a Map as an HTML file, with the desired map open, select
File Export Export Map as HTML File. You will be presented with the Export Map
dialog prompting you to choose a location in which to save the exported map. Navigate
to the desired location and click Save. The Export HTML File dialog appears enabling
you to select the hyperlinks that you wish to include in the HTML file. Select the
appropriate radio button and click OK.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 123

Publishing Maps to a Remote Web Server

There are circumstances that create the need to publish Maps to a Remote Web Server.
Such situations arise when 1) the Orion Web Server is a separate machine than the
machine from which you are creating your maps, 2) you have a back-up Web Server to
which the maps shall be published, or 3) you have multiple Orion web servers.

To publish a map to a remote web server,

¤ The Window’s account you are using will need read/write permission to the Remote Server.

1. Open Map Maker from Start SolarWinds Network Performance

Monitor Map Maker.

2. Select Publish to a Remote Web Server from the File menu. The Publish Maps
to a Remote Web Server dialog appears.

3. Follow the instructions on the dialog, entering the IP address of the Remote
Web Server or Select the Installation Directory.

4. Click OK.

' Uncheck the Complete Synchronization option to enable the ability to specify which maps you wish to
publish to the remote web server. This feature is helpful when multiple users are creating and publishing
maps at different intervals.
Map Maker Settings
The Map Maker Settings dialog (File Settings) provides you with the ability to select
default Icon and Line styles, Map Defaults, and Node Tree specifications. Once you
have made all your selections, click OK to commit the changes.

Icon Styles Tab

The Icon Styles tab allows you to select the default style for each type of Network
Object. Use the selection arrows to the right of the list box to select the desired style.

Several styles are available for selection with the most common being LED. See Object
Styles on page 107 for a more detailed discussion of the available styles.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 125

Line Styles Tab

The Line Styles tab allows you to select the default line width and color for each line
created on a map. The default settings for a line with an associated object will display
when the object's status is Up. For more information on associating an object, see
Associating a Node or Interface to a Line on page 116.
Map Defaults Tab
The Map Defaults tab allows you to set the device threshold for the overall map status.
The status indicator reflects the state of many objects at once; therefore, SolarWinds
recommends the map status be set at 100%. With this setting, when any device on a map
or sub-map is down, the problem status will be indicated.
Chapter 6: Map Maker 127

Node Tree Tab

The Node Tree tab customizes the view of the Node Tree located on the left side of the
Map Maker main window. Some users find it helpful to display the status icons of each
node and interface, while others find the vendor network node and interface icons more
useful. You may also specify that the nodes names and/or IP addresses be included in
the display.
Chapter 7: Custom Property Editor
O rion Network Performance Monitor version 7.x features the Custom Property
Editor, which allows a property to be added to any Interface, Node, or Volume.
Custom Properties are additional fields (country, building, asset tag, serial number, etc.)
that you would like to define and store in your Orion NPM database. Once properties
are added, they are available for display and filtering within the Orion Web Interface
and the Report Writer application. (Refer to the Account Limitation Builder chapter on
page 167 to make custom properties available for account limitations on the web, and
the Report Writer chapter on page 147 on how to use a custom property on reports.) A
few examples of how custom properties may be utilized:

· Add additional information to Nodes, such as Contact, Owner, Support

Contract, etc.
· Add a "Notification" property to Nodes that allow the Alerts feature to be
configured to send an e-mail/computer named within the custom property.
See the Alerts chapter beginning on page 57 for details on how to change a
custom property value with an Alert.
· Add a custom property to Nodes and use to create an account limitation.
· Add a custom property to Nodes and use to group Nodes on the web or a
report.
· Add a custom property to Interfaces to display a custom description.
· Add a custom property and display as an annotation on a chart.
· Add a custom property of billing codes or customer ID's.
Custom Property Editor provides a collection of the most commonly utilized properties
to choose from, or you can easily and efficiently build your own. Once your custom
property is defined, the Import Wizard allows you to populate your new property from
either a Text or Comma Delimited file. (See Importing Custom Property Data on page
139 for specifics.) Alternatively, if you only have a few individual changes or additions,
you may choose to make those changes using the Edit view. (See Editing Custom
Properties on page 137 for complete instructions.) The Export feature permits you to
export the custom properties in one of several formats for use outside the Orion realm.
(See Exporting Custom Properties on page 143 for available formats and instructions.)
Getting Started
The Custom Property Editor application is launched from the Windows Start Menu:
Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Advanced Features Custom
Property Editor and opens to display a Splash Screen as illustrated below.

The Splash Screen provides additional application information and presents a collection
of buttons that can be used to perform the software's most common functions. This
functionality is also available from the Custom Property Editor's menu and toolbar.

Understanding the Menu

Custom Property Editor includes a Menu that dynamically configures based upon the
action you are performing and tailors itself to display only your most commonly used
functions. For instance, if you never use the Export feature, your File menu display will
not be “cluttered” by displaying this unused function. Click or hover over the double
arrow included at the bottom of the menu and the list will expand to make your rarely
used features available. For the purpose of this section, screen shots with the full list of
functions are displayed.
Chapter 7: Custom Property Editor 131

' You can remove the Personalized Menu feature by right-clicking any menu or toolbar, choose
Customize from the list, and select the Options tab. Check or un-check the Personalized Menu options
based on your individual preferences and click Close.

File Menu

A list of menu options and descriptions are provided below:

Import Provides a list of formats available for importing custom
property data. See Importing Custom Property Data on page
139 for details.

Export Provides a list of formats to export the current custom

property view. See Exporting Custom Properties on page 143
for complete instructions.

Print Preview Displays the current custom property view in a Preview mode
indicating the way the data will appear on a printed page.

Print Displays the Print dialog, which allows you to specify the
desired printer and basic printing options.

Settings Displays the Custom Property Settings dialog, allowing you to

customize the default application settings. For a complete
discussion refer to Custom Property Editor Settings on page
145.

Exit Closes the Custom Property Editor application automatically

saving all changes.
Edit Menu

A list of menu options and descriptions are provided below:

Cut Cuts the selected data and saves it to the clipboard.

Copy Copies the selected data and saves it to the clipboard.

Paste Pastes the most recent cut or copied text into the selected
cell(s).

Delete Permanently removes the selected text from the cell(s).

Select Column Selects the entire column in which the cursor currently
resides.

Select All Selects the entire contents of the view.

Find Displays the Find dialog enabling you to specify search order
and criteria.

Find Next Continues the search action defined using the Find dialog.
Shortcut key F3 is the most optimal execution of this
command.

Replace Displays the Find dialog enabling you to specify the search
order, criteria, and replacement text.
Chapter 7: Custom Property Editor 133

Properties Menu

A list of menu options and descriptions are provided below:

Edit Node Properties Displays the custom properties and values for each
monitored node in Edit view.

Edit Interfaces Displays the custom properties and values for each
Properties monitored interface in Edit view.

Edit Volume Displays the custom properties and value for each monitored
Properties volume in Edit view.

Add Custom Displays the Add Custom Properties dialog enabling you to
Properties select from a list of predefined properties or opt to build your
own.

Remove Custom Displays the Remove Custom Properties dialog enabling you
Properties to select from a list of current custom properties.
Adding a Custom Property
The Add Custom Properties dialog provides a collection of the most commonly utilized
properties to choose from, or the option to build your own.

Adding a Predefined Custom Property

1. Open Custom Property Editor from Start SolarWinds Network Performance
Monitor Advanced Features Custom Property Editor.

2. Select Properties Add Custom Properties from the menu (or click Add
on the toolbar). The Add Custom Properties dialog opens providing an
assortment of predefined properties.

3. Check each Property you wish to add and click OK. An updates dialog will
display as each property is added and will automatically close upon
completion.

' Check the Show Advanced Properties box to view additional predefined custom properties.
Chapter 7: Custom Property Editor 135

Building a Custom Property from Scratch

1. Open Custom Property Editor from Start SolarWinds Network Performance
Monitor Advanced Features Custom Property Editor.

2. Select Properties Add Custom Properties from the menu (or click Add
on the toolbar). The Add Custom Properties dialog opens providing an
assortment of predefined properties.

3. Select the “Build a Custom Property from scratch” radio button. The Add
Custom Properties dialog dynamically changes to include the property
definition fields.

4. Use the drop down and text boxes provided to select the NPM database table
you wish to add a custom property to, specify the property name, and select
 the data type. Once you are satisfied with your custom property definitions,
click OK. An updates dialog will display as each property is added and will
automatically close upon completion.

Removing a Custom Property

To Remove a Custom Property, select Properties Remove Custom Properties from
the menu (or click Remove on the toolbar). The Remove Custom Properties dialog opens
presenting a list of all current custom properties.

Check each property you wish to remove. Once you are satisfied with your selections,
click OK. An updates dialog will open as each property is removed and will
automatically close upon completion.
Chapter 7: Custom Property Editor 137

Editing Custom Properties

' Sort the columns in Edit view of Custom Property Editor by clicking on the column heading. Click the
heading again to change the sort order.

Editing Custom Properties on Nodes

To Edit a custom property on a Node, select Properties Edit Node Properties from the
menu (or select Edit Nodes on the toolbar). A table appears in the Main window
detailing your monitored nodes and the current custom properties. Simply click in the
desired cell to add/modify text. Changes are saved upon entry.

Editing Custom Properties on Interfaces

To Edit a custom property on an Interface, select Properties Edit Interfaces Properties
from the menu (or select Edit Interfaces on the toolbar). A table appears in the Main
window detailing your monitored interfaces and the current custom properties. To
add/modify text, simply click in the desired cell. Changes are saved upon entry.

Editing Custom Properties on Volumes

To Edit a custom property on a Volume, select Properties Edit Volume Properties
from the menu. A table appears in the Main window detailing your monitored volumes
and the current custom properties. Click in the desired cell to add/modify text. Changes
are saved upon entry.

' To search a column as you type, enable the Auto-Search feature. See Custom Property Editor Settings on
page 145 for more details on this feature.
Using Filters in Edit View
Filtering is available in Edit view of Custom Property Editor (the table structure
displayed while editing custom properties on nodes, interfaces, or volumes). Filters may
be applied to manipulate the view of the data in any way you desire. The application
permits you to edit the text within the custom property fields with a filter applied.

' The text on the Filter button dynamically changes acting as a filter status “quick reference” for the data
in which you are viewing.

Creating a Filter
1. Click on the Filter button and select Apply Filter from the list. The Filter View
dialog appears providing the basis for applying a filter.

2. Click on the blue hyperlinked text to select the appropriate criteria.

3. Use the Ellipsis button and select the desired condition type from the list. The
Filter View dialog will dynamically change based upon your selection.

4. Click on each blue hyperlink text and use the cascade to select the filtering
criteria.
Chapter 7: Custom Property Editor 139

5. Once you are satisfied with your selection, click OK. The Edit view will change
based upon the selected filter and the Filter button text will now display “Filter
Active”.

Removing a Filter
To remove the filter, simply click the Filter Active button and select Remove Filter from
the list. The Edit view will now display all custom properties.

Importing Custom Property Data

Once you have defined your custom properties, the Custom Property Editor Import tool
aids in the population of the custom property data. For example, you may already
possess a spreadsheet detailing the asset tags for all of your nodes and would now like
this information to be available for reporting and the web interface. In this scenario, you
would add Asset Tag as a custom property (see Adding a Custom Property on page
134), and then use the import wizard to populate the asset tag values from the
spreadsheet.

To start the Import Wizard,

1. Click Import on the toolbar (or File Import) and select the file format (.csv or
.txt) from the list. The Import Data into Custom Properties dialog opens.
2. Navigate through your folder structure, select the spreadsheet containing your
custom Property data, and click Open. The Import Data, Data Format dialog
appears.

3. Use the radio buttons to select the delimiter that separates that data, ensure the
check box is not selected if the file does not contain a header row, and specify
the characters that may surround the text fields in your file. Click Next. The
Import Data, Select NPM Data Table dialog opens.
Chapter 7: Custom Property Editor 141

4. Select from the drop down list the Network Performance Monitor table
(Nodes, Interfaces, or Volumes) your file will be populating. Click Next. The
Import Data, Match Fields dialog opens.

5. Use the drop downs to select the key field from your file on the left and the
corresponding field of the NPM table on the right. Click Next. The Import
Data, Import Fields dialog opens.
¤ Depending on the data in your file, you may need to key off of multiple fields in order for the
import wizard to properly match your data to the NPM table fields.

6. A list of all fields included in your file is listed in the cells on the left with
corresponding blank NPM cells on the right. Specify the fields from your file
that you wish to import by clicking on the corresponding blank NPM cell. A
single click in the NPM cell will enable a drop down. Use the drop down
values to select the target NPM field you wish your data to populate. Once
you have specified all the cell matches, click Import.

7. Your request will process ending with a dialog box displaying a count of rows
successfully imported. Click OK to close the dialog.
Chapter 7: Custom Property Editor 143

Exporting Custom Properties

Some situations may present the need to export your custom properties for uses outside
of the Orion application. The Custom Property Editor includes an Export feature
allowing you to export to one of many formats including: Comma Delimited, Text,
HTML, Excel, or PDF.

¤ The Export directly to Excel option saves the file with the .xls extension and opens the file in Excel
for immediate use. The Export to Excel option saves the file with the .xls extension.

To export, select Export from the toolbar (or File Export) and choose the desired
format from the list. A dialog will appear enabling you to select which fields you wish to
include in the export. Select the desired fields and click OK.

The Export Data To dialog appears allowing you to navigate to the location you wish to
save the file and specify a file name.
With the exception of PDF, upon clicking Save, a status dialog will display detailing the
number of records successfully exported.

Printing Custom Properties

To print the current Edit view (the table structure displayed while editing nodes,
interfaces, or volumes), select Print from the toolbar or File Print. The Print dialog
appears providing selection criteria for printer, page layout, range, and number of
copies. Click OK when you are satisfied with your selections.
Chapter 7: Custom Property Editor 145

Custom Property Editor Settings

The Custom Property Editor Settings dialog permits you to customize the display for
Nodes, Interfaces, and Volumes and is accessed by clicking Settings on the Toolbar (or
File Settings). Check boxes are provided in each of the tabs for selection of the System
Properties you would like displayed while in Edit view (the table structure displayed
while editing nodes, interfaces, or volumes).

The Auto-Search feature is also included in the Custom Property Editor Settings dialog.

With Auto-Search enabled, the current column is searched as you type. You would
press enter at any time to edit the value in the cell. With Auto-Search disabled, typing
will begin editing the cell. Select the Auto-Search tab and use the check box to Enable or
Disable the Auto-Search feature.
Chapter 8: Report Writer
A s time goes on, your Orion NPM database accumulates a great deal of information.
SolarWinds has developed the Report Writer application, which provides a quick
and easy way of extracting data from your database and displaying it in the form most
useful to you.

Several standard reports are included in the distribution of the program, which you
may modify as you wish, and you can create new reports as necessary. Report Writer
includes powerful tools to help you format your information in the most useful ways
possible, and to easily preview what your reports will look like before you display them.
When you have them the way you want them, you can print your reports with the click
of a button.

¤ A report scheduler application used to schedule the automatic e-mailing of a report to a user or
group of users is available for download. The report scheduler is free to all customers with a valid
maintenance agreement. Simply login to the customer portion of
SolarWinds.Net/login.htm and download the Report Scheduler.

Most reports are enabled for viewing via the Orion Web Interface by default. Visit
Customize Views on page 174 for more information on adding reports to views.

If printing your report or displaying the view on the Orion Web Interface doesn't meet
your needs, report writer supports exporting your report data in several formats. Refer
to Exporting Report Data on page 160 for detailed instructions.

¤ Report Writer capabilities are enhanced when used in conjunction with Custom Property Editor.
The Custom Property Editor chapter on page 129 discusses how to add a property (country,
building, asset tag, serial number, etc.) to any Interface, Node, or Volume. Once added, properties
are available for report sort and filter functionality.

Getting Started
Before you can use Report Writer, you must have a database populated with devices to
be monitored, and have collected at least a few minutes worth of data.

Open Report Writer from the Windows Start menu on your server by selecting:
Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Report Writer.

The Report Writer program opens, with an expandable hierarchical tree displaying the
Reports available on the left and a Splash Screen on the right. The Splash Screen
148 Chapter 8: Report Writer

provides additional application information and presents a collection of buttons can be

used to perform the software's most common functions. This functionality is also
available from the Report Writer menu and toolbar.

A variety of Reports are included with Report Writer. The many different types of
Reports available (not all of which are represented by the examples provided by
SolarWinds), are distinguished by the icon preceding the report name.

Clicking on the name for a Report will cause it to open in the work area in the Mode
selected as the default. (You may select default behavior by selecting File Settings, or
clicking Settings on the toolbar, and making your choice in the Report Writer Settings
dialog.)

' Right-click on the name of a Report and select the option to open in Preview or Design Mode. Preview
Mode displays a view of the Report as it will print, and Design Mode is used to build new Reports or
modify existing ones.

With a Report open, the view can be toggled between Preview mode and Design mode
using the Preview and Design buttons on the toolbar.
Chapter 8: Report Writer 149

Preview Mode
Preview mode shows a Report as it will print. When you open a Report in Preview
mode, or switch to Preview mode from Design mode, the query that generates the
Report is run, and the results are displayed.

A toolbar is displayed at the top of the Preview containing buttons that allow you to
page through the report, zoom, and print. An indicator for the current page/number of
pages is also provided.

' Double-click on a Report preview to zoom in and double-right-click on a Report preview to zoom out
150 Chapter 8: Report Writer

Design Mode
Use Design mode to create new Reports and modify or rename existing Reports.

The choices available for modifying Reports are the same as for creating a new one, and
are dynamic based upon the type of Report you wish to make, the data that it will
include, the way it is to be presented, etc. While the options available differ according to
the type of Report you decide to make, all Reports require you to select the data you
want to look at, make decisions about how it will be sorted and ordered, decide if it will
be filtered, and specify how it will be presented.

To create a new report, select File New Report (or click New on the toolbar).

Select the type of report you would like to create and click OK. The New Report - Design
Mode dialog opens. For the purposes of this illustration, we will make a Historical
Interface Traffic report as it uses most of the tabs available.

The General Tab

Assign a Report Group name and Report Title in the fields provided. If you wish,
specify a Subtitle to appear on the Report. Most reports are made available for display
on the Orion Web Site by default. Deselect the check box provided if you do not want
the report available for the web. (Refer to Customize Views on page 174 to learn how to
add your report to a View for display on the Orion Web Site.) You may also specify the
Chapter 8: Report Writer 151

orientation for the paper on which the Report will be printed using the radio buttons
provided.

¤ If you use a Report Group name that already exists, the new report will be added to the group.
Alternatively, specifying a New Group name creates the new group with the new report included.

The Select Fields Tab

When you click the Select Fields tab, you are presented with the screen illustrated
below. The Ellipsis button at the left of each field may be used to add, delete, and move
fields. In this tab, fields are chosen, sort orders established, and functions specified.

To specify the fields to be included in your Report,

1. Click the Ellipsis button next to "Select the Following Fields...", and select Add
a New Field from the list .
152 Chapter 8: Report Writer

2. Click the highlighted asterisk (*) after “Field” and select the desired field using
the flyout menu. The fields displayed are dynamic based upon the type of
report you have chosen to create and the fields stored within your database.

¤ Notice that Custom Properties are available on the example flyout menu. If you would like to
learn more on how to define a custom property for use on your report, visit the Custom Property
Editor chapter on page 129.

3. If desired, click the highlighted asterisk (*) after “sort” and select a sort order
for the data in the field you have chosen.
Chapter 8: Report Writer 153

4. If desired, click the highlighted asterisk (*) after “function” and select the
desired function to be performed on the data.

' Test your selections as you assemble your Report by clicking Execute SQL Query to view the query
results. Clicking Preview on the toolbar will run the Query and display the results in Preview mode.

5. To add more fields, repeat Steps 1-4.

6. When you have all the fields listed for your Report, rearrange the order by
clicking on the Ellipsis button of the line whose position you want to change (or
delete entirely) and select the appropriate action from list.

' Use the check box preceding the field statement to add or remove fields displayed on your report while
retaining the sort and function configuration.

The Filter Results Tab

Once you have defined at least some of the fields to be included in your Report, click the
Filter Results tab.

You may select from three types of filtering conditions, each of which may be chosen
from a list accessed by clicking the Ellipsis button at the left of each filter’s entry.

Choose the type of condition you want to use, referring to the following Condition
Table for guidance in selecting the appropriate condition type.
154 Chapter 8: Report Writer

' Use the check box preceding the filter condition to add or remove filters applied to your report while
retaining the configuration.

¤ As filtering choices are made about variables, the choices available for their dependencies change.
For example, if you change the default value of “field” to the alternative “constant”, the options
for the “*” entry following your choice will change from a flyout menu of all the fields in your
database to a dialog box where you can enter a value. If you choose to filter on Status, your choices
become a drop-down menu containing Unknown, Up, Down, or Warning.
Chapter 8: Report Writer 155

Condition Options

Elementary

Records where * (=DatabaseField) *(= SpecifiedValue)

Advanced Records where:

Elementary

æ= SpecifiedValue ö æ= SpecifiedValue ö
*ç ÷
ç= DatabaseFi eld ÷ *ç ÷
ç= DatabaseFi eld ÷
è ø è ø

Complex

Select records where of the following apply

+ Depending on the size of your database, the nature of the query, the speed of your machine, and
other variables, a query may take a long time and consume considerable resources on the SQL
Server.

The Top XX Tab

If you would like to specify a truncated list of eligible items for your report, click the Top
XX tab.

To view only the top several records, or a percentage of the top records from your
query, enter the actual number or the percentage value in this dialog after selecting its
156 Chapter 8: Report Writer

associated radio button.

For example, if you want to view only the top 25 samples for your Report, select the
Show Only the Top button and enter 25 in the Records field.

The Time Frame Tab

To limit your Report to a specific period of time, click the Time Frame tab.

You have three choices. You can select Named Time Frame, then choose a period of time
from the drop-down list; Relative Time Frame, then specify the number and units of
time for which you want to see data; or you can select Specific Time Frame, then enter
the starting and ending dates and times that you are interested in.

' If you receive a SQL Timeout error message, you may edit the timeout setting in the SWNetPerfMon.db
file located in the default location of C:\Program Files\SolarWinds\Network Performance Monitor V7
directory

¤ Since the Relative Time Frame is a moving target; Reports run using it will likely show different
results, even if run close together in time.
Chapter 8: Report Writer 157

The Summarization Tab

To organize the data in your Report by time period, click the Summarization tab.

Choose the method of grouping data in your Report by selecting a period of time from
the drop-down list, and choose whether to place the grouping information a the
beginning or end of the Report.

The Field Formatting Tab

To present the data in your Report in the format of your choice, click the Field
Formatting tab.

Select the field you want to format. You will be presented with formatting options
specific to the field you selected.
158 Chapter 8: Report Writer

If you want to change the name of the field, as it will appear on your Report, enter it in
the Column Header field and make other formatting choices as appropriate.

The formatting options available for each field may be different, according to the nature
of the data contained in that field, as indicated by the following alternative view. The
Web URL text box is available only with the inclusion of the Node, Interface or Volume
ID field. You may also make the selected field hidden by checking the Hidden Field box.

Format each field, as you want it to appear, using Preview to toggle the view to see what
your Report will look like.
Chapter 8: Report Writer 159

The Report Grouping Tab

Select the field in which you wish your report data to be to grouped from the drop
down. Click the Add Report Group button to add your selection to the Report Group
list. You many add up to four grouping levels. Once you have made your field grouping
selections, use the arrow buttons provided to change the grouping order.

Click the Preview button to view your report, as it will appear on a printed page. Toggle
between the Design and Preview view until the desired grouping level is achieved.

The SQL Tab

SQL can be entered directly into a Report only by designing a new Report using the
Advanced SQL Reports option. The SQL query generated by Report Writer can be
viewed for any Report by selecting Report Show SQL from the menu, which adds a
view-only SQL tab to the Design window.
160 Chapter 8: Report Writer

You can use copy-and-paste to lift the SQL query from any Report and paste it into an
Advanced SQL Report, where it may then be modified. You may test it at any time by
clicking the Execute SQL Query button.

Exporting Report Data

The information you have collected and arranged for a Report can easily be exported for
use in other programs. Select File Export (with the desired report open) to display a
flyout menu that offers several different formats for exporting your data for use in
spreadsheets, databases, web pages, or formatted electronic documents.

If you want to export your Report data to Excel or to other programs in order to perform
calculations with it, you should specify that your Report be created with Raw data. To
specify Raw data, click Report Data Format Raw Data.
Chapter 8: Report Writer 161

If you use the default — Cooked data — you may have values that are expressed in a
hybrid manner, which is to say that 1,000 may be expressed as 1K. Excel and other
programs that perform calculations are typically unable to interpret such values.

Example Report
You might want to take a Report to your Monday morning meeting that includes
information about availability of devices on your network in the previous week. You
want to sort it all with the worst errors rising to the top: Down Nodes that are still down
at the top, with increasing availability as you move down the list.

1. Click New. The New Report type-selector dialog opens.

2. Since we want a Report about Historical Availability, select Historical–

Availability and click OK. A new Report Design dialog opens.

3. Change the entry in the Report Group field to My Reports, and assign a Report
162 Chapter 8: Report Writer

Title of Last Week’s Availability. Check Portrait for the paper orientation, and
then click the Select Fields tab.

4. Click the Ellipsis button next to "Select the Following Fields...", then select Add
a New Field.

5. Click the asterisk (*) after the “Field:” entry. Select Network Nodes Node
Details Node Name.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5, selecting Network Nodes Current Node

Status Current Status.

7. Repeat steps 4 and 5, selecting Network Nodes Current Node Status Node
Status Icon. (While this field makes a distinct visual difference for a Report
viewed in color, it will make little or no difference if printed in black and
white.)

a. Click Execute SQL Query to see what we have so far.

b. If you would rather have the Status Icon precede the Status
description, click the Ellipsis button at the left of the Node Status Icon
line and select Move Current Field Backward.

c. Click Execute SQL Query again.

Chapter 8: Report Writer 163

8. Since we plan to also show information about historical status, we should re-
label the Current Status entries to avoid confusion later, so click the Field
Formatting tab.

9. With the Current_Status field highlighted in the Select Fields pane, change
the Column Header entry to Current Status. Do the same for the
Node_Status_Icon field. Then click Execute SQL Query. The changes are
shown in the display window.
164 Chapter 8: Report Writer

' If columns appear too wide or to narrow, and you would like to adjust their size, place your cursor on the
divider between the columns — where the cursor will change form — and the divider can be dragged to
a different position.

10. When you are satisfied with what you have so far, click the Select Fields tab.

11. Since we want to show currently Down nodes first, click the asterisk (*) after
the Field: Current Status entry and select Descending. Click Execute SQL
Query to verify your choice.
Chapter 8: Report Writer 165

12. Repeat steps 4 and 5, but select Historical Response Time and
Availability Availability.

13. Click the asterisk (*) next to Sort: on the new line and select Ascending.

14. Click Execute SQL Query to view your work.

166 Chapter 8: Report Writer

¤ At any point during the creation of a Report (or perhaps at many points), you may save what
you’ve done by selecting File Save. The first time you save, you must give your Report a
filename, or accept the default, which will be the Report Title you assigned in step 3.

15. Since we want to limit our Report to Availability in the last week, click the Time
Frame tab.
16. Select Relative Time Frame, specify 7 in the text-entry field, and select Days
from the drop-down list.
17. If you want to break down the report day-by-day, you can click the
Summarization tab and specify your choices.

18. If you want to filter your Report, click the Filter Results tab and specify
filter rules.
19. Click F i l e Save to save your work.
Chapter 9: Account Limitation
Builder
T he Account Limitation Builder application allows you to create and customize
limitations so that a user views only the Nodes and Interfaces pertinent to their job
duties via the Orion NPM Website. Account Limitations can be based upon properties
(otherwise referred to as fields) already included in the Orion NPM database (Device
Status, Hardware Manufacturer, etc.), but the real power comes when you define your
own property within the Custom Property Editor (pg. 105) and utilize the Account
Limitation Builder to create and enable the limitations for selection within the Account
Manager portion of the Orion Web Interface. (For instructions on Setting Account
Limitations visit page 213.) With the use of custom properties and account limitations,
you are empowered with a vast array of possibilities for filtering and grouping Nodes
and Interfaces on the Orion NPM Website.

Just a few simple limitation ideas to get you started:

· Limit customer views to their specific network nodes.

· Limit views by Department or functional area.
· Limit views by device type or device role.
· Limit views based on geographic location of the device(s).
· Limit views based upon the zip code of the device(s).

Getting Started
Before you can utilize the Account Limitation Builder, you must have first created the
custom property in which you would like to use to limit the Orion Web Interface view.
If you have not added your property, refer to Adding a Custom Property on page 131
for instructions. Once you have the custom properties defined and the data populated
(see Editing Custom Properties on page 137 for steps on individually populating
property data, or Importing Custom Property Data on page 139 for details on how to
import groups of data from an external file such as a spreadsheet), you may begin
Adding an Account Limitation described on page 168.
168 Chapter 9: Account Limitation Builder

The Account Limitation Builder is launched from the Windows Start Menu:
Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Advanced Features Account
Limitation Builder and opens to the Splash Screen illustrated below:

The Splash Screen provides additional application information and presents a start
button that enables you to begin using the application.

Adding an Account Limitation

1. Start the Account Limitation Builder using Start SolarWinds Network
Performance Monitor Advanced Features Account Limitation Builder.

2. Select Start from the Splash Screen. A table view of default account limitations
is displayed.

3. Select Edit Add Limitation (or Select Add from the Toolbar). The Create
New Account Limitation dialog opens enabling you to select from a list of
defined Custom Properties.
Chapter 9: Account Limitation Builder 169

4. Select the desired Custom Property from the drop down. The remaining boxes
are auto-populated based upon your selection.

¤ If you do not have any Properties in your drop down, you must first define your Custom
Property. Visit the Custom Property Editor chapter on page 129 for details.

5. Choose a Selection Method from the drop down, if you prefer a style other than
the default specified. Options include Check Boxes, Pattern Matching, or Single
Selection. This is the selection format that will appear when choosing values for
the Account Limitation via the Web Account Manager.

' You may include your own description or name by typing over the default text provided.

6. Click OK. The defined limitation will be added to the top of the table view.

7. Put your new Account Limitation to use via the Account Manager portion of
the Web Interface. See Setting Account Limitations on page 213 for
instructions.

Deleting an Account Limitation

1. Start the Account Limitation Builder using Start SolarWinds Network
Performance Monitor Advanced Features Account Limitation Builder.
2. Select Start from the Splash Screen.

3. Click to highlight the row of the Limitation you wish to delete.

' Utilize Shift + click to highlight multiple consecutive rows or Ctrl + click to highlight multiple non-
consecutive rows.

4. Select Edit Delete Selected Limitation (or select Delete from the
Toolbar). The selected Limitation(s) will be deleted from the table and no
170 Chapter 9: Account Limitation Builder

longer available via the Web Account Manager.

¤ If you delete a Limitation via the Account Limitation Builder, all accounts assigned will remain
appropriately limited. Deleting simply removes the limitation from being available for future
selection.
Chapter 10: Web Administration
T he Web Interface is an integral part of the Orion NPM suite. It can be viewed from
virtually any computer connected to the Internet using Internet Explorer. The
interface can be customized for different viewers and their individualized views stored
as part of their profile. Administrator functions are accessed via the Admin Menu Bar
option.

Starting Orion NPM

To get started open Internet Explorer and enter the URL: http://IPADDRESS, where you
substitute the IP address or domain name of your server for IPADDRESS.

The first time your start Orion NPM, you will be presented with a page similar to the
one displayed below.

Follow the instructions on the page for setting the password for the Admin account.
This account is not an account on your network, your database, or web server. It is an
account solely used for the Orion NPM website.
172 Chapter 10: Web Administration

Admin Option
Once logged into Orion NPM as Admin your default menu bar will include the Admin
option. Included therein are a wide variety of tools to control the appearance and
delivery of information to users.

' To change the system to Advanced Mode; select Settings on the menu at the left of the page, change
the Allow Advanced Customization option to Yes, and click Submit. Advanced Customization
allows you to create your own Menu Bars and Views, define a different set of Views for each Account,
and set Warning and Error Thresholds for various statistics. Additional Charts and Resources are also
available when Advanced Customization is enabled.

Account Manager
The Account Manager allows you to add and edit user accounts. You can also change
passwords from the Account Manager. For a detailed discussion of the options
available, refer to the Account Manager chapter on page 209.
Chapter 10: Web Administration 173

Account List
The Account List page provides an overview of the Network Performance Monitor
account settings. Information provided includes: account expiration date, last login date
and time, account limitations applied, default network device selected, menu utilized,
and the reports folder for which the account has access. You may also use the Account
List page to make changes to multiple accounts simultaneously. Select or de-select the
check boxes provided for Account Enabled, Admin Rights, and Allow View
Customization. Changes are effective upon selection.
174 Chapter 10: Web Administration

Account Views
The Account Views page acts as a quick-reference of the view specified for the: Home
Page, Summary, Node Details, Interface Details, and Volume Details views. The account
status, default device, and assigned menu are listed. You may also use the Account View
page to enable/disable account(s). Changes made to the account status are effective
upon selection.

Customize Views
Views are collections of information in which you are interested. A View can include
Maps, Charts, Summary Lists, Reports, Events, and Links to other resources. Views can
be assigned to Menu Bars and each View can be customized. You may also select which
charts and device properties are displayed on each View.

' Switch to Advanced Mode to enable additional Resources that can be placed on each view and to create
new Views. Advanced Mode can be set from the Settings page under the Admin menu (or by selecting
Settings from the menu at the left of the page). Change the Advanced Customization option to Yes.
Chapter 10: Web Administration 175

Creating New Views

To create a new View, you must login to the Orion NPM web page using an account
with Administrator privileges. Select the Admin option from the Menu Bar and click
Customize Views on the menu displayed on the left. From the Select a View to Customize
page, click Add.

Enter a name for the new View, and select a Type of View from the drop-down menu.

¤ The Type of View selection will affect how the View may be made accessible to users, and your
choice may not be changed later. For more details about the types of Views, see Setting Default
Views on page 215.

When you click Submit, you will be presented with a Customize View page. Follow the
instructions for Editing Views to set up your new View.

Editing Views
To edit an existing View, you must login to the Orion NPM web page using an account
with Administrator privileges. Select the Admin option from the Menu Bar and click
Customize Views on the menu displayed on the left. From the Select a View to Customize
page, select the name of the View in the list, and then click Edit.
176 Chapter 10: Web Administration

You are presented with a Customize View page that includes the name of the View with
the opportunity to give it a different name, a list of resources currently assigned for
display in this view, and a set of buttons that may be used to rearrange the resources.
The functionality of the buttons is summarized below.

Add a new Resource

Delete the highlighted Resource

Move the highlighted Resource up in the display

Move the highlighted Resource down in the display

Move the highlighted Resource to the next column to the right

Move the highlighted Resource to the next column to the left

Set up or change number of columns and column widths

Chapter 10: Web Administration 177

The Add button displays the Add Resources page with Resource Groups listed in a tree
structure. Click the plus sign next to a Resource Group to expand the tree and display all
available Resources for the group. In this example, the Node Lists Group has been
expanded.

¤ Resources that are already listed on your View will not be check marked on this page, as it's a
view of all available resources. Therefore, it is possible to pick duplicates of Resources you are
already displaying.

Several options on the Add Resources page are added to the list of Resources for a page
like any other selection, but the actual configuration of a map, link, or code is not added
until the page is previewed.

When you have completed check marking your resource selections, click Submit. You
are returned to the Customize View page, where you may arrange the display of
Resources using the arrow buttons provided.
178 Chapter 10: Web Administration

Click the Column Layout button to display a page that allows you to specify the number
of columns you would like to use for displaying Resources. You may also set the width
(in pixels) of each column. When you are satisfied with the column layout, click Submit
to return to the Customize View page.

Click Preview to see what your page will look like and to make selections for the
resources requiring additional configuration. You will be presented with your page in a
new window. In the locations for some Resources, you will find a message acting as a
placeholder. Refer to the Resource Configuration Examples section on page 179 for
instructions pertaining to the specified resource.

After completing the required selection, you can close the Preview window. The
browser window displaying the Customize View page will be open beneath, where you
Chapter 10: Web Administration 179

may rearrange items, returning to the Preview as necessary. When you are satisfied with
your choices, click Done.

¤ Use your customized view as a default View assigned to a user (see Editing User Accounts on
page 211), or add it to Menu Bars as a custom item (see Adding a Custom Menu Item on page 195).

Copying Views
Views can be copied allowing you to create one View, and then use that View as a
template to create new Views. This can be very helpful when creating different views
based on Device Type. To copy a View, click Customize Views on the menu displayed
on the left.

Select the View you wish to copy, and then click the Copy button.
180 Chapter 10: Web Administration

After clicking Copy, the Customize View page is displayed with the title “Copy of ####”.
Where “####” represents the name of the View you copied. Rename the View, make the
layout and content changes you need, and then click Done to save the View.

Resource Configuration Examples

Several resources selected from the Add Resources page require additional configuration.
Included in this section are examples of those resources and the steps required for
proper configuration.

Selecting a Network Map

Follow the instructions for Creating a New View or Editing a View on page 175,
selecting Network Map from either the Miscellaneous Group or the Network Maps
Group on the Add Resources page. Click Preview on the Customize View page to be
presented with your page in a new window. Navigate to the location of the Network
Map placeholder.

Click Edit Resource (or the Click Here hyperlink) to display the Edit Network Map
page.
Chapter 10: Web Administration 181

Enter a Title to display on the header for the map (if you do not wish to use the default
title provided) and choose from the available lists of maps. Select the scale at which you
wish the map to display. If you leave this field blank, the map will display at full scale.
When you click Submit, you will be returned to the Preview page with your chosen map
shown in place.

Displaying a List of Objects on a Network Map

Follow the instructions for Creating a New View or Editing a View on page 175, selecting
List of Objects on Network Map from either the Miscellaneous Group or the Network
Maps Group on the Add Resources page. Click Preview on the Customize View page to be
presented with your page in a new window. Navigate to the location of the List of Objects
on Network Map placeholder.
182 Chapter 10: Web Administration

Click Edit Resource (or the Click Here hyperlink) to display the Edit List of Objects
on Network Map page.

The Title text may be changed to any text you would like displayed on the header for
the list. Select the map whose Objects you wish to include. When you click Submit, you
will be returned to the Preview page where your selected map's objects will be listed in
the specified location.
Chapter 10: Web Administration 183

Displaying a Custom List of Maps

Follow the instructions for Creating a New View or Editing a View on page 175,
selecting Custom List of Maps from either the Miscellaneous Group or the Network
Maps Group on the Add Resources page. Click Preview on the Customize View page to be
presented with your page in a new window. Navigate to the location of the Custom List
of Maps placeholder.

Click Edit Resource (or the Click Here hyperlink) to display the Edit Custom List of
Maps page.

Change the title to whatever you desire. By default all available maps will be displayed
in the Custom List. If you would like to limit the list, check mark only the maps you
wish to be included. Click Submit to be returned to the Preview page. Your chosen maps
will be listed in the specified location.

' The Detach View button can be used at any time to open the resource in a separate browser
window.
184 Chapter 10: Web Administration

Displaying an Event Summary - Custom Period of Time

You may wish to display an Event Summary for a custom period of time. Follow the
instructions for Creating a New View or Editing a View on page 175, selecting Event
Summary from either the Events Group or the Events and Alerts Group on the Add
Resources page. Click Preview on the Customize View page to be presented with your
page in a new window. Navigate to the location of the Event Summary placeholder.

Click Edit Resource to display the Edit Custom List of Maps page.

Change the title to whatever you desire. By default Today's Events will be displayed in
the Summary. If you would like to change the time period, select it from the drop down
provided. Click Submit to be returned to the Preview page. The Events for the chosen
time period will be displayed.
Chapter 10: Web Administration 185

Specifying User Defined Links

You may wish to include a link on the Orion web page to another system, or to a web
page that contains additional information pertaining to your network. To do this, follow
the instructions for Creating a New View or Editing a View on page 175, selecting User
Defined Links from the Miscellaneous Group on the Add Resources page. Click Preview
on the Customize View page to be presented with your page in a new window. Navigate
to the location of the User Defined Links placeholder.

Click Edit Resource to display the Edit User Defined Links page.

The title can be changed to anything you like. Enter a description and URL in the fields
provided. If you check the box next to Open in New Window, clicking the link will open
a new instance of Internet Explorer in which to view the resource. When you click
Submit, you will be returned to the Preview page, and your links will be displayed in the
specified location.

¤ The User Defined Links option may be used to create quick access to your customized Views. The
URLs for your customized Views can be copied from the Preview page for the View, and pasted in
a User Defined Links field.
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Specifying Custom HTML or Text

In situations where you have static information that you wish to convey via the Orion
web page, use the Custom HTML or Text option. First, follow the instructions for
Creating a New View or Editing a View on page 175, selecting Custom HTML or Text
from the Miscellaneous Group on the Add Resources page. Then, click Preview on the
Customize View page to be presented with your page in a new window. Navigate to the
location of the Custom HTML or Text placeholder.

Click Edit Resource to display the Edit Custom HTML or Text page.

The Title text can be changed to any text you want to display on the Header. Enter the
text or HTML code, as you would like it to display. When you click Submit, you will be
returned to the Preview page where the text or interpreted code will be displayed in the
specified location.

¤ The Custom HTML or Text option may be used to create quick access to your customized Views.
The URLs for your customized Views can be copied from the Preview page for the View, and
pasted in the Text or HTML code text box.
Chapter 10: Web Administration 187

Specifying an Orion Report

You may wish to include a report (created using Orion Report Writer) in a View. To
include the report, follow the instructions for Creating a New View or Editing a View on
page 175, selecting Report From Orion Report Writer from the Miscellaneous, Summary
Reports, or Report Writer Groups on the Add Resources page. Click Preview on the
Customize View page to be presented with your page in a new window. Navigate to the
location of the Report from Orion Report Writer placeholder.

Click Edit Resource (or the Click Here hyperlink) to display the Edit Report from
Report Writer page.

Change the Title text, if desired, that will display on the Header for the Report and select
the desired report from the drop down provided. When you click Submit, you will be
returned to the Preview page with the selected report shown in place.

' Filters can be used to limit the data displayed on a report. If you would like to filter the report data for
this View, use the Show Filter Examples hyperlink below the Submit button to aid in the creation of the
filter.
188 Chapter 10: Web Administration

Displaying a Custom List of Reports

Follow the instructions for Creating a New View or Editing a View on page 175,
selecting Custom List of Reports from the Report Writer Group on the Add Resources
page. Click Preview on the Customize View page to be presented with your page in a new
window. Navigate to the location of the Custom List of Reports placeholder.

Click Edit Resource (or the Click Here hyperlink) to display the Edit Custom List of
Reports page.

Check each report you wish to be included in the custom list and change the title text as
desired. When you click Submit, you will be returned to the Preview page with the
selected reports listed.

¤ To allow a user to view a report included in the Custom List, you must set the report access for the
Account. See Setting a Report Folder on page 216 for more details.

Grouping and Filtering Nodes

Chapter 10: Web Administration 189

Node lists can be customized for a user's View by use of grouping and filtering. To
include a Node List, follow the instructions for Creating a New View or Editing a View
on page 175, selecting Node List - Custom Grouping and Filtering from either the Node
Lists or Summary Reports Group on the Add Resources page. Click Preview on the
Customize View page to be presented with your page in a new window. Navigate to the
location of the Node List - Custom Grouping and Filtering placeholder.

Click Edit Resource (or the Click Here hyperlink) to display the Edit Node List -
Custom Grouping and Filtering page.

Change the Title text, if you wish, that will display on the Header for the Node List. Use
the drop downs provided to select the criteria for which you would like to group your
list of nodes. If you would like to filter the nodes, enter the filter in the text box
provided. The Show Filter Examples hyperlink is provided to aid in the creation of
filters. When you are satisfied with your selections, click Submit. You will be returned to
the Preview page with the Nodes matching your specifications listed.
190 Chapter 10: Web Administration

Views by Device Type

Due to the vast differences between network devices and the statistics they report, the
Orion website can display Node Details based on Device Type. This means that you can
have different views for routes, firewalls, servers, etc.

Assigning Views by Device Type

1. Select Views by Device Type from the menu at the left of the Admin view.

2. Select either Nodes or Interfaces and then click Edit.

Chapter 10: Web Administration 191

3. Select a Web View for each Object Type in the list, and then click Submit.

Customize Menu Bars

¤ The Customize Menu bar page is only available in Advanced Mode. To change the system to
Advanced Mode, select Settings from the menu displayed at the left of the page, change the All
Advanced Customization option to Yes, and click Submit.

The Menu Bars displayed at the top of every page can be configured to display several
menu items. You can edit existing Menu Bars to display the desired menu items, or start
from scratch and build a brand new one. The ability to define and add your own menu
items for display on a Menu Bar is included as well. You can even customize a different
Menu Bar for each Account. (Menu Bar selections for an account are made in the
Account Manager, see Editing User Accounts on page 211.)
192 Chapter 10: Web Administration

To Edit or Add a New Menu Bar

+ Do not delete the Admin option from the Admin Menu Bar. If you do, you will only be able to
access Admin functions by logging in as Admin, then entering
http://YourOrionURL/NetPerfMon/Admin in the Address field.

1. Select Customize Menu Bars from the menu at the left of the Admin view, or
from the list of options on the Admin page.

2. To edit an existing Menu Bar, click Edit under the Menu Bar of your choice,
then make choices as detailed for New Menu Bars. To create a new Menu Bar,
click New Menu Bar.

3. Give your new Menu Bar a name, and then click Submit. The Edit Menu Bar
page will display.
Chapter 10: Web Administration 193

4. Click Add to open the Select Menu Items page.

194 Chapter 10: Web Administration

5. Select the View(s) to be added to the Menu Bar, and then click Submit.

¤ If you check mark Reports from the Select Menu Items page, you must also enable reports for the
Account(s) that utilize the Menu Bar. To do this, select the desired report folder from the Report
Folder drop-down on the Edit Account page within Account Manager. For more detailed
instructions and information on report security options visit Setting a Report Folder on page 216.
Chapter 10: Web Administration 195

Adding a Custom Menu Item

At the bottom of the Select Menu Items page, the Add Custom Menu Item button is
displayed. Using this option, you can add customized Views to Menu Bars.

This button opens the Edit Custom Menu Item page that contains fields for custom items.

Give your item a name, include the URL (This URL may have been copied to the
clipboard from the Preview screen when you created a new View; for more details, see
Editing Views on page 175.), add a description if desired, and check Open in a New
Window if you wish.

When you click Submit from the Edit Custom Menu Item page, you will be returned to
the Edit Menu Bar page with your new menu item included in the list. Click Submit to
complete your menu item addition.
196 Chapter 10: Web Administration

Color Scheme
The overall color scheme of the Orion NPM website can be changed to one of several
color schemes, as shown below. To change the Color Scheme, you must login to the
Orion NPM website using an account with Administrator privileges. Select the Admin
option from the Menu Bar and click Color Scheme on the menu displayed on the left of
the page. Use the radio buttons to make the desired color selection and click Submit.

¤ Keep in mind that changes made to the Color Scheme are viewed by all users.
Chapter 10: Web Administration 197

NPM Web Settings

The Network Performance Monitor Web Settings page allows you to switch from Basic
Mode to Advanced Mode. Global Web settings such as Page Refresh, Timeout, and
Chart Aspect ratios can also be adjusted from the Settings page.

+ The Chart Aspect Ratio should normally be set to a value between 0.25 and 3.0 in order to avoid
erratic display problems. Your system may differ.

The SolarWinds banner across the top of each web page can also be changed to your
company logo (or any graphic you want) from the Settings page. To replace the
SolarWinds banner with your own banner, you will need to create an appropriate file.
(The SolarWinds banner file is 580 by 65 pixels.) Place it in the
C:\Inetpub\SolarWinds\NetPerfMon\images directory (assuming you installed your
Orion NPM website in the default directory), and then enter its name as a replacement
for SolarWinds.Logo.jpg in the Site Logo URL field of the Settings page.

' While you may change the banner at the top of Orion’s web pages to anything you like, the
SolarWinds.Net End User License Agreement prohibits the modification, elimination, or replacement of
the SolarWinds.Net logo and link on the Menu Bar or the SolarWinds copyright line at the bottom of the
page.
198 Chapter 10: Web Administration

Thresholds
Thresholds for CPU Load, Percent Utilization, Disk Usage, Errors & Discards, etc. can be
set. These Thresholds control which devices appear on Summary Reports. For example,
when the Disk Usage Warning Threshold is set to 80 percent, all disk volumes with
space usage over 80 percent will appear on the High Disk Space summary.
Chapter 10: Web Administration 199

Database Details
This is an information-only page that displays details about the SQL Server database.
The total number of monitored Elements, Nodes, Interfaces, and Volumes in the
database can be found here. This panel also shows the SQL Server version.
200 Chapter 10: Web Administration

License Details
This is an information-only page that displays details about your license. The version of
Orion NPM applications and of DLLs are also shown here.
Chapter 10: Web Administration 201

Polling Engines
System Manager supports multiple distributed Polling Engines. Each Engine can
monitor and collect data from a different part of your network. This panel shows the
status of each Polling Engine.

Clear Web Cache

All Charts, Maps, Reports, and Gauges are cached by the Web Engine. When a Chart,
Map, Report or Gauge is requested, the cached version is used if it exists. If you change
Thresholds or Settings, you may need to clear the Web Cache in order to see the changes
immediately.

Launching Integrated Remote Desktop

Sometimes it is necessary to console into a remote server to troubleshoot an issue. This
can be accomplished within the Orion Website. When viewing a Windows Server’s
Node Details page, click the button located either in the top-right of the view, or in
the Node Details resource. A new window is opened containing the IP Address and
Screen Size settings.
202 Chapter 10: Web Administration

After verifying the IP Address and selecting the Screen Size you want, click the Connect
button to launch the integrated Remote Desktop connection.

¤ Press CTRL-ALT-BREAK to enter/exit full screen mode.

SolarWinds Toolset Integration

When browsing the Orion website from a computer that has a SolarWinds Toolset
installed, tools can be launched directly from the web browser. The first time the
Chapter 10: Web Administration 203

website is accessed, the following Security Warning will be displayed:

Click “Yes” to allow the toolset integration. Once the Security Warning has been
accepted, right-clicking on any node, interface, or volume will display a pop-up menu
with a number of different tools and functions.
204 Chapter 10: Web Administration

Toolset Integration Settings

To access the “Toolset Integration Settings”, right-click on a node, interface, or volume
and click “Settings”.

SNMP Community Strings Tab

The first time a tool requiring an SNMP community string is launched from the right-
click menu, the Add Community String dialog is displayed. If the option Remember this
community string is checked, the community string will be saved for future access.

A list of all community strings saved from the Right-Click menu can be managed in the
Chapter 10: Web Administration 205

“SNMP Community Strings” tab.

Menu Options Tab

The “Menu Options” tab is used to add or remove menu items that are displayed when
right-clicking on a network object. All available menu items are listed in the left-hand
column, and the menu items currently selected are listed in the right-hand column.
206 Chapter 10: Web Administration

Click the arrow buttons to move items up and down in the list, and to add / remove
items from the Selected Menu Options. To add a separator between items, add the menu
option “--------------“, and move it to the preferred location.

Automatic Menu Items Tab

Chapter 10: Web Administration 207

To allow expanded menu options, check the box next to the options you wish to
expand. The additional menu items are based on either the MIB Browser Bookmarks
or Real-Time Interface Monitor saved report types. These items are edited in the MIB
Browser or Real-Time Interface Monitor.
Chapter 11: Account Manager
I n Orion NPM’s Account Manager, you define users and establish their default
permissions and Views. If Advanced Customization has been turned on in the
Settings page (accessed by clicking Settings on the menu at the left of the page),
customized Menu Bars and Views can be assigned to different users.

¤ For the purposes of illustration and completeness in this guide, we will assume that Advanced
Customization has been enabled. If it has not been enabled, the range of options will be more
limited, and the pages will show fewer choices than shown here.

Creating New Accounts

To create a new user account, you must be logged into Orion NPM as a user with
Admin rights. From the Menu Bar, select the Admin option, and click Account Manager
from the menu displayed on the left of the page. The Account Manager page is displayed.

Click Add to display the Add Account page. Provide a name for the new user, and enter
and verify a password.
210 Chapter 11: Account Manager

Edit the new user’s default settings and permissions according to the instructions in the
Editing User Accounts section that follows.

¤ Refer to the Auto-Login section on page 275 for details on utilizing Windows Pass-Through
Security and the creation and uses of a DirectLink Account.
Chapter 11: Account Manager 211

Editing User Accounts

From the Edit User Account page, you can disable an account without deleting it, set an
expiration date, grant rights, set limitations on what can be viewed, define a default
Menu Bar, and set several other defaults that define what the user will see. The Edit User
Account page is accessed by logging in as a user with Admin privileges, selecting the
Admin option from the Menu Bar, and Account Manager from the menu on the left.
Select the account and click Edit.

¤ There is also a button at the bottom of the page to reset the user’s password.

Disabling Accounts
Accounts are enabled by default; however, in some cases you may want to disable an
account without deleting it. By disabling the account, you leave its definition and details
in place to be enabled at a later time. You may disable an Account by selecting No from
the drop-down menu next to the Account Enabled option on the Edit User Account page.
The Edit User Account page is accessed by logging in as a user with Admin privileges,
selecting the Admin option from the Menu Bar, and Account Manager from the menu
on the left. Select the account and click Edit.
212 Chapter 11: Account Manager

Setting Expiration Dates on Accounts

Accounts can be set to expire on a given date by entering the date in the Account
Expires field on the Edit User Account page. The Edit User Account page is accessed by
logging in as a user with Admin privileges, selecting the Admin option from the Menu
Bar, and Account Manager from the menu on the left. Select the account and click Edit.

By default, accounts are set Never to expire. Dates can be entered in just about any
format you like, and will conform to the local settings on your computer.

Setting Administrator Rights on Accounts

Administrator Rights can be granted by selecting Yes from the drop-down menu next to
Allow Administrator Rights on the Edit User Account page. The Edit User Account page is
accessed by logging in as a user with Admin privileges, selecting the Admin option from
the Menu Bar, and Account Manager from the menu on the left. Select the account and
click Edit.

Administrator Rights are not granted by default and are required to create, delete, and
edit accounts. Without Administrator Rights, a user is unable to view any information
accessed by the Admin page, even if they have those options on their Menu Bars.

¤ Granting Administrator rights do not automatically cause the Admin Menu Bar to be the default
for the user. If you want the user to have access to the Admin options, you will need to assign the
Admin Menu Bar to the user.

Allowing Customized View Creation

By selecting Yes in the drop-down menu next to Allow Account to Customize Views on
the Edit User Account page, the account is enabled to create and edit Views. The Edit User
Account page is accessed by logging in as a user with Admin privileges, selecting the
Admin option from the Menu Bar, and Account Manager from the menu on the left.
Select the account and click Edit.

By default, customized View creation is not allowed.

¤ Keep in mind that changes made to any View are seen by all users with access to that View.
Chapter 11: Account Manager 213

Allowing Event Acknowledgment and Removal

By selecting Yes in the drop-down menu next to Allow Account to Clear Events on the
Edit User Account page, the account is enabled to acknowledge and clear network
events. The Edit User Account page is accessed by logging in as a user with Admin
privileges, selecting the Admin option from the Menu Bar, and Account Manager from
the menu on the left. Select the account and click Edit.

By default, the clearing of events is not allowed.

Setting Account Limitations

Users can be limited to viewing only a designated part of the network or only certain
kinds of information. In order to limit an account’s view, click the Addit Limitation
Button under the Account Limitation section of the Edit User Account page. The Select
Limitation page is displayed. (The Edit User Account page is accessed by logging in as a
user with Admin privileges, selecting the Admin option from the Menu Bar, and
Account Manager from the menu on the left. Select the account and click Edit.)

¤ Custom Properties defined utilizing the Account Limitation Builder will be displayed on the Select
Limitation page for choosing. By first adding a custom property (region, building, asset tag, serial
214 Chapter 11: Account Manager

number, etc.) to your database, account limitations can then be defined and set using almost any
criteria. Visit the Account Limitation Builder chapter on page 167 for more details.

When you select a type of limitation and click Continue, you will be presented with a
page that allows you to apply specific filter information for the type of limitation chosen.
For example, if you select Group of Nodes, you are presented a page that lists all your
monitored Nodes, from which you may select the ones you wish to make viewable for
the account being configured.

Other choices lead to pages appropriate to the task, some with drop-down lists, some
with check boxes, and others with text boxes.

Setting Default Menu Bars

Each account has a Menu Bar assigned to it, and each can be different. Menu Bars
already created are listed in the drop-down menu on the Edit User Account page. The
Edit User Account page is accessed by logging in as a user with Admin privileges,
selecting the Admin option from the Menu Bar, and Account Manager from the menu
on the left. Select the account and click Edit.

¤ For more information about creating customized Menu Bars, see Customize Menu Bars on page
191.
Chapter 11: Account Manager 215

Setting a Default Home Page View

Each user may be assigned a different Home Page, which is the View with which users
are presented when they log in. If no Home Page is specified, the default is the page that
is designated in the Default Summary View field on the Edit User Account page. The Edit
User Account page is accessed by logging in as a user with Admin privileges, selecting
the Admin option from the Menu Bar, and Account Manager from the menu on the left.
Select the account and click Edit.

Setting Default Network Devices

If a user has a designated Home Page that is a Detail View of a Node, Interface, or
Volume, it is necessary to specify the particular device for which the detail is wanted.
This is done from the Edit User Account page by clicking the Edit button associated with
the Default Network Device option and making a choice from the list of available
devices. The Edit User Account page is accessed by logging in as a user with Admin
privileges, selecting the Admin option from the Menu Bar, and Account Manager from
the menu on the left. Select the account and click Edit.

¤ You must first have picked a Default Home Page that requires a Default Network Device to be
selected. The list from which you make your choice will depend on what type of View has been
selected as the Default Home Page. If Node Details has been selected, then you are presented with
a list of Nodes. If Interface Details has been selected, you will see a list of Interfaces, and so on.

Setting Default Views

As a user drills progressively into an object, a page for Node, Interface, or Volume
Details is presented. If you have developed a Customized View designated in the Type
of View field as Node, Interface, or Volume Details, you may select it from the list on the
Edit User Account page. (The Edit User Account page is accessed by logging in as a user
with Admin privileges, selecting the Admin option from the Menu Bar, and Account
Manager from the menu on the left. Select the account and click Edit.) If None is selected,
the user for whom the Account is being configured will be presented with a message
stating that they do not have access to that View.
216 Chapter 11: Account Manager

Setting a Report Folder

Reports may be assigned to an Account by creating sub-directories within the NPM
Reports directory and including the desired report(s) within the sub-directory. The sub-
directories will then be available for assignment to an Account by selecting it from the
Report Folder drop down on the Edit User Account page. The Edit User Account page is
accessed by logging in as a user with Admin privileges, selecting the Admin option from
the Menu Bar, and Account Manager from the menu on the left. Select the account and
click Edit.

This provides a report security level when adding Reports as a Custom Menu Item (as
detailed on page 195), or including a report in a View as explained in the Customize
Views section on page 174. If you would like all reports to be available for the Account,
select the \Reports option. Alternatively, use the default option, No Reports for this
Account, if you do not wish the Account to have access to any reports.

¤ The NPM Reports directory is located in the Network Performance Monitor Installation directory
(default location: C:\Program Files\SolarWinds\Network Performance Monitor).
Chapter 12: Database Utilities
O rion NPM uses a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 database. A licensed copy of SQL
Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE ) is distributed with each copy of Orion NPM.
MSDE supports a maximum database size of 2GB. Orion NPM includes tools written by
SolarWinds for managing your SQL Server database. If you are running the SLX or
SL2000 version you may need to acquire and install either the Standard or Enterprise
version of SQL Server.

Orion's Database Utilities are comprised of two applications as described below:

· Database Manager - an interface to your database allowing you to perform

queries, edit database values, export data, and perform database repair and
compaction.
· Database Maintenance - a tool used to summarize, clean, and compact the
database.

Database Manager
The Database Manager can be used to perform queries, view database and table details,
export data, and edit database values. You may also repair, compact, restore, or backup
the database from the Database Manager application.

Getting Started
The Database Manager is opened from the Windows Start Menu: Start SolarWinds
Network Performance Monitor Database Utilities Database Manager. The SolarWinds
Database Manager opens to display a splash screen depicted in the illustration that
follows.
218 Chapter 12: Database Utilities

The Splash Screen provides additional application information and presents a collection
of buttons that can be used to perform the software's most common functions. This
functionality is also available from the application menu and toolbar.

Adding a Server
After installing Orion, you must add the SQL servers you wish to display and manage
within the Database Manager application. To do this, select Add Server from the toolbar
(or select File Add Server from the menu). The NetPerfMon Database Manager dialog is
displayed.
Chapter 12: Database Utilities 219

Select the SQL server from the drop down or enter the IP address of the SQL Server
machine. Use the radio buttons provided to select the login style. You may use
Windows NT Integrated Security to automatically pass the windows user ID and
password to the SQL server, or select to use a separate SQL Server user ID and
password. Upon selecting the later option, the dialog will dynamically change to
display text boxes for entry of the SQL Server user ID and password you wish to use.
After making your selections, click Connect to Database Server. Your selected server
and associated databases will be displayed in the tree structure of the Database Manager
window.

Database Backup
It is very important that you periodically back up your Orion NPM database. To back
up the database, right-click on the database name in the tree of the Database Manager
window and choose Backup Database.

The Backup Database dialog prompts you to enter a description of the database backup
and specify a path and filename for the backup file. Enter the requested information.
Typically, C:\Program Files\SolarWinds\Data\NetPerfMon.BAK. Refer to Creating a
Database Maintenance Plan on page 223, for details on how to schedule a regular
database backup.

¤ Ensure that the target location for the database backup has sufficient available disk space.

Restore a Database
To restore a database from backup, open the Database Manager and select
Database Restore Database (or right-click the SQL Server in the tree and select
Restore Database from the list). The Restore Database dialog is displayed. Use the
Ellipsis button to navigate to the location of the desired database, or enter a valid SQL
Backup database name and complete path in the text box. Typically the default is
C:\Program Files\SolarWinds\Data\NetPerfMon.BAK.

' Use the Verify button to check that you have specified a valid SQL Backup database name.
220 Chapter 12: Database Utilities

Upon selecting a database, the remaining fields will be auto-filled. The Database Name
field is populated with the name SQL will use to refer to the specified database. The
remaining two fields displayed are the data files (.mdf is the data file and .ldf is the log
file) that the database is comprised of. You may change the values provided, noting that
SQL does not create directories; therefore you must specify a path that exists. Also keep
in mind that you cannot restore a database that is currently in use. Click OK to restore
the selected database.

Compact a Database
You can run the database compact procedure to remove whitespace, reindex, and shrink
the database. SolarWinds recommends that you compact your database as it approaches
1.5 -1.6 GB in size, as the max size of the SQL Desktop Engine that ships with Orion
NPM is 2GB. Database compaction can be performed within Database Manager by
selecting Database Compact Database (or by right-clicking the database name and
selecting Compact Database from the list). Upon completion, a dialog listing the size of
the database before and after compaction is displayed.

¤ The same value displayed in the before and after size is an indicator that there is not enough free space
in the database to rearrange data. Use the Compact/Rebuild Indexes option on individual tables in
order to free up enough space for the database compaction to occur.

' You may check the details of the compaction by viewing the log at C:\Program Files\SolarWinds
Network Performance Monitor V7\NetPerfMon-Compact-YYYYMMDD.log.
Chapter 12: Database Utilities 221

Compact Individual Tables

Individual tables within a database may be compacted from the Database Manager
application. Right-click on the desired table and select Compact/Rebuild Indexes from
the list. A dialog listing the before and after size of the table is displayed upon
completion. Click OK to close the dialog.

View Database Details

Details pertaining to the selected database can be viewed in Database Manager by right-
clicking the database name and selecting Database Details from the list (or by selecting
Database Database Details from the menu). The Database Details page is displayed
with the Properties tab open. SolarWinds recommends that you monitor the value in
the Total Space Used field. When your database size approaches 1.5 or 1.6 GB, you
should run the Compact procedure outlined on page 220, as the max size of the SQL
Desktop Engine that ships with Orion NPM is 2GB. The Last Backup field should also
be noted to ensure that you are adhering to a regular database maintenance plan. If this
field is blank, you do not have a backup of your database and should refer to Creating a
Database Maintenance Plan on page 223.

View Table Details

Database Manager's Table Details page is comprised of three tabs used to display the
table's property, column, and index information. You may view the Table Details by
selecting Table Table Details from the menu (or by right-clicking the table name in the
tree and selecting Table Details from the list).

The Properties tab includes general statistics pertaining to the table size and creation
date. The Columns tab describes the columns in the table, the keys, and field types,
while the Indexes tab lists the indexes used within the table. You may also query the
table by selecting the Query button included on the top of the display. A default SQL
statement is provided, as well as radio buttons for displaying the data in read or
read/write view. Special care should be taken while editing database values as you
could easily compromise the integrity of your database.
222 Chapter 12: Database Utilities

Exporting Data
The data displayed in the query view of the Database Manager can be exported to one
of several formats. To export the query data, select File Export Export to *,
substituting the desired format for *. Available formats include: Comma Delimited, Text,
HTML, Excel, or PDF. You will be presented with the Select Fields dialog allowing you to
check mark the data fields you would like to include in the export. Upon selection, the
Save As dialog will be displayed. Navigate to the desired location, specify a name, and
click Save.

¤ The Export directly to Excel option saves the file with the .xls extension and opens the file in Excel for
immediate use. The Export to Excel option saves the file with the .xls extension.

Editing Database Fields

Database fields may be edited within the Database Manager application from the query
view. It is very important to exercise great care when editing database values, as you
could jeopardize the integrity of your database. To edit a field, you must first stop the
service (using the tool available from the Windows Start menu: SolarWinds Network
Performance Monitor Advanced Features Shutdown NetPerfMon), then right-click
the desired table and select Query Table from the list. Use the provided SQL statement
or enter your own in the display. Click the Refresh button to display the query results in
table view. Select the Read/Write radio button included at the top of the display to
enable the ability to edit the fields.

Detach a Database
You may elect to detach a database in order to leave the data files (.mdf is the data file
and .ldf is the log file) that the database is comprised of in tact. Detaching a database
removes the reference from the SQL Server allowing you to safely move files to different
locations. Open Database Manager and select Database Detach Database from the
menu, or right-click the database name and select Detach Database from the list.

¤ SolarWinds does not recommend using the Detach Database option to migrate a database from one
SQL Server to another. Please use the Backup and Restore procedures described on page 219.
Chapter 12: Database Utilities 223

Creating a Database Maintenance Plan

You can create a database maintenance plan that will automatically compact and
backup the database on a scheduled basis. To create a database maintenance plan for the
Orion NPM database, follow these steps:

1. In Database Manager, right-click on the database, and choose Database

Backup Schedule.

2. The Database Maintenance Wizard will start.

3. Select the frequency with which to run the backup, set the time for it to run,
and click Next.

4. Select the check box, if you wish to compact and shrink the database before the
backup (recommended).

5. Choose the location where you would like the database backup files to be
created and the backup reports stored. Click Finish to continue.

6. A message box will be displayed stating that the backup schedule has been
completed.

¤ SQL Server Agent must be running in order for your database maintenance plan to be executed.

Using Enterprise Manager

If you have a licensed copy of SQL Server 2000 Standard or Enterprise Edition, you may
choose to use Enterprise Manager to maintain your Orion NPM database instead of the
SolarWinds Database Manager. We recommend that you contact your DBA and
reference the documentation that Microsoft provides for Enterprise Manager for
instructions on using it to manage a SQL 2000 database.

If you do not have a DBA and would like to use Enterprise Manager to set up a
maintenance plan for your Orion NPM database, follow these steps:

1. Open Enterprise Manager and select the SQL Server group in the left pane.

2. From the menu, choose Action New SQL Server Registration.

3. Click Next to begin the SQL Server Register Wizard. Next, choose your Orion
NPM Server/Instance Name from the list and click Add. If your SQL Server
does not show up in the list, you can enter it manually.
224 Chapter 12: Database Utilities

4. Choose the type of authentication that will be used to connect to the SQL
server. 5. Select the Server Group to which the SQL Server should be added
and click Finish.

5. Expand the items on the left until you see your Orion NPM database.

6. Right-click on the database and choose All Tasks Maintenance Plan.

7. The Maintenance Plan Wizard will walk you through building a maintenance
plan for the Orion NPM database. Click Next to start the wizard.

8. Select the database to which the maintenance plan should apply and click
Next. In most cases, the only database you will want selected is the Orion
NPM database (NetPerfMon).

9. Configure the database backup schedule. It is recommended that you back up

the database as a regular part of the maintenance plan and that you check the
integrity of the backup when complete. Normally, it is recommended that you
run the backup job nightly. Click Next to continue.

10. Configure the directory where the database backups should be stored. Be sure
to specify a location with sufficient free space. Also, be sure to specify how
long to keep the database backups in the Remove Files Older Than section.
Click Next to continue.

11. Configure the transaction log backup. It is not normally necessary to back up
the transaction log as a part of the maintenance plan. Click Next to continue.

12. Configure the report to be generated during maintenance. These reports are
especially important if there is a problem. Be sure to specify the length of time
to keep reports in Delete Text Report Files Older Than. Click Next to continue.

13. Configure the maintenance plan history. It is not typically necessary to write a
maintenance plan history. Click Next to continue.

14. Finally, choose a name for the maintenance plan and click Finish.

For additional help with using Microsoft’s Enterprise Manager, please visit the
Microsoft Support Website at http://support.microsoft.com.
Chapter 12: Database Utilities 225

Database Maintenance
The primary tasks available for maintaining a SQL database are data summarization
and database compaction. Data summarization occurs automatically as a part of Orion’s
nightly maintenance program. You can also run Nightly Maintenance on demand from
the System Manager (see page 41) or from the Database Maintenance tool. The database
compaction function is run manually from the Database Maintenance tool.

The Database Maintenance tool is opened from the Windows Start Menu:
Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Database Utilities Database
Maintenance. The Database Maintenance window is displayed.

Nightly Maintenance
Nightly Maintenance performs a series of data summarizations. Data summarization
consists of gathering all the data for a defined period of time, calculating statistics from
the data, then discarding the data itself and retaining the statistics. The benefits of saved
space and increased performance are considerable.

Data summarization is part of the scheduled nightly maintenance set up in System

Manager (see System Settings on page 41 for more information), and normally runs
without further attention. It can be forced to run at any time.

You can run Nightly Maintenance from the Database Maintenance tool or from the
System Manager (either from the Database tab of the Network Performance Monitor
Settings dialog, or by clicking File Database Maintenance). Using either option, the
Database Maintenance program window will appear. Select Network Performance
Monitor - Nightly Maintenance and click Run Job. The program will summarize the
statistics stored in the database according to the settings you have specified within
System Manager.

' You may view the details in the log at C:\Program Files\SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
V7\NetPerfMon-Maint-YYYYMMDD.log.
226 Chapter 12: Database Utilities

Database Compaction
Database compaction involves the deletion of empty records from the database, a re-
indexing of the database, and a database shrink. When data is summarized via Nightly
Maintenance, the old records are emptied, but not deleted. Thus, there is no reduction in
the size of the database. For this reason, you will want to periodically perform a
database compaction.

You may compact your database from either the Database Maintenance program, or
from Database Manager. To compact your Orion NPM database from Database
Manager, right-click on the database and choose Compact Database (or select Compact
Database from the Database menu). To compact your database from Database
Maintenance, select Network Performance Monitor - Compact Database Size and click
Run Job.

When database compaction is complete, a message box will appear that displays the
size of the database before and after the compaction.

¤ The same value displayed in the before and after size is an indicator that there is not enough free space
in the database to rearrange data. Use the Compact Individual Tables option to free up enough space
for the database compaction to occur.

' You may view details in the log at C:\Program Files\SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
V7\NetPerfMon-Compact-YYYYMMDD.log.

Database Migration
If you are upgrading from one version of Orion NPM to another, upgrading from
Engineer's NPM to Orion NPM, or you wish to merge two separate databases,
SolarWinds provides an easy-to-use database migration tool for moving data from
either Access or SQL databases into a SQL database. Login to the Customer portion of
our website at SolarWinds.Net. Once logged in, click on the Unsupported button and
download the Database Migration tool.
Chapter 13: Syslog
The Syslog Viewer is used to configure alerts, view and search Syslog messages, and to
apply rules to filter out certain types of messages. Because the Syslog service has the
ability to open multiple connections to the SQL server, it can handle large quantities of
incoming Syslog messages.

The Syslog Protocol

The Syslog service listens for incoming Syslog messages on UDP port 514 and then
decodes, displays, and stores the message in a database.

Syslog messaging was originally used on UNIX systems for application, network and
operating-system logging. Many network devices can now also be configured to
generate Syslog messages. For details on enabling Syslog message on a particular
228 Chapter 13: Syslog

device, refer to the vendor's documentation.

Syslog Priorities
Included at the beginning of each Syslog message is a priority value. The priority value
ranges from 0 to 191 and is enclosed in “<>” delimiters. The priority value is calculated
with the following formula:

Priority = Facility * 8 + Level

The Facility value is used to determine which process of the machine created the
message. Since the Syslog protocol was originally written on BSD Unix, the Facilities
reflect the names of Unix processes and Daemons.

Syslog Facilities List:

0 kernel messages
1 user-level messages
2 mail system
3 system daemons
4 security/authorization messages
5 messages generated internally by Syslog
6 line printer subsystem
7 network news subsystem
8 UUCP subsystem
9 clock daemon
10 security/authorization messages
11 FTP daemon
12 NTP subsystem
13 log audit
14 log alert
15 clock daemon
16 local use 0 (local0)
17 local use 1 (local1)
18 local use 2 (local2)
19 local use 3 (local3)
20 local use 4 (local4)
21 local use 5 (local5)
22 local use 6 (local6)
23 local use 7 (local7)

If you are receiving messages from a Unix system, it is suggested you use the 'User'
Facility as your first choice. Local0 through to Local7 are not used by Unix and are
traditionally used by networking equipment. Cisco routers for example use Local6 or
Local7.

Syslog Levels List:

Chapter 13: Syslog 229

0 Emergency: system is unusable

1 Alert: action must be taken immediately
2 Critical: critical conditions
3 Error: error conditions
4 Warning: warning conditions
5 Notice: normal but significant condition
6 Informational: informational messages
7 Debug: debug-level messages

EMERGENCY: A "panic" condition - notify all tech staff on call - affects multiple
apps/servers/sites...
ALERT: Should be corrected immediately - notify staff who can fix the problem - example is
loss of backup ISP connection
CRITICAL: Should be corrected immediately, but indicates failure in a primary system - fix
CRITICAL problems before ALERT - example is loss of primary ISP connection
ERROR: Non-urgent failures - these should be relayed to developers or administrators; each
item must be resolved within a given time
WARNING: Warning messages - not an error, but indication that an error will occur if action is
not taken, e.g. file system 85% full - each item must be resolved within a given time
NOTICE: Events that are unusual but not error conditions - might be summarized in an email to
developers or administrators to spot potential problems - no immediate action required
INFORMATIONAL: Normal operational messages - may be harvested for reporting, measuring
throughput, etc - no action required
DEBUG: Info useful to developers for debugging the app, not useful during operations

Getting Started
The first step is to configure your network devices to send Syslog messages to the IP
address assigned to the Syslog Viewer server. Devices normally have different levels of
Syslog reporting to choose from. These levels determine how much detail is included in
each message, and what type of messages to send. Choose the level of detail you need
for each device separately. To ensure proper configuration, please refer to the
documentation supplied by the vendor for each network device.

Microsoft’s .NET Framework Version 1.1 is required to run the Syslog Viewer. Before
running the Configuration Wizard, you will need to install the .NET Framework. This can
be found at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads.

After installing Orion, be sure to run through the Configuration Wizard (this installs all
necessary components needed for the Syslog service to run). The Configuration Wizard
can be accessed by going to Start – SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor –
Configuration Wizard. For detailed instructions, refer to page 22.
230 Chapter 13: Syslog

To start the Syslog Viewer, go to Start – SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor – Syslog
Viewer. On the Quick Start screen, click the Current Messages button to view a list of the
latest Syslog messages.
Chapter 13: Syslog 231

Syslog Viewer Settings

To configure the Syslog Viewer, go to File – Settings, or click the button.

General Tab

Maximum number of messages to display

Adjust this slider to set the maximum number of messages the Syslog Viewer can
display in the Current Messages view.

Automatically Refresh the Current Messages view

Check this option to update the Current Messages view automatically. Adjust the
following slider to change the frequency of the auto update.
232 Chapter 13: Syslog

Displayed Columns Tab

Select a field from the left column you want to display and click the button or
double-click it to add it to the list.

Word wrap long messages

Selecting this wraps the text of a message to the next line so that the entire message can
be viewed without having to scroll to the right.
Chapter 13: Syslog 233

Message Parsing Tab

Remove embedded Date/Time from Syslog Messages

A Data/Time stamp is added to each record in the SQL database, so the embedded
Date/Time stamp in each Syslog message is redundant. Check this to remove the
Date/Time stamp from each Syslog message. This will help reduce the size of the
database.

Remove Message Type from Syslog Messages

The Message Type is added to each SQL record, so the Message Type in each Syslog
Message is redundant. Check this box to remove the Message Type from the Syslog
message. This will help reduce the size of the database.

Remove Domain Name from DNS Lookups

Checking this option will remove the Domain Name from the Syslog message. Check
this box if the Domain Name is not needed for your records. This will help reduce the
size of the database.
234 Chapter 13: Syslog

Retain Syslog Messages Slider

Adjust this slider to set the amount of days each Syslog message will be kept in the
database.

Filters / Alert Rules Tab

Show Rules for

Each Orion Polling Engine will be listed here (if more than one exists). Rules can be
applied to all servers or each server individually.

+ Rules will be processed in order based on how they appear in this list. The rule at the top will be
performed first, so use the up & down arrows on the right side to set the order of your rules.
Chapter 13: Syslog 235

Configuring Filters and Alert Rules

To begin, click the button on the Filters / Alert Rules tab of the Syslog
Server Settings dialog.

General Tab
Type a name for the new Rule in the Rule Name textbox, and check the Enabled checkbox
to enable the rule.

Apply this Rule to

Select which server this rule applies to.

Source IP Addresses
Enter a single IP Address, a list of IP Addresses, or Subnets that this rule applies to. Use
the examples listed in this dialog to format the list properly.
236 Chapter 13: Syslog

Message Type Tab

The Message Type tab is used to filter out messages that do not contain specific Message
Types or text within a Syslog Message.

Use the examples listed in this dialog to format the list properly.

When “Use Regular Expressions in this Rule” is checked, Regular Expressions can be
used in place of “Like” statements. For help using Regular Expressions, click the link at
the top right corner of this window.
Chapter 13: Syslog 237

Severity / Facility Tab

The Severity / Facility tab displays a checklist of message severity and facility types to
which the rule applies. By default, all message severities and facilities are selected.
Select only the severity and facility types you want this rule to apply to.

Time of Day Tab

The “Time of Day“ tab allows you to specify a specific time frame for the alert to be
executed. If a message is received outside this timeframe, the alert will not be triggered.
238 Chapter 13: Syslog

+ Enabling Time of Day Checking creates more overhead for the CPU.

Trigger Threshold Tab

When “Define a Trigger Threshold for this Rule” is checked, Alert Actions will be
suppressed until XX amount of messages matching this rule are received within the
specified timeframe.
Chapter 13: Syslog 239

When “Suspend further Alert Actions for” is checked, Alert Actions will not be sent until
the specified amount of time has expired. Once the time period has expired, only new
alerts will be sent, all alerts suppressed during the time period will never be sent.
240 Chapter 13: Syslog

Alert Actions Tab

The Alert Actions tab lists all actions to be performed when a Syslog message is received
meeting the criteria specified for the current rule.

Click the button to insert a new Alert Action. Select an action from the
list to configure. The following Alert Actions can be added to any Syslog Rule:
Discard the Syslog Message Perform no Actions, simply discard the message

Tag the Syslog Message Tag to this Syslog Message with a unique identifier

Modify the Syslog Message Modify the incoming Syslog Message before processing

Log the Message to a file Log the Message to a text file

Windows Event Log Forward the Message to the Windows Event Log

Forward the Syslog message Forward the Syslog Message to another Syslog Server

Send a new Syslog message Create and send a new Syslog Message

Send an SNMP Trap Forward the Syslog Message in an SNMP Trap

Play a sound Plays a sound on the Orion server

Chapter 13: Syslog 241

Execute an external program Executes an external program

Execute an external VB Script Executes an external VB Script

Send a Windows Net Message Forward the Message using a Windows Popup Message

Send and E-Mail / Page Forward the Message in an E-Mail via an SMTP Server

Stop Processing Syslog Rules Syslog rule processing stops when this Action is performed

Depending on the Action you select, you will be presented with options to configure
how the Action is performed. Once an action has been added to the list, use the and
buttons to arrange the order in which the actions are performed.

To edit an existing Action, either double-click it, or select it and click the
button.

Click the “OK” button to save all changes and return to the Syslog Server Settings
Window.

Viewing Current Messages

To view a list of the latest Syslog messages, select “Current Messages” from the “View”
menu, or click the button.

Acknowledging Messages
Messages can be marked as “Acknowledged” by right-clicking on the message and
selecting “Acknowledge Selected Messages” or by pressing Alt-A when that message is
selected. This same method can be used when multiple messages are selected.

Another option is add the “Acknowledged” column. This will add a checkbox next to
each Syslog message allowing for faster access to this field. To add this column, see
“Displayed Columns Tab” on page 232.
242 Chapter 13: Syslog

Search Messages
To perform a search with specific criteria, launch the “Search Messages” from the
“View” menu, or click the button.

After entering the search criteria, click the button to perform the search,
and display the results.

¤ Messages can be acknowledged the in the search results pane as well as the Current Messages view.
For more information, see “Acknowledging Messages” on page 241.

Grouping
The search results can be displayed in groups for easier navigation. Click the dropdown
list next to “Grouping” to select the type of grouping you need.

Maximum Number of Messages to Display

Click the dropdown list next to “Maximum number of messages to display” to select the
Chapter 13: Syslog 243

amount of messages to display. You may also type a value not listed in the dropdown
menu.

Auto Refresh Every

Arriving messages that meat the search criteria can be added to the results pane as they
are received. Click the dropdown list next to “Auto Refresh every” to select the refresh
rate. You may also type a value not listed in the dropdown menu.

¤ Auto Refresh is only available when viewing current messages. The Data/Time Range must be set to
Today, Last 24 Hours, Last 2 Hours, or Last Hour.

Hiding the Search Criteria Pane

The search criteria pane can be hidden so that more results can be displayed in the
window. Click the button to hide the search criteria pane. Click the same button to
unhide the search criteria pane when hidden.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Can I view Syslog Messages on my Orion website?

A Yes. There are a number of different ways to do this:

1. The menu item “Syslog” can be added to an existing menu bar from the
Admin area. This is a search dialog for all Syslog messages. For
instructions on how to edit menu bars, refer to page 191.

2. The following Resources can be added views on the website:

a. Syslog Summary

b. Last XX Syslog Messages

c. Syslog Messages related to the Selected Node

Q Can I display a list of incoming messages that meat a certain criteria?

A Yes. Use the Search Messages feature and enable Auto Refresh so that new
messages are displayed.
244 Chapter 13: Syslog

Q How many messages can the Syslog server receive per minute?

A Thousands, but ultimately depends upon speed of server and database server.

Q Since upgrading to Orion NPM v7.6 (or later) I am not getting any new stats on my
charts. Why?

A If you are running the MSDE (desktop) version of SQL that was shipped with
Orion, you may have reached the 2 GB database size limit. If this is the case,
you will need to compact and repair the database. For information on how to
do this, please refer to “Database Compaction” on page 226.

Q I want to filter Syslog messages based upon hostname. How can I do this?

A Many devices don’t include the hostname within the Syslog message. For the
ones that do, you can filter the messages based upon the content of the
message by looking for text matching the hostname.

Q Can I use exclude statements for specific IP addresses or message types instead of
include statements with rules?

A Yes. Add “!” before the string you wish to exclude.

In this example, the rule applies to all IP addresses in the 10.0.0.0/24 subnet,
except for the IP address 10.0.0.58.

Q How can I select which columns are displayed on website views

A The same columns displayed in the Syslog Viewer are displayed on the
website. See “Displayed Columns Tab” on page 232 for more instructions on
how to select columns.

Q Why I get the error message in the SolarWinds.Net Windows Event Log “Port 514
on IP Address X.X.X.X is already open. Change the 'LocalIPAddress' parameter in
Chapter 13: Syslog 245

the configuration file to another IP address or port”?

A This error message occurs when another application or service is currently

listening on port 514. This is usually another Syslog listening application such
as SolarWinds Syslog Server.

Q I have installed the SolarWinds Orion Syslog server but I don’t see any messages.
What do I need to do?

A There are several things to check if you are not receiving Syslog messages.

a. Ensure that the Syslog service is running

b. Check to see that the Syslog Viewer is refreshing

c. Ensure that your have devices are configured to send Syslog messages to
your Orion server

d. Ensure that your Orion server and the firewalls/routers connected to it

are configured to allow traffic on UDP port 514 to the Orion server
Chapter 14: Upgrades and
Migrations
T his chapter will discuss procedures for upgrading to a newer version of Orion NPM
and for migrating data from an earlier version.

¤ Before you perform any sort of upgrade, you should verify the integrity and proper function of
your database and back it up.

Upgrading to Manage More Elements

If you have purchased an upgrade from one package of Orion NPM to another, the
upgrade process is quite simple. For example, to upgrade from the SL100 to the SL2000
(or for similar upgrades), insert the Orion NPM CD in your server and install the new
package on top of your previous installation. When the installation completes, you will
need to re-run the Orion NPM Configuration Wizard to configure the Network
Performance Monitor. No additional steps are necessary for this type of upgrade.

Upgrading From Version 7.0.5 to Version 7.x

If you are upgrading from version 7.0.5 of Orion NPM to version 7.x,

+ If you are upgrading a system that contains multiple polling engines, you must first shutdown all
of the polling engines and upgrade each system before reconnecting it to the database.

1. Uninstall Orion NPM V7.0.5. (Do not uninstall SQL Server.)

Click Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor UnInstall Orion Network

Performance Monitor. When prompted, select Delete All for shared files.

2. Install Orion NPM V7.1.

Insert the Orion NPM version 7.x CD into your server and follow the prompts to
complete the installation.

3. Run the Configuration Wizard from the Windows Start menu:

Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Configuration Wizard.
248 Chapter 14: Upgrades and Migrations

Upgrading From Version 6.x to Version 7.x

If you are upgrading from version 6.x of Orion NPM to version 7.x,

+ If you are upgrading a system that contains multiple polling engines, you must first shutdown all
of the polling engines and upgrade each system before reconnecting it to the database.

4. Uninstall Orion NPM V6. (Do not uninstall SQL Server.)

Click Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor UnInstall Orion Network

Performance Monitor. When prompted, select Delete All for shared files.

5. Install Orion NPM V7.

Insert the Orion NPM version 7.x CD into your server and follow the prompts to
complete the installation.

6. Run the Configuration Wizard from the Windows Start menu:

Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Configuration Wizard.
Chapter 14: Upgrades and Migrations 249

Upgrading from Evaluation 7.x to a Licensed Copy

If you are upgrading from the evaluation version of Orion NPM to a licensed version,
you will need to follow these steps. You will also need to be sure to close all of the
running applications before beginning these procedures.

¤ ¤ You may wish to back up the Orion SQL database (using the instructions on page 219) as an
extra precaution.

1. Install Orion NPM version 7.x.

To do this, insert the version 7.x CD in your server, select the version of Orion NPM
for which you have a license, and follow the prompts to complete the installation. Be
sure to select your existing evaluation version database during installation in order to
preserve your data.

2. Run the Configuration Wizard from the Windows Start menu:

Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Configuration Wizard.

Upgrading From Version 5.x SL-Series to Version 7.x

If you are upgrading from version 5.x SL-Series of Orion NPM to version 7.x,

¤ You may wish to back up the Orion SQL database (using the instructions on page 219) as an extra
precaution.

1. Uninstall Orion NPM version 5.x. (Do not uninstall SQL Server.)

2. Install Orion NPM version 7.x.

To do this, insert the version 7.x CD in your server and follow the prompts to complete
the installation. Be sure to select your existing version 5 database to upgrade it during
the configuration.

3. Run the Configuration Wizard from the Windows Start menu:

Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Configuration Wizard.
250 Chapter 14: Upgrades and Migrations

Upgrading From Version 5.x AX100 to Version 7.x

The version 5.x AX100 Orion NPM uses a Microsoft Access 2000 database. If you are
upgrading from a version 5.x AX100 Orion NPM to version 7.x, you will need to follow
these steps. Be sure to close all applications before beginning these procedures.

¤ You may wish to backup the database as an extra precaution. To backup the AX100 database,
make a copy of the file named SWNetPerfMon.cfg. This file is typically located in the
C:\Program Files\SolarWinds\2002 Network Performance Monitor folder.

1. Uninstall the version 5.x AX100 Orion NPM.

2. Install Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

If you are already running Microsoft SQL Server 2000, you should skip to Step 4. To
install the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine, insert the Orion NPM CD
into your server, select the version of Orion NPM you want to install, then select
Install SQL Server from the menu.

3. Install Orion NPM version 7.x.

Insert the Orion NPM version 7.x CD into your server and follow the prompts to
complete the installation.

4. Run the Configuration Wizard from the Windows Start menu:

Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Configuration Wizard.

¤ While running the Configuration Wizard, you will create a new, empty database. Data will be
migrated into the new database in the following step.

5. Migrate the data from your AX100 Microsoft Access database to the SQL
Server 2000 database using the SolarWinds Database Migration Tool. The
SolarWinds Database Migration tool is available to download from the
unsupported section of the SolarWinds.Net customer website for all customers
with maintenance.

6. Restart the SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Service from the

Services Control Panel or from the Windows Start menu: SolarWinds Network
Performance Monitor Advanced Features Shutdown NetPerfMon.
Chapter 14: Upgrades and Migrations 251

Moving Orion NPM to a New Server/Computer

If you want to move your entire installation of Orion NPM and SQL Server to a new
server, follow this procedure.

1. Contact the SolarWinds support team ([email protected]) and tell

them you are moving your installation. Be sure to include the old and new
machine names, and your SolarWinds Customer ID.

2. Install SQL Server and Orion NPM on the new machine. (Do not run
Configuration Wizard until step 6.)

3. Back up your existing database using either the SolarWinds Database Manager
(for details, see page 219) or SQL Enterprise Manager.

4. Copy the SQL database backup, custom maps, and custom reports files from
your old Orion server to the new Orion server placing the files in the
appropriate folders. They will be found in the C:\Program
Files\SolarWinds\Network Performance Monitor\... directories. (You may have to
create the folders on the new server.)

5. On the new machine, use Database Manager to restore your backed-up

database to the new server. (Select the SQL Server instance you just added,
right-click and select Restore Database from the context menu, find your
recently moved backup file, and restore.)

6. On the new machine, run the Configuration Wizard and point to the restored
database on the new server.

7. Modify the restored database to point to the new polling engine. See
Reassigning Nodes to a Polling Engine on page Error! Bookmark not defined.
for more details.

Migrating SQL Server to a New Server/Computer

If you want to move SQL Server from your Orion NPM server to a separate machine,
follow this procedure.

1. Back up your existing database using the SolarWinds Database Manager (for
details, see page 219) or SQL Enterprise Manager.

2. Install SQL Server on the new machine.

3. Restore your Orion database on the new SQL Server.

252 Chapter 14: Upgrades and Migrations

4. Run the Configuration Wizard from the Windows Start menu:

Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Configuration Wizard and specify
the restored database on the new machine.

5. After verifying that everything is working properly, uninstall SQL Server from
the old machine.

Migrating Desktop Engine to SQL Server Standard or

Enterprise Version
The new version of Orion NPM collects and stores several new statistics. If your
database is 1.6GB or larger, you should consider upgrading to either the Standard or
Enterprise Edition of SQL Server before upgrading your Orion NPM. In order to
migrate your data to the new version, proceed as follows.

1. Back up your existing database using either the SolarWinds Database Manager
(for details, see page 219).

2. Install the Standard or Enterprise version of SQL Server.

Follow the instructions included with the software.

3. Restore the database using either SolarWinds Database Manager or the

Enterprise Manager included with your new copy of SQL Server.

4. Run the Configuration Wizard from the Windows Start menu:

Start SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Configuration Wizard and point to
the new database and SQL Server instance.

5. Uninstall SQL Desktop Engine.

In the Windows Control Panel Add/Remove Programs applet, find the

instance of SQL Server Desktop Engine (SolarWinds), and uninstall it.
Alert Suppression Examples
M any error conditions can occur in a network that will trigger multiple Alerts from
a single causal Event. There are also conditions that may not need to trigger an
Alert by themselves, but should if they occur with other conditions. Options under the
Alert Suppression tab allow you to set up conditions that consider complex situations,
and alert you with the information you need to determine the root cause of the problem.

By default, Alert Suppression is not configured, and thus not active. There are two
choices for activating Alert Suppression. You may specify that Alerts be suppressed if
any of one or more conditions exist, or if all of two or more conditions exist.

+ You should proceed with extreme care when configuring the Suppression of Alerts. It is possible
to suppress Alerts that contain important information about the status of your network.
SolarWinds suggests that you give considerable thought, work with a diagram of your network,
and extensively test any scenario to which you apply suppression.
254 Alert Suppression Examples

Examples of situations for which you might want to create Alert Suppressions are
illustrated in the following diagram. (Note the location of the Orion NPM Server.)

· Failure of redundant servers

In the diagram above, Both WServers–are identical in order to provide failover,
redundancy, and load balancing. If WServer4 fails and the other is still
functioning, you may want to be alerted immediately during business hours, but
not paged in the middle of the night. In this case, you would configure the Alert
for the failure of one WServer to be suppressed unless the other also fails.

· Apparent failure of dependent nodes downstream of a failed router (or

switch, or circuit, etc.)
In the diagram above there are dependencies among devices. For instance, if
Router C fails, Switch 3 and all four Workstations will be unreachable by Orion.
You will want to know that the Workstations have failed, but only if Router C and
Switch 3 have not failed. You would configure the Alerts for failure of the
Workstations to be dependent on Router C and Switch 3 being operational.

· Failure of a network link when a redundant link is still functional

During some hours, you may want to be notified of the failure of the link between
Router B and Router C only if the alternative link through Router A is also down.

· Failure of load balancing between devices

You may have configured your network to balance traffic across your WWW
servers. In this case, you could configure an Alert that notifies you of very high
CPU utilization on these, but only if one or more is experiencing much lower
usage.
Alert Suppression Examples 255

¤ In any case, the suppression of Alerts does not preclude knowledge of critical Events. Network
Events will still be logged in the database whether Alert Suppression is enabled or not.

Dependent Node Alert Suppression Example

Suppose that you have just configured an Alert that notifies you when Nodes on a
subnet go down — in this case, workstations on a segment of your network on the other
side of a particular router. You only want to be alerted to Node failures if the router is
still operational.

¤ For this example, the router should not be included in the group of monitored objects, since its
failure is the trigger for suppressing the Alert. To be notified of the router’s failure, you must set
up another Alert.

To configure such an Alert Suppression,

1. Configure an Alert that triggers on failure of devices downstream (relative to

the Orion NPM Server) of the router that serves the subnet. See page 253 for
details.

2. On the Alert Suppression tab, select the “...ANY...” option. The window opens
to display a list of current suppressions, if any exist, and buttons with which
you may Add, Edit, and Delete conditions.
256 Alert Suppression Examples

3. Click Add. The Add New Alert Suppression dialog opens, with three tabs. The
first tab is open, showing Properties to Monitor.

4. You can select only one property from those available. Select the property you
want to monitor —in this case, Node Status — then click the Network Object tab.
The Network Object tab opens, with a view of available objects for the type of
property you want to monitor.
Alert Suppression Examples 257

' The type of objects available for monitoring depends upon the choice you have made in the Properties to
Monitor dialog. If you had chosen to monitor an Interface-related property, you would see a list of available
Interfaces. Since you’ve chosen a Node-related property, you will see a list of Nodes.

5. Select the router that stands between Orion and the subnet for which you have
configured the Node Down Alert, and then click the Suppression Trigger tab.
The Suppression Trigger tab opens.

6. Select Down, Warning, and Unknown from the list of States Which Will
Suppress Alerts, and click OK. (Note that for Status conditions, you may
specify more than one condition.) By default, Suppressions are not turned on.
You must check the boxes next to their entries in the Suppression Selection
window in order for them to take effect.
258 Alert Suppression Examples

7. If you want to add more conditions, begin again at step 3.

Failure of Load Balancing Alert

If you have multiple servers configured to share the load on your website, you would
want to know if one of them was not performing as it should. For the purposes of this
example, we’ll assume that you want to be alerted when the CPU load on two servers
exceeds 80 percent, but only if one shows a CPU load of 40 percent or less. (The Alert is
suppressed if the second server reports greater than 40 percent utilization.).

You will need to configure two Alerts, one for each server. They will be identical, except
for the server each monitors. Proceed as follows:

1. From the Configure Alerts dialog, click New Alert.

Alert Suppression Examples 259

2. Within the Edit Alert dialog, General tab, enter a name for your Alert, then
click the Property to Monitor tab.

3. Select the % CPU Utilization entry under Node Statistics, and then click the
Monitored Network Objects tab.

4. Select the server you want to monitor, and then click the Alert Trigger tab.
260 Alert Suppression Examples

5. Enter the percentage you want for Alert and Reset triggers — 80 percent for
our example — and click the Time of Day tab.

6. If you want to set Time of Day parameters, set them here. Then click the Alert
Suppression tab.

7. Select the “...ANY...” option. Any previously configured Alerts will be listed
unchecked.
Alert Suppression Examples 261

8. Click Add. The Property to Monitor tab opens.

9. Select % CPU Utilization, then click the Network Object tab. The Network
Object tab opens.
262 Alert Suppression Examples

10. Select the second server of the pair whose load should be balanced, then click
the Suppression Trigger tab. The Suppression Trigger tab opens.

11. Select Greater Than and enter 40 in the text-entry field, then click OK. Note
that initially, your new Alert Suppression is unchecked.
Alert Suppression Examples 263

12. Check the Suppression you just defined to activate it.

13. Repeat the procedure, but reverse the server choices made at steps 4 and 10.
Polling Engine Tuning
T he Orion Network Performance Monitor will send out a maximum of eight status
and eight statistical polls per second. This default setting is adequate for most
networks and ensures that the traffic load on the network is both small and evenly
distributed across the polling cycle. In some cases, like when monitoring a very large
network or polling devices very frequently, it is necessary to increase these setting in
order for Orion to be able to complete its polling duties within the specified period.

Using the Polling Engine Tuner

The Polling Engine Tuner is available for download to all Orion customers with a valid
software maintenance agreement. Simply login to the Customer portion of our website
at www.SolarWinds.Net/login.htm, select Unsupported from the menu, and download
and run the executable.

Once installed, the Polling Engine Tuner will act as an add-on to the existing Orion
NPM suite and will be available from the Window's Start Menu within the Advanced
Features portion of the Orion NPM options.
266 Polling Engine Tuning

Estimating a Good Value

If you do not have access to the Polling Engine Tuner, you can estimate the appropriate
values for these settings using the following formula:

æInterfaces ´ PPI Nodes Volumes ö

MaximumPol lsPerSecond = 2ç + + ÷
è 60 ´ PRI 60 ´ PRN 60 ´ PRV ø

Where:

PPI = Polls per Interface (normally two)

Interfaces = Number of Interfaces being monitored

PRI = Polling Rate for Interfaces (in minutes)

Nodes = Number of Nodes being monitored

PRN = Polling Rate for Nodes (in minutes)

Volumes = Number of Volumes being monitored

PRV = Polling Rate for Volumes (in minutes)

60 = seconds per minute

¤ Values for Polling Rates can be found within the Statistics tab of the System Manager’s Settings dialog.
Numbers of Nodes, Interfaces, and Volumes can be found on the Orion NPM website from either the
License Details page or the Database Details page in Admin options.

Each Interface may have multiple pollers assigned to collect statistics. For example, if
you are collecting Interface Traffic and Interface Errors, then each interface has two
pollers. Interface Traffic, Interface Errors, and Signal-to-Noise Ratio Pollers each count
as one poller (Signal-to-Noise Ratio Pollers are only available in CATV/Broadband
Versions). CPU collection on a node consumes only one poller and collecting volume
statistics on a volume also consumes only one poller. The following equation calculates
a good starting point for setting the value for maximum polls per second.
Polling Engine Tuning 267

Example
An Orion NPM system monitors a total of 250 Nodes, 6000 total Interfaces, and 100
Volumes. It collects Interface Traffic and Interface Error statistics on each interface every
five minutes, CPU utilization every 10 minutes, and Volume usage every 60 minutes.

æ6000 ´ 2 250 100 ö

MaximumPol lsPerSecond = 2ç + + ÷
è 60 ´ 5 60 ´10 60 ´ 60 ø
MaximumPollsPerSecond = 2(40 + 0.4 + 0.3)
MaximumPol lsPerSecon d » 82 PollsperSe cond
This calculated value can be rounded up to higher values to accommodate growth. Do
not just enter an arbitrarily large number into the Maximum Polls Per Second registry
settings. Too large a number will cause thrashing within the polling engine, resulting in
lower performance.

Setting the Registry for Maximum Polls Per Second

The Maximum Polls Per Second is controlled by adding two registry values in the
Settings key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\SolarWinds.Net\SWNetPerfMon\
Settings\Max Polls Per Second

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\SolarWinds.Net\SWNetPerfMon\
Settings\Max Stat Polls Per Second

Both values are of type REG_SZ (string) and the spaces are required.

The estimated value calculated in the previous step should be entered as the value for
both keys. For simplicity, the same value should be entered for both the Max Polls Per
Second and the Max Stat Polls Per Second values.
Web Configuration Backup
The Orion Network Performance website can be customized in many different ways. It
is recommended creating periodic backups of your website settings. Doing this allows
you to make changes to the website and revert back to the previous settings if the
changes are not desirable.

Web Configuration Backup is opened by selecting Start SolarWinds Network Performance

Monitor Advanced Features Web Configuration Backup.

Creating a Web Configuration Backup

To backup your current Website Configuration, select Backup Web Configuration from
the File menu, or click the Create Backup button. A dialog prompting you to specify a
path and file name is displayed. After selecting a path and file name, click Save to
create the backup.

¤ It is always a good idea to include the date in the file name. The default file name includes the date of
the backup.

Once the backup completes, the new backup file will be listed in the Restore Web Site
Configuration section.
270 Web Configuration Backup

¤ All Accounts, Menu Bars and Views are backed up. Information about Network Devices (Nodes,
Interfaces, etc) is NOT backed up by this application. Historical Statistics are also NOT backed up by
this application. Use the Orion Database Manager to Backup/Restore the entire NetPerfMon database
including Historical Statistics.

Restoring a Web Configuration Backup with Overwrite

When restoring a backup, selecting the option Overwrite will restore the backup exactly
as it was before, overwriting any changes or additions made to the current website. To
do this, select the Backup File you wish to restore from the list, check the Overwrite
option, then click the Restore Backup button, or select Restore Web Configuration
from the File menu.

A confirmation window will be displayed asking you to verify the restore options.
Click Yes to complete the restore.

Restoring a Web Configuration Backup with Merge

When restoring a backup, selecting the option Merge will combine the existing Web
Configuration with the Configuration in the backup file. This means that any Accounts,
Views, Menu items, etc. in the backup file will be merged with the current website. To
do this, select the Backup File you wish to restore from the list, check the Merge option,
then click the Restore Backup button, or select Restore Web Configuration from the
File menu.

A confirmation window will be displayed asking you to verify the restore options.
Click Yes to complete the restore.

Migrating a V6 Web Engine Database to V7

When upgrading from version 7.0.5 or earlier of Orion to the latest version, you may
need to migrate the V6 Web Engine Database to the V7 SQL Database. To do this, first
copy the file named NetPerfMon.WebEngine from previous installation to the folder
C:\Program Files\SolarWinds\Network Performance Monitor V7.

Select Migrate V6 Web Engine Database to V7 SQL Database from the File menu. A
confirmation window will be displayed asking you to verify the restore options. Click
Yes to complete the restore.
Software License Key
D uring installation, you may be prompted with the Install Software License Key screen
(illustrated below) prompting you to supply your name, e-mail address, phone
number, customer ID, and password. If this is the case, follow the instructions below.
You may then proceed with the installation.

Installation

Option 1 - Internet Connection: If the computer on which you are installing Orion
NPM is connected to the Internet and not behind a proxy server, enter the information
on the Install Software License Key screen and click Continue. The SolarWinds license
registration server will issue a license key that will allow Orion NPM to operate.
272 Software License Key

Option 2 - No Internet Connection: If the computer on which you are installing Orion
NPM is not connected to the Internet, your system will be unable to be authenticated on
SolarWinds' license registration server. Click the Skip This and Enter Software License
Key Now button on the Install Software License Key screen. The following screen will be
displayed.

You must obtain a license using a computer that is connected to the Internet. Login to
the customer area of the SolarWinds website at http://SolarWinds.Net/Keys, then click
Software Keys from the Customer Area menu. Choose the product for which you need
Software License Key 273

a key, and follow the instructions on the page to obtain a key. The key can then be
entered in the Enter Software License Key... text box. Click Continue to complete your
Software License Key installation.
Automatic Login
T he Orion NPM Web Interface allows you to take advantage of two distinct Auto-
Login features; Windows Pass-Through Security and DirectLink. If you choose to
employ Windows Pass-Through Security, the Orion user will be authenticated through
Windows Security, with no need to login using a separate Orion Account or User ID
and Password. With the presence of the DirectLink account, any URL that refers directly
to an Orion NPM web page will bypass the Orion NPM Login Page by logging the user
into the DirectLink account.

Orion NPM prioritizes user login in the following manner:

1. The Account or User ID and Password passed on the URL.

2. The Account or User ID and Password entered at the login.asp page.

3. The Window User if IIS NT Security is enabled, logging the user in via NT
Security.

4. The Windows Domain the User belongs to. I.e. “Development\Everyone”.

5. The presence of the DirectLink Account.

Using Windows Pass-Through Security

You may take advantage of the Windows Pass-Through Security functionality when IIS
NT Security is enabled. By way of this feature, the Orion user will not need to login
using a separate Orion Account or User ID and Password. The Pass-Through Security
can be configured to utilize either Domain or Local computer security, or both may be
used at the same time. The Orion Account or User ID and Passwords will then need to
be set up to match that which is used for the Domain and/or Local computer security.

1. Enable IIS NT Security

a. Start the Internet Information Services Manager (Click the IIS icon
from the Administrative Tools area of the Windows Control
Panel).
b. Right-click on SolarWinds NetPerfMon Web Site and select
Properties from the list.
276 Automatic Login

c. From the SolarWinds NetPerfMon Properties dialog, select the

Directory Security tab.

d. Click the Edit button within the Anonymous Access and

Authentication Control section. The Authentication Methods dialog
appears.
Automatic Login 277

e. Uncheck the box entitled "Anonymous Access" and check the box
entitled "Integrated Windows authentication".

f. Click OK to close the Authentication Methods dialog.

g. Click OK to close the Administration Web Site Properties dialog.

h. Close the IIS Manager.

2. Add Accounts to the Orion NPM system via Account Manager (refer to
Creating New Accounts on page 209) following the required formatting:

a. NT Domain Authentication Format: “Domain\UserID”.

Examples:

“Washington\Edward”

“StLouis\JonesR”

or

“Washington\Everyone”

“StLouis\Everyone”

b. Local Computer Authentication Format: “ComputerName\UserID”.

Examples:

“SolarWindsS2\Edward”
278 Automatic Login

“Server3\JonesR”

¤ When Windows Pass-Through Security is utilized you can still login as a different user. Simply select
Logout from the Orion NPM Menu Bar and login as the other user.

Using the DirectLink Account

The presence of the DirectLink account in Orion enables an Orion user to provide a non-
Orion user with a hyperlink to a specific Orion web page. Any URL that refers directly
to an Orion NPM web page will bypass the login screen, logging the user into the
DirectLink account. Alternatively, a URL that does not directly specify an Orion web
page will display the Orion Login page. The DirectLink account is created like any other
account and can include custom views and/or account limitations.

1. Create the DirectLink account via Account Manager (refer to Creating New
Accounts on page 209 for detailed instructions) specifying “DirectLink” in the
UserID field and leaving the Password fields blank.

2. Create a Custom View, if desired, using the instructions found on page 174,
Customize Views. Put the View to use by specifying it as a Default View in
Account Manger. (See Editing User Accounts on page 211 for further details.)

3. Use the instructions for Setting Account Limitations on page 213, if you would
like to limit the DirectLink account to specific device(s) or device type(s).
Troubleshooting
I f you have problems with Orion NPM, the causes are usually related to incorrect
configuration or corrupted files. The following suggestions often clear up these
problems. Specific suggestions for particular problems are included in the following
Frequently Asked Questions section.

Things to Try First

Back Up Your Data

As a first step in any troubleshooting procedure, you should back up your Orion NPM
database. See page 219 for more details.

Verify Program Operation

Several components must be running in order for Orion NPM to deliver information.
Check to see that the following components are running:

· SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Service (NPM)

· SQL Server
· Internet Information Service (IIS)

Stop and Restart

Many problems disappear when programs are restarted. Stopping and restarting
Internet Information Service (IIS) may eliminate problems with web pages. Problems
with polling or data gathering may be eliminated by stopping and restarting the
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Service using the tool available from the
Windows Start menu: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Advanced
Features Shutdown NetPerfMon. For complete refreshment of the system, reboot the
computer.

Rerun Configuration Wizard

Rerunning the Configuration Wizard, which refreshes files on the web server and
performs checks on the structure of your database, can solve many problems.
280 Troubleshooting

+ Before you rerun the Configuration Wizard, you should close all open applications and stop the
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Service in the Services Control Panel. It will be
restarted by the Wizard at the end of its process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Website Problems

Q Why does the user see “Error 404: Page cannot be Found” when trying to view the
homepage?

A The web server is either unable to find the page requested or cannot determine
which page to send.

Method 1: Ensure that only one website is running on Orion’s IP address and
port number.

Method 2: Restart IIS.

Method 3: Make sure the SolarWinds NetPerfMon Website is started.

Q Why do I get an “Under Construction” page when I try to view my Orion NPM
website?

A You are most likely getting this message because you have a default website
configured on your server using the same IP address and TCP port number as
your Orion NPM website.

Method 1: If you chose “all available unused” for your site’s IP Address,
change it to a specific address.

Method 2: To resolve this issue, open IIS Manager and stop the default
website. Then, start the SolarWinds NetPerfMon website.

Method 3: Assign an additional IP address to your server. Re-run the Orion

NPM Configuration Wizard and specify the new IP address when prompted
for the IP address to use for the Orion NPM website.

Q Why do my accounts with Admin rights not have the Admin option on the Menu
Bar?
Troubleshooting 281

A In addition to Admin rights, you will need to assign the Admin Menu Bar to
the user. See page 215 for more information.

Q I am unable to view the Orion NPM website. When I try to access the homepage, I
receive a message that the page cannot be displayed. Additionally, when I try to
bring up my IIS Manager, my system is unable to display this application.

A You have most likely installed a personal firewall such as Zone Alarm on your
Orion NPM Server. You will need to uninstall that firewall in order to use
Orion NPM.

Q Why do I see white space where an icon should be on the Orion NPM homepage?
Or, how do I add icons so that a new machine type will have an associated icon
when viewed on an Orion page?

A The icon is missing because Orion NPM does not contain an icon in the
vendors folder for the machine type. To add an icon, follow the steps below.

1. Right-click on the white space.

2. Select Properties.

3. Look at the address (URL). The last part of the address is the name of the
icon that NPM is attempting to locate. For example, if the address is
http://127.0.0.1/images/Vendors/9.gif, NPM would attempt to locate 9.gif.

4. Locate or create the icon that you would like to view.

5. Name the icon the name that Orion NPM is attempting to locate. For the
example stated above, the icon created should be named 9.gif.

6. Place the icon in the ../InetPub/SolarWinds/NetPerfMon/images/Vendors

folder.

7. Refresh the web page. The icon should display where specified.

Q Why is it that when I try to access my Orion NPM website I am prompted for a
username and password for both Windows and Orion?

A You can either configure your Orion NPM website to allow anonymous access
or to require Windows authentication. If you are required to enter a Username
and password for Windows, the site is not configured to allow anonymous
access.
282 Troubleshooting

Q How can I set up an automatic login to the Orion website that passes a User ID and
password directly to Internet Explorer?

A Create a Favorite with a link in the following form:

http://DOMAIN/NetPerfMon/Login.asp?AccountID=USER&Password=PWD,
and substitute the real User ID for “USER” and the real password for “PWD”.

Q Why do charts not show up when viewing from the web? Instead, I get an “X”
where the charts should be.

A The charts may be formatting improperly for your display, the web server
may be unable to find the correct chart, or the user may have inadequate
permissions to the folder where the charts are stored. On the Settings page,
Ensure that the Chart Aspect Ratio is in the valid range (usually, somewhere
between 0.25 and 3.0; the default is 0.625).

Q Why do charts appear as bars?

A The aspect ratio setting for Charts (from Admin Settings, then Chart
Settings) is out of range. Try a value between 0.25 and 3.0; the default is 0.625.

Q Why do I not have Volume information on my Windows 2000 Server?

A In System manager, be sure that Volume Resources are checked for the Node.
(By default, Volumes are not added during Network Discovery, and must be
added manually.)

Q Why do I not see any recent data?

A Verify that the SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Service is running.

Q Why do traffic charts for Percent Utilization show usage over 100 percent?

A Method 1: Depending upon the configuration of the monitored device, NPM

may not be able to determine the setting for Transmit and Receive Bandwidth.
To adjust these values in System Manager, use the Interface Details dialog. See
page 32 for more details.

Method 2: Thirty-two-bit counter rollovers can cause inaccurate reports of

high Interface traffic. If the device supports 64-bit counters, see page 30 for
Troubleshooting 283

how to enable this feature.

Q Why do traffic charts for Percent Utilization show no data?

A Method 1: Many times, the traffic load on network interfaces is so low that the
charts will appear to have no data. Zooming in or changing the scale at which
a chart is viewed may reveal low-level statistics. Method 2: Using the Interface
Details dialog, ensure that the Interface is operationally up and has a valid
ifIndex value.

Method 2: Using the Interface Details dialog, ensure that the Interface is
operationally up and has a valid ifIndex value.

Q Why are the customization options limited or restricted?

A Advanced Customization has probably not been enabled.

Method 1: Verify that you are logged in as Admin.

Method 2: Verify that Advanced Customization is enabled. See page 172 for
details.

Q Why do no Alerts or Events appear on the web page?

A You may have set too short a window of time for displaying Events, and you
may have had no Alerts to post.

Method 1: Verify that you have a valid date/time range.

Method 2: Using System Manager, verify that Events/Alerts have occurred in

that date/time range.

Q Why are my Maps not listed when I edit the Network Map resource?

A They may be in an unusable form, or in the wrong place.

Method 1: The maps must be saved in the ..\Program

Files\SolarWinds\Network Performance Monitor V7\Maps folder.

Method 2: Orion NPM can only use maps created with the SolarWinds Map
Maker application, for more info, see 91.

Q Why do I see devices on the Orion NPM Web Interface but none in the System
284 Troubleshooting

Manager?

A If you recently moved Orion to a new computer or changed the computer’s

name, you will need to update the Engines table. See page 225 for more details.

Q Why am I unable to drill down into the list of resources on the website when trying
to add resources on a Windows 2003 Server?

A You must add the Orion Website as a trusted list of websites. To do this, open
Internet Explorer, select Internet Options from the Tools menu, and click on
the Security tab. Select Trusted Sites, click the Sites button, and add the Orion
Website.

Map Maker Problems

Q Why is the image quality degraded when accessing Map Maker via Terminal
Services on a Windows 2000 Server?

A The Map Maker’s image management functions use the current display
settings of the session. Terminal Services runs in 8-bit color (256 colors).
Therefore, even if the original image is high color, the saved map will be in 8-
bit color.

System Manager Problems

Q Why do I get an error trying to connect to the Service?

A Method 1: The Service may not be completely loaded. Wait several seconds
and restart System Manager.

Method 2: Check Event Viewer for detailed error messages. If the Service (in
Services Control Panel) is marked as disabled and responds with “Marked for
deletion,” reboot the system and repeat the Install Services tab of the
Configuration Wizard.

Method 3: Reboot the system.

Q Why does Orion only collect network latency and packet loss information?

A Method 1: Verify that the device is SNMP enabled.

Troubleshooting 285

Method 2: Verify that you have the correct community string.

Method 3: Verify that there are no access-lists (ACLs) restricting SNMP access
to the target device.

Method 4: Verify that the resource is checked in the resource list window.

Method 5: Verify that the charts under each resource are checked.

Q Why do I have a group of Nodes in a Warning state (or have yellow status icons)
when I know the devices are fully operational?

A Method 1: If the Polling Engine is unable to complete a cycle before the next
one begins, you may see intermittent packet loss on your performance charts.

Method 2: If you are monitoring these devices through a firewall, many times
the firewall will be unable to keep up with the traffic flow generated by Orion
NPM. Check the logs on the firewall for packet loss. If this is happening,
contact your firewall administrator to explore options.

Method 3: Some network devices consider ICMP packets with data in the
payload part of the packet to be suspicious. Try adjusting the packet size to be
less than 10 bytes or remove the data from the payload part of the packet. See
page 44 for more details.

Method 4: In rare cases, due to a problem with Gigabit Ethernet, some devices
may truncate odd-sized packets. Adjust the packet size to an even-numbered
size in the System Manager. See page 44 for more details.

Q Why is my Send an E-mail/Page alert not working?

A Try the following:

Method 1: Check either the Active Alerts dialog or the Event Log to verify that
Alerts are being triggered.

Method 2: The e-mail host may not be configured to allow relaying from the
Orion host machine. If the e-mail server requires SMTP authentication, ensure
the box labeled "This SMTP Server requires Authentication" is checked and
that the needed fields are completed. You can test this by sending a message
internally and externally using the Test Fire Alerts tool found in the Advanced
Features of the SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor or in the Alerts
portion of System Manager. See Testing an Alert on page 79 for more details.
286 Troubleshooting

Method 3: Verify that Temporarily Disable Alerts is not checked.

Method 4: Verify that Enable Alert is checked for the Alert of interest.

Method 5: Ensure that you have entered a valid, enabled e-mail (SMTP)
gateway.

Method 6: Ensure that you have entered a valid destination e-mail address.

Method 7: Verify that the alerts are correctly configured and at least one
network object is selected.

Method 8: Check the e-mail debug log at C:\Program

Files\SolarWinds\Network Performance Monitor V7\OrionAlertEngine.log.

Q Why is my Send a Syslog Message alert not working?

A Ensure the server receiving the Syslog Message is listening on UDP port 514.

Q Why is my Play a Sound alert action not playing on my Windows 2003 Server?

A By default, Windows 2003 Server has sounds disabled. Go to

Start Settings Control Panel Sounds and Audio Devices, and enable the
sound.

Q Why is my Text to Speech alert action not playing on my Windows 2003 Server?

A By default, Windows 2003 Server has sounds disabled. Go to

Start Settings Control Panel Sounds and Audio Devices, and enable the
sound.

Q Why am I unable to receive Net Send Messages on my Windows 2003 Server when
an alert is triggered?

A Go to Start Settings Control Panel4Administrative Tools4Services. Right-

click on the service named Messenger and select Properties. Change the Startup
type from Disabled to Automatic, click Apply, and then click the Start button.

Q Why do I not see Nodes listed in System Manager? The whole Node Tree pane is
gone.

A The solution to this problem is to change a registry setting. Start RegEdit and
Troubleshooting 287

drill down to the following key:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\Orion

Network Performance Monitor\NodeList]

In the right-hand window will be a string labeled “Visible” whose value will
be “False”. Right-click on the entry and modify the value so that
“Visible”="True".

Q Why do I have devices reporting 100 percent packet loss when they are fully
operational?

A Method 1: If the Polling Engine is unable to complete a cycle before the next
one begins, you may see intermittent packet loss on your performance charts.

Method 2: If you are monitoring these devices through a firewall, many times
the firewall will be unable to keep up with the traffic flow generated by Orion
NPM. Check the logs on the firewall for packet loss. If this is happening,
contact your firewall administrator to explore options.

Method 3: Some network devices consider ICMP packets with data in the
payload part of the packet to be suspicious. Try adjusting the packet size to be
less than 10 bytes or remove the data from the payload part of the packet. See
page 44 for more details.

Method 4: In rare cases, due to a problem with Gigabit Ethernet, some devices
may truncate odd-sized packets. Adjust the packet size to an even-numbered
size in the System Manager. See page 44 for more details.

Q Why do I see a message stating “CPU Load and Memory Utilization Unsupported
or Unknown Value” for certain devices on Orion NPM web pages?

A You will see a message stating “CPU Load and Memory Utilization
Unsupported or Unknown Value” on the Orion website when CPU and
Memory Utilization was not selected as a resource to be monitored. You can
check this by opening the System Manager, right-clicking on one of the nodes
showing CPU and Memory Not Supported, selecting List Resources, and
ensuring that the CPU and Memory Utilization check box is checked. If CPU
and Memory Utilization are not listed in the List of Resources then the device
does not support the HOST-RESOURCES-MIB.

Q Why does the Orion NPM report that the Total Memory for my Windows machine
288 Troubleshooting

is 2.1GB however the device has significantly more memory?

A This is a known Microsoft issue. This can be resolved with Windows 2000
Service Pack 4.

Q Why are my serial interfaces showing question marks within the System Manager
when the interfaces are clearly operational?

A Method 1: When Orion NPM starts, Interfaces are placed in an UNKNOWN

status until the first time they are polled. If you have just started the system,
wait a few minutes and recheck their status.

Method 2: If the Polling Engine is unable to complete a cycle before the next
one begins, you may see intermittent packet loss on your performance charts.

Method 3: Orion considers an Interface that is not clearly UP, DOWN, or

DORMANT to be UNKNOWN. Some Cisco devices with IOS 12.2 report a
“not present” status for some interfaces for the following reason:

CSCdz51138 Bug Details

Release Notes
IfOperStatus on PPP interface shows incorrect status of notPresent(6), when
show interface clearly shows UP/UP.
The issue has been resolved with IOS release 12.2(14.3).

We recommend contacting Cisco for more assistance.

Method 4: The Node is most likely DOWN. Verify the Node status by right-
clicking on the Node in System Manager and selecting Ping from the

Method 5: Verify that the community string has not changed.

Method 6: Verify that there are no access-lists (ACLs) restricting SNMP access
to the target device.

Method 7: A change has probably been made on the device. Right-click on the
Node in System Manager and select List Resources to verify that no new
interfaces have been added.

Q Can I run Orion NPM with a personal firewall such as Zone Alarm installed on the
server?

A While Orion NPM has not been tested with every personal firewall available, it
is not recommended to run a personal firewall on the same machine as Orion
Troubleshooting 289

NPM.

Q Why does my Windows 2000 machine Volume/Disk Space usage not change?

A Windows 2000 machines without Service Pack 3 update the MIB only at
reboot. Install the latest Service Packs on the machines in order to view the
appropriate Volume/Disk Space values.

Q Why is it that when I click on Software Updates in the Start Menu, it takes me to a
web page that says "You are being redirected to the Updates", but nothing ever
happens?

A You must add the Orion Website as a trusted list of websites. To do this open,
Internet Explorer, select Internet Options from the Tools menu, and click on
the Security tab. Select Trusted Sites, click the Sites button, and add the Orion
Website.

Q Does Orion support DHCP and BOOTP devices?

A Yes. Please refer to Adding Nodes and Interfaces within the System Manager
chapter of this manual for more information.

Q Can I temporarily suspend polling data collection?

A Yes. Please e-mail support for more information on how to enable this feature
of Orion.

Network Discovery Problems

Q Why does Network Discovery fail to discover some devices?

A Method 1: Ensure that the devices are SNMP-enabled and you have the
proper community string.

Method 2: Make sure the device is reachable. Method 3: Make sure the device
is IP addressable.

Method 3: Make sure the device is IP addressable.

290 Troubleshooting

Database Manager Problems

Q Why am I unable to restore the database from a backup file?

A Method 1: Verify the integrity of the backup file. With the file selected for
Restore in Database Manager, click the Verify button at the right of the line for
the database name.

Method 2: Ensure that the name of the database to be restored is not already in
use. In Database Manager, expand the server until you see the name of any
installed databases. SolarWinds tools do not allow you to overwrite existing
databases that are in use; therefore you must either provide a new, unique
database name or stop all services and applications currently using the
database before performing a restore.

Method 3: Ensure that the MDF and LOG file paths are valid. If the backup
was created on another machine, the paths may not exist on the current
machine. You can either recreate the file structure on the current machine to
receive the files, or edit the path in the Restore Database window.

Method 4: Ensure that the MDF and LOG file names do not already exist. By
default, these files are stored in ..\Program Files\SolarWinds\Data. Each SQL
Server database must have unique names for these files. SolarWinds tools do
not allow you to overwrite existing databases; therefore you must provide a
new, unique database file name.

Q Why is my backup job not being performed?

A Method 1: Verify that you have correctly set up the backup schedule. See page
223 for more details.

Method 2: Ensure that the SQL Agent is started. In Database Manager, expand
the view for the SQL Server in question. The SQL Agent appears with a status
icon that is green when the Agent is running and red when it is not. It can be
started manually by right-clicking on the icon, then selecting Start SQL Server
Agent. You can set SQL Agent to start automatically when the system boots by
finding the SQLAgent Service in the Services Control Panel (by default, the
SolarWinds version of the Agent Service is SQLAgent$SolarWinds), and
setting the startup type to Automatic.

Q Why are my changes to the database table not saved?

Troubleshooting 291

A The NPM Service needs to be stopped prior to making database changes.

Configuration Wizard Problems

Configuration Wizard Problems

Q Why do I get an “Invalid object nodes” error message?

A If you are not using Windows NT Integrated Security, you must log in to SQL
Server using the SA account. The SA account is required at this step to
correctly create the database and accounts Orion uses. The SA information is
only used at this step, and is not saved. You will later be prompted to create an
account that Orion will use to access the server.

Q Why does the SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Service not start?

A Method 1: The Service may not be completely loaded. Wait several seconds
and restart System Manager.

Method 2: Reboot the system.

Method 3: Check Event Viewer for detailed error messages. If the Service (in
Services Control Panel) is marked as disabled and responds with “Marked for
deletion,” reboot the system and repeat the Install Services tab of the
Configuration Wizard.
Getting More Help
The SolarWinds website is a rich source of information that can help you with problems.
Point your browser to http://www.SolarWinds.Net.

Knowledge Base

You can enter keyword searches on the SolarWinds Knowledge Base at

http://support.SolarWinds.Net/kbase/FindProblem.cfm.

FAQ

The SolarWinds directory of Frequently Asked Questions can be found at

http://www.SolarWinds.Net/FAQ/FAQ.htm.

Online Tutorials

Several Video Tutorials are available online at

http://www.SolarWinds.Net/Support/View.htm

Support

By completing the form at http://support.SolarWinds.Net/KBase/default2.cfm, you can

send the Technical Support team at SolarWinds a detailed description of your problem,
along with relevant details about your operating system and software version
Alert Macros
T he following macros can be used in Alert messages within Network Performance
Monitor. Each macro must be enclosed in curly braces and begin with a dollar sign.
Example: ${NodeID}

Macro Modifiers
Each macro can also be modified using each of the following modifiers appended to the
end of the macro.

-Raw Displays the raw value for the statistic. For example, if Transmit
Bandwidth is set to 10 Mbps, then the raw value would be“10000000”.
The cooked value would be “10 Mbps”.

-Previous Displays the previous value for the statistic before the Alert was triggered

-Cooked Displays the cooked value for the statistic. For example, if Transmit
Bandwidth is set to 10 Mbps, then the raw value would be “10000000”
and cooked value would be “10 Mbps”.
-PreviousCooked Displays the previous cooked value for the statistic before the Alert was
triggered

Example use of macro modifiers:

Interface ${FullName} has changed from ${Status-Previous} to ${Status} ${FullName}
rebooted at ${LastBoot}. Previous reboot was at ${LastBoot-Previous}
296 Alert Macros

Buffer Errors
BufferNoMemThisHour Buffer errors caused by low memory during the current hour
BufferNoMemToday Buffer errors caused by low memory during the current day
BufferSmMissThisHour Small buffer misses during this hour
BufferSmMissToday Small buffer misses during the current day
BufferMdMissThisHour Medium buffer misses during this hour
BufferMdMissToday Medium buffer misses during the current day
BufferBgMissThisHour Big buffer misses during this hour
BufferBgMissToday Big buffer misses during the current day
BufferLgMissThisHour Large buffer misses during this hour
BufferLgMissToday Large buffer misses during the current day
BufferHgMissThisHour Huge buffer misses during this hour
BufferHgMissToday Huge buffer misses during the current day

Interfaces
InterfaceID, Interface ID Unique ID of the interface. Network Performance Monitor
assigns a unique ID to every network object.

InterfaceCaption, Caption User-assigned name for this interface

Index, Interface Index, InterfaceIndex, Index of the interface within the network node.
ifIndex
ifType, ifType, InterfaceType Numerical type of the interface. This information is collected by
Network Performance Monitor when discovering the network
node.
Description, InterfaceTypeDescription Description of the interface.

MAC, MAC Address, PhysicalAddress Physical address (MAC Address) of the interface

MTU, InterfaceMTU Maximum Transmission Unit

Speed, InterfaceSpeed Speed of the Interface discovered by Network Performance

Monitor when scanning the network node
InterfaceName, Name Name of the interface discovered from the node
Alert Macros 297

InterfaceIcon Icon depicting the type of interface (Ethernet, Frame-Relay,

ATM, Token Ring, wireless, etc).

NodeID, Node ID ID of the Network Node to which this interface belongs.

Network Performance Monitor assigns a unique ID to every
network object.

InterfaceTypeName Type of interface. Discovered from ifType.

FullName Full name of the interface including the name of the network
node it is in
Counter64 Interface supports IF-MIB high-capacity counters

Interface Errors
InDiscardsToday Cumulative number of receive discards for this interface
today
InErrorsToday Cumulative number of receive errors for this interface
today
OutErrorsToday Cumulative number of transmit errors for this interface
today
OutDiscardsToday Cumulative number of transmit discards for this interface
today
InDiscardsThisHour Cumulative number of receive discards for this in

InErrorsThisHour Cumulative number of receive errors for this interface this

hour (this counter resets at the top of the hour)
OutErrorsThisHour Cumulative number of transmit errors for this interface this
hour (this counter resets at the top of the hour)

OutDiscardsThisHour Cumulative number of transmit discards for this interface

this hour (this counter resets at the top of the hour)

Interface Status
LastChange, Last Change, Last date and time the interface changed operational
InterfaceLastChange status

AdminStatus, ifAdminStatus Administrative status of the interface (enabled or

disabled)
OperStatus, ifOperStatus Operational status of the interface
298 Alert Macros

AdminStatusLED LED showing current administrative status of the

interface (enabled or disabled)
OperStatusLED LED showing current operational status of the
interface
Status Current status of the interface (up, down, shutdown,
etc.)
StatusLED, Status LED Current status of the interface (up, down, shutdown,
etc.)

Interface Polling
PollInterval How often the interface should be polled (in seconds)

RediscoveryInterval, Rediscovery Interval How often the node/interface should be rediscovered (in
minutes)
NextRediscovery, Next Rediscovery Scheduled time for the next complete discovery of this
interface
NextPoll, Next Poll Scheduled time for next poll of this interface
StatCollection Frequency of statistics collection

Interfaces (CATV version only)

SignalNoise, Signal to Noise Ratio Signal/Noise ratio for this interface in db.
MinSignalNoise, Min Signal To Noise Ratio Minimum signal/noise ratio over the last few polls

MaxSignalNoise, Max Signal To Noise Ratio Maximum signal/noise ratio over the last few polls

AvgSignalNoise, Average Signal to Noise Average Signal/Noise ratio of the interface. This is
Ratio calculated from the last 10 polls of the interface.

PercentCodewordsUnerrored Percent of Codewords received by the interface that

without errors.
PercentCodewordsCorrected, Percent of Codewords received by the interface that
PercentCodewordsCorrectable had correctable errors.
PercentCodewordsUncorrectable, Percent of Codewords received by the interface that
PercentCodewordsUnCorrected had errors and could not be corrected.
CodewordsUnerrored Current number of Codewords received without errors
by the interface.
CodewordsCorrected Current number of Codewords received by the
interface that had errors, but could be corrected.
Alert Macros 299

CodewordsUncorrectable Current number of Codewords received by the

interface that had errors, but could not be corrected.

TotalCodewords Total number of Codewords received by the interface

Interface Traffic
OutBandwidth User-defined transmit bandwidth of the Interface.
The Transmit and Receive bandwidth can each
be set independently in order to accurately
monitor asymmetric circuits.

OutBps, Outbps Current amount of traffic being transmitted by the

interface
InBps, Inbps Current amount of traffic being received by the
interface
OutPps, Outpps Current rate of transmitted packets per second by
the interface
InPps, Inpps Current rate of received packets per second by
the interface
InPktSize Average packet size of the packets currently
being received by the interface
OutUcastPps Current rate of transmitted Unicast packets per
second
OutMCastPps Current rate of transmitted multicast packets per
second
InUcastPps Current rate of received Unicast packets per
second
InMcastPps Current rate of received multicast packets per
second
OutPktSize Average packet size of the packets currently
being transmitted by the interface
InPercentUtil Current percentage of utilization on the receive
side of the interface
OutPercentUtil Current percentage of utilization on the transmit
side of the interface
MaxInBpsToday Peak received bps today for the interface
MaxOutBpsToday Peak transmitted bps today for the interface
MaxInBpsTime Time (today) of the peak bps received
MaxOutBpsTime Time (today) of the peak bps transmitted
300 Alert Macros

InBandwidth, ReceiveBandwidth User-defined receive bandwidth of the Interface.

The Transmit and Receive Bandwidth can each
be set independently in order to accurately
monitor asymmetric circuits.

Nodes
NodeID, Node ID Unique ID automatically assigned to each node
IP, IP_Address, IP Address IP Address of the node. This is the IP address that is used for all
management functions.
NodeName, Caption, Name User assigned name for this node
SysName, System Name System name of the node
DNS DNS name determined via a reverse DNS lookup. The DNS entry
is checked during rediscovery of the network node.
SysObjectID, OID Unique identifier assigned to this node by the manufacture
Vendor, Manufacturer The manufacture of the network node
SysLocation, Location Location retrieved from the system MIB
Contact, SysContact System Contact. This information is collected by Network
Performance Monitor when discovering the network node.
SysDescr, System Description, System description of the node. This information is collected by
Description Network Performance Monitor when discovering the network node.

LastBoot, Last Boot Date and time the machine last booted
Community, SNMP Community SNMP community string used to communicate with this node
String, SNMP Community

VendorIcon Icon depicting the type of machine

IOSImage, IOS Image Cisco IOS image family type

IOSVersion, IOS Version Cisco IOS version

MachineType, Machine Type The machine type or manufacture of the network node

Node Polling
RediscoveryInterval, Rediscovery How often the node should be rediscovered (in minutes)
Interval
NextRediscovery, Next Date and time of next rediscovery
Rediscovery
Alert Macros 301

PollInterval How often the node/interface should be polled. (in seconds)

NextPoll, Next Poll Scheduled time for the next poll of the node/interface
StatCollection Frequency of statistics collection

Node Statistics
ResponseTime, Response Time, Current Current response time of the node in milliseconds
Response Time
PercentLoss Percent packet loss over the last few minutes.
Packet loss is calculated from the number of ICMP
packets that are dropped when polling the node.
AvgResponseTime, Average Response Average response time for the node over the last few
Time minutes
MinResponseTime, Minimum Response Shortest response time over the last few minutes
Time

MaxResponseTime, Maximum Response Longest response time over the last few minutes
Time

CPULoad Percentage of CPU usage

TotalMemory Total RAM reported in node
MemoryUsed Total RAM in allocated in node
PercentMemoryUsed Percentage of used RAM to total RAM

Node Status
Status, Current status of the node. (up, down, warning, etc)
StatusLED, Status LED, Node Current status icon of the node
Status
GroupStatus Current status icon of the Node and all its interfaces (Up, Down,
Warning, etc)
StatusDescription, Status Current status of the Node and its interfaces.
Description
Severity Severity Status of the Node and its Interfaces

Object Types
ObjectType Type of network object
302 Alert Macros

ObjectSubtype Subtype of the network object

Volumes
NodeID, Node ID ID of the network node to which this volume belongs. Network
Performance Monitor assigns a unique ID to every network
object.

VolumeID Unique ID of the volume. Network Performance Monitor

assigns a unique ID to every network object.
Caption User-assigned name for this volume
VolumeIndex Index of the volume within the Network Node

VolumeType Type of volume. Discovered from hrStorageType

VolumeDescription, Description Description of the volume

FullName Full name of the volume including the name of the Network
Node it is in.

Volume Polling
PollInterval How often the volume should be polled

StatCollection Frequency of statistics collection

NextPoll, Next Poll Scheduled time for next poll of this volume
RediscoveryInterval, Rediscovery Interval Rediscovery Interval of this Volume

NextRediscovery, Next Rediscovery Scheduled time for the next complete discovery of this
volume.

Volume Statistics
VolumeSize Volume size in bytes
VolumeSpaceUsed Total bytes used on volume
VolumePercentUsed Percentage of volume used as discovered by SNMP

VolumeAllocationFailuresThisHour Number of volume allocation errors this hour

Alert Macros 303

VolumeAllocationFailuresToday Number of volume allocation errors today

Volume Status
Status Current status of the volume (up, down, shutdown, etc.)
StatusLED, Status LED Current status of the volume (up, down, shutdown, etc.)
VolumeResponding, Responding Indicates whether of not the volume is currently responding to
SNMP queries

Date/Time
DateTime, Date Time, Date/Time Current date and time. (Windows control panel defined
“Short Date” and “Short Time” format)

Date, Short Date, ShortDate Current date. (Short Date format)

LongDate, Long Date Current date. (Long Date format)
MediumDate, Medium Date Current date. (Medium Date format)
Time, ShortTime Current Time. (Short Time format)
DayOfWeek, Day of Week Current day of the week.
D, Day Current day of the month
DD Current day of the month (two digit number, zero padded)

AbreviatedDOW, AbreviatedDayOfWeek Current day of the week. Three character abbreviation.

LocalDOW, Local Day of week. Current day of the week. Localized language format.
LocalDayOfWeek
Month, M Current month
MM Current month. Two digit number, zero padded.
MMM, Abbreviated Month Current month. Three character abbreviation.

MMMM, MonthName, Month Name Full name of the current month

LocalMonthName, Local Month Name Current month name in the local language.

DayOfYear, Day of Year Numeric day of the year

Year2, Year 2 Two digit year
Year, Year4, Year 4 Four digit year
H, Hour Current hour
304 Alert Macros

HH Current hour. Two digit format, zero padded.

N Current minute
Minute Current minute. Two digit format, zero padded.
S Current second.
Second Current second. Two digit format, zero padded.
AMPM, AM/PM Am/Pm indicator

Alert-Specific
Alert, AlertName,Alert Name Name of the Alert
Property, MonitoredProperty, Property that this Alert is monitoring
Monitored Property,
PropertyDescription, Property
Description
TriggerTime, TimeOfTrigger, Trigger Date and time of the last event for this Alert. (Windows control
Time, Time of Trigger panel defined “Short Date” and “Short Time”)
LastResetTime, TimeOfLastReset, Date and time of the last event for this Alert. (Windows control
Last Reset Time, Time of Last Reset panel defined “Short Date” and “Short Time”)

LongTriggerTime, Long Trigger Time Date and time of the last event for this Alert. (Windows control
panel defined “Medium Date” and “Medium Time”)

LongLastResetTime, Long Last Reset Date and time of the last event for this Alert. (Windows control
Time, LongLastReset, Long Last panel defined “Medium Date” and “MediumTime”)
Reset
TriggeredValue, Triggered Value Value that triggered the Alert
AlertStartTime, Alert Start Time Time of day that the Alert is active and can be Triggered/Reset

AlertEndTime, Alert End Time Time of day that the Alert is active and can be Triggered/Reset
Alert Macros 305

Example Messages Using Macros

The following examples illustrate some of the uses of macros.

Interface ${Caption} on ${NodeName} is ${Status}. This indicates a problem with this network segment
that should be investigated. This problem was identified at ${DateTime}.
Alert: ${NodeName} has exceptionally high response time. Average Response Time is ${AvgResponseTime} and
is varying from ${MinResponseTime} to ${MaxResponseTime}.
Alert: Percent Utilization of ${Fu1lName} is above ${OutPercentUtil}. Current traffic load of this interface is
Received :${InBps} Transmitted :${OutBps}
Signal-to-Noise ratio on ${NodeName}-${InterfaceName} is abnormal and may indicate deteriating RF
quality on this interface.
Average Signal/Noise Ratio on this interface is currently ${AvgSignalNoise} and is varying between
${MinSignalNoise} and ${MaxSignalNoise}.
Instantaneous Signal/Noise ratio at this time is ${SignalNoise}.
Alert: The Percent of received Codewords without error by ${Fu1lName] is
${%CodewordsUnErrored}. This may indicate deteriating RF quality on this interface. Percent
Correctable Codewords is ${%CodewordsCorrectable}. Percent UnCorrectable Codewords is
${%CodewordsUnCorrectable}.
Current packet loss for ${NodeName} is ${%Loss}. Average Response time is ${AvgResponseTime} and is
varying from ${MinResponseTime} to ${MaxResponseTime}.
Alert: The SNMP Community string used to query ${NodeName} has been changed from ${Community-
Previous} to ${Community}.
Network Performance Monitor will use the new SNMP Community String when querying
${NodeName}
Glossary
Alert An alarm or warning of the network's state, based upon a user-
defined criterion, which requires logging and/or notification.
Alerts are logged as events in the Network Performance Monitor
Event log.

Alert A blocking action used to prevent the triggering of an Alert.

Suppression

Bandwidth In digital communications, the rate at which data is

communicated (usually in bits per second).

Buffer A temporary storage location for data being sent or received.

CATV An acronym for Cable Television, used to refer to systems that

deliver broadband Internet services over conventional Cable TV
media.

Community The “password” required for an SNMP client to request MIB

string information from an SNMP server.

Counter 64 In SNMPv2C, the standard that allows for integers twice the
width (in bits) of what is normally allowed. SolarWinds
supports the use of 64-bit counters for devices that use them.

Dependency A criterion used with Alert Suppression to block the triggering

of an Alert.

DNS An acronym for Domain Name Server. A system of computers

that convert domain names into IP addresses.

Element The smallest managed component of a device for which statistics

are stored. An example of an element would be a serial interface
on a router or a VLAN on a switch.

Event An unsolicited communication from a hardware device to an

application driver. Events are generally attention-getting
messages, allowing a person or process to know when a task is
complete or when an external event occurs.
308 Glossary

ICMP An acronym for Internet Control Message Protocol. A network-

layer Internet protocol that provides message packets to report
errors and other information relevant to IP packet processing.

Interface A port or logical connection on a node.

LED An acronym for Light Emitting Diode. A semiconductor diode

which emits light when a current is passed through it. Orion
NPM's Map Maker application contains icon styles which mimic
a LED.

MAC Address An abbreviation for Medium Access Control Address. A 48-bit

unique number administered by the IEEE and assigned to LAN
cards.

MIB An acronym for Management Information Base. A MIB is a

database of network performance information that is stored on a
network device for access by network management software.

MTU Node An acronym for Maximum Transmission Unit. The largest unit
of data that can be sent on a given physical medium. For
example, the MTU for Ethernet is 1500 bytes.

Node Any device with an IP address; a network device that is polled.

A Node may contain many elements. An example of a Node
would be a router or network server.

Node Tree In System Manager and Map Maker, the left-most pane of the
program window that contains an expandable list of monitored
Nodes.

NPM An acronym for Network Performance Monitor. A fault and

performance management tool for IP networks.

Port Speed The maximum transmission rate of a physical port.

Resources Interfaces, volumes, memory, and CPUs.

SMS An acronym for Short Message Service. A service used to send

text messages to mobile devices.

SNMP An acronym for Simple Network Management Protocol. An IP-

based application layer protocol that is the industry standard
way that network devices communicate with network
management systems.
Glossary 309

SNMP Trap An SNMP notification packet sent to an SNMP trap collector.

The content of the SNMP trap message can be used by the trap
collector as notification that a Network Performance Monitor
Alert was triggered or reset.

Syslog An acronym for System Log. The System Log contains messages
that include information about events of interest on the system.

Volume A partition or group of partitions on a disk drive.

XML An acronym for eXtensible Markup Language. Enables

designers to create customized tags to provide functionality not
available with HTML.

Most definitions included in this Glossary were obtained from Newton’s Telecom
Dictionary by Harry Newton and published by CMP Books.
Index

3 D
32-bit counter, 50 Database compaction, 220, 226
Discovery, 14, 26, 28, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86,
87, 93, 282, 289
5
5.x, 249, 250 E
e-mail, 15, 28, 59, 60, 69, 73, 74, 129,
6 271, 285, 286
64-bit counter, 31, 50, 282, 307 event, 13, 35, 59, 71, 72, 73, 304, 307
export, 40, 102, 122, 129, 143, 160, 217,
222
A
ADSL, 33 F
Alert, 27, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66,
67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, filter, 138, 139, 147, 150, 153, 154, 166,
77, 78, 79, 80, 129, 253, 254, 255, 187, 189, 214
256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 262, 285, firewall, 281, 285, 287, 288
286, 295, 304, 305, 307, 309
Autorefresh, 55 G
graphs, 31, 32
B grouping, 14, 59, 157, 159, 167, 189
Bandwidth, 29, 33, 43, 282, 295, 300, 307
Baseline, 47 H
HTML, 40, 122, 143, 186, 222, 309
C
Cache, 201 I
CATV, 33, 266, 298, 307
Charts, 44, 54, 55, 56, 172, 174, 201, 282 ICMP, 45, 285, 287, 301, 308
Community string, 305, 307 IIS, 18, 25, 275, 277, 279, 280, 281
Contact SolarWinds, 15 Import, 87, 90, 120, 121, 129, 139, 140,
CPU, 14, 19, 20, 29, 43, 51, 81, 198, 254, 141, 142
258, 259, 261, 266, 267, 287, 301 Installation, 13, 17, 21, 123, 216
Custom Property, 14, 74, 129, 130, 134, IP address, 23, 25, 28, 31, 45, 84, 123,
135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 143, 145, 127, 171, 219, 280, 289, 300, 307, 308
147, 152, 167, 169
312 Index

L Q
Latency, 42 Query, 153, 221, 222
License, 21, 22, 197, 200, 266, 271, 272,
273
Limitation, 14, 129, 167, 168, 169, 170,
R
213 Rediscover, 42
Registry, 267
M Reports, 147, 148, 150, 156, 159, 161,
174, 187, 188, 189, 194, 198, 201, 216
Macros, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, Reset, 64, 69, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78,
295, 305 79, 260, 304
Map, 14, 91, 92, 93, 94, 100, 101, 102, Rollovers, 50
103, 105, 107, 111, 112, 113, 114, Router, 84, 254
115, 117, 118, 120, 121, 122, 123,
124, 126, 127, 180, 181, 182, 201,
283, 284, 308
S
MIB, 287, 289, 297, 300, 307, 308 Script, 73
Migrate, 120, 121, 250 Setup, 17, 22, 23, 105, 106
Shutdown NetPerfMon, 79, 222, 250, 279
N SMTP, 69, 73, 285, 286
Snapshot, 51
Nesting Maps, 103 SNMP, 28, 45, 59, 77, 78, 82, 83, 284,
Network Sonar, 81 285, 288, 289, 300, 302, 303, 305,
Nightly Maintenance, 41, 42, 225, 226 307, 308, 309
Node Details, 30, 31, 32, 50, 162, 174, SQL Query, 153, 160, 162, 163, 164, 165
215 SQL Server, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 81,
Node Tree, 30, 32, 34, 46, 54, 90, 124, 155, 199, 217, 219, 222, 223, 224,
127, 286, 308 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 279,
NotePage, 76, 77 290, 291
NPM Service, 26, 27, 45, 46, 47, 81, 291 Subnet, 84
Syslog, 59, 72, 227, 286, 309
System Manager, 14, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32,
O 33, 36, 37, 44, 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 56,
Object Styles, 107, 124 59, 81, 90, 201, 225, 266, 282, 283,
Operational status, 297 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 291, 308
System Requirements, 18
P
T
Packet loss, 301
Pager, 69, 73, 76 TCP port, 25, 280
Password, 24, 275, 278, 282 Threshold, 198
Passwords, 275 Trap, 77, 78, 309
PING, 45, 46 Trigger, 63, 64, 67, 69, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76,
Polling, 19, 20, 42, 43, 201, 251, 265, 77, 78, 79, 257, 259, 262, 304
266, 285, 287, 288, 298, 300, 302
Polling engine, 19
Index 313

U W
Upgrade, 91 Warning, 45, 48, 49, 154, 172, 198, 257,
285, 301
Warning Interval, 45, 48, 49
V WebEngine, 251
View, 37, 38, 40, 74, 101, 113, 138, 150, Website, 24, 25, 103, 167, 224, 280, 284,
173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 289
180, 181, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187,
188, 189, 194, 195, 212, 215, 216, X
221, 278, 293
VisualBasic, 59, 73 XML, 47, 51, 309