Getting Started - IV

Integrating devices with MARS - Continued

The third method of integrating devices i.e. Importing the list of devices using a seed file.

What is a Seed file?
Its an spreadsheet file which contains the details of the devices such as hostname, Reporting and Access IP, Access Types, Login names and Passwords, enable password etc. So, whatever details required to add a device manually has to be entered in this sheet collectively for all the devices.

The instructions to create the seed file is available in the following link.
http://docs.google.com/View?id=drd8342_1hffc8pfs

This file has to be saved as a .csv file and to be uploaded to a FTP server where MARS can access. Go to Admin->System Setup->Security and Monitoring Devices and select the option Load from Seed File.

This action will take you to a page where the details to access the seed file has to be provided. The IP address of the file share server. The login to fetch the file and the path of the file. Submit the window with details. Once it verifies the data provided, MARS will start discovering the devices listed in the file and will add to it. It can be verified in the Security and Monitoring Devices page.



Things to be noted

1. The flow of column mentioned in the link above should be followed exactly. It should not be changed and the values to those fields should be mentioned correctly. If the column is labeled as 'Empty' no value should be filled in that.


2. If the provided device details in the seed file is wrong, that particular device will not be added to MARS.
   


3. If the provided details such as Access types, enable password, Login is wrong in the file, then MARS will discover that particular device with the provided SNMP RO. This can be verified by editing the device in the Security and Monitoring Devices page. Later, the correct login credentials can be provided and discovered again.
   


4. This importing process will not tell you the exact count of device added. We have to check this manually in to the list.


5. While providing the details of the file in the Load from Seed file option, the exact path has to be mentioned such that MARS can reach and fetch the file.

So these points will make you to execute this process in a systematic way.

And this is how we Integrate devices with MARS in three methods. The added devices can be seen through a map in the Summary tab. It will show you the topology graph of all the devices added.

If you come across any queries regarding the Seed file importing you can write to me. And the next post will contain the flow of traffic and reading the events from devices.

Keep reading and keep suggesting to enhance this blog.