Setting up Switches

Before you start

Make sure you have already installed the RAs and CA to your on-premises infrastructure. If you have not, please begin here. 

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Adding Switches

• Enable SNMP on Switches
• Adding Switches from the CA Console
• Adding a Switch
• Adding Multiple Switches at Once

SNMP Enabled on Switches

Before you can add switches to Viakoo, you need to verify the following is implemented or obtained:

• Verify that SNMP services are turned on for the switches that are accessible from your video recorder. 
• The SNMP service IP address is reachable from the video recorder. Pinging the switch IP address from the recorder is the easiest way to verify.
• You know the read-only "SNMP Read Community Name".

If your switches are not set up with SNMP services, refer to your switch's instruction manual on how to do that or request support from IT to enable SNMP on your switch.

Adding Switches from the CA Console

To add your switches to Viakoo, you will first need to go back to the CA Console. 

The CA Console is stored locally on the Windows-based machine where you installed the Communications Agent (CA). If that machine is reachable through your browser, enter the following URL in your browser window: http://<ca-machine's-ip-address>:10101. Alternatively, if you are logged into that machine, open up any browser and type in: http://localhost:10101 to get to the CA Home page. 

If you need to remember where you installed the CA, just look for the satellite dish icon  in the navigation panel on the left side of your site in the Viakoo interface.

Once you get here:

• Click on the Add Multiple Switches to add a Managed Switch to your configuration.

Adding a Switch

Once you bring up the VCA Console's Home screen, click on the "+" sign next to the Viakoo RA (System) you want to use to collect the data for the new switch.

This expands the view under the associated system and you can see separate options for adding switches, IoT devices or StorStac machines. To add a single switch, click on "add a switch".

This brings up a pop-up allowing you to enter 3 input fields:

1. The IP address of the management port of the switch.
2. The SNMP port number (defaults to the industry standard port "161")
3. The Read Community Name for the switch (defaults to "public"). 
4. Probe Type (SNMPv2 or SNMPv3)
5. Additional OID Collections

Click "Save" to add the switch to your configuration. In the expanded view of the home screen, you can now see the new switch added to the associated RA's configration.

SNMPv2 Switches

For probe type SNMPv2 switches, all you have to do is enter the IP Address of the switch and its public community string. By default, Viakoo will collect a useful set of OIDs automatically using standard MIBs associated with switches. Then click "Save" to add the switch to the given RA's collection cycle.

SNMPv3 Switches

SNMPv3 provides greater security by having stronger authentication and encryption of traffic. In many environments, SNMPv3 is the only allowed use of this protocol. If your devices are configured for SNMPv3, select probe type SNMPv3, and the necessary additional fields will appear.

SNMPv3 requires the following additional fields:

1. A username for an account within the device
2. The password encryption method 
3. The password associated with the account

Adding Multiple Switches at Once

You can add more switches by repeating this process. If you have a number of switches to add, you can use the "Add Multiple Switches" option from the VCA Menu.

 

 

This brings up the Add Multiple Switches view:

This view allows you to add a collection of Switches all at once either in sequence, one row at a time, or by loading a CSV file that includes the same information. Each row needs to have the same ingredients as above (IP Address of management port, the SNMP port, and read community string) as well as which RA you want to collect the switch's data. 

After adding your collection of switches, click the "Save Switches" button. This will show you a pop-up of your selection and an indicator of whether the CA successfully adds the switch to the associated RA. 

If any switch fails to add, follow these steps to troubleshoot.