Through the use of modern browser technology all of this is accomplished through a real time interface. No more waiting for pages to refresh when zooming in on a particular area of the map or even a particular device. Seeing additional details for connectivity, wireless or even virtualization requires only a single click and the information is displayed instantly on the map. This innovative approach will allow network administrators to train additional users quicker and allow for a faster, more intuitive way to manage and monitor their network.
This migration guide is intended to help transition existing users of WhatsUp Gold 15.x or 16.x to the new WhatsUp Gold 2017 user interface. While the user interface is designed to be friendly and intuitive we also understand that it will feel different than previous versions of WhatsUp Gold. This guide will identify areas where existing users may have the most difficulty. This guide is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for WhatsUp Gold documentation or training, but rather it is an aid to assist current users in migrating to WhatsUp Gold 2017.
Release Notes
While it is common for everyone to gloss over release notes and just upgrade to the latest version, we strongly recommend all existing WhatsUp Gold users review the release notes in detail before deciding if an upgrade is appropriate for you and your organization. While there have been numerous improvements and enhancements there are also a few features that will not be available until subsequent releases of WhatsUp Gold 2017. For more information see the WhatsUp Gold 2017 Release Notes (http://www.ipswitch.com/WUG2017releasenotes).
WhatsUp Gold 2017 User Interface
WhatsUp Gold 2017 provides a new approach to monitoring your network. The new user interface is designed around the mapping of your network. The intent is to give a window to your network to quickly identify, diagnose and resolve any issues that may arise in your network. By putting a real-time map front-and-center, you will be able to align your mental model of your network with what you see in the browser. Please note, though, that we have also maintained the ability to view data in a tree and list like fashion, if that’s what you prefer.
WhatsUp Gold 2017 also integrates additional functionality to provide a seamless interface. Things like Net Flow, virtual server, and wireless data are integrated in the map, eliminating the requirement to view different topologies in different applications. Transitioning between these different layouts is a simple click of button to turn advanced overlays on for the enriched detail.
With WhatsUp Gold 2017 we have included all of the capabilities in the initial installation, allowing for a non-disruptive experience when enabling additional functionality that WhatsUp Gold has to offer depending on your license.
To go along with this, please note that the names of the additional capabilities have changed slightly:
| WhatsUp Gold 15.x, 16.x | WhatsUp Gold 2017 |
| APM | Application Monitoring |
| Flow Monitor | Network Traffic Analysis |
| WhatsConfigured | Configuration Management |
| WhatsVirtual | Virtual Monitoring |
While the names have been slightly modified, there is no loss of features or capabilities, and in fact, these capabilities are more flexible than in previous versions of WhatsUp Gold.
Discovery
In order to bring the value to the mapping user interface it is necessary to ensure that the network information is the most accurate and truly reflective of the network being monitored. It is also necessary to accomplish this while not being intrusive or disruptive to the network WhatsUp Gold is monitoring. With these goals in mind Ipswitch has focused on redefining how a network is discovered to ensure that it is accurate and thorough without being disruptive.
While discovery may seem a rudimentary function in a network monitoring solution such as WhatsUp Gold, it is key to effective network monitoring. This section will provide a brief overview of the expanded capabilities of Discovery in WhatsUp Gold 2017.
The first thing you will notice is that, just like the monitored network, Discovery is map-focused as well. This auto generating map provides an animated function while scans are in progress, and also provides you with an overview of the entire network for both monitored and unmonitored devices. This will give you a real time indication of how your discovery process is proceeding.
Advanced options
As you progress through creating a new scan, most options are self-explanatory and there are tool tips available on most options where more information is helpful in performing a scan. In the ‘Settings’ section there are a number of advanced options that may provide added value to scans.
Data Collection Settings. These options allow for WhatsUp Gold to automatically expand any scan to collect additional details about your wireless and virtual environments. For example, a Wireless LAN Controller may have several access points connected to it; this discovery option would assure those access points are discovered even if they are not directly reachable by WhatsUp Gold.
Concurrent Information Collection. This is the maximum number of threads WhatsUp Gold will attempt to use when discovering a network. This is a user-configurable option and is defaulted to 40 to ensure that WhatsUp Gold does not generate Ping storms and disrupt normal network traffic. The number of threads utilized has a direct impact on the time of discovery. The more threads utilized the faster a scan will run.
Advanced Discovery Checks. This determines how WhatsUp Gold tries to discover devices during a scan. By default, WhatsUp Gold will attempt to discover a device through ICMP (ping) and the ports associated with specific credentials. This is the default since some vendors are disabling ICMP by default for security reasons. While this is a more thorough discovery model, it can add delay as there are retries associated with each protocol attempted. If speed is important in scans, then configuring this option for Ping only will provide the most expedient scan. (Note: If a device does not accept ICMP, then configuring for Ping only will result in the device not being discovered)
Load Monitored Devices. Allows for devices currently being monitored by WhatsUp Gold to have information to be updated based on a more recent scan. This option is only valid when scanning existing groups.
Multiple Scans
After creating a scan you will be provided the option to save the scan. This is a new feature to WhatsUp Gold and can be very valuable, especially when creating scheduled scans. Any saved scan can be found under the Discovery menu choice, “Saved Scan Settings”. Scans found in this area can be edited, deleted or even run again.
Discovery in WhatsUp Gold will allow up to 4 simultaneous scans. This makes the discovery engine of WhatsUp Gold even more powerful and flexible, by allowing you to discover different areas of your network at the same time. A current status of all active scans can be found in the Active Scan Status dialog window in the lower left side of the Discovery Map.
During the scan(s) the map will be animated while devices are added, connectivity lines are created and the map is merged to eliminate any duplication of devices or connectivity. You can also monitor the scan on a device by device basis using the grid/list view option available.
Note that as the devices are found, they are not yet being monitored and do not consume any licensing.
Device Details
Once a device is discovered additional information is available by simply clicking on the device. A device card will appear providing additional details about the device.
Filtering
The discovery map allows filtering to refine the view. Filters can be performed on:
- Location
- Name/IP Address
- Credential Type
- Discovery Status
- Monitored Status
- Roles
Filters are always combined with an ‘AND’ functionality, meaning, if two filters are chosen then the Device must have both to be shown when the filter is selected. For example, if both UP and DOWN were selected under Monitored Status no devices would match the filter since a device cannot be up AND down. However, if a Credential Type of SNMP was selected and a Monitored Status of Unmonitored was also selected then there could be several devices visible because a device could have an SNMP credential AND be unmonitored.
Device Roles
With WhatsUp Gold 2017, Device Type is being replaced with Device Role. A device can only have one primary device role, but can have multiple sub roles. For example, a device could have the following functions in it:
- Router
- Firewall
- Wireless Access Point
If WhatsUp Gold is given the correct credentials to discover all of these capabilities then the device could have sub roles of access point, firewall and router. Based on the algorithm applied, WhatsUp Gold will then determine the primary role, which could be a router, for Migrating to WhatsUp Gold 2017 instance. Even though the device may have a primary role of a router, it will be automatically given all of the monitors for all of the sub roles that apply when and if WhatsUp Gold starts to monitor that specific device.
Note that upon upgrade from a previous version of WhatsUp Gold, device roles and sub roles will be applied to a device, but WhatsUp GoldWhatsUp Gold will not add any new monitors to existing devices.
Monitoring a Device
A device that is discovered by WhatsUp Gold will not be monitored until that device is selected and added to the My Network Map. That is accomplished by selecting a device, or devices, and then choosing the Start Monitoring button.
Once devices have been added to the My Network map, they will reflect the true state of the device based on credentials supplied and monitors configured. Any devices that are chosen not to be monitored will remain on the Discovery Map unless they are hidden or deleted. WhatsUp Gold will continue to update the information for these unmonitored devices should any future scan be run against them. This flexibility allows for quick access should a previously unmonitored device need to be monitored at a later time. Remember, unmonitored devices on the discovery map do NOT use any licenses or points.
Ipswitch has created a video introducing users to the discovery interface for WhatsUp Gold 2017, see the Discovery video.
My Network
Now that devices have been added to WhatsUp Gold through the Start Monitoring option, or because they were already being monitored by your existing WhatsUp Gold server when you upgraded, they will all show up in the My Network view. From here the Group Selector located on the top left hand side of the map will allow you to drill down to groups that have or will be created to further refine the view of the network.
As in the Discovery Map the map can further be refined by using the filter option to look for a specific device role, credential type, etc.
The My Network map is intended to be the window to your network and from this view you should be able to quickly determine the status of the network and isolate any issues or problem areas that might arise.
The default view is the Auto Map view. The auto map always ensures that you are looking at the most up to date information about devices and their connectivity on your network. This map will redraw each time a new WhatsUp Gold session is started, and will be continuously updated with current status.
For a more static map, all groups except for dynamic groups have the ability to display a Custom Map. These custom maps allow you to define a view that could include additional graphics, annotations and images. If maps have been customized by a user in a previous version of WhatsUp Gold, these customization’s will be migrated over during the upgrade and will be available in the custom map option for that specific group.
Device Card
Much like the Discovery Map each device in the My Network map has a device card, but now, the information has been updated based on the device being monitored. The device card allows you to quickly detect the status of the device, any active monitors that are down, as well as additional details about the device.
The device card also provides immediate access to Device Properties, Monitor Setup and Device Status. These features can also be accessed by right clicking on a monitored device.
Device Properties/Device Monitoring
Device Properties is now broken into feature rich screens that allow the simultaneous display of information necessary to monitor a device. It is no longer necessary to switch between screens when a new monitor needs an additional credential, or device attributes need to be updated based on system information. The enhanced user interface will make accessing device information quicker and more intuitive.
Overlays
Overlays are an interactive way to add additional information to the maps that add value based on the current view. Currently the overlay choices are:
- Connectivity
- Link Status/Dependencies
- Wireless
- Virtual
This flexible approach allows you to seamlessly transition to a view of your wireless or virtual network without having to go to a completely different map view. A minimum of one overlay must always be enabled.
Virtual Monitoring and Overlay
With WhatsUp Gold 2017, Ipswitch is introducing native support for Hyper-V networks. WhatsUp Gold can monitor and display both VMWare and Hyper-V environments, though it is necessary for all virtual networks to be re-scanned to take advantage of these advanced capabilities.
The Grid or List View
Design focus has been placed on making WhatsUp Gold a more visual and map-focused interface, but Ipswitch also understands the usefulness of a grid or list interface for specific functions. As stated previously, the grid or list view is available on both the Discovery and My Network maps by simply clicking on the double up chevron in the lower right hand corner of the map. The initial view is a hybrid view showing a partial grid and the network map. These two interfaces are integrated to ensure that what is selected in one interface is also selected in the other interface. A second selection of the up chevron will provide a full page grid or list view. The same options available for the map views are available for the grid or list views.
Ipswitch has created the following videos that you may find useful in learning and understanding the new interactive map interface:
- Welcome to the Interactive Map and New Color Palette
- Streamline Navigation
- Using the Interactive Map
Reports and Dashboards
With WhatsUp Gold 2017 Ipswitch made a concentrated effort to not only enhance and improve the reports that WhatsUp Gold can generate but also streamline the number of reports required to monitor your network. The result is more powerful and flexible reporting that allows you to quickly create and refine reports to meet your changing requirements.
Reports are no longer static displays of information, but are now interactive tools that allow you to drill down or expand to get the information you need. Depending on the report, users have the ability to define the device or group, the date or dates and even whether or not it is during specific business hours. You can even pin these filters so that they can be universally applied to all reports on a specific dashboard view. Within a single report you are given the option to drill down further to a specific device as needed, and WhatsUp Gold will dynamically convert a report to a graph or chart as the filtering results dictate. All Dashboards, reports, logs and tools can be found under the Analyze menu option.
The result of the enhanced reporting capabilities is that dashboards and views can be streamlined. As an example of this consolidation, the capabilities of the CPU Utilization report in WhatsUp Gold 2017 is the same as 16 individual reports in previous versions of WhatsUp Gold. A user can still create a view with individual CPU utilization reports each with a different filter, but it is no longer necessary since the filters allow for more dynamic access to the information.
Ipswitch has created a video that you may find useful in creating and working with the new dashboards in WhatsUp Gold 2017, Dashboards and Reports video.
Dashboard Migration
The initial release of WhatsUp Gold 2017 will not support Dashboard Migration.
This means any custom dashboards that have been created in previous versions of WhatsUp Gold will not migrate on upgrade to the initial release of WhatsUp Gold 2017.
In order to facilitate recreating dashboards from previous versions of WhatsUp Gold, we have created the Legacy Dashboard Viewer. This option is available under [User]>Legacy Dashboard Viewer. This tool will allow you to generate PDF views of any dashboards you had prior to the upgrade, strictly for the purpose of recreating them in WhatsUp Gold 2017. This is not meant to be a replacement for a migration tool, but will assist users who want to upgrade to WhatsUp Gold 2017 to rebuild their dashboards.
Ipswitch has created a video that you may find useful in helping to migrate dashboards, Legacy Dashboards video.
Scheduled Reports Migration
The initial release of WhatsUp Gold 2017 will not migrate Scheduled Reports.
This means any scheduled reports that have been created in previous versions of WhatsUp Gold will not migrate over on upgrade to the initial release of WhatsUp Gold 2017. Currently there are no tools or aids available for Scheduled Reports migration, so care should be taken before upgrading to document any scheduled reports that are currently configured in an existing WhatsUp Gold installation.
In order to schedule a report, you must put the report in full page view. If the report is currently on a dashboard view, switch to full page view and from there it can be scheduled.
Global Search
In WhatsUp Gold 2017, Ipswitch is introducing a global search function. This search can be used to find a device or information inside of WhatsUp Gold, or even articles that may exist in the WhatsUp Gold Knowledge base or Community.
When using the search to find a device, upon selecting a device from the search results, you will be redirected to the Device Status report for the specific device. To find a device on a map or in a grid, the map filter options should be used.
Settings
The Settings menu is where all of the configuration options can be found both for WhatsUp Gold as a system as well as individual features such as Application Monitoring or Network Traffic Analysis. These menus are grouped logically and should allow an existing WhatsUp Gold user to easily find any configuration options necessary. On an upgrade from a previous version of WhatsUp Gold, all configuration options should migrate to WhatsUp Gold 2017.