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Content Pack for SNMP and NetFlow

Introduction

In IT environments, many critical issues arise from complexities beyond the application stack, often rooted in network devices and other infrastructure components. This document, focused on Network Devices, offers comprehensive insights and methods for mapping these dependencies within Splunk IT Service Intelligence (ITSI) and IT Essentials Work (ITEW).

By leveraging this Content Pack, organizations can automatically discover network devices and interfaces, monitor their health and performance, and correlate network data with other IT components, allowing you to focus on gaining valuable insights from your network data.

This integration delivers comprehensive visibility into network infrastructure, facilitating efficient IT operations and incident response.

This Content Pack seamlessly integrates with ITSI and ITEW, providing pre-built discovery searches for critical network entities and proactive event management through SNMP traps:

  • Network Devices: Gain automatic discovery and monitoring of network devices within your infrastructure.
  • Network Interfaces: Monitor individual network interfaces for detailed traffic insights and potential performance bottlenecks.
  • SNMP Traps: Receive and correlate real-time alerts for network events, enabling rapid incident response.

Showcases

The image below displays the new Entity types introduced in this Content pack.

The following image showcases the list of entities displayed when you select a specific entity type (e.g., Network Devices). This allows you to easily navigate and manage your network devices.

This image displays the stacked dashboard showing the CPU load and SNMP trap events, enabling you to correlate CPU performance with network alerts and identify potential root causes for performance issues.

This image showcases the review of SNMP trap events in the Analytics dashboard.

The image demonstrates the ability to view analytics for a selected entity. This empowers you to analyze performance metrics, identify potential network issues, and gain valuable insights into your network health.

This empowers you to analyze performance metrics, identify potential network issues, and gain valuable insights into your network health.

In case ITSI is used, the image below displays all the services contained in the content pack, showcased within the Service Analyzer:

Content Pack Contents

This content pack includes:

  • Entity Types
  • KPI base searches
  • Service templates (used only in ITSI)
  • Services (used only in ITSI)

Entity Types

There are two Entity Types:

  • Network Device: his type is intended for grouping entities that serve as network devices, such as routers, switches, firewalls, and more
  • Network Interface: This type is used to categorize entities that represent interfaces on network devices

KPI Base Searches

The content pack includes searches for data in both the events index and the metrics index.

Data in Events Index

  • Network Device CPU Utilization: This metric, used by Network Device-related services, displays the device's CPU utilization as a percentage. The data is obtained through SNMP queries (nfc_id=20103).
  • Network Device Memory Utilization: Utilized by Network Device-related services, this metric indicates the percentage of memory utilization on the device. The data is gathered via SNMP queries (nfc_id=20103).
  • Interface Errors and Discards: Employed by the Network Interface Health service, this metric showcases the percentage of errors and discards in relation to all transmitted and received packets on the interface. The data is collected through SNMP queries (nfc_id=20103).
  • Interface Relative Load – SNMP: Utilized by the Network Interface Health service, this metric demonstrates the percentage of current traffic on the interface compared to its speed. Interface speed and current traffic is determined through SNMP queries (nfc_id=20103).

Data in Metrics Index

  • Network Device CPU Utilization Metrics: This metric, used by Network Device-related services, displays the device's CPU utilization as a percentage. The data is acquired through SNMP queries (nfc_id=20103).
  • Network Device Memory Utilization Metrics: Utilized by Network Device-related services, this metric indicates the percentage of memory utilization on the device. The data is gathered via SNMP queries (nfc_id=20103).
  • Interface Errors and Discards Metrics: Employed by the Network Interface Health service, this metric showcases the percentage of errors and discards in relation to all transmitted and received packets on the interface. The data is collected through SNMP queries (nfc_id=20103).
  • Interface Relative Load – SNMP polling based Metrics: Utilized by the Network Interface Health service, this metric demonstrates the percentage of current traffic on the interface compared to its speed. Interface speed and current traffic is determined through SNMP queries (nfc_id=20103).

Service Templates (used only in ITSI)

There is one service template: Network Device. This template is intended for the following four services: Network Firewall, Network LoadBalancer, Network Router, and Network Switch. It enables you to define specific KPIs for each device type.

Services (used only in ITSI)

The following services are defined in the Content Pack:

  • Network Firewall
  • Network LoadBalancer
  • Network Router
  • Network Switch
  • Network Interface Health

The first four services are based on Network Device service template and include the following four KPIs:

  • Network Device CPU Utilization
  • Network Device CPU Utilization Metrics
  • Network Device Memory Utilization
  • Network Device Memory Utilization Metrics

The Network Interface Health includes the following four KPIs:

  • Interface Errors and Discards
  • Interface Errors and Discards Metrics
  • Interface Relative Load - SNMP
  • Interface Relative Load - SNMP Metrics

Prerequisites

Please be sure to have the following before you begin the installation of the Content Pack:

  1. NetFlow Optimizer (NFO) is installed in your environment
  2. SNMP Information Monitor is enabled (for data about interfaces, such as ifName, ifSpeed, etc.)
  3. SNMP Custom OID Sets Monitor Module is enabled (for SNMP polling of CPU and Memory utilization)
  4. NFO output is configured to send data to Splunk event index or metrics index
  5. Technology Add-On for NetFlow (TA-netflow) (https://splunkbase.splunk.com/app/1838/) installed on your Splunk Search Heads, Indexers, and Heavy Forwarders

The Content Pack relies on the following:

  • The data from SNMP polling, and optionally NetFlow data, is ingested into Splunk, either in the event index as defined by the nfo_netflow_index macro or in the metrics index as defined by the nfo_netflow_index_metrics macro. Both macros are provided within the Content Pack.

  • The following fields are expected in SNMP polling events (nfc_id=20103):

    • sysName
    • exp_ip
    • nfo_hostname
    • mgmt_ip
    • cpu_load_percent
    • mem_used_percent
    • mem_used
    • mem_free
    • mem_total
    • ifName
    • ifIndex
    • ifInErrors
    • ifOutErrors
    • ifInDiscards
    • ifOutDiscards
    • ifInUcastPkts
    • ifOutUcastPkts
    • ifInNUcastPkts
    • ifOutNUcastPkts
    • ifHCInOctets
    • ifHCOutOctets
    • ifHighSpeed
note

For memory utilization you may need either mem_used_percent or any two of the following OIDs: mem_used, mem_free, or mem_total

Installation and Configuration Steps (ITSI)

In this section, you'll find the step-by-step installation and configuration instructions.

1. Install the Content Pack into Splunk environment

Install the Content Pack in a single-instance Splunk Enterprise deployment

  1. Download the Content Pack by clicking on the following link: https://splunk-netflow.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/itsi-cp/DA-ITSI-CP-CUST-64e79cc8cadcb104d97b7703_1_0_9.tar.gz

  2. From the Splunk Web home screen, click the gear icon next to Apps

  3. Click Install app from file

Install the Content Pack in a distributed Splunk Enterprise deployment

important

The Content Pack should be installed both on indexers and searchheads.

To install Conetent Pack in a distributed Splunk Enterprise deployment, follow these instructions:

https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/AddOns/released/Overview/Distributedinstall

Install the Content Pack in Splunk Cloud Platform

To install Conetent Pack in Splunk Cloud Platform, follow these instructions:

https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/AddOns/released/Overview/SplunkCloudinstall

2. Import the Content Pack

In ITSI app go to Configuration>Data Integrations>Content Library and import the new Content Pack

On the next page in section 4 select the Retain current status of saved searches. Later this will enable you to choose what saved search to use to import Entities.

3. Configure Index

  1. If you are using events based index: In Settings->Advanced search->Search macros find nfo_netflow_index macro and change it to point to your events index
  2. If you are using metrics based index: In Settings->Advanced search->Search macros find nfo_netflow_index_metrics macro and change it to point to your metrics index

4. Import Network Devices as Entities

In ITSI app go to Configuration>Entity Management and select Entity Discovery Searches tab. In the App dropdown select SNMP and NetFlow Data Monitoring app.

If SNMP data reported by SNMP Custom OID Sets Monitor (nfc_id=20103) is stored in an events based index then click on Import Network Devices, and if it is stored in metrics based index then click on Import Network Devices Metrics.

There change the Search active? toggle switch to Yes. This will import the discovered Devices as Entities.

5. Import Network Interfaces as Entities

In ITSI app go to Configuration>Entity Management and select Entity Discovery Searches tab. In the App dropdown select SNMP and NetFlow Data Monitoring app.

There are several options to import Network Interface entities:

  1. Import Network Interfaces – All

Select this if SNMP data reported by SNMP Custom OID Sets Monitor (nfc_id=20103) is stored in an events based index and you intend to import all detected interfaces. This is not recommended if the number of interfaces is huge, in that case use the next one – “Import Network Interfaces – Limited”

  1. Import Network Interfaces – Limited

Select this if SNMP data reported by SNMP Custom OID Sets Monitor (nfc_id=20103) is stored in an events based index and you intend to import a selected subset of interfaces. This search applies the critical_interfaces_lookup, where you can specify the list of interfaces to monitor.

Here is an example of critical_interfaces.csv lookup file:

nfo_hostname,"management_ip","snmp_index","comment"
localhost","10.0.3.2",1,"Important interface"
localhost",10.0.5.22,116,"Uplink"

Where:

  • nfo_hostname - is the name of NFO host
  • management_ip - is the SNMP polling IP address of the device
  • snmp_index - is the index of the interface (received from SNMP polling)
  • comment - internal comment
  1. Import Network Interfaces Metrics – All

Select this if SNMP data reported by SNMP Custom OID Sets Monitor (nfc_id=20103) is stored in a metrics based index and you intend to import all detected interfaces. This is not recommended if the number of interfaces is huge, in that case use the next one – “Import Network Interfaces Metrics – Limited”

  1. Import Network Interfaces Metrics – Limited

Select this if SNMP data reported by SNMP Custom OID Sets Monitor (nfc_id=20103) is stored in a metrics based index and you intend to import a selected subset of interfaces. This search applies the critical_interfaces_lookup, where you can specify the list of interfaces to monitor.

Here is an example of critical_interfaces.csv lookup file:

nfo_hostname,"management_ip","snmp_index","comment"
localhost","10.0.3.2",1,"Important interface"
localhost",10.0.5.22,116,"Uplink"

Where:

  • nfo_hostname - is the name of NFO host
  • management_ip - is the SNMP polling IP address of the device
  • snmp_index - is the index of the interface (received from SNMP polling)
  • comment - internal comment

6. Enable Services

Enable one or more Network services and assign entities to them: Configuration>Services.

Available options are:

  • Network Firewall
  • Network Router
  • Network Switch
  • Network LoadBalancer

Select one or more Entities based on Entity Title so they would be associated with the selected Service.

Enable the service when saving it.

7. Enable Network Interface Health Service

Enable Network Interface Health service and assign entities to them:

Go to Configuration>Services>Network Interface Health>Entities.  

Installation and Configuration Steps (ITEW)

In this section, you'll find the step-by-step installation and configuration instructions.

1. Install the Content Pack into Splunk environment

Install the Content Pack in a single-instance Splunk Enterprise deployment

  1. Download the Content Pack by clicking on the following link: https://splunk-netflow.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/itsi-cp/DA-ITSI-CP-CUST-64e79cc8cadcb104d97b7703_1_0_9.tar.gz

  2. From the Splunk Web home screen, click the gear icon next to Apps

  3. Click Install app from file

Install the Content Pack in a distributed Splunk Enterprise deployment

important

The Content Pack should be installed both on indexers and searchheads.

To install Content Pack in a distributed Splunk Enterprise deployment, follow these instructions:

https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/AddOns/released/Overview/Distributedinstall

Install the Content Pack in Splunk Cloud Platform

To install Conetent Pack in Splunk Cloud Platform, follow these instructions:

https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/AddOns/released/Overview/SplunkCloudinstall

2. Set up input from NFO

To configure Splunk inputs, follow these instructions: Configure Splunk Inputs

The preference is to use metrics based index as it is faster and enables the usage on analytics.

3. Configure the used macros referencing the indexes

  1. If you are using events based index and it is not flowintegrator: In Settings->Advanced search->Search macros find nfo_netflow_index macro and change it to point to your events index
  2. If you are using metrics based index and it is not netflow_metrics: In Settings->Advanced search->Search macros find nfo_netflow_index_metrics macro and change it to point to your metrics index

note

If netflow_syslog_metrics sourcetype was used, please change also the sourcetype in the [netflow_index] macro.

4. Import Network Devices as Entities

In ITEW app go to Configuration>Entity Management and select Entity Discovery Searches tab. In the App dropdown select SNMP and NetFlow Data Monitoring app.

If SNMP data reported by SNMP Custom OID Sets Monitor (nfc_id=20103) is stored in an events based index then click on Import Network Devices, and if it is stored in metrics based index then click on Import Network Devices Metrics.

There change the Search active? toggle switch to Yes. This will import the discovered Devices as Entities.

5. Import Network Interfaces as Entities

In ITEW app go to Configuration>Entity Management and select Entity Discovery Searches tab. In the App dropdown select SNMP and NetFlow Data Monitoring app.

There are several options to import Network Interface entities:

  1. Import Network Interfaces – All

Select this if SNMP data reported by SNMP Custom OID Sets Monitor (nfc_id=20103) is stored in an events based index and you intend to import all detected interfaces. This is not recommended if the number of interfaces is huge, in that case use the next one – Import Network Interfaces – Limited

  1. Import Network Interfaces – Limited

Select this if SNMP data reported by SNMP Custom OID Sets Monitor (nfc_id=20103) is stored in an events based index and you intend to import a selected subset of interfaces. This search applies the critical_interfaces_lookup, where you can specify the list of interfaces to monitor.

Here is an example of critical_interfaces.csv lookup file:

nfo_hostname,"management_ip","snmp_index","comment"
localhost","10.0.3.2",1,"Important interface"
localhost",10.0.5.22,116,"Uplink"

Where:

  • nfo_hostname: is the name of NFO host
  • management_ip: is the SNMP polling IP address of the device
  • snmp_index: is the index of the interface (received from SNMP polling)
  • comment: internal comment
  1. Import Network Interfaces Metrics – All

Select this if SNMP data reported by SNMP Custom OID Sets Monitor (nfc_id=20103) is stored in a metrics based index and you intend to import all detected interfaces. This is not recommended if the number of interfaces is huge, in that case use the next one – Import Network Interfaces Metrics – Limited

  1. Import Network Interfaces Metrics – Limited

Select this if SNMP data reported by SNMP Custom OID Sets Monitor (nfc_id=20103) is stored in a metrics based index and you intend to import a selected subset of interfaces. This search applies the critical_interfaces_lookup, where you can specify the list of interfaces to monitor.

Here is an example of critical_interfaces.csv lookup file:

nfo_hostname,"management_ip","snmp_index","comment"
localhost","10.0.3.2",1,"Important interface"
localhost",10.0.5.22,116,"Uplink"

Where:

  • nfo_hostname: is the name of NFO host
  • management_ip: is the SNMP polling IP address of the device
  • snmp_index: is the index of the interface (received from SNMP polling)
  • comment: internal comment

6. Adding Entity Types

In IT Essentials Work app Configuration->Entity Management select the Entity Types tab

Adding “Network Device” Entity Type

  1. Click on Create Entity Type button. In the show form in the Entity type name field enter “Network Device”

  1. In the Vital Metrics section click on Add a Metric

Enter “CPULoad” as the name, click save on the right side and expand the band by clicking on it.

In the search enter in case of metrics index:

| mstats avg(cpu_load_percent) as cpu_load_percent WHERE  `nfo_netflow_index_metrics` nfc_id=20103 BY  device span=30s
| eval val=cpu_load_percent
| table _time val cpu_load_percent device

Or in case of event based index:

search `nfo_netflow_index` nfc_id=20103 cpu_load_percent=* device=*
| eval val=cpu_load_percent
| table _time val cpu_load_percent device

Click on Run Search button

In the Entity matching fields delete cpu_load_percent row and in device row select device on right side.

In Unit of Display select Percent

  1. In the Vital Metrics section click on Add a Metric

Enter “MemUsage” as the name, click save on the right side and expand the band by clicking on it.

In the search enter in case of metrics index:

| mstats avg(mem_used) as mem_used avg(mem_free) as mem_free avg(mem_total) as mem_total avg(mem_used_percent) as mem_used_percent  WHERE  `nfo_netflow_index_metrics` nfc_id=20103 BY  device span=30s 
| fillnull value=NULL mem_free mem_used mem_total mem_used_percent
| eval mem_free=if(mem_free=="NULL",mem_total-mem_used,mem_free)
| eval mem_used=if(mem_used=="NULL",mem_total-mem_free,mem_used)
| eval mem_total=if(mem_total=="NULL",mem_used+mem_free,mem_total)
| eval mem_used_percent=if(mem_used_percent=="NULL",100*mem_used/mem_total,mem_used_percent)
| eval val = mem_used_percent
| table _time val mem_used_percent device

Or in case of event based index:

search `nfo_netflow_index` nfc_id=20103 mem_used=* device=* 
| fillnull value=NULL mem_free mem_used mem_total mem_used_percent
| eval mem_free=if(mem_free=="NULL",mem_total-mem_used,mem_free)
| eval mem_used=if(mem_used=="NULL",mem_total-mem_free,mem_used)
| eval mem_total=if(mem_total=="NULL",mem_used+mem_free,mem_total)
| eval mem_used_percent=if(mem_used_percent=="NULL",100*mem_used/mem_total,mem_used_percent)
| eval val=mem_used_percent
| table _time val mem_used_percent device

Click on Run Search button

  1. Choose Key Metric

In the Entity matching fields delete all rows except device, and in device row select device on right side.

In Unit of Display select Percent

Choose a Key Metric

Select CPULoad

After that click Save.

  1. Optional: if metrics index is used then Analytics can be configured

Click on Analysis data filters band

In Analysis data filter click on Add filter group button, in the resulting form:

  • enter a name for it
  • in the Type drop down select Metrics
  • add two static filters with these key value pairs: index: netflow_metrics nfc_id: 20103
  • add an Entity filter and set it up as device: device

Click Save filter group and then Save.

  1. Optional: if SNMP trap events are sent to an event based index then they can be made visible in Analytics

Click on Analysis data filters band

In Analysis data filter click on Add filter group button, in the resulting form:

  • enter a name for it, for example SNMP traps
  • in the Type drop down select Events
  • add two static filters with these key value pairs (for the index use the index where the SNMP trap events are stored): index: flowintegrator nfc_id: 20700
  • add an Entity filter and set it up as mgmt_ip: mgmt_ip

Click Save filter group and then Save.

Adding “Network Interface” Entity Type

  1. Click on Create Entity Type button. In the show form in the Entity type name field enter “Network Interface”

  2. In the Vital Metrics section click on Add a Metric

Enter “PercentLost” as the name, click save on the right side and expand the band by clicking on it.

In the search enter in case of metrics index:

| mstats max(ifInErrors) as maxIfInErrors min(ifInErrors) as minIfInErrors
max(ifOutErrors) as maxIfOutErrors min(ifOutErrors) as minIfOutErrors
max(ifInDiscards) as maxIfInDiscards min(ifInDiscards) as minIfInDiscards
max(ifOutDiscards) as maxIfOutDiscards min(ifOutDiscards) as minIfOutDiscards
max(ifInUcastPkts) as maxifInUcastPkts min(ifInUcastPkts) as minifInUcastPkts
max(ifOutUcastPkts) as maxifOutUcastPkts min(ifOutUcastPkts) as minifOutUcastPkts
max(ifInNUcastPkts) as maxifInNUcastPkts min(ifInNUcastPkts) as minifInNUcastPkts
max(ifOutNUcastPkts) as maxifOutNUcastPkts min(ifOutNUcastPkts) as minifOutNUcastPkts
WHERE `nfo_netflow_index_metrics` nfc_id=20103 oid_set=interface_mon
BY interface_name span=1h
| eval IfInErrorsChange = maxIfInErrors-minIfInErrors
| eval IfOutErrorsChange = maxIfOutErrors-minIfOutErrors
| eval IfInDiscardsChange = maxIfInDiscards-minIfInDiscards
| eval IfOutDiscardsChange = maxIfOutDiscards-minIfOutDiscards
| eval ifInUcastPktsChange = maxifInUcastPkts-minifInUcastPkts
| eval ifOutUcastPktsChange = maxifOutUcastPkts-minifOutUcastPkts
| eval ifInNUcastPktsChange = maxifInNUcastPkts-minifInNUcastPkts
| eval ifOutNUcastPktsChange = maxifOutNUcastPkts-minifOutNUcastPkts
| eval ifErrorsDiscardsChange = IfInErrorsChange+IfOutErrorsChange+IfInDiscardsChange+IfOutDiscardsChange
| eval ifPktsChange = ifInUcastPktsChange+ifOutUcastPktsChange+ifInNUcastPktsChange+ifOutNUcastPktsChange+ifErrorsDiscardsChange
| eval PercentLost = if(ifPktsChange>0,ifErrorsDiscardsChange/ifPktsChange*100,0)
| eval val=PercentLost
| table _time val interface_name PercentLost

Or in case of event based index:

search `nfo_netflow_index` nfc_id=20103  oid_set="interface_mon"
| stats latest(ifInErrors) as maxIfInErrors earliest(ifInErrors) as minIfInErrors
latest(ifOutErrors) as maxIfOutErrors earliest(ifOutErrors) as minIfOutErrors
latest(ifInDiscards) as maxIfInDiscards earliest(ifInDiscards) as minIfInDiscards
latest(ifOutDiscards) as maxIfOutDiscards earliest(ifOutDiscards) as minIfOutDiscards
latest(ifInUcastPkts) as maxifInUcastPkts earliest(ifInUcastPkts) as minifInUcastPkts
latest(ifOutUcastPkts) as maxifOutUcastPkts earliest(ifOutUcastPkts) as minifOutUcastPkts
latest(ifInNUcastPkts) as maxifInNUcastPkts earliest(ifInNUcastPkts) as minifInNUcastPkts
latest(ifOutNUcastPkts) as maxifOutNUcastPkts earliest(ifOutNUcastPkts) as minifOutNUcastPkts
latest(_time) AS _time
by interface_name
| eval IfInErrorsChange = maxIfInErrors-minIfInErrors
| eval IfOutErrorsChange = maxIfOutErrors-minIfOutErrors
| eval IfInDiscardsChange = maxIfInDiscards-minIfInDiscards
| eval IfOutDiscardsChange = maxIfOutDiscards-minIfOutDiscards
| eval ifInUcastPktsChange = maxifInUcastPkts-minifInUcastPkts
| eval ifOutUcastPktsChange = maxifOutUcastPkts-minifOutUcastPkts
| eval ifInNUcastPktsChange = maxifInNUcastPkts-minifInNUcastPkts
| eval ifOutNUcastPktsChange = maxifOutNUcastPkts-minifOutNUcastPkts
| eval ifErrorsDiscardsChange = IfInErrorsChange+IfOutErrorsChange+IfInDiscardsChange+IfOutDiscardsChange
| eval ifPktsChange = ifInUcastPktsChange+ifOutUcastPktsChange+ifInNUcastPktsChange+ifOutNUcastPktsChange+ifErrorsDiscardsChange
| eval PercentLost = if(ifPktsChange>0,ifErrorsDiscardsChange/ifPktsChange*100,0)
| sort - PercentLost
| eval val=PercentLost
| table _time val interface_name PercentLost

Click on Run Search button

In the Entity matching fields delete all rows except interface_name, and in interface_name row select interface_name on right side.

In Unit of Display select Percent

Choose a Key Metric by selecting PercentLost

After that click Save.

  1. Optional – if metrics index is used then Analytics can be configured

Click on Analysis data filters band

In Analysis data filter click on Add filter group button, in the resulting form:

  • enter a name for it
  • in the Type drop down select Metrics
  • add two static filters with these key value pairs : index – netflow_metrics nfc_id – 20103
  • add an Entity filter and set it up as Interface_name – interface_name

Click Save filter group and then Save.

Receiving SNMP Traps as Universal Alerting in the Content Pack for ITSI Monitoring and Alerting

For more information on Universal Alerting in the Content Pack for ITSI Monitoring and Alerting, visit https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/CPITSIMonitorAlert/2.3.0/CP/UniversalAlerting.

  1. Make sure that you installed TA-netflow v4.5.17 or later

    This version has a fix for src field. The link to this TA is: https://splunkbase.splunk.com/app/1838

  2. Install the Content Pack for ITSI Monitoring and Alerting

    For details, visit https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/CPITSIMonitorAlert/latest/CP/Install

  3. Disable and enable the relevant ITSI components

    • Disable all existing ITSI correlation searches, especially if custom-built searches exist for the alert sources that you will normalize. If the searches remain enabled, the resulting Notable Events will be duplicated or otherwise confusing
    • Disable all Notable Event Aggregation Policies (NEAPs), especially custom-built policies for the alert sources that you are normalizing. If they remain enabled, the resulting episodes will be duplicated or otherwise confusing
    • Later, thoughtfully enable the correlation searches and NEAPs, if they don't overlap with the new Universal components
    • Enable the ITSI correlation searches:
      • Universal Correlation Search
      • Episode Monitoring - Set Episode to Highest Alarm Severity
    • Enable the Notable Event Aggregation Policies:
      • Episodes by Alarm
      • Episodes by Alert Group
      • Episodes by ITSI service
      • Episodes by src
  4. Send SNMP traps to the NFO

Installing and Configuring SNMP Agent and Utilities

The installation and configuration of SNMP Agent and Utilities are optional components that provide additional capabilities to your NetFlow Optimizer setup.

The SNMP Agent is essential for SNMP polling of the host, enabling you to collect valuable data for monitoring CPU and memory utilization. Additionally, SNMP utilities offer useful tools for troubleshooting purposes.

SNMP Agent Installation

  1. Execute the following command:
yum install -y net-snmp
  1. Set the SNMP Read-Only Community String as 'public' by adding the line below to the configuration file (/etc/snmp/snmpd.conf):
rocommunity public
  1. Start the snmpd service:
systemctl enable snmpd && systemctl start snmpd

Allowing SNMP Ports in Firewall

Execute the following commands:

firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=161/udp --permanent
firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=162/udp --permanent
firewall-cmd --reload

SNMP Utilities Installation

You may want to install SNMP Utilities to test your SNMP polling, e.g. snmpwalk command.

Execute the following command:

yum install net-snmp-utils

snmpwalk Examples

$ snmpwalk -v 2c -c public -O e 127.0.0.1  1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.1
IF-MIB::ifName.1 = STRING: lo
IF-MIB::ifName.2 = STRING: eth0
$ snmpwalk -v 2c -c public -O e 127.0.0.1 1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.15
IF-MIB::ifHighSpeed.1 = Gauge32: 10
IF-MIB::ifHighSpeed.2 = Gauge32: 0
$ snmpwalk -v 2c -c public -O e 127.0.0.1 1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6
IF-MIB::ifHCInOctets.1 = Counter64: 218081865900
IF-MIB::ifHCInOctets.2 = Counter64: 308231409749
$ snmpwalk -v 2c -c public -O e 127.0.0.1 1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10
IF-MIB::ifHCOutOctets.1 = Counter64: 218081872093
IF-MIB::ifHCOutOctets.2 = Counter64: 410216133901

Conclusion

The Content Pack for SNMP and NetFlow empowers you to streamline network monitoring within Splunk ITSI/ITEW. By integrating seamlessly with ITSI/ITEW, this Content Pack provides pre-built discovery searches for critical network entities:

  • Network Devices: Gain automatic discovery and monitoring of network devices within your infrastructure.
  • Network Interfaces: Monitor individual network interfaces for detailed traffic insights and potential performance bottlenecks.

These pre-built searches simplify the initial setup process, allowing you to focus on gaining valuable insights from your network data. The Content Pack leverages macros, transforms, and saved searches to streamline network data management within ITSI/ITEW.

Additional Benefits

  • Improved visibility into network health through real-time performance metrics.
  • Proactive identification and troubleshooting of network issues.
  • Enhanced network management capabilities within ITSI/ITEW.

Overall, the Content Pack for SNMP and NetFlow provides a valuable solution for enhancing network monitoring capabilities within Splunk ITSI/ITEW.