SolarWinds Orion 101 - Introduction to SolarWinds

The objectives covered in this introductory course will introduce the features and best practices to users who are new to SolarWinds Orion and will dive into advanced configuration options and scenarios intended for the more advanced user. We will cover a comprehensive overview and detailed explanation of the following Orion modules: NPM, NTA, NCM, SAM, IPAM, VNQM, SCM, UDT, and LA.

Students will be queried on their specific deployments and aided in understanding how a specific feature or best practice can be most effectively leveraged in their production environment. Time-permitting, the instructor may have students share their production with the class to be used in a real-world training scenario.

Day 1

Orion Network Performance Monitor (NPM)
Understanding Orion NPM Server Prerequisites

• IIS & SQL Server Verifications

Using the Orion NPM Web Console

Populating the Orion NPM Node Database

• Network Discovery
  
  • Adding and Removing Nodes
  • Editing Nodes
  • Understanding Node Grouping
• Creating & Managing Web Console Users
  
  • Defining View Limitations
• Working with Monitoring Protocols
• Working with Database Retention & Database Maintenance in NPM

In-depth review on how to understand server load (based on number of monitored elements across all installed modules) to determine the appropriate core and SQL server hardware requirements for a given environment.

Day 2

Orion Network Performance Monitor (NPM) - Continued
Orion Network Atlas

• Network Atlas vs Orion Maps

Orion NPM built-in tools

• Working with Custom Properties, Groups, & Dependencies
• Creating and Managing Views
• Poller Management
  
  • Universal Device Poller
  • Poller Settings
    
    

Students gain experience building maps in Orion Maps and learn best practices for presenting Orion data visually in maps for both business application status and geographic mapping.

Students gain experience creating and modifying properties, groups, dependencies, views and custom pollers. Discussion topics include best practices for creating and managing views. Additionally the Custom Poller training covers SNMP fundamentals of understanding MIBs, OIDs and presenting Custom Poller data in the Orion web console.

Day 3

Orion NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA)
Understanding Orion NTA Prerequisites

• Database Performance Considerations
• Flow Technologies
• Configuring NetFlow Sources

NetFlow Design Theories
Using the Orion NTA Web Console

• Viewing NetFlow Sources
• Working & Monitored Applications
• Working & IP Address Groups
• Orion NTA Data Retention
• Configuration of NetFlow on common CISCO devices
  
  • Configuration using both CLI and NCM

Students develop an understanding of what data is included in flows, how to leverage IP address groups for understanding traffic flow of specific sites, applications or users. Students implement flow to their own classroom servers.

Orion Network Configuration Manager (NCM)
Understanding Orion NCM Server Prerequisites

• IIIS & SQL Server Verification

Using Orion NCM
Populating Managed Devices

• Network Discovery
• Adding, Editing and Removing Nodes

Creating and Managing Users
Working with Jobs

• Scheduling Bulk Changes & Backups

Enabling Real-time Change Notification
Working with Compliance Reports & Policies
Understanding Device Templates
Working with the Orion NCM Web Console

• Integrating with Orion NPM

Day 4

Orion Server & Application Monitor (SAM)
Understanding SAM Prerequisites

• Orion Service Packs
• Application Discovery

Populating SAM nodes into Orion
Understanding Orion SAM Components & Templates

• SAM Component Monitors
  
  • Windows Based Components
  • Synthetic Transactions User Experience Monitors
  • Linux/Unix Script Monitors
• Assigning Application Monitor Templates
• Understanding Orion SAM Credentials
• SAM Component Monitor

Understanding Alerting with Orion SAM
Working with Orion SAM Applications & Components in Reports and Groups
Working with Orion SAM Objects in Orion Maps

• Including Applications & Component Status in Maps

Understanding Orion Log Analyzer (LA) Prerequisites

• Log Analyzer vs Log View
• Basic Functionality and Rules Processing

Students gain hands on experience creating new templates, working with SAM component monitors, and developing techniques for determining how to monitor the various layers of business services and applications.

Day 5

Orion IP Address Manager (IPAM)
Understanding Orion IPAM Prerequisites and Installation
Using the Orion IPAM Web Console

• Defining Monitored Subnets
• Monitoring Microsoft Windows & Cisco DHCP Servers

Understanding Orion IPAM Alerting
Working with Orion IPAM in NPM reports
Working with Orion IPAM in configuring IP Request Forms

Students perform a hands on configuration of IPAM in their own virtual machine and learn how to leverage the IPAM features to manage the IP address environment. Students will gain an understanding of how to monitor and manage both Window sand Cisco DHCP servers and scopes from within IPAM, as well as Windows DNS servers. The instructor will cover best practices such as the use of split scopes, and the benefits of techniques and settings such as DNS scavenging to ensure accurate name resolution data within the IPAM console.

VoIP and Network Quality Manger (VNQM)
Understanding VNQM Prerequisites

• Orion NPM & Service Packs
• VNQM Capable Sources

Using the VNQM Web Console

• Adding VNQM Devices
• Defining VNQM Operations
  
  • Understanding VNQM Operation Types
  • IPSLA Operations
  • Call Managers

Leveraging VNQM Statistics in Network Atlas

• Using VNQM Data in Maps

Working with VNQM Alerts
Working with VNQM Reports and Groups

Students gain hands on experience monitoring both Windows and Cisco DHCP servers. Students configure VNQM operations and gain an understanding of best practices for leveraging VNQM to isolate and identify network performance problems vs. application performance issues.

User Device Tracker (UDT)
Understanding and using UDT
Adding nodes using UDT
Understanding Ports vs Interfaces
User Tracking
Working with Lists

• White listing
• Watch listing

Reports and Alerts
Server Configuration Manager (SCM)
Understanding Orion SCM Requirements
Conducting Hardware & Software Inventory using SCM
Working with Profiles

• Creating Custom Profiles
• Assigning Profiles using SCM

Understanding FIM and tracking changes

This course is geared toward students of all knowledge levels

Those who have fully implemented their SolarWinds System and want to better utilize its features, have recently purchased, or are considering purchasing any SolarWinds software.