Configuring a custom name (ifAlias) for an SNMP device interface

In order to configure a custom name (IfAlias) for a device's SNMP interface, you need to access the device configuration console and rename each interface according to your naming convention preference.

After the interface(s) are renamed, you can add them as performance monitors and active monitors. You can also select the custom interface in various dashboard reports and split second graphs. If the device interface(s) already have performance monitors and/or active monitors set up, the new interface name displays in WhatsUp Gold accordingly.

Use the following example instructions for how to change a Cisco router interface name. If you have other devices, refer to the device documentation for instructions on how to change interface names.

To configure a device custom name for an SNMP interface on a Cisco router:

• Open the Cisco Command Line Interface (CLI) and enter the following commands:

  Cisco1812# configure

  Cisco1812(config)# interface FastEthernet 9

  Cisco1812(config-if)# description CUSTOM NAME

  Cisco1812(config-if)# ^Z

  Cisco1812#

To add a Performance Monitor for a newly renamed device interface:

1. In the WhatsUp Gold web interface, select Devices from the Dashboard tab.
2. Right-click on the target device and select Properties to launch the Device Properties dialog.
3. Select the Performance Monitors tab.
4. Select Interface Utilization, then click Configure. The Configure Interface Data Collection dialog appears.
5. In the Collect data for list, select Specific Interfaces.
6. Choose the specific interfaces for which you want to collect data.
7. Click OK.

To add an Active Monitor for a newly renamed device interface:

1. From the admin console, access the Device Properties dialog for the target device, then select the Active Monitors tab.
2. If the target device had existing active monitors configured and enabled prior to renaming the interface, select the old instance, then click Remove.
3. Click Rescan to refresh the interface list. If a device has performance monitors set up prior to renaming the device's interface(s), the device interface names are automatically updated.
4. Click OK.

See Also Using a custom name for SNMP device interfaces