Configure Interface Data Collection

Through this data stream, you can monitor and report on the SNMP interfaces on the current device. Data collected is displayed in the Interface Utilization report.

• Collect data for list. Select the interfaces from which you want to gather data.
  • All Interfaces or Active interfaces. All interfaces selects and gathers data for all interfaces in the list. Active interfaces collects data only for those interfaces that are currently in use.
  • Specific interfaces. Lets you select interfaces from the Interface list.
  • Custom active interfaces. Lets you select custom interfaces from which to collect data. A custom dialog opens to select custom interface options.
    • High speed interfaces (Gigabit or faster). Select this option to collect data from all custom active high speed interfaces. This is the default selection.
    • Name contains. Select this option to collect data from all custom active interfaces that contain the variable you enter. For example, if your network naming scheme includes a subgroup named "customer", you would enter customer in the field to gather data from all interfaces for the subgroup that contain customer in the interface name.
    • Type is. Select this option and choose the interface type to collect data from all custom active interfaces of that type.

      Important: Be aware when you use the Collect errors and discards data for selected interfaces feature, it has potential to increase the database size quickly because there is potential for a significant amount of errors and discards data. You can set WhatsUp Health thresholds, in the Alert Center, to stay informed when the database size exceeds specified thresholds. For more information, see Configuring system thresholds.

  Tip:To disable the errors and discards data collection, you can disable for the individual device (Device Properties > Performance Monitor) or disable for multiple devices with the bulk field change option:
  1. Select multiple devices that have the Interface Utilization performance monitor enabled, right-click, then select Bulk Field Change > Performance Monitors. The Bulk Field Change dialog appears.
  2. In the Interface section of the dialog, under the Collect errors and discards data for enabled interfaces list, click Yes.
  For more information, see Editing multiple devices with the Bulk Field Change feature.

  • Collect errors and discards data for all selected interfaces. Select this option to collect the following device interface data:
    • ifInErrors. Lists the number of inbound packets with errors, on the selected interface, that prevent the packets from being delivered to a higher-layer protocol. The associated OID is 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.14.
    • ifOutErrors. Lists the number of outbound packets with errors, on the selected interface, that prevent the packets from being delivered to a higher-layer protocol. The associated OID is 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.20.
    • ifInDiscards. List the number of inbound packets, on the selected interface, that were discarded though no errors were detected to prevent their transmission. One possible reason for discarding such a packet could be to free up buffer space. The associated OID is 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.13.
    • ifOutDiscards. List the number of outbound packets, on the selected interface, that were discarded though no errors were detected to prevent their transmission. One possible reason for discarding such a packet could be to free up buffer space. The associated OID is 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.19.

  Note: All of the above OIDs point to values of type "counter," and therefore their raw value by itself is not meaningful. The difference between the values obtained from two consecutive polls provides meaningful data.

  Tip: Device Information varies, dependant upon on the device type and the SNMP information available on the device.

  When determining the default display name, WhatsUp Gold polls SNMP objects in the following order: ifAlias (1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.18), ifName (1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.1), ifDesc (1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.2). If no value is found, the next object is queried until a value is returned.

  • Data collection interval (minutes). Enter how often you want data to be collected for the selected item or items. This value represents the number of minutes between each collection.

Click Advanced to access Data Collection Advanced Settings.

Click Speed to override the interface speed. This option is only available when you have selected Specific interfaces.

Important: You cannot change the speed for an interface unless you have selected Specific Interfaces.

Note: If the Interface Utilization Performance Monitor was not used during Device Discovery, 64-bit high capacity counters are not used to poll interface traffic counters. You need to manually change the device's polling properties in the device properties to use high capacity counters.