Pages in the Database Settings section (Settings icon –> Database Settings) provide a number of basic database management tools. Consult the topics below for further information.

Database Statistics

The Database Statistics page (Settings icon –> Database Settings –> Database Statistics) tracks the overall size of the NetMRI Database, as a whole and split between data records and the database index. NetMRI is designed to intelligently prune the database as data ages, to prevent the database from outgrowing the amount of available disk space.

Archiving the NetMRI Database

Use the Archive Database tool (Settings icon –> Database Settings –> Archive Database) to manually generate a local archive of the current database. (The database can also be automatically archived; see Remote Config Archive for more information.)
To prevent loss of data in the event of an appliance hardware failure, make database archive copies on a regular basis and store them in a safe place. If no recent database archive exists and NetMRI has an unrecoverable error, then all data will be lost.
By default, NetMRI automatically generates a database archive file once every week, as specified in Settings icon –> Database Settings –> Maintenance.
Depending on the size of the database, archiving may take a few minutes, because the entire database is copied to a disk file and compressed. During archiving, NetMRI automatically disables data collection, to maintain a consistent database snapshot. Data collection is re-enabled after archiving is complete.

Note: Because NetMRI data collection and analysis is automatically disabled during archiving, the archive process should be performed during off hours whenever possible.

To archive the NetMRI Database, do the following:

1. To create a new archive on the local system for the current NetMRI instance, choose the Download Archive File to the Local System option and click Create Archive.

Or, to create a new archive and send it to a remote server, do the following:

1. Choose the Upload the archive to a remote system option. The Remote System options are enabled.
2. For each Remote System, enter the Hostname/IP Address, Username, Password and Directory.
3. If required, click the Include date in filename checkbox.
4. For transferring to another NetMRI appliance, enter admin as the Username and enter Backup as the Backup Directory.
5. To test the configuration: Click Test Connection.
6. If the test is successful to the remote server, click Create Archive. The Create Archive dialog box appears. Click Show Details to view the process as it happens.
   During archiving, do not refresh the page or close the window. Such actions may generate an incomplete database archive file.
7. When archiving is complete, a status message allows return to the original page, and provides a link to a generated MD5 Checksum file. This file is recommended should you need to restore from a database you have stored on your computer. Click the MD5 Checksum link and choose Save in the dialog.

Restoring Databases

Note: Should you need to perform a database reset, you can run the reset database command from the Administrative Shell. This operation should only be performed when absolutely necessary. Performing a database reset retains the appliance’s user-defined configuration, settings and license entitlements. A database reset removes all discovered device data, including all previously discovered devices from user configured Discovery Ranges, and all data associated with devices in those ranges. A reset database command forces all devices and all previously collected information to be re-discovered and re-collected from scratch. Resetting the database preserves the appliance configuration.

You can restore the NetMRI network database from a previously-generated archive (that is stored on your local management computer) by using the Administrative Shell Restore command.

When the database is restored, the systems restores all previous configuration settings for the network along with all low-level data, all issues and all summary results. Results will show a gap of inactivity starting at the time that the database archive was made and ending at the time the restore was performed. From that point forward, NetMRI processing proceeds normally.

The restore command restores a sequence of archive files in the order given. The command’s syntax is:

restore <archiveFile1 [ <archiveFile2 ... ]

Additional restore options include:

• https_certs: Only restores HTTPS certificates from archive.
• skip_scan_interfaces_config: Disables the restoration of scan interface configuration.

Because the archive command backs up only part of the data (see description above), you may need to restore multiple daily backup files to reconstruct a complete data set. Thus, the restore command enables you to specify multiple archive files (if you restored just the last file, you would reconstruct data for the last day or last 750MB, whichever is greater). As shown above, wildcards can be used to specify multiple archive files. If you list files separately, enter the oldest file first, then enter the rest in chronological order.

Note: Restoring archives overwrites current data. Example: on December 15 you restore archives through December 1. Data for December 2 through 14 would be lost.

If previously enabled, data collection is automatically re-enabled when restoration is complete. Otherwise, you will need to manually enable data collection in the Settings icon –> Setup section –> Collection and Groups –> Global tab.
After restoring the database, NetMRI resumes most normal operations.

Note: If you migrate from an older NetMRI appliance to a newer model, after restoring the database from the old appliance to the new one, discovery data collection will be disabled on the appliance. You must then enable data collection in the Settings icon –> Setup section –> Collection and Groups –> Global tab.

Restoring Databases from a Non-Local NetMRI Source

Under some circumstances, you may need to restore from a database file generated from another NetMRI instance to the current NetMRI system (from one NetMRI Collector system to another one, for example). in such cases, the NetMRI Database looks for a locally generated database to restore, using the file naming format of the current NetMRI instance.
If a database is present in the local archive directory that originates from a remote NetMRI using a different file naming format, the restore will fail to find the local DB that it is seeking by default, and also will not access the 'outside' database archive file you are trying to restore from, displaying an error message.
The restore CLI command supports the use of database archives originating from another system.
The *.tgz database file must be transferred to the file system in the current NetMRI instance before execution. An example:

restore <filename>, where <filename> is the archived file name without the extension.tgz

Database Archiving Function s

The Scheduled Archive page (Settings icon –> Database Settings –> Scheduled Archive) controls automatic archiving and copying of the NetMRI network database. (The database can also be manually archived; see the Database Archiving Functions topic for more information.)
When enabled, the automatic process creates an archive of the NetMRI network database and copies it to one or two servers that support SCP, or to another NetMRI system.
To configure automatic network database archiving, do the following:

1. Click the Enable automatic database archiving checkbox.
2. Select the Recurrence Pattern (Once, Hourly, Daily, Weekly or Weekly).
   1. Select the Hour to Start and Minute to Start. –or–
   2. For weekly archiving, select the Execution Time and select the day or days of the week.
   3. You can also choose to execute an archive Once.

• • You can schedule a database backup to either a single remote system, or to two separate remote systems.

3. For each Remote System, enter the Hostname/IP Address, Username, Password and Directory.

4. If required, click the Include date in file name checkbox.

5. For transferring to another NetMRI appliance, enter admin as the Username and enter Backup as the Backup Directory.

6. To test the configuration: Click Test Connection.

7. If the test is successful, click Update.

Note: Because NetMRI data collection and analysis is automatically disabled during archiving, the archive process should be performed during off hours whenever possible.

Monitoring Database Update Background Tasks

The Remote Config Archive page (Settings icon –> Notifications –> Background Tasks) provides a read-only display to monitor selected NetMRI internal background tasks that may occupy significant periods of time, and are thus organized in the system to run in the background while NetMRI operates normally.
Key values to check here include the Progress % field, which indicates the amount by which each background task has completed, and the Created field, which indicates the creator of the task. In many cases, the value shown here will be "System."

Remote Config Archiv e

The Remote Config Archive page (Settings icon –> Database Settings –> Remote Config Archive) controls automatic archiving and copying of the NetMRI configurations. Also check Data Retention settings in the Data Retention topic, as they have significant influence on the time periods between data archiving events for specific data sets in NetMRI.
When enabled, this automatic process creates an archive of the configurations and copies it to one or two servers that support SCP.
To configure automatic configuration archiving, do the following:

1. Select the archiving Frequency (Daily or Weekly).
2. Select the Hour to Start and Minute to Start. For weekly archiving, also select the Day of Week.
3. For each backup location, enter the Backup Destination, Username, Password and Backup Directory.
4. For transferring to another NetMRI appliance, enter admin as the Username and enter Backup as the Backup Directory.
5. To date-stamp the directory name: Check the Include date in directory name option.
6. To test the configuration: Click Test.
7. If the test is successful. click Update.

Performing Database Maintenanc e

Use the Maintenance page (Settings icon –> Database Settings –> Maintenance) to change settings for weekly database maintenance. The maintenance task can be configured to start at any time during the week, to be coordinated with other maintenance activities performed by your organization.
Data collection is automatically suspended during maintenance. During that time, the NetMRI browser interface will also be disabled, displaying only a status message indicating that maintenance is being performed.
When archiving completes at the end of each maintenance cycle, the NetMRI appliance reboots to restart all processes and then resumes data collection.

Note: Because NetMRI data collection and analysis is automatically disabled during archiving, and also restarts the appliance after archiving completes, the archive process should be performed during off hours whenever possible. Weekly maintenance can take several hours to complete, depending on the size of the database.

To configure weekly maintenance, do the following:

1. Set Status to Enabled or Disabled. If set to Disabled, go to step 4.
2. Select a Day of Week.
3. Select an Hour to Start.
4. Click the Update button.

Sending Technical Support Bundles to Infoblox

Support bundles are used by Infoblox for troubleshooting and optimization purposes. Technical data is sent using a secure connection. Support bundles are maintained by Infoblox Technical Support staff solely for the stated purposes. Some support bundle data may contain login information in cleartext. Users may wish to open the support bundle Tar file to edit any sensitive information such as login tuples or IP addresses.

The Advanced Support Bundles page (Settings icon –> Database Settings –> Advanced Support Bundles) provides a convenient way to send technical data and debugging data to Infoblox for troubleshooting purposes and to improve NetMRI's analysis capabilities.

Note: Support bundle operations require the SysAdmin role.

You may also target troubleshooting information to specific devices in the managed network, including the ability to perform an SNMP Walk and SNMP debugging, and to run a discovery diagnostic on the specified network device. You may specify one device or up to three device IP addresses for this task.
Support bundle data includes such things as NetMRI configuration and performance data, device identification database, and a significant collection of appliance debugging log files. Such data is used primarily when troubleshooting specific problems reported by customers. A support bundle may also be requested from time to time by Infoblox Technical Support staff to improve NetMRI's discovery and analysis capabilities, by searching for new device types and unusual processing situations. In all cases, send a support bundle only when requested to do so by Infoblox Technical Support staff. You may also receive instructions regarding the types of debugging logs to select for the support bundle.
The Advanced Support Page provides the following information about active and resolved cases:

To create a support bundle, do the following:

1. Log in to NetMRI using the admin account.
2. Navigate to Settings icon –> Database Settings –> Advanced Support Bundles.
3. Click the New icon (+) at the top of the page.
4. Enter the Support Case Number assigned to you from Infoblox Support. The value is defined in YYDDMM-xxxxxx format. The system prompts for correct data entry if a mistake is made.
5. Choose the Log Set to Send option:
   • Standard: Choosing this option automatically enables all applicable debug log categories as part of the new bundle;
   • Custom: Choosing this option enables all debugging and actions allowable for a support bundle, including Install/Upgrade, Discovery Info, and System Data, along with numerous categories of debugging log files.

Note: If you select the Config Logs Debug Log category, the current configuration files for all devices are included in the archive. Configuration files are a primary source of sensitive information, such as device admin user names, on the managed network.

6. After choosing and selecting the desired options, click one of the two options:

1. • If you are finished with the request bundle, click Done;
   • If you want to specify devices for troubleshooting in the support bundle, click Advanced(Device).
   1. For specific device troubleshooting, enter one to three individual device IP addresses in the Device IP Address(es) fields.
   2. Select the Test Type: Run SNMP Walk, Enable SNMP Debugging, and/or Run Discovery Diagnostic. You may select any or all three.
   3. If you need to override the stored NetMRI SNMP credentials for the device(s) chosen for troubleshooting, check the Override Net MRI Credentials checkbox. Once you do so, you choose the SNMP Version: v1, v2 or v3. Enter the SNMP community string/passphrase (v1 and v2) or authentication and encryption (v3 only) protocols and passwords. Should you apply this change to more than one device IP address in the session (because you've entered two or three device IP addresses in the previous wizard step), ensure that the values you apply are correct for all devices; if the SNMP values are not the same, you may need to define a separate Device Support Bundle for each device.

7. Click one of the two following options:

1. • If you are finished with the request bundle, click Done;
   • If Infoblox Support requested inclusion of advanced debug flags for additional troubleshooting methods in the support bundle, click Advanced(Debug).

a. Check the checkboxes for any advanced debug flags requested by Infoblox Support.

8. Click Done at the bottom of the wizard page.

9. In the Summary page, enter the desired value in the Hours to wait before sending logs field.

10. Under Select method to send package, choose either:

1. • Secure FTP (SFTP): automatically uploads the Bundle to Infoblox Tech Support. If you direct NetMRI to compile the Bundle and send it to Infoblox, you can in fact start the Bundle creation, log out from NetMRI and allow the process to complete, or carry out other tasks in the meantime.
   • Manual Download: Compiles the Bundle into a tar.gz file and enables downloading it to your computer by clicking a link.

11. If the NetMRI admin wants email communication when the bundle is generated and sent or downloaded, check the Email notification to me when complete checkbox.

12. Click Start. During the process, the Support Bundles page refreshes until NetMRI completes the new Bundle. The Bundle listing appears in the Advanced Support Bundle table.

Troubleshooting

In rare cases, connections may not work to the Infoblox Technical Support server, which is currently bloxdrop.infoblox.com. Should you experience a failed upload to the Infoblox server after an automatic or manual Support Bundle creation, the table in the Support Bundle page will show a message to this effect in the Status column.

1. Use the NetMRI ping/traceroute tool via the browser interface (Tools–>Device–>Ping/Traceroute), or the ping command via the Administrative Shell, to verify that NetMRI can reach the Infoblox server bloxdrop.infoblox.com on the Internet.
2. Use the NetMRI ping/traceroute tool via the browser interface, or the traceroute command via the Administrative Shell, to verify that the appliance can reach bloxdrop.infoblox.com on the Internet.
3. Verify that your firewall rules allow NetMRI to make an outbound SSH connection (TCP port 22) to bloxdrop.infoblox.com.

Data Retentio n

Use the Data Retention page (Settings icon –> Database Settings –> Data Retention) to specify for how long NetMRI should archive or delete various types of data.

• Delete After specifies the number of days after which data is eligible to be deleted from the appliance.
  Pay careful attention to the Delete After settings to ensure that your organization retains any bodies of information for periods of time mandated by organization policy. One Data Retention setting, Network Inventory History, governs a number of important data tables in Network Explorer, including the following:
  • Switch Port Management –> all Devices, Interfaces and End Hosts tables;
  • Inventory – all Devices, Virtual Devices, Interfaces, OSs, and Models tables;
  • All Discovery data.
• Archive After specifies the number of days after which data is eligible to be moved to the archive. Archived data is still available, but reports will require more time to access it. Data can be archived in VM environments that have been configured for archive storage under the Settings icon –> Database Settings –> Storage Management page.

Other data retention categories include the following:

• Change Record History – The data collection of device configuration changes detected and recorded by NetMRI, such as router and switch config changes and other change events (Network Analysis –> Changes page);
• Configuration History – Compilation of all device configurations detected and stored in the NetMRI system;
• Aggregated Interface Performance Data History – Contains records of all hourly and daily interface performance data aggregated by NetMRI from the ‘raw’ interface performance data compiled from every polling period;
• Raw Interface Performance Data History – Contains the complete “raw” collection of performance information for all interfaces managed by NetMRI that is compiled every polling period (every 15 minutes by default; this time increment depends on the system configuration);
• Issue Analysis and Status History – Compilation of all Issues information (Network Analysis –> Issues page);
• System Events and Notifications Logs – Compilation of all event logs and notifications from all managed devices. Data is included from the User Audit Log and the Device Audit Log in the Device Viewer for each managed device; this setting also applies to the dataEngine.log and discoveryServer.log files managed through Settings icon –>Settings & Status –> Logs.

To change data retention times for a type of data, do the following:

1. Click Edit.
2. In the Set Data Retention dialog, enter a Delete After value (in days).
3. If archive storage has been configured: Enter an Archive After value (in days).
4. Click Save & Close.

Storage Managemen t

The Storage Management page (Settings icon –> Database Settings –> Storage Management) lists the active disk partitions operating in the NetMRI system.
To add more storage to the NetMRI appliance, use the provisiondisk command. See the Shell Commands topic for more information. After executing provisiondisk and setting up the storage volume, its information appears on this page.