Add a Collector

Introduction

WatchMyDC users can add a new collector to their WatchMyDC dashboard once they've imported it  Import a Collector.

A ‘Collector’ is a process that polls target devices as configured from the WatchMyDC Dashboard using various protocols such as SNMP, SSH, and OpenTelemetry and can collect response data, traps & Syslog messages. The Collector needs internet access to establish TCP connections with the WatchMyDC Dashboard using port 443 in both inbound and outbound directions.

Note: Please issue the command ‘wmdc upgrade’ as soon as the Collector is online. An upgrade is necessary to ensure the latest build is in operation.

Build

The Collector (current version: v1.38) is built on the Ubuntu Server 20.04.

Specifications

• Minimum 1 Core CPU
• Minimum 2GB Memory. However, memory requirements will increase with the number of nodes.
• Minimum 20GB Disk Space.

Supported Platforms

The Collector image can be installed on any of the below platforms as a virtual appliance -

• VMware vSphere
• Linux KVM
• Microsoft HyperV

Download Links for Templates

• VMWare compatible OVA Template
  • https://wmdc-dev-collector-vm.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1.39/wmdc-collector-v1.39.ova
• Linux KVM compatible qcow2 Image
  
  • https://wmdc-dev-collector-vm.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1.39/wmdc-collector-v1.39.qcow2
• Microsoft HyperV compatible VHD Image
  • https://wmdc-dev-collector-vm.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1.39/wmdc-collector-v1.39.vhdx

Instructions For Initial Configuration

STEP 01 - CLI from Console

1. Import the virtual appliance on a supported platform
2. Initial Login - Once the Collector boot process is completed, a console user can login using the credentials below -
• Username: admin
• Password: admin
3. Set an IP Address: The Collector sets a DHCP IP address automatically if available. Otherwise an IP address needs to be assigned manually. Please follow the commands below -
   • Initiate IP Address set wizard - ’wmdc netconfig wizard’
   • ‘What interface should be used?:’
   • For most systems, this is ‘eth0’
   • ‘Is DHCP enabled for the VM? [y/N]:’
   • Enter ‘y’ if DHCP needs to be enabled, else ’N’
   • If ’N’ is entered then ‘VM IP Address:’
   • Enter the IP Address to be assigned
   • ‘Subnet prefix length (eg. 16,24):’
   • Enter 16 if the subnet mask is 255.255.0.0
   • Enter 24 if the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0
   • ‘Gateway IP Address:’
   • Add the gateway IP Address
   • ‘DNS Server IP Address:’
   • Add the DNS server IP Address

• Hit ‘ENTER’ to accept the changes. The configuration reverts back to its original settings if ‘ENTER’ is not hit within 120 seconds.

STEP 02 - Create a Collector Connection String in the dashboard

1. Register and create an account using: https://dashboard-dev.watchmydc.com
2. Create a new Site & Data Center by following the on-screen instructions
3. Navigate to ‘Configure > Collectors > Create’. The Collector status will show as ‘Offline’
4. Copy the ‘Connection String’

STEP 03 - Set the Connection String for the Collector

1. Enter this URL in your browser - https://<collector ip address>
2. Paste the Connection String & click 'Submit'

STEP 04 - Upgrade

1. Please issue the command ‘wmdc upgrade’ to upgrade the Collector to its latest version

STEP 05 - Verify The Collector Status

1. The Collector status in the dashboard should now reflect ‘Online'. (Note - The Collector may take a few minutes to update its status)