WhatsConfigured

WhatsConfigured Overview

WhatsConfigured is a fully integrated plug-in for all editions of the WhatsUp Gold IT management product. It automates all configuration and change management tasks required to maintain and control configuration files across your network, eliminates human error, and frees up valuable IT personnel time.

With support for heterogeneous networks, WhatsConfigured provides secure SNMP v1-3, SSH or Telnet access as well as TFTP to download and store configuration files in a secure repository. Configuration tasks can be scheduled or manually run for downloads/uploads, file compares and backups. WhatsConfigured also allows users to view and receive real-time alerts when configuration changes occur, as well as maintain audit trails of all configuration changes.

WhatsConfigured reduces the time and effort spent by network managers manually maintaining device configurations and changes while providing increased security, compliance and visibility.

Embracing Change and Controlling Configurations

Network configuration and change management is the process of creating and maintaining a centralized and up-to-date record of all the configurations of key networking devices such as switches, firewalls, VPN devices, Wireless Access Points and routers.

Defining device configurations is as much of an art as it is a science, as networks continue to become more complex. Network management professionals spend significant time establishing and fine-tuning configurations to ensure stable network performance, protect data and secure networks from unauthorized users.

With sometimes hundreds of individual devices to manage and maintain, configuration changes are made almost continuously. This makes it difficult for network managers to keep track of all of them.

Unfortunately, things go wrong, and one of the most common causes of network outages is network device misconfiguration. Without a configuration management solution in place, recreating a device configuration from scratch or figuring out what changed when, where and by whom can be next to impossible.

The ability to rapidly react to a device failure or misconfiguration is vital. The capability to download a backup to a new device or replace an existing file can mean the difference between a network outage and a healthy infrastructure.

WhatsConfigured Features

Configuration File Download and Storage

Configuration files can be downloaded and stored to rapidly restore any backed up configuration to replacement devices - on demand or on a scheduled basis.

Configuration Export

Seamless export and import of critical network configuration information into existing corporatewide archiving repository to minimize risks and standardize internal operation processes.

Integrated Configuration Management Console

Access and manage the WhatsConfigured Task Library from a central console, schedule or customize any preconfigured tasks, or create and define custom scripts for your organization.

Authentication Credentials

The WhatsUp Gold credentials library provides support for both SSH1-2 and Telnet credentials to securely access devices to download or upload configuration files in addition to SNMPv3.

New in WhatsConfigured V16

Compliance Reports. Out-of-the-box report templates to help support HIPAA, SOX, FISMA and PCI DSS compliance requirements. Print Audit Reports. Print business formatted configuration change reports and audit trails for one or more devices.

Plus, the following functionality has been fully integrated into WhatsUp Gold’s integrated architecture for v16:

• VLAN Configuration. An intuitive and flexible interface supports VLAN configuration across multiple devices. Easily configure both ends of a VLAN trunk endpoints port regardless of vendor. Also includes automatic topology maps that illustrate VLAN trunks.
• Schedule Configuration Management Tasks. Schedule and execute routine backups, custom scripts configuration changes, password changes, user access modifications, or even system updates for one or more network devices.
• Alerting. Get real-time alerts on configuration changes, misconfigurations or policy failures.
• Configuration Templates. Define common device configurations that can be applied to multiple devices and easily added to new devices.
• Archive, Search and Compare Configuration Files. Dynamically access, download, store and search configuration.

WhatsConfigured Benefits

• Increased security and compliance
  • Provides audit trails of configuration changes & outof-the-box report templates for support of key compliance regulations
  • Alerts when device configuration changes occur - authorized or not
• Improved control over critical infrastructure data
  • Control who has access to device configurations
  • Consistency in configurations across the network
• Sound configurations
  • Establishes known, solid baseline configurations
  • Backup and storage of configuration files
• Increased automation
  • Reduces time to generate and duplicate standardized configurations for common devices
  • Eliminates need to access each device individually
• Reduced risk of downtime
  • Faster response to events where restoring configurations is required
  • Minimizes the potential for human error and misconfigurations

WhatsConfigured Documentation

• WhatsConfigured Datasheet