When you think of adding a Node, you think you have to be able to ping a device to get meaningful information.
External Nodes were created for devices we didn't want to actively monitor, but set as a placeholder.
Standard uses for External Nodes. Placeholders for:
- Nodes we do not want status, but want to monitor a Server & Application Monitor Template
- Nodes when we hit a Node License Max (External Nodes do not count against licensing)
- A device to save Network Configuration Manager Files. (save a config file and use/modify to upload configuration)
Take it a step further and get some information you never thought of by thinking what servers talk to what systems regularly and what networks that although limited can still visually provide detail.
In this below scenario, these devices are in an un-routed domain with limited IP connectivity (I ran out of IPs). Normally we could only see the traffic Utilization on the Interfaces, but adding an External Node leverages the IP of the endpoint along with Topology to get this view setup using Network Atlas and Connect Now.
Think about adding the executives laptop, printer, projector, or some other endpoint you don't want a status on, but want to see utilization when its there.
See VLAN and Bandwidth utilization on the Summary and NOC views with a mouse-over.
External Nodes to our Parent Servers. I added External Nodes to my Root DNS Servers, and Root NTP Servers. Not only am I not seeing Response time, but the Data volume per protocol. Notice that the internal DNS Servers are having performance issues, but it is also reporting the Google DNS server through satellite connection is averaging 697ms through the ISP link. Notice that the middle chart has consistent data to the root DNS Server? Now I know which systems are being communicated and how well it is performing.
For Quality of Experience, I use a Port Span to a Windows 10 workstation over 10 years old. The Agent only needs a 64 bit OS with 2-4 CPU, and 4GB RAM with 2 NICs, one to the spanned port, and the other talking back to the Solarwinds Server.
The next time you add a Node, don't forget the usefulness of External Nodes.
Pro Tip: If you want to use a false system and IP, remember to use some IP and you can name the Caption whatever you want at the end of add a Node:
