What is a collector?

The collector is essentially a full install of Open-AudIT in ‘collector’ mode. This mode would reduce visible functionality in an effort to simplify and focus the application. It is designed to collect information about networks. The collector is designed to run discovery upon the network it is situated in. It is not restricted to only that network, but ideally it would essentially be “one collector per subnet”. The collector is driven on a schedule by the server and runs discovery upon the network or ip address as specified. It can run all functions that a full Open-AudIT installation can run.

Detailed information on collectors can be found here - Open-AudIT agent, collector, server

Create a collector

A collector is created similarly to setting up a regular Open-AudIT server. Credentials would be created on the server for each collector. Upon login to Open-AudIT Enterprise on the collector, an option can be chosen to turn the server into a collector. The server ip along with the username and password is provided by the user. The collector registers itself with the server and changes the user interface to read only or hidden for various items. The server associates the user account with the collector’s ip address and only accepts requests using that account, from that address.

1. Log into Open-AudIT Enterprise on your regular Servers install.

a. For assistance in setting up and installing Open-AudIT visit this page - Getting Started

b. Add a license for Open-AudIT Enterprise. (The Enterprise Server License has one built in Collector License.) Note - Enterprise users receive one Collector license for free as part of their Enterprise License.
c. Create a User account for the Collector server. (menu -> Manage -> Users -> Create User). Ensure the type is 'collector'. Ensure you click the Default Organisation. Ensure the role is 'collector'. More info on User creation can be found HERE - Users

2. Set up the Collector server.

a. Install Open-AudIT on your designated Collector server and log in with your credentials created for the Collector.

b. Make the install a collector by navigating to Menu -> Admin -> Collectors -> Make this Install a Collector.

3. Enter Collector details.

a. Provide a name for the Collector.

b. Enter the address of the Server in the Host field.

c. Enter the username and password that were used above when creating the collector user.

d. Provide the network address of the Collector in the Network Address field and submit.

4. Check if the collector creation was successful.

a. You should now be able to see on the server, the collector you have just registered. Go to menu -> Admin -> Collectors -> List Collectors. You should now be able to see on the collector, the task that will run every 15 minutes that will ask the server for any discoveries to execute. Go to menu -> Admin -> Tasks -> List Tasks.

5. Create a discovery for the collector.

a. When creating the discovery choose the network address of the collector server.

b. Once you have configured credentials, discoveries and tasks the next time the collector checks-in with the server, if a discovery is due to run, it should run. The collector should forward the details of any discovered devices to the server.

A step-by-step guide on Collector server creation can be found here - Collector / Server