Create connector profiles to manage and monitor SEM agents
Use a connector profile to group agents that share the same connector configuration. You can use the profile to configure a set of standardized connector settings, and then apply those settings to all agents assigned to that profile. Once applied, every agent in the profile will have the same connector settings.
Connector profiles maintain all agents in a profile by updating only the profile connector configuration. The system then propagates your changes to all the agents in the profile.
Most agents in a network have only a few different connector configurations. Using connector profiles, you can streamline the process of connecting your network security products to SEM. If you decide not to use connector profiles, you must create at least one connector instance for every product that you intend to integrate with SEM, and then repeat this process for each agent.
A well-planned set of connector profiles provides you with a versatile and efficient method for configuring and maintaining your agent connector configurations. You can create as many connector profiles as you need to reflect each of your common connector configurations. For example, you can set up a standard user workstation profile, a web server profile, and so on. SolarWinds provides several default connector profiles that address common configurations.
About the connector-profile group type
SEM lets you use connector profiles in filters, rules, and searches. After you define a connector profile, you can use it in rules and filters to include or exclude the agents associated with that profile. For example, you can create a filter using the Domain Controller connector-profile group to shows you web traffic from the computers in that group.
Groups organize related elements for use with SEM rules and filters. See About SEM groups for information about the various SEM group types.
Connector profile guidelines
A well-planned set of connector profiles provides you with a versatile and efficient method of updating and maintaining your agent connector configurations.
When you configure your connector profiles, use the following guidelines:
- An agent can only be a member of one connector profile.
- You cannot add an agent to multiple connector profiles.
Create a connector profile: process overview
This section provides an overview of the steps required to create a connector profile. Creating a connector profile is a three-step process:
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Install the SEM agent software on all the systems that you want to include in your new connector profile, then configure a single SEM agent to serve as the template for your connector profile.
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Add the agents to the connector profile. When completed, the system applies the template to all agents in the profile.
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Verify the connector status.
When you select an agent for a template, ensure the agent has a configuration that mirrors your concept of the final connector configuration.
You can prepare a template agent in advance by configuring an agent you know will be a member of the new profile. When completed, use the agent as the template for the new profile. This process minimizes your need to edit the profile connector configuration in the future.