Documentation forSolarWinds Observability SaaS

Install the Network Collector manually

In some environments, the standard Agent installation fails because the HTTP protocol is disabled for security compliance. When this restriction cannot be changed, you can use a manual installation process instead: Install the Network Collector manually.

  1. Prepare the Ingestion token in SolarWinds Observability SaaS.

    In SolarWinds Observability SaaS, go to Settings > API Tokens and click Create API Token. Copy the token into clipboard.

  2. Download the Network Collector installer to the server.

    Adjust the following download URL according to your region. Replace xx-yy in the URL with your data center. See Find the data center and endpoints for your organization.

    https://downloads.solarwinds.com/solarwinds/Observability/RTM/Solarwinds.Observability.NetworkCollector.OfflineInstaller_SOC_SWOURL=xx-yy.cloud.solarwinds.com.iso
    Endpoint Replace xx-yy with SOC_SWOURL
    AWS NA region dc-01 dc-01.cloud.solarwinds.com.iso
    Azure NA region dc-02 dc-02.cloud.solarwinds.com.iso
    AWS EU region dc-03 dc-03.cloud.solarwinds.com.iso
    AWS Australia region dc-05 dc-05.cloud.solarwinds.com.iso

  3. Unblock the ISO file if necessary.

  4. Mount the ISO on the server, and start the installation.

    1. Installation Type: Select Collector, then click Next.

    2. Access Token: In the field for API Token, enter the token you created.

    3. License Agreement: Agree to the license agreement, and click Next.

    4. Installation Options:

      1. Select which SQL Server to use:

        • Select Use SQL Server if you have a dedicated SQL Server 2016 SP1 or later.

        • Select Install SQL Server Express to deploy a local database.

          Use this option for lightweight installations. SQL Server Express has database size limits, such as 50 GB for SQL Server Express 2025. If you need a larger database later, you will have to migrate the database to a SQL Server Standard or Enterprise.

      2. Select the Destination folder where the Network Collector will be installed.

      3. Click Next.

    5. Installation Report:

      1. Review the system check results and address any issues.

      2. Click Install.

  5. Configuration Wizard:

    1. Install all missing IIS components.

    2. Click Yes.

  6. SolarWinds Configuration Wizard:

    1. In the welcome screen, click Next.

    2. Database Settings: Configure the main database for storing configuration and performance data.

      1. SQL Server - Enter tcp:hostname,port for your SQL Server (for example, tcp:yourserver,1433).

      2. SQL Server credentials and connection configuration - Use sa level credentials, and click Next.

      3. Create a new database - This is the main SolarWindsOrion database. Click Next.

      4. Create a new account - This account is tailored for optimal SolarWinds Network Collector operations. Click Next.

    3. Website Settings: Define the website configuration and click Next. This is the local Network Collector web console.

    4. Database Settings for Log and Events Monitoring: Configure the database for storing logs and events data.

      1. Place log and event database on a dedicated SQL Server. Click Next.

      2. SQL Server - Enter the tcp:hostname,port (for example, tcp:yourserver,1433).

      3. SQL Server credentials and connection configuration - Use sa level credentials, and click Next.

      4. Create a new database and click Next.

      5. Create a new account - This account is tailored for optimal SolarWinds Network Collector operations. Click Next.

    5. NTA Flow Storage Configuration: Configure the database for storing flow data.

      1. SQL Server - Enter the tcp:hostname,port (for example, tcp:yourserver,1433).

      2. SQL Server credentials and connection configuration - Use sa level credentials, and click Next.

      3. Create a new database and click Next.

      4. Create a new account - This account is tailored for optimal SolarWinds Network Collector operations. Click Next.

    6. Completing Configuration Wizard - Click Next.

    7. Configuring SolarWinds Platform - Click Finish.

    8. Log in to the local Network Collector web console (configured in website settings) and configure the password for Admin account.