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Interface Percent Utilization oddity

NPM 10.1.3

I've tried looking through the documentation but to date I haven't been able to find a straight answer.

I know there's a difference between raw, real-time data collected from interfaces and that which is displayed in charts and graphs but I regularly see server ports in the Top-10 usage list displaying at greater than 100% utilization. I suspect this is because Solarwinds NPM is including the Buffer data from the switches but I haven't been able to find anything to say as much.

If anyone knows I would greatly appreciate a response or even an explaination if I'm completely off-base.

Thank you.

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Deltona

Hi there,

First i'd check to see what at what speed is the interface configured to run on the server. Does it change dynamically?
Second, look at what the interface has informed Orion in terms of its set speed. You can see this in the interface details view.

If you are getting above 100% readings then that is due to the interface using more bandwidth than Orion thinks it can handle. To rectify this, either set a custom interface speed for said interface in Orion

Configure the interface on the server to be static.

Configure the interface speed in orion to use the maximum attainable speed possible. If the server interface(s) are 10G then configure the custom interface speed in Orion to be 10000 (not 10240).

HTH

mstclair

Than you for the response - port speeds can be negotiated but default to their maximum(1Gbit)....but...

I just checked and the port speeds match their discovered rates in SWinds so that can't be it.

Additionally We're not polling the servers at all - just the switches that they're attached to.

My apologies for not mentioning that up front.

Any ideas?

sean.martinez

Since you stated that the links are 1Gb, you will need to enable 64 Bit counters on the Device since the link is higher than 100MB. I have also included other possible issues that would also sometimes report 100% or higher utilization.

Scenario 1, Auto Negotiate:

This issue is usually due to Auto Negotiate. If device is set to Auto Negotiate, and the port is unplugged, the Interface speed will report the lowest Speed. Hard setting the Port Speed will negate the issue completely, or you can use the Custom Bandwidth in Orion if you do not wish to update your Devices.

To configure Custom Interface Bandwidth, please do the following:

1. Log in to the Orion Web Console as an administrator.

2. Click Settings in the top right of the web console.

3. Click Manage Nodes in the Node & Group Management grouping.

4. Locate the parent node of the interface you want to manage, using either of the following methods:

a. Use the search tool above the node list to search your Orion database for the parent node of the interface you want to manage.

b. Select an appropriate Group by criteria, and then click the appropriate group including the parent node of the interface you want to manage.

5. Click + to expand the parent node, and then check the interface you want to manage.

6. If you want to edit the name of the selected interface, edit the existing name in the Interface Name field.

7. To designate a custom bandwidth for the selected interface, check Custom Bandwidth, and then provide appropriate values for Transmit and Receive Bandwidth, in Mb/s.

Scenario 2, Interface Bandwidth higher than 100MB:

If your Interfaces are 1Gb or higher:

In the Node Management page, select the Node itself and select Edit Properties. Make sure Allow for 64 bit counters is selected and press Submit.

Note: (32 bit counters are more likely to reset with higher interface speeds, causing higher bandwidth Report. Allowing 64 bit counters uses a different MIB and will not have this issue)