As the NOC lead at our company I spend more time writing SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) as I do actually setting up monitoring. Currently I use a SharePoint solution to house our documents. I have our SharePoint structure match the Orion view for easy matching but its not ideal. I have added custom properties and an additional tab to our node views titled "site Info" where we keep addresses, phone numbers, and other site specific info needed when escalating WAN issues to our vendor. It would be very helpful if there were a way to store a simple text page in Orion and then tie it to a node monitor. For example.
Say we are looking at Router B at the Tampa site and its alarming.
I would have a tab called something like SOP or Support Documents that when clicked would bring up a basic MSWord type page where the engineer would find the troubleshooting steps.
1 verify power to site.
2 verify power to alarming hardware by attempting to dial the SEB number blah blah.
3 If power is good, call Joe Snuffy @ 813-230-2031 and leave a message requesting callback.
4 If power is down, call Mary Joe @ 941-250-3333 and request she go to the site and call the NOC when in the server room.
blah blah
Keep in mind an actual SOP would often be multiple pages long.
One of the great things about the SolarWinds suite is having all your tools in one place. Adding some sort of even basic document management would be one less place our team has to look for info.
I do realize we can add custom properties and place text there but the custom properties are not idea due to the size limitations. Linking to SOPs is possible via the custom properties, but maybe having a programmable button that could be clicked would be another option.
Actually, if it were possible to add something very similar to the window I am using with this forum it would be wonderful. Just a thought, curious if any other folks out there would find similar value in the idea.
Top Comments