NetCrunch 15.0 September 2024

• UI Improvements

  Advanced Data Sharing & Embedding

  Sharing Graphical Data Views

  NetCrunch 15 offers versatile sharing options for Live Graphical Data Views:

  • Share views locally or via the internet using the NetCrunch Connection Cloud.
  • Options for password protection and setting expiration times for shared content.
  • Shared diagrams or dashboard display data in real-time

  Embedding Capabilities

  Seamlessly embed shared live views into other webpages using iframes, similar to embedding YouTube videos.

  

• Security

  Security & Compliance Upgrades

  Security Fixes

  NetCrunch 15 introduces critical security updates, addressing 7 key vulnerabilities:

  • Prevention of access rights elevation.
  • Blocking unauthorized local server and API access.
  • Enhanced password management protocols.

  Forced Password Change

  Implemented mandatory password changes for web console users to ensure ongoing security.

  Enforce Multi-Factor Authorization

  You can force users to use MFA when they log in to the Web console locally or through the cloud.

  Enhanced Password Requirements

  Strengthened password policies, requiring new passwords to be at least 8 characters long.

• UI Improvements

  Unified Web Console UI

  Streamlined User Experience

  The new Web Console mirrors the Desktop Console’s UI:

  • Improved navigation and functionality.
  • Significantly reduced memory usage on the server, lowering the overall memory footprint of NetCrunch.
• Monitoring

  Telemetry Node & OTLP Integration

  Telemetry Node

  Create telemetry nodes to receive and process metrics, statuses, and events (logs):

  • Data can be transmitted both locally and through the NetCrunch Connection Cloud (NCC) gateway.

  Experimental OTLP Support

  • Supports receiving data via the Open Telemetry (OTLP) protocol, handling both metrics and logs.
  • Compatible with OTLP clients for data transmission to NetCrunch.
• UI Improvements

  New Desktop Console Experience

  Modern Navigation & Unified Interface

  The new Desktop Console offers:

  • Enhanced navigation with a modern interface.
  • Faster performance and removal of old window docking features.
  • Compatibility for all users, not just administrators, with access-based monitoring.

  Secure Connection Options

  • Direct (Encrypted TCP on port 12009) – Medium security.
  • Web (HTTPS via web server) – High security.
  • Cloud (HTTPS through NetCrunch Connection Cloud) – High security.

  

• Other

  Enhanced Integration & Connectivity

  • Webhooks can now be received directly through cloud integration, enhancing automation capabilities.
  • Improved Connection Cloud allows multiple server connections to open in separate browser tabs or windows, optimizing workflow.
• Configuration

  Node Database Enhancements

  Enhanced Node Management

  • Tags: Add tags to nodes for better organization and easier searching.
  • Attachments: Attach any file (pictures, documents, etc.) directly to nodes for quick access.
• UI Improvements

  Automated Screens Improvements

  Streamlined Screen Management

  Automated Screens have been enhanced and are now available in both the Desktop and Web Consoles:

  • Customize parameters for Nodes/Icons and Active Alerts views.
  • Seamless transition back to the console UI after exiting automated screens.
• UI Improvements

  Easily Group Active Alerts

  Now you can quickly organize active alerts by simply enabling the group box. It’s a game-changer for staying on top of critical issues, making alert management more efficient and stress-free!

  

• Monitoring

  Monitoring Interface Errors & Discards

  Enhanced Interface Monitoring

  NetCrunch now monitors errors and discards on each monitored interface:

  • Track and trend delta values over time.
  • Reset counters as needed for more accurate monitoring.

  Why It Matters:
  Monitoring these values helps prevent network issues before they escalate, ensuring smoother network performance and reliability.

  

• Monitoring

  New Sensors & Monitoring Packs

  Oracle Table Space Sensor

  • Track and monitor utilization of tablespaces in Oracle databases for better resource management.

  Distributed File System Replication

  • Monitors windows event log for specific DFSR warnings and errors, and collects performance and capacity data of namespaces and replicated folders.

  Active Directory Signs of Compromise

  • This monitoring pack lists the events that you should be monitoring in your environment, as recommended in Microsoft's article "Monitoring Active Directory for signs of a security breach".
• Configuration

  Network Topology Atlas Section

  Unified Network Topology Overview

  NetCrunch 15 introduces a new Network Topology section within the Atlas, streamlining network visualization by combining two critical views:

  • Physical Connections: Visualize the physical connections between devices within your network.
  • Routing Map: Provides a clear view of the network routing paths.

  This new section replaces the previous Physical Segments section and brings the Routing Map (formerly found in IP networks) and Physical Connections (previously a view in the Physical Segments section) together into a single, cohesive interface. This unified approach simplifies network management by allowing you to see both physical and logical relationships side by side, making it easier to understand and manage your network infrastructure.

• Other

  Additional Enhancements

  • Device Config Sensor: Customize prompt regex for specific device models.
  • Nodes Notes: Add attachments to node notes for enriched documentation.
  • Atlas Upgrade: Upgrade older atlases to leverage the latest policies.
  • NC Restart: Restart the NetCrunch Server directly from the Desktop Console for easy maintenance.