Mastering NetScaler Console: Zero to hero in 31days - Day 3
Mastering NetScaler Console: Zero to hero in 31days - Day 3
NetScaler Console Infrastructure Analytics
Hello, my name is Andrew and I tend to get a lot of questions about NetScaler Console. The purpose of this series is to offer some pointers on what it is, what it can offer and why you should take some notice. This is the fourth post(I started at zero!) in a set which is designed to cover the top topics that will get you trained up.
Knowledge is power, right? 📖📖📖📖
31 days seems an arbitrary number. Naturally, I need to complete this before you all head off on holiday!
Today is all about NetScaler Console Infrastructure Analytics.
How does this normally come up?
I spoke with Customer X, we talked at length about the various NetScaler’s they will be deploying. During the discussion, I typically ask something like this:
As you have a few NetScaler’s in this setup, what tools do you have to help with the management of the appliances?
The answer is NetScaler Console. The next question might require a focus on the relative health of NetScaler appliances which are located in several different DC’s a customer has. It doesn’t look good when you are not proactive about infrastructure performance when the business is relying on you to provide a performant platform to deliver services. This piece will show you how that can be achieved with NetScaler Console, whichever flavour you have( on-premises or service).
Who would be interested in this?
Any Network Admin with multiple NetScaler’s deployed, or any customer looking at the new Universal hybrid Multi-cloud (UHMC from now on) offering from Cloud Software Group.
UHMC needs NetScaler Console to provide the licensing function to the NetScaler appliances. It is not optional, it's a requirement. One of the big benefits of UHMC is that customers can take a look outside the Citrix bubble and maybe look at new use cases for NetScaler.
Mastering sounds 'heavy'?
Ultimately, this is LinkedIn, who would be crazy enough to write technical content on this platform?
What are the key pieces of information that I need to keep tabs on?
NetScaler is a platform that has some specific metrics that need to be tracked. Typically, any server/network device needs metrics like these: memory utilisation, CPU load, disk space and network load.
The ideal scenario is to have this for all your appliances, wherever they are plus some others. NetScaler Console Infrastructure Analytics offers all of this plus more specifics. The first view is this colour-coded bubble view, giving an instant view that tells you what is hot and needs attention and what isn’t.
It is also, a simple case to switch this tabular view, like this:
This instant view is very handy for a quick look at the infrastructure. The third column from the left-hand side has an ‘Instance score’. The scoring system starts at 100 and then takes off numbers for each penalty. This gives a simple way to score an instance and identify those that have health issues, or just a minor cold.
If you need more details on an Instance, the drill down allows this:
You can even see the specifics for an instance, such as SSL, audit configuration changes and specific networking events and usage. Plus when it spots a weakness in things like Key strength. It flags it.
What about a movie?
My colleague, Sanyukta, created a cool run-through. It is an older movie, but it is concise! 4 minutes and 24 seconds!
If it is not clear, here is a scenario.
Bob and Alice have been using NetScaler Console Service in the scenarios for the last few days.
Bob installs 3 HA pairs of NetScaler in the three EMEA DCs for Acme incorporated. In addition to Bob, Alice is doing the same in their US sites (another two - Denver and New York).
They can see in a choice of views all the important things that they need to monitor on their NetScaler estate, also Infrastructure analytics will warn them when they have config drift and SSL issues
Happy days, as this allows Bob and Alice to focus time on other tasks that are important to Acme.
The Call to Action
Let me know if this piece raises any questions/comments, drop them into the space below. I will endeavour to answer directly or update the post to better address the question(s).
Summary
Buckle up. The NetScaler Console is the best tool for many different jobs when working in conjunction with the NetScaler Appliance. They are the perfect tag team. 🤼. The NetScaler Console can offer a one-stop shop to see all your appliances from one place, which of those need your attention and potentially which you can leave alone. Get back to the high-value tasks!
Let me show you how to make the most of it!
Have a good one.