Troubleshooting intermittent issues can be unbearable and time consuming, especially when you’re responsible for a distributed environment. Even though you may try, it’s impossible to be everywhere. Hard to solve problems lead to lengthy mean time to repair delays and hunting for log files or packet captures. If you’re lucky you find what you need within a reasonable amount of time.
Unfortunately, forensics is something IT deals with more than 50% of the time to get to the root of a problem. One of the issues is that interdependencies are a big part of troubleshooting network problems, as one part of the network may cause a problem somewhere else. Something as simple as a bad cable or switch port can wreak havoc on a wireless network – which gets its fair share of the blame when users can’t connect or get things done.
Here’s where our AIOps and automation efforts play a big role. HPE Aruba Networking has Central for management that includes a feature called AI Assist. It automatically helps look at your APs, switches and gateways (anything under the ESP umbrella) and dynamically triggers logs or PCAPs when an event happens. And because you asked for some control, if you’re ok with sharing your data with our TAC organization, you click ok one-time and you’re good to go. Unlike with some other vendors, it’s your choice.
Going forward, our TAC organization will be able to collaborate with you while seeing the same data. And, if they spot something out of the ordinary, they can reach out to prescribe a fix or workaround. Again, you’re involved. They will not randomly send out an RMA. I can’t remember the last time someone mentioned keeping a management solution or Salesforce up to date with valid names, addresses and phone numbers.
Our TAC organization makes sure that you’re ready, they know where you want something sent if needed, and whose name is on the shipment. There’s no sense in adding to the world’s carbon footprint if a firmware update can solve a problem versus sending out an AP or cable that you don’t really need.
Aruba APs and other infrastructure have extensive troubleshooting features built-in that include AI-powered insights. But if the need arises and logs or packet captures suggest a replacement is needed, proactive customer is an option.
A short recap
- Dynamic Log and PCAPs happen automatically based on certain events
- You opt in one time to send your data to our TAC organization
- If needed, our TAC organizations reaches out to coordinate on any on-going troubleshooting or RMA requirement
In addition to this blog, we’ve put together a Tech Brief on AI Assist and Dynamic Log and PCAPs to help you learn more. Like a network that has interdependencies, so does an AIOps solution. In addition to AI Assist Aruba Central includes AI-powered search, profiling, and troubleshooting and optimization features that all work together.
Here are some additional resources that you may find useful:
