NG 2.13
Overview
We are thrilled to introduce our latest release, packed with updates that improve security, usability, and performance across vuSmartMaps. This sprint focuses on enhanced data access control, streamlined configurations, improved log analytics, and advanced debugging tools. Key highlights include Captcha for secure login, refined password management, upgraded alert workflows and enhanced observability with OTEL integration. Additionally, We fixed security issues, improved file checks, added rate limits, and enhanced security. Users can enjoy a more secure, efficient, and insightful experience with these updates.
Key Highlights
- Configurations & Preferences: Enhanced Email, ITSM, and integration settings with new test features, real-time configuration feedback, and upfront validation of credentials and target system access before initiating data ingestion and distribution.
- Application Security and VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing) fixes: We conducted a security scan on vuSmartMaps services, fixed vulnerabilities and updated libraries. VAPT fixes - added file upload checks, rate limiters, CSP headers, and anti-hijacking measures to enhance system security and performance.
- NoC Storyboard: The improved NoC Storyboard in vuSmartMaps™ ensures faster issue resolution with real-time Infra O11ySource insights.
- UTM: Updated with relevant product icons for easier understanding of running services and optimized query execution to show map insights in seconds.
- vuApp360: Added column filtering for Trace Details and integrated OTEL for real-time monitoring of RED metrics.
- Log Analytics: Introduced a feature to restrict table visibility, ensuring access is limited to authorized users for enhanced security and control.
- Accessing vuSmartMaps: Implemented Captcha for secure login. Strengthened user authentication by requiring the current password during the password change process.
- Alerts Configuration: The Microsoft Teams Groups field is now a multi-select dropdown with prepopulated distribution groups, eliminating the need for manual entry, simplifying alert configuration, and reducing the risk of errors.
- Alert Console: The Ticket ID on the alert details page in the Alert Console is now a clickable link, providing quick access to the ticket in the ITSM tool.
- ContextStreams: Enhanced debugging features with a new interface, integrated WebSocket support for real-time data streams, and simplified resource management to improve performance and scalability.
- O11ySources: Pipeline data is now managed in a well-formatted JSON format, improving readability, troubleshooting, and organization while maintaining compressed exports.
- Data Retention: Simplified data retention with clearer categories and improved UI for easier configuration.
New Features in The Release
New O11ySources
We are continuously expanding our observability capabilities and with the addition of several new out-of-the-box O11ySources in this release, NG 2.13.0 enhances its support for diverse use cases. These additions ensure comprehensive monitoring and data collection, covering over 90% of common requirements.
The new O11ySources include:
- HTTP Poller: The HTTP Poller in O11ySource helps collect data and metrics from external websites, APIs, or status pages by regularly sending HTTP requests. It is useful for monitoring services or gathering data like system health, performance metrics, or other information shared in formats like JSON or XML. This makes it easy to track and analyze data from different online sources in one place.
- HP-UX: HP-UX monitoring involves tracking the performance, health, and resource usage of systems running the HP-UX operating system, a Unix-based OS developed by HP. It helps administrators detect and fix issues, use resources efficiently, and ensure the system runs smoothly.
- Kafka Monitoring: Kafka monitoring tracks metrics related to the health and performance of Apache Kafka clusters. It helps detect issues like lag or broker failure, optimize resources, and ensure reliable message streaming. This ensures the Kafka environment remains efficient, scalable, and stable.
- Cassandra: Cassandra is an open-source NoSQL database designed to manage large data across multiple servers. It ensures high availability, scalability, and fault tolerance, making it ideal for handling vast amounts of data without a single point of failure.
- KeyDB: KeyDB is a high-performance, open-source database and a drop-in alternative to Redis. Unlike many databases with features hidden behind paid plans, KeyDB is fully open-source, fostering collaboration and shared development between Snap and the community.
- MS DFS: Microsoft DFS simplifies file access by grouping shared folders from different servers into a single, logical namespace. It enhances file sharing, replication, and data availability while providing fault tolerance and scalability. DFS supports load balancing and automatic redirection during server failures, making it ideal for enterprise environments. Integrated into Windows Server, it streamlines data management and access across distributed systems
- Syslog: The Syslog O11ySource collects logs from different parts of a system, like servers and applications, into one place. This helps in monitoring, troubleshooting, and analyzing system activity more efficiently.
Complete List of O11ySources
| Active Directory | Amazon RDS | Apache | AWS - ALB |
| AWS - API Gateway | AWS - Classic ELB | AWS - Cloudfront | AWS - ElastiCache |
| AWS - NLB | AWS - Network Firewall | AWS - Route 53 | AWS - S3 |
| AWS - Transit Gateway | AWS - VPC | AWS - WAF | Azure Event Hub |
| Cisco Firewall | Cisco Router | Cisco Switch | Device Availability |
| DNS Monitoring | F5 Load Balancer | Fortinet Firewall | GKE Monitoring |
| HA Proxy | IBM AIX | IBM MQ | IHS |
| IIS | Jboss | JVM Monitoring | Keycloak |
| Kong API Gateway | Kubernetes (K8s) | Linux Monitor | Log Collector |
| MariaDB | MongoDB | MSSQL (cluster) | mySQL |
| Nginx | Nutanix | OHS | Oracle |
| Palo Alto FW | PostgreSQL | Rabbit MQ | Rancher K3s |
| Redis | Service Availability | Service Monitor | SNMP Polling |
| Solaris Monitor | SQL Data Collector | SSL certificate Monitoring | Task Scheduler |
| Tomcat | Traces | URL Availability | Vault |
| Weblogic | Windows Event Logs | Windows Monitor | |
New O11ySources in NG 2.13.0 | |||
| Cassandra | HP-UX | HTTP Poller | Kafka Monitoring |
| KeyDB | MS DFS | Syslog | |
Improvements/Technology Upgrades in the Release
Configurations & Preferences
The Configurations & Preferences module in vuSmartMaps has been updated to make it easier to manage settings for Email, ITSM, Analytics Reports, and integrations like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and WhatsApp. The password field in Email Configuration is no longer required for users with SMTP without authentication. New Test features allow users to check and save configurations in real-time, and status indicators like "Configured" or "Not Configured" help track updates and troubleshooting. These updates make it simpler, more flexible, and more efficient. Learn more about it in Configurations & Preferences.
Benefits
- Improved Flexibility: Users can configure email preferences without a password if SMTP authentication is not required.
- Improved Usability: The new, simpler layout enhances the user experience, making it quicker to manage all platform settings and integrations.
- Faster Troubleshooting: The new Test and Test & Save features provide real-time feedback, helping users quickly spot and fix configuration issues.
Application Security UI Vulnerabilities - VAPT
We conducted a Security scan and addressed vulnerabilities identified by updating libraries, applying patches, and upgrading containers to meet the latest security standards. Files are now checked on both the frontend and backend for size, extensions, and multi-extensions to block invalid uploads. Rate limiters and the X-Rate-Limiting header were added to control file upload frequency and manage request rates, preventing abuse. Security was also improved with a strong CSP header and measures to stop session hijacking.
Benefits
- VAPT-Driven Improvements: Key fixes and upgrades were guided by VAPT findings.
- Better Compliance: The system now adheres to the latest security standards.
- Improved Protection: File validation, rate limiting, and enhanced security headers safeguard the system from attacks.
NoC Storyboard
We’ve improved the NoC Storyboard in vuSmartMaps™ to give IT operations teams a real-time overview of the health and performance of network and infrastructure components (Infra O11ySources). This update helps teams quickly identify active alerts and affected targets like nodes, servers, or services. By highlighting issues that need immediate attention, teams can resolve problems faster, ensuring smoother operations and better customer experience.
Benefits
- Streamlined Insights: Configured O11ySources are displayed in a prioritized and consolidated view.
- Enhanced Flexibility: Users can customize filters and add new data column filters as needed.
- Simplified Onboarding: Easily integrate new O11ySources without requiring complex configurations.
UTM
The Unified Transaction Map (UTM) now features new and improved logos, offering a modern and updated visual experience. Along with this visual refresh, data requests are combined to enhance performance, speeding up retrieval and reducing delays. These updates make queries and map-building faster, ensuring a smoother and more efficient user experience. For more details, explore Unified Transaction Map.
Benefits
- Enhanced Visual Appeal: The updated logos provide a fresh, modern look for a better user experience.
- Faster and More Efficient Performance: Combining requests and storing responses speeds up data processing, reduces delays, and makes UTM queries and map-building more efficient.
- Better Queries and Maps: UTM queries and map-building are now quicker and more efficient.
vuApp360 - Application Observability
We’re excited to announce updates to vuApp360’s application observability features, designed to improve trace data analysis and enhance monitoring for better performance insights.
- The Trace Details page now includes enhanced column filtering support in the List View. This update makes it easier to narrow down and focus on specific spans, improving the efficiency of exploring trace data and diagnosing system performance issues. For more details, explore vuApp360 - Traces Overview Dashboard.
- Additionally, we’ve integrated OpenTelemetry (OTEL) to enhance RED metrics monitoring, including Rate, Errors, and Duration, directly from trace data. This integration provides real-time insights into service health, error rates, and latency, enabling faster diagnosis and service optimization. For more details, explore vuApp360 – Application Observability.
Benefits
- Efficient Data Exploration: Column-level filtering helps users focus on relevant details, improving trace data analysis.
- Real-Time Performance Insights: The OTEL integration provides timely data on service health, error rates, and latency.
- Faster Issue Diagnosis: With better visibility and performance tracking, users can identify and resolve issues quickly.
Log Analytics
To improve security and usability, Data Access Policy settings have been added to the log analytics module. Previously, all tables in the datastore were listed, but now access is limited based on the data access policies configured in User Roles. This update improves security by ensuring users only see data they are authorized to view. For more details, explore Log Analytics.
Benefits
- Improved Security: The update ensures only accessible tables are shown, enhancing data privacy and security.
- Stronger Access Control: This change aligns with best practices for user permissions, ensuring users only see tables they’re authorized to access.
Accessing vuSmartMaps
We’re excited to announce updates to Accessing vuSmartMaps, including a new feature and improvements to enhance security and the user experience.
- Captcha has been implemented to ensure the user is human, helping to prevent automated attacks and brute force attempts. For more details, explore Accessing vuSmartMaps – Logging in.
- The change password section now requires users to enter their current password along with the new password and confirm it to complete the update. This measure ensures the authenticity of the request and strengthens security. For more details, Navigate to the Accessing vuSmartMaps - Change Password section and explore.
Benefits
- Improved Security: Captcha prevents automated attacks and brute force attempts, ensuring a more secure platform.
- Authentication Assurance: The updated password change process ensures only authorized users can modify account credentials.
- Increased Trust: Users can feel more confident knowing their accounts and data are well-protected.
Alerts
In the Alerts, the Microsoft Teams Groups field, which previously required users to enter channel names as text, has been updated to a multi-select dropdown. This enhancement allows users to select from a predefined list of available channels, improving accuracy and ease of use. Navigate to the Alert Creation section and explore.
Benefits
- Enhanced Usability: The dropdown simplifies selecting Teams channels by providing a clear and user-friendly interface.
- Reduced Errors: Predefined options eliminate the possibility of typos or invalid channel names, ensuring accurate configurations.
Alert Console
We’ve improved the Alert Console by making the Ticket ID on the alert details page a clickable link. Clicking the link will open the associated ticket directly in the configured ITSM tool in a new tab, making it easier to manage and track incidents. Learn more about it in Alert Console - Alert Details
Benefits
- Quick Access: Directly open the ticket in the ITSM tool with a single click.
- Improved Efficiency: Reduces the need for manual searching, saving time and effort.
ContextStreams
We’re excited to share updates to the ContextStreams module in vuSmartMaps, making debugging easier and improving resource management for better performance.
- The ContextStreams Debug Functionality in vuSmartMaps is now faster and easier to use with a new interface and Websocket-based processing. The Capture tab (formerly Preview) lets users capture real-time data or fetch records with options to set duration, record limits, and filters. The Upload tab allows testing with JSON files. Users can also download data in JSON format, and Websocket integration ensures quicker and smoother debugging. To learn more about the enhancements, refer to Debugging - ContextStreams.
- The Resource Constraint Settings for memory and CPU have been improved to provide better control and efficient resource usage. New validation rules ensure that values are set within defined limits, preventing misconfigurations. These updates help optimize resource allocation and enhance pipeline performance, To learn more about the enhancements, refer to Creating - ContextStreams.
Benefits
- Faster Debugging: The updated interface and tools make debugging quicker and easier.
- Better Resource Control: Improved settings and rules optimize memory and CPU use.
- Improved Efficiency: These updates enhance pipeline performance and reliability.
O11ySources
We’ve improved pipeline data management by switching from a text format to a well-formatted JSON format, making configurations easier to track, review, and understand. Although pipelines are still exported in a compressed format, the files inside are now structured and readable, enhancing clarity and usability. This update simplifies troubleshooting and ensures better organization of pipeline settings.
Benefits
- Simplified Management: The structured JSON format makes tracking and managing pipeline configurations easier.
- Improved Readability: Properly indented and formatted JSON data is easier to understand.
- Enhanced Transparency: Users can clearly inspect and follow pipeline settings, improving clarity.
Data Retention
The Data Retention module in vuSmartMaps has been improved for easier data management. Data is now organized into "Live Data" (Hot and Warm Storage) and "Archived Data," with "Cold Storage" renamed to "Archived Storage." Administrators can choose when data moves to the archive, either daily or after its retention period ends. The updated UI simplifies configuring data retention periods and policies. Learn more about it in Data Retention.
Benefits
- Better Organization: Clearer categorization of data for easier management.
- Flexibility: Administrators can choose how and when data is archived.
- Improved Control: Easier configuration of retention policies.
Known Issues
| S. No. | Ticket No. | Issue | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5055 | CH TTL: TTL Is getting struck, and parts to do aren't getting updated | S2 |
| 2 | 4947 | User Management: Help text is not proper in User role | S3 |
| 3 | 4963 | Alert Rules: The Auto Remediation column should be available in the Alert Console and all the Alert Channel details | S3 |
| 4 | 5130 | UTM: The Non existing Data model still shows up in UTM | S3 |
| 5 | 5138 | Log Analytics: Save button should be disabled for the role who doesn't have access to the table | S3 |
| 6 | 5039 | Timezone issues | S3 |
| 7 | 5132 | Dashboards: Shortened URL results in a "Page Not Found" error when accessed from the dashboard. | S3 |
| 8 | 5143 | Data store: Nothing is happening in UI if we click on the Detect Timezone button | S3 |
| 9 | 5144 | Report Generation : There is no < / > / == / != filter for download count field in Generated Reports tab | S3 |
| 10 | 4999 | Login Page: Forgot Password is not working | S4 |
| 11 | 5088 | Add a confirmation message when the "Stop" button halts testing to inform users it was successful, improving clarity and user experience. | S4 |
| 12 | 5146 | Preferences: Test successful, but messages not delivered for specific mobile numbers in WhatsApp Preferences | S4 |
| 13 | 4998 | Login and Forgot Password: Vunet logo is not appearing | S4 |
| 14 | 5113 | Preferences: WhatsApp Preferences failed status is updating in the Last Test Result. | S4 |
| 15 | 5119 | ContextStreamDebug: Multiple request for the Stop button is called while clicking on the Stop button multiple times. | S4 |
| 16 | 4795 | Sort: The options in the drop-down menu are not sorted alphabetically. | S5 |
| 17 | 5109 | Preferences: Inconsistent warning messages across fields in Configure and Preferences modules. | S5 |
| 18 | 5141 | Definitions > Email/Mobile Group: Ensure Exported Data for Groups Matches Column Order Displayed in GUI. | S5 |
| 19 | 5122 | Data Store: The "Created By" column on the listing page shows "service-account-denver-orchestration" for existing data stores. | S5 |
*S5, S4, S3 & S2 issues will be prioritized in the NG 2.14.0 release. S1 - Critical. S2 - Major, S3 - Moderate, S4 - Minor, S5 - Cosmetic.
Issues Fixed
| S. No. | Ticket No. | Issue | Severity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4752 | Profile: When you change the timezone in your profile to Default, it is not changed to Default | S2 | Fixed in NG 2.13.0 |
| 2 | 4338 | Alert Rules: Validation Issues | S3 | Closed in NG 2.13.0 |
| 3 | 4888 | Alert Console: Getting error while submitting the user feedback | S3 | Fixed in NG 2.13.0 |
| 4 | 5015 | Reports: The Search filter is not working as expected | S3 | Fixed in NG 2.13.0 |
| 5 | 5017 | User Management: After deleting the user page is not refreshed by default | S4 | Fixed in NG 2.13.0 |
Release Attributes
| Build/Module Name | NG 2.13.0 |
|---|---|
| User Guide | Accessing vuSmartMaps – Logging in Accessing vuSmartMaps - Change Password Alerts - Alert Creation Alert Console - Alert Details Configurations & Preferences Creating - ContextStreams Debugging - ContextStreams Data Retention Log Analytics Unified Transaction Map vuApp360 - Traces Overview Dashboard vuApp360 – Application Observability *All the user guide links in this document are up to date and align with NG 2.13.0 updates. |
| Filename | vuSmartMaps_offline_NG-2.13.tar.gz |
| Checksum (MD5SUM of the build) | c717b3e900efe10fb75cf66a957a3241 |
System Requirements
The supported browser version is Chrome & Version 109 or above.
Upcoming Release
We are excited to announce the next sprint release of vuSmartMaps NG 2.14.0, scheduled for 16 Jan 2025. This upcoming release will bring further enhancements and features to empower your observability experience. Stay tuned for the latest updates and continue to benefit from the continuous evolution of vuSmartMaps.
We are developing a migration plan for customers using versions 8.x or 9.x to transition them to the NG release.
