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Adding Hosts

Now it's time to populate your map with hosts from your Zabbix server.

Adding Existing Hosts​

To add hosts that already exist in your Zabbix server:

  1. Right-click anywhere on the map canvas
  2. Select "Add Existing Host" from the context menu
  3. A list of hosts from your selected Zabbix server will appear in the sidebar
  4. Use the search bar to quickly find specific hosts by name
  5. Click on the host you want to add to the map

Add Existing Host Host Selection

The selected host will be placed on the canvas.

Adding New Hosts​

You can also add new hosts directly from MapZ. This will also create the host in your Zabbix server:

  1. Right-click on the map canvas
  2. Select "Add New Host"
  3. Fill in the required host details:
    • Hostname: The name of the host (as it will appear in Zabbix)
    • IP Address: The IP address of the host
    • Other details like host groups and templates (depending on the MapZ version)
  4. Click "Add Host"

Add New Host Host Configuration

The new host will be added to both your MapZ map and your Zabbix server.

important

Make sure the host details you enter match the actual configuration of your infrastructure.

Add Host Wizard​

If you prefer a guided approach, you can use the "Add Host Wizard":

  1. Right-click on the map canvas

  2. Select "Add New Host"

  3. Select 'Use Host Wizard'

  4. Step through the wizard to configure the host:

    • Step 2: Choose a template—a set of predefined configurations (metrics to be collected, conditions for generating alerts, etc.) designed for your monitoring target. If Using community templates, you can select from a list of available templates.
    • Step 3: If community templates is selected, review the details of the selected community template before proceeding.
    • Step 4: Set the hostname and select a group for your host.
    • Step 5: Agent-based templates require installing Zabbix agent or agent 2 on your monitoring target. Fill in the details below and follow the instructions if you need to install an agent.
    • Step 6: Add Host Interface
      • Type: Select the type of interface (e.g., "Agent," "SNMP," "IPMI")
      • IP Address: Enter the IP address of the host
      • Port: Specify the port number (default is usually 10050 for Zabbix agent)
      • DNS Name: Optionally, enter a DNS name for the host
    • step 7: Configure Host.Some templates require additional configuration, such as defining host macros.
    • Step 8: Click "Finish" to close the wizard and add the host.

Add Host Wizard Add Host Wizard Steps Add Host Wizard Steps Add Host Wizard Steps Add Host Wizard Steps Add Host Wizard Steps Add Host Wizard Steps Add Host Wizard Steps

Understanding Host Nodes​

Each host on your map is represented by a "Host Node" that provides visual information about the host's status.

Host Node Example

UI Elements​

  • Host Name: The name of the host (e.g., "Zabbix Server")
  • Problems: An indicator (e.g., a red circle with a number) showing active problems or alerts
  • Icons: Represent the type of device (e.g., server, router, switch)
  • Colors: The color changes based on the severity of problems (green for "OK", yellow for "Warning", red for "Critical")
  • Border: The border color can also reflect the problem status

Hardware Configuration​

The Edit Host Properties form includes a "Hardware" tab that allows you to define the host's device type:

  1. Right-click on a host node and select "Appearance"
  2. Go to the "Hardware" tab
  3. Select the device type from the dropdown (data is originally sourced from NetBox Device Type Library)

Hardware Tab

Setting the hardware type ensures that the host is represented with the appropriate visual elements and can help in correctly identifying network device types within your infrastructure.

To Enable 'Winbox' functionality from the context menu , enable "Mikrotik RouterOS Device (Enables Winbox Tool)"

Adding Data to Hosts (Monitored Items)​

You can display additional metrics directly on the host nodes:

  1. Right-click on a host node and select "Appearance"
  2. Go to the "General" tab
  3. Look for the "Monitored Items" section
  4. Click the "+" button to add a new item

Add Monitored Item

  1. Select the Zabbix item you want to display from the dropdown menu

Zabbix Items List Selected Item

The selected item's value will now be displayed on the host node.

Host with Data

Monitored Item Options​

When adding monitored items, you have several display options:

Hide from Node Display​

Check the "Hide" checkbox to hide the item from the node content display. The item will only be visible in the host node's tooltip popup, not directly on the node itself.

This is useful for:

  • Keeping the node clean and uncluttered
  • Monitoring items that you want to track but don't need to see constantly
  • Items that are only relevant when investigating issues

Display Graphs in Tooltips​

You can display time-series graphs for monitored items directly in the host tooltip:

  1. In the "Monitored Items" section, find the item you want to graph
  2. Check the "Graph" checkbox next to the item

Graph Checkbox

  1. Now when you hover over the host node, the tooltip will display a graph for that item

Host Tooltip with Graph

Graph Features:

  • Time Range: Graphs show the last hour of data by default
  • Multiple Graphs: You can enable graphs for multiple items - they will be displayed sequentially in the tooltip
  • Combined with Hide: You can hide an item from the node display but still show its graph in the tooltip
  • Real-time Updates: Graphs update automatically as new data is collected
When to Use Graphs

Use graphs for metrics that change frequently and where trends are important:

  • CPU usage
  • Network bandwidth
  • Memory utilization
  • Temperature readings
  • Response times

This allows you to quickly spot trends and anomalies without opening additional dialogs.

Monitoring Templates​

You can also save and apply templates to the host nodes to quickly add multiple monitored items at once.

Saving Template: After you have configured the monitored items, you can save them as a template for future use. This allows you to quickly apply the same configuration to other hosts.

Applying Template: Simply Select a Monitoring Template from the list. This will automatically apply the selected template to the host, adding all the monitored items defined in that template.

tip

Choose items that are relevant to the overall purpose of your map. Don't overload the host nodes with too much information. Keep it clean and focused for better readability.

Site Management​

MapZ allows you to organize hosts by physical location using the Site Management feature. This helps you track which hosts are located at which data centers, offices, or other physical sites.

Linking a Host to a Site​

  1. Right-click on a host node and select "Appearance"
  2. Go to the "General" tab
  3. Find the "Site" field
  4. Start typing a site name

Site Field

  1. As you type, MapZ will show suggestions for existing sites
  2. Select from the dropdown to link to an existing site

Site Autocomplete

Creating a New Site​

If the site you need doesn't exist yet:

  1. Type the new site name in the Site field
  2. You'll see a message: "Site '[Name]' not found"
  3. Click the "Create Site" button that appears

Create Site

  1. Confirm the creation when prompted
  2. The site will be created and the host will be automatically linked to it

What Happens:

  • A new site is created with the name you specified
  • The current host is added as an asset to that site
  • The host is now linked to the site
  • The site is available for other hosts to use

Viewing Site Information​

When a host is linked to a site, you'll see:

  • A green confirmation message: "Host linked to site: [Site Name]"
  • The site name displayed in the Site field

Linked Site

Unlinking a Host from a Site​

To remove a host from its site:

  1. Open the host properties (Appearance → General tab)
  2. In the Site field, click the "(Unlink)" button next to the site name
  3. The host will no longer be associated with that site
note

Unlinking a host from a site does not delete the site. The site remains available for other hosts.

Benefits of Site Management​

Organization

  • Group hosts by physical location
  • Easily identify which hosts are at which site
  • Better understanding of your infrastructure layout

Maintenance Planning

  • Schedule maintenance by site
  • Apply maintenance windows to all hosts at a location
  • Track site-specific issues

Asset Tracking

  • Know exactly which equipment is at each location
  • Track hardware across multiple sites
  • Generate site-specific reports

Filtering and Search

  • Filter hosts by site in various dialogs
  • Search for all hosts at a specific location
  • Create site-specific maps

Site Management Best Practices​

  1. Use Consistent Naming

    • Use a standard format for site names
    • Example: "DC-NYC-01" for Data Center New York 01
    • Or: "Office-London" for London Office

  2. Create Sites Before Adding Hosts

    • If you know your sites in advance, create them first
    • This makes it easier to select from the dropdown when adding hosts

  3. Link Hosts During Initial Setup

    • Add site information when first creating hosts
    • Saves time compared to updating later

  4. Review Site Assignments Regularly

    • Periodically check that hosts are linked to the correct sites
    • Update when equipment is moved between locations