Course Overview:
"Mastering SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted: Installation, Administration & Monitoring" is a comprehensive 5-day training designed for IT professionals and enterprise teams seeking to implement, configure, and maintain on-premise SolarWinds Observability solutions. This course guides participants through SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted installation, system requirements, silent installs, licensing, database setup, and step-by-step configuration for high availability (HA) and scalability engines. Learners will explore the SolarWinds web console setup, dashboard configuration, and hands-on administration using SolarWinds platform management tools.
Additionally, the course includes deep dives into network monitoring using NPM, IPAM setup, voice quality tracking with VNQM, and event monitoring through Log Analyzer. The training incorporates the latest SolarWinds platform deployment guide strategies and SolarWinds admin tools and features, making it ideal for enterprise network visibility, IT infrastructure monitoring, and certification prep. Based on official SolarWinds documentation PDFs, participants will leave equipped to lead or support observability initiatives across complex infrastructure environments.
Target Audience:
- Network Monitoring Engineers
- IT Infrastructure Managers
- System and Network Administrators
- Enterprise IT Support Teams
- Observability Engineers
- DevOps Professionals
- Cybersecurity Analysts
Targeted Organizational Departments:
- IT Operations
- Infrastructure & Network Management
- Cybersecurity & Risk Management
- Data Center & Cloud Operations
- Enterprise Architecture Teams
- VoIP and Telecommunication Teams
Targeted Industries:
- Telecommunications
- Government & Defense
- Financial Services
- Healthcare & Hospitals
- Energy & Utilities
- Education & Research Institutions
- Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
Course Offerings:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Complete SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted installation step-by-step
- Set up SolarWinds on-prem and configure the web console
- Deploy and scale the SolarWinds platform with additional polling engines and HA
- Use SolarWinds dashboard configuration and alerting features
- Administer modules: IPAM, VNQM, UDT, NPM, and Log Analyzer
- Monitor enterprise networks with best-practice tools
- Troubleshoot performance and deployment issues
- Prepare for SolarWinds Observability certification with confidence
Training Methodology:
This course uses a mix of instructional strategies to ensure practical comprehension and hands-on application. Participants will engage in real-world deployment simulations based on official documentation from SolarWinds Platform.pdf and the accompanying module guides. Each day includes instructor-led sessions, interactive lab exercises, group work focused on SolarWinds dashboard configuration, and reflective discussions on SolarWinds platform deployment scenarios. Learners will use checklists and templates to reinforce skills such as silent installations, log configuration, and scalability setup. In-depth walkthroughs of SolarWinds admin tools and features ensure learners develop both theoretical and operational proficiency. Each session includes Q&A, case studies, and peer feedback loops to foster collaborative learning.
Course Toolbox:
- Official SolarWinds Platform Deployment Guide (PDF)
- Log Analyzer, NPM, UDT, IPAM, and VNQM Getting Started Guides
- Installation checklists and silent install XML examples
- Configuration wizard walkthroughs
- Web console setup flowcharts
- Licensing & scalability planning sheets
- Log and alert tuning templates
- Sample dashboards for enterprise visibility
(Note: Tools are not provided, but insights and examples will be shared.)
Course Agenda:
Day 1: Installing SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted
- Topic 1: SolarWinds Platform architecture and component overview
- Topic 2: System requirements, licensing types, and deployment considerations
- Topic 3: Installing SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted step-by-step
- Topic 4: Automating installation using silent mode and configuration XML
- Topic 5: Database setup, configuration wizard, and service checks
- Topic 6: Troubleshooting installation failures and interpreting logs
- Reflection & Review: Review installation successes and discuss real-world deployment use cases
Day 2: SolarWinds Web Console and Core Configuration
- Topic 1: Navigating the SolarWinds web console interface and views
- Topic 2: Dashboard customization, widget configuration, and layout management
- Topic 3: Adding and managing nodes through discovery and manual setup
- Topic 4: Credential management and SNMP/WMI configuration
- Topic 5: Licensing setup, poller registration, and HA introduction
- Topic 6: Setting up user roles, groups, and access control
- Reflection & Review: Collaborative review of configured dashboards and user access scenarios
Day 3: Administering IPAM, VNQM, and UDT Modules
- Topic 1: Installing and configuring IP Address Manager (IPAM)
- Topic 2: Subnet discovery, DHCP/DNS integration, and IP conflict detection
- Topic 3: Deploying and configuring VNQM for voice quality monitoring
- Topic 4: Setting up call detail records, gateways, and QoS reporting
- Topic 5: User Device Tracker (UDT) setup, Active Directory integration
- Topic 6: Monitoring rogue devices and configuring the Watch List
- Reflection & Review: Use case review and cross-module integration discussion
Day 4: Monitoring with NPM and Log Analyzer
- Topic 1: Network Performance Monitor (NPM) installation and configuration
- Topic 2: Interface discovery, node health metrics, and network topology views
- Topic 3: Configuring alerts, reports, and bandwidth monitoring
- Topic 4: Installing Log Analyzer and enabling log collection
- Topic 5: Configuring syslog/trap monitoring, filters, and actions
- Topic 6: Using log data for event correlation and forensic analysis
- Reflection & Review: Case study on network incident investigation using NPM and LA
- Day 5: Optimization, Advanced Topics & Certification Prep
- Topic 1: Scaling the platform with additional polling engines and HA deployment
- Topic 2: Performance tuning: polling intervals, database maintenance, and retention policies
- Topic 3: SolarWinds Observability certification prep: practice test and scenarios
- Topic 4: Troubleshooting dashboards, alerts, and cross-module inconsistencies
- Topic 5: Best practices for enterprise observability and documentation
- Topic 6: Planning for upgrades, module expansion, and change management
- Reflection & Review: Capstone project review and skills readiness assessment
FAQ:
What specific qualifications or prerequisites are needed for participants before enrolling in the course?
While no certification is required, participants should have foundational knowledge in networking, Windows Server, and IT infrastructure. Prior experience with network monitoring tools is a plus.
How long is each day's session, and is there a total number of hours required for the entire course?
Each day's session is generally structured to last around 4-5 hours, with breaks and interactive activities included. The total course duration spans five days, approximately 20-25 hours of instruction.
What happens if the SolarWinds platform installation fails mid-way?
As documented in the SolarWinds Platform.pdf, failures during installation often relate to environment prerequisites, services not stopped, or permission issues. The course teaches troubleshooting strategies using the Installation Report and system check tools.
How This Course is Different from Other Mastering SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Courses:
Unlike generic SolarWinds training courses, "Mastering SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted: Installation, Administration & Monitoring" focuses exclusively on self-hosted deployments, incorporating deep technical walkthroughs and real-world exercises based on official documentation (e.g., SolarWinds Platform.pdf, IPAM, UDT, VNQM, NPM, and LA getting started guides). The course addresses SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted installation, SolarWinds on-prem setup, admin skills training, and dashboard configuration, all aligned with practical deployment challenges faced by enterprises.
What sets this course apart is its comprehensive integration of modules (Log Analyzer, NPM, IPAM, VNQM, UDT), scalable deployment patterns (polling engines, HA), and certification readiness—all grounded in official SolarWinds best practices. Participants gain insight into troubleshooting, optimizing, and planning platform upgrades. This course goes beyond theoretical training, providing critical enterprise observability skills tailored for IT operations teams, infrastructure architects, and network monitoring engineers.
