Menu option: Getting Started > Collector

Now you’ve uploaded your seedfile(s) and created your authentication profile(s), you’re ready to collect your device configuration(s). 

For connected environments, automatic collection is recommended.

For air-gapped or firewalled environments, manual collection may be necessary.

Automatic Collection

Before you start, you must have created a Site ID and Authentication Profile for the collection, and have the Collector Agent installed on a local device. 

In this step you’ll generate an API Key that will enable the Collector Agent to communicate with VirtualSME, and then start the collection.

1. Make sure the Welcome tab is selected.
2. Click on API Keys to generate an API key for this collection. The following dialog box opens:
   
   
3. Click on Generate Key. The following dialog box opens:
   
   
4. At Display Name, enter a name for the API Key.
   At Site ID, select the Site ID which this collection relates to.
   At Expiration Date, enter an expiration date for the API Key.
5. Click Generate Key. The following dialog box opens:
   
   
6. Click on the copy symbol alongside the unique number, and then clock Close.
7. On the device on which you installed the Collector Agent, log in the Collector Agent, scroll down to API Key, and paste in the API key you copied at step 6:
   
   
    
8. Click on Save Platform.
9. Return to VirtualSME, and at the Select Agent drop-down list, choose the Agent linked to the API Key you entered at step 7.
10. Click on View Agent. The following dialog box opens:
    
    
     
11. At Select Seedfile, select the required Seedfile from the drop-down list.
12. At Authentication Profile, select the required Authentication Profile from the drop-down list.
13. Select the check box next to each IP Address that you want to collect, or click Select All to select all IP addresses.
14. Start Collection. Progress is displayed, and then you’ll see a report on the outcome of the collection beneath.

Manual Collection

1. Make sure the Manual Collection tab is selected.

   

2. Paste or drag & drop a .txt file into the Upload zone. The following dialog box opens:
   
   
3. Select existing Site ID, or Create new site ID. 
4. Click on Upload Configurations.

The file is added to the configuration table.

That completes the setup. You are now ready to use the powerful Infrastructure and Cybersecurity features of Virtual SME.

To find out more, click on one of the following links:

• About the Configs Module
• About the Inventory Module
• About the Topology and LLD Modules
• About the IPv6 Module
• About Best Practice and Advisories
• About the MOP and Migration Config Modules
• About the Leaked Credentials Module
• About the Reconnaissance Module
• About the Internal PenTest Module