Specifications

Getting Started
Getting Started provides an overview of Inventory Manager features and a summary of the basic steps you
must perform to begin using Inventory Manager.
Inventory Manager is a tool that monitors your network devices, including configuration and firmware
changes. Inventory Manager provides the following functions:
save a device's configuration so that it can be restored later•
restore a device's configuration from a previously saved configuration•
compare a device's configuration with a previous configuration and report any differences•
create a configuration template based on a saved configuration file, and download the template to one
or more devices
•
download firmware or boot PROM images to a device or group of devices•
view a history of firmware and configuration changes made to a device•
generate valuable, in−depth reports for network inventory planning purposes•
Because Getting Started is meant to be used side−by−side with Inventory Manager, it will be most useful if
you install Inventory Manager first. Once the application is installed, and you have read the Release Notes,
you can use the information and steps below as an aid in learning how to use Inventory Manager.
Here are the things you'll need to do to begin using Inventory Manager in your network:
Install
Inventory
Manager
You should already have done this. If not, refer to the installation instructions in
the Installation help topic, install Inventory Manager, then come back to Getting
Started.
If You are
Upgrading
This help topic provides information for users who are upgrading from a 1.x
version of Inventory Manager. It outlines changes in functionality and provides a
description of new procedures and concepts that were introduced in version 2.0.
Following an upgrade, you can import your 1.4 database into this version of
Inventory Manager to preserve your network information. Refer to How to
Import a Database for specific information on importing your Inventory Manager
database.
NetSight
Services
When you install Inventory Manager, you have the option of starting TFTP and
BOOTP services (see Installation, NetSight Services). Read this help topic to
learn how to stop and start these services.
TFTP Server
Setup
Inventory Manager provides a NetSight TFTP server to download firmware/boot
PROM to network devices, and save and restore device configurations. This help
topic provides information on configuring the NetSight TFTP Server or using
another TFTP server if desired.
FTP Server
Setup
You can also download firmware/boot PROM images, and save and restore
device configurations using an FTP server. This help topic provides information
on configuring FTP server properties and login information.
Getting Started 40