Zyxel [Nebula] - Enhancements to the Zyxel Networks Security Router Threat Report

Zyxel Networks remains dedicated to enhancing the security and user experience of our products. In our latest Nebula 17.30 update, we've implemented significant improvements to the Security Router Threat Report feature, providing users with more intuitive and actionable insights into their network's security status. Here's an overview of the key updates and how they enhance your security management:

Pie Chart Visualization: Previously, the Threat Report showcased detected threats by category in a ring chart on the main dashboard. With the update to version 17.30, we've upgraded this visualization to a comprehensive pie chart. This refined design enables users to hover over any segment of the pie chart, revealing a pop-up text displaying the threat category and its proportion of the total detected threats. It's essential to note that while the initial mockup colors served as placeholders, the final version accurately represents ransomware with a yellow color.

Understanding the Hardware Monitor

The Hardware Monitor serves as a status dashboard for your Zyxel switches, focusing on their hardware components. It provides vital information, such as CPU and memory usage, which are essential for evaluating the switch's performance. This information is conveniently accessible on the switch's detail page, positioned between the public IP and topology fields.

Key Hardware Monitor Metrics:
1. CPU and Memory Usage: These metrics, visible in the switch's general tab, offer real-time data on the system's resource utilization.
2. Temperature, Fan, and Power Source: These metrics provide insights into the physical health of the switch. You can locate them under the hardware monitor card, positioned just below the switch status section.

Model-Specific Features

It's important to note that the availability of these metrics can vary by switch model. For example, the GS1350 model supports temperature monitoring but does not include fan sensors, as it does not utilize dynamic fan speeds. This variability underscores the importance of checking your specific model's capabilities.

Consistency Across Product Lines

Zyxel aims to maintain consistency across its product lines, hence the placement of CPU and memory usage information is aligned with that of security appliances like firewalls. This design choice ensures that users familiar with one product can easily navigate others.

Detailed Hardware Status Breakdown - Temperature Monitoring

Zyxel switches are equipped with multiple temperature sensors to provide a comprehensive overview of the device's thermal status. However, for simplicity and ease of analysis, the Nebula Control Center (NCC) consolidates this data into a single temperature status—normal or abnormal. This approach allows for straightforward monitoring, alerting users to potential issues without the need for them to interpret data from multiple sensors.

Detailed Hardware Status Breakdown - Fan Speed and Status

The fan status indicator is designed to be intuitive, with statuses like normal, failure (when RPM drops below 500), and high speed (indicating an SFP overheat event). This feature is particularly useful for identifying mechanical issues or conditions that could lead to hardware failure.

Detailed Hardware Status Breakdown - Power Supply Monitoring

For switches with multiple PSU sockets, the hardware monitor provides insights into the power supply status, indicating whether each PSU is active or in backup mode. This is crucial for redundancy planning and ensuring uninterrupted network operations.

Advanced Features

• Dynamic Fan Speed: Some models support dynamic fan speed adjustments based on hardware temperature, enhancing efficiency and prolonging device lifespan.
• SFP Module Temperature Monitoring: Through DDMI, switches can detect when SFP modules exceed temperature thresholds, triggering protective measures like locking the fan speed at maximum RPMs to prevent hardware damage.

Managing Hardware Monitor through NCC

NCC simplifies the management of these hardware statuses, offering features like the ability to reset the fan speed from high to dynamic after resolving any underlying issues that caused an overheat event. This integration into cloud management further streamlines network administration tasks.

Availability and Compatibility

The availability of the Hardware Monitor feature is firmware and model-dependent. For instance, as of the latest update, only the GS1350 model with firmware version 4.90 supports this feature. Users can check their model's compatibility and available metrics through the device function table in the NCC.

Conclusion

Zyxel Networks' Switch Hardware Monitor feature represents a significant step forward in network management, offering administrators a powerful tool for ensuring the health and performance of their networking devices. By providing detailed insights into critical hardware metrics, Zyxel enables proactive management and maintenance, helping to prevent issues before they impact network performance. Whether you're monitoring temperature, fan speed, or power supply status, Zyxel's comprehensive suite of monitoring tools ensures your network operates smoothly and reliably.