Using Snapshots to Monitor Devices
CloudVision enables you to monitor changes in the state of the devices in your network over time through the use of snapshots.
Sections in this chapter include:
About Snapshots
In CloudVision, the snapshot service runs as a scheduler to capture device snapshots periodically.
The information recorded in snapshots provides you with insights on the configuration, EOS image, and other aspects of the device. Snapshots are captured for individual devices (single switches) only.
Standard Information in Snapshots
The information recorded in the snapshot reflects the state of the device at the time snapshot was captured. A snapshot only contains outputs of custom commands that are part of a snapshot template. (You must select a snapshot template when you capture a snapshot.) See Defining Custom Snapshot Templates andEditing Custom Snapshot Templates for information on using snapshot templates.
When upgrading to the 2018.2 train, only snapshot templates are migrated but not previous snapshots. CloudVision stores migrated templates without any device list associated with them. Hence, they are marked as unscheduled. However, these templates can be used to capture snapshots before and after change controls.
How to Use Snapshots
In CloudVision, snapshot service schedules and periodically captures the outputs of commands that are specified in the template. The frequency of capturing command outputs is based on the scheduling frequency mentioned in the snapshot template. The information recorded in snapshots can provide you with insights on the configuration, EOS image, and other aspects of the device. Snapshots are captured for individual devices (single switches) only.
The main uses of snapshots are:
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Viewing snapshots to understand the state of a device at a given time, or over time.
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Comparing snapshots to see the change in state of a device between two points in time.
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Comparing snapshots to see the state of a device before and after a change control.
Accessing Snapshots
Snapshots are stored under the CVP dataset, which you can access any time for detailed analysis. The Snapshots page displays all valid snapshots created over time. Each valid snapshot provides the following additional information:
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Name - The name of the template (you assign the name when you create the template).
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Capture Time - The date and time when the snapshot was last captured.
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Last Executed By - The user that captured the snapshot.
It also allows navigating to snapshots of the corresponding snapshot template.

You can navigate to the Snapshots page through one of the following paths:
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Inventory > Device_ID > Snapshots
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Network Provisioning > Right-click on the required device > Snapshot.
Accessing Snapshot Configurations
The Snapshot Configuration page displays all snapshot templates created over time. It further allows you to edit current snapshot configuration, navigate to the Snapshots page, view the status of each snapshot configuration, and create a new custom snapshot configuration.

You can navigate to the Snapshot Configuration page through one of the following paths:
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Inventory > Device_ID > Snapshots > Snapshot Configuration
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Network Provisioning > Right-click on the required device > Snapshot > Snapshot Configuration.
Defining Custom Snapshot Templates
To ensure that snapshots contain the information you need for effectively monitoring changes in the state of devices over a certain period of time, CloudVision allows you to define custom snapshot templates.
A snapshot template defines commands, outputs of which need to be captured as part of the snapshot using that template. When you create a snapshot template, associate a list of devices, and set an execution frequency with it, the snapshot service starts capturing and storing snapshots for that template based on the scheduled frequency.
Complete the following steps to define a new custom snapshot template:
Editing Custom Snapshot Templates
Viewing Snapshots Differences
You can take snapshots of single devices only. The exact set of information and presentation of the information in the snapshot is determined by the snapshot template you choose when capturing the snapshot.
Complete the following steps to view snapshots of a device: