This video demonstrates how to use and customize SysTrack data perspectives to identify, evaluate, and prepare systems, storage, and applications for physical-to-virtual (P2V) migration projects.
Video Transcript
Data perspectives are found within the Visualizer set of dashboards. Perspectives are shown in a dropdown list and are intended to filter the associated dataset for a specific use case.
Let's take a look at three data perspectives you'll want to check out before your next P2V project.
Starting here in the Desktop set of dashboards, in the Hardware dashboard, let's choose the Operating System Details perspective. Now, this list as it's presented may not be too helpful. We can use the gear icon to view all of the metrics associated with this dashboard and have the option to group, label, and change the graph. What I like to do is remove some of the non-essential information. Maybe we get rid of some of these items. We don't care about service packs right now. Install date is good. I don't care where it's located or the time zone. The age of the system might be good. I don't really care about when it was last patched, but I'm doing P2V, so I'm interested in CPU capacity and memory capacity of the existing system.
I might want to locate my systems by make, manufacturer, or serial number, so I can add this kind of information. I think that might do it for now. Let's see how this list looks. Yeah, it looks a little better. But what if I want to group this? Perhaps that's where grouping comes into play. Maybe I want to group on manufacturer. So I group manufacturers by choosing this. Notice how our dataset is now organized differently. Here's how my Apple machines, all of my Dells, Hewlett-Packard machines, and so on are grouped together.
But maybe I want to get a little more specific. Again, let's use a grouping choice of model. Now I can see the different types of Mac systems I have out there and the different types of Dells. I get my Latitude 3320s, 5310s, 5400s, and so on. This is a quick and easy way to find machines, organize the information, and build a set of systems that I'm targeting for my next P2V project.
Another perspective that's equally helpful is in the Storage set of data. Let's revert this to Basic. Anytime you change anything about the way the data looks out of the box, even a simple sort, the dashboard will display a customized label to indicate that it has been modified. To revert back to the default view, just click the refresh icon. The dataset I like to use for P2V planning is Full Details of Storage. Here I'm getting a list of system names, total storage, and things like the size of a user profile. If I have to migrate somebody from one platform to another, I want to know how much storage I'm going to consume. Maybe this is an opportunity to advise users to get files off their desktop and put them in the proper location. I can also see the size associated with install folders, temporary files, restore points, and recycle bins. Some users may have large amounts of unnecessary data stored in these locations. This kind of information is helpful to know ahead of time so we can clean up unnecessary storage consumption before we start P2V, moving users from physical to virtual systems.
The last perspective you might want to take a look at is Application Virtualization. This is an interesting list because it gives us applications that may have concerns. It's not intended to tell you how to remediate an issue. More importantly, it's intended to bring potential issues to your attention. These are applications found in your environment that may require additional consideration when moving from a physical machine to a virtual environment. For example, do they require services or specific device drivers? These can be concerns that need to be addressed before virtualization. Are they integrating with Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, or the Windows shell? This dashboard, with its concern details, helps identify software that should be reviewed before moving it into a virtual environment. So when you're looking at dashboards, take a look at these perspectives. You might find one that's just right for you.
And if it isn't quite right, make it your own. Use the gear icon to see all of the data associated with a particular dashboard. You can add or hide fields using checkboxes, group information, and customize the view to meet your needs.