Question 1

How do we overcome resistance to third-party scans?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways to address customer concerns and build trust around the scan process:

- Promote Transparency:
The best approach is to have the Partner and End Customer on a live call during the scan. This ensures full visibility into what’s being done. A pre-scan alignment meeting is also recommended to review the scan plan, confirm which credentials the customer is comfortable sharing, and schedule access.
Use an NDA for Peace of Mind:
If not already in place, an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) can help reassure customers that any shared data will only be used for its intended purpose. Most Partners already have one in place and referencing it can help build confidence.

- Offer a Self-Run Option:
For customers who prefer to maintain full control, they can run the Docker container locally on their own laptop. While this gives them complete authority over credentials and execution, it's still advisable to have all parties on a call to guide the setup and share tips—such as starting with a test seed before conducting a complete scan.
Clarify That the Scan Is Safe:
The scan is read-only, so it cannot change or configure any settings. Customers can also choose to provide read-only credentials to further limit access.

- Address Endpoint Data Concerns:
The scan uses SNMP as the primary data collection protocol, which is not enabled on endpoint devices (e.g., laptops, desktops). These devices may appear in the scan, but no data can be collected from them. Additionally, the network devices being scanned do not store personal or business data.

- Use a Light Scan Mode for Fragile Networks:
If the customer has a sensitive or outdated network, we offer a lightweight scan mode that performs a minimal collection. This allows for a non-intrusive overview before committing to a full scan.

Question 2

Is the Network Assessment we perform HIPAA compliant?

Accepted Answer

You may want to review our blog on the security of the Netformx Docker. The tool is designed specifically for network discovery—it only checks the status of devices on the network and does not access or interact with any personal or patient data. As a result, the assessment process is HIPAA compliant, making it suitable for use in hospitals and medical facilities.

Question 3

What devices should be counted when estimating for Netformx AssetXpert discovery?

Accepted Answer

One of the first questions we ask during an assessment—or when setting up managed services—is: How many devices are on your network?

It may seem like a simple question, but the reality is that most organizations don’t have an accurate device count. That’s where you can add real value. By conducting a network assessment, you provide a clearer picture of the environment, including the number of devices, their health, software status, and configuration details.

To help clarify what counts as a device during an AssetXpert assessment, here’s a quick guide.

Devices that are counted:
- Routers
- Switches
- Hubs
- Firewalls
- Access Points*
*Note: Access Points (APs) connected to a Cloud service or Controller are counted by the number of Cloud or Controller instances, not by the number of individual APs. Standalone APs (those not connected to the Cloud or a Controller) are counted individually.

Devices that are NOT counted:
- Endpoints such as servers, computers, laptops, phones, and similar devices.

Please note: Netformx AssetXpert is a powerful discovery tool and may detect additional items beyond those listed above. However, they will not be included in your device count for licensing or subscription purposes.

Question 4

What are the Cisco End-of-Life Milestones and how does AssetXpert identify the Status?

Accepted Answer

Netformx AssetXpert is a powerful tool used to perform deep network assessments, specifically focusing on Cisco devices. It enriches device data with critical lifecycle information, including End-of-Life (EOL) milestones. Understanding these milestones is essential for proactive network planning, risk management, and budgeting.

Cisco End-of-Life Milestones Explained:
Cisco defines several key stages in a product’s lifecycle. AssetXpert maps and enriches these stages to provide actionable insights. Below is a summary of Cisco’s standard EOL milestones:

End of Life (EOL) Announcement Date:
- The date Cisco announces that a product is being retired.
- Signals the beginning of the lifecycle’s final phase.
- End of Sale (EOS) Date
- The last day the product can be ordered.
- Typically occurs 6 months to a year after the EOL announcement.
- Last Ship Date
- The final date Cisco will ship the product.
- Follows shortly after the EOS date.
- End of Software Maintenance
- The last date that software updates (except security patches) are provided.
- Critical for maintaining stability and performance.
- End of Routine Failure Analysis
- The last date Cisco performs routine diagnostics for the product.
- End of New Service Attachment
- The last date new service contracts (like Smart Net Total Care) can be added.
- End of Contract Renewal
- The last date existing support contracts can be renewed.
- Last Date of Support (LDoS)

The final milestone; no further support is provided.Customers must have fully transitioned off the product.
AssetXpert Benefits
By enriching asset data with EOL information, Netformx AssetXpert allows users to:

- Identify aging or unsupported infrastructure.
- Plan migrations or upgrades proactively.
- Ensure compliance and reduce operational risks.
- Optimize service and support coverage.

Question 5

How do I generate a full AssetXpert Assessment report in Word?

Accepted Answer

Having a full Technical Assessment report to guide you through a customer conversation allows you to provide a higher level of service.

The report outlines recommendations for maintaining your customers current network, replacing equipment that is EoX, identifying upgrades that need to be made to align with growth and other network maintenance best practices.

If you are participating in the Cisco 'Customer Assessment Incentive' program, earning the $7500 payout is much easier with this report.

Generating an AssetXpert Assessment report in Word is easy with just a few clicks. See the Product Update notice or download the Guide.

Question 6

What are the best practices for doing a Network Discovery using AssetXpert Docker?

Accepted Answer

There are a number of best practices we can offer when you are doing a Network Discovery using AssetXpert Docker.

Question 7

What is the value of end-customer portals and how do I get access for my customers?

Accepted Answer

End-customers portals provide a great customer experience for the end-user by and enable MSP's to differentiate their services to:

- Deepen customer communications by providing an updated status of their network
- Deliver them a view of their network, assets, and location 
- Instill confidence in how you are handling the network
- Provid end-customers visibility to all of their associated Cisco SmartNet maintenance contracts and Cisco - - - Subscriptions to stay up to date on their assets and renewals and
Offer a channel for end-customers to recommend move, add, change, delete (MAC-D) requests.

Question 8

How do I organize my Cisco SmartNet Contracts and Subscriptions?

Accepted Answer

It is common for Cisco SmartNet Contracts and Subscriptions to have slight variation in the names for a single end-customer. This makes it difficult to have a complete view of the customers Contracts and Subscriptions combined with any assets discovered or earmarked as part of the network inventory.

Renewals Teams will benefit by mapping all of an end-customers SmartNet Contracts and subscriptions under a common account name for a complete view. 

A recommended step after onboarding is mapping records with an easy-to-do point & click operation.
- You define your normalized end-customer account name
- Then select all the Cisco CCW records associated with that named account.
- Once mapped, updates to those records automatically appear inside AssetXpert.

Question 9

What is AssetXpert?

Accepted Answer

AssetXpert is a platform to provide Managed Service Providers (MSPs) with the data and analysis needed to prevent network infrastructure outages before they happen.

AssetXpert's Mission
- Ensure the networking infrastructure can support the immediate business needs as well support short-term and long-term network planning.
- Ensure that the network infrastructure does not present a cyber threat to the organization, nor does it amplify other cyber threats.
- Ensure the networking infrastructure provides optimal support of the business’ networking needs at a minimum cost.
The Key Benefits
- Know what devices are in the network on an ongoing basis for network optimization and planning
- Increase network uptime with preventative maintenance to ensure the cyber posture of the network
- Increase profitability and reduce costs with technology refresh and upsells, and efficiency improvements

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Practices for Conducting a Network Scan

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