observium - unable to add device manually via web, Could not ping <hostname>

[jtessier72]

[edit by Jeremy July 2023] We should include a confconsole plugin to enable this!

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[edit by Jeremy] This issue won't be fixed in the TurnKey appliance as upstream note that it is a security risk (see comment below). It is better if user's make the informed decision themselves rather than us assume users are willing to take that risk.

However, we definitely should document it better!

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Devices can be added manually via CLI, can be discovered, however devices cannot be added manually.

fping, snmpwalk to device works. Device can be auto-discovered as well.

Devices -> Add Device

Enter hostname and SNMP string

Error returned is:
Could not ping .

Perhaps issue where www-data cannot execute fping?

[jtessier72]

chmod +s /usr/bin/fping resolves this issue.

[JedMeister]

@jtessier72 - Thanks again for reporting & bonus points for providing fixes! 👍

[OnGle]

Was just about to implement this fix however I found on the Observium docs it advises against using the web interface to add devices anyway. Please see http://www.observium.org/docs/add_device/

This issue should stay here but be tagged "wont fix" as it is still useful for people who wish to use the online "add device".

[JedMeister]

Great thanks @OnGle and bonus points to you for providing the doc link link! 👍 I will tag "won't fix" and close. It's still handy info for those that wish to enable this functionality.

[RHeartfeldt]

This appliance download should probably include a link to known problems. Full disclosure is super important if the marketed product is intended for people who don't have the time to put on bug hunting gear.

[JedMeister]

@RHeartfeldt - fair comment. My inclination would be to provide a link on the appliance page (e.g. Observium). Does that sound reasonable to you? Or do you have a different idea?