Metadata sharingΒΆ

By default, the Plixer Scrutinizer appliance is configured to collect certain types of metadata related to the general health, overall performance, or other targeted metrics, which will be used to improve Plixer Scrutinizer and the Plixer Network Detection and Response platform.

This metadata includes:

  • Vendor - Indicates whether the product is branded under Plixer or an OEM vendor

  • smtpfromEmail - Administrator email address configured under server preferences

  • smtp - Name of email server used to identify the subscribing company configured under server preferences

  • installedVersion - Current Plixer Scrutinizer version installed

  • License details - License details, including level and status

  • Active Exporter count - Number of Exporters that have sent flows in the past 24 hours

  • Server metrics - Flows received, packets received, and flows dropped per second

  • Flow template details - Templates and element names captured from Exporters currently sending flows to the system

  • Flow Analytics Exporter statistics - Number of Exporters currently configured for each Flow Analytics algorithm.

  • Flow Analytics history: - List of violator IP addresses from external sources; used to determine if outside patterns exist in data aggregated between globally installed Plixer Scrutinizer servers

How collected data is transferred

The collected metadata is first encrypted and then sent to ph.plixer.com (ports 443, 80, and 25 are used, depending on availability).

How Plixer uses the data

Plixer uses the collected metadata for support purposes only.

From the data, the Plixer Technical Support team is able to determine whether customers may require a support call to help address issues or upgrade their system.

Turning off metadata sharing

To disable this feature, navigate to Admin > Settings > System Preferences in the Plixer Scrutinizer web interface and untick the Share Health Statistics checkbox.

When done, click Save to save the new setting.