Delete vs. Exclude: Controlling Whether a Device Returns After Removal

Overview

When managing devices in Auvik, it’s important to understand how different actions affect both immediate removal and future discovery. This article focuses specifically on how Delete and Exclude impact discovery and rediscovery behavior.

Understanding Device Actions

Delete

The Delete action removes a device from your inventory immediately.

Key characteristics:

• The device is removed from Auvik’s inventory and topology.
• The device is not blocked from future discovery.
• If discovery conditions remain unchanged, the device may be rediscovered automatically.

Exclude

The Exclude action prevents a device from being discovered in the future, but does not remove it immediately if it already exists in inventory.

Key characteristics:

• Applies to specific IP addresses or IP ranges.
• Prevents future discovery.
• Does not delete the device from inventory.
• Must be combined with Delete if immediate removal is required.

Blacklisting Clarification

Auvik does not automatically blacklist devices when they are deleted.

Implications:

• Deleting a device alone does not prevent it from returning.
• If the device remains within an actively scanned range, it will be rediscovered.
• Manual exclusion is required to prevent rediscovery.

Preventing a Device from Returning After Deletion

To ensure a device does not reappear:

Step 1: Add an Exclusion

1. Navigate to Discovery > Manage Networks.
2. Locate and select the network containing the device.
3. Click Edit.
4. Enable Exclude IP Address Range(s).
5. Enter:
   • The specific IP address as a range (e.g., 192.168.1.10 - 192.168.1.10), or
   • A broader IP range containing the device
6. Save the changes.

Even a single IP must be entered as a range (start IP = end IP).
This ensures the device will not be rediscovered after removal.

Step 2: Delete the Device

1. Navigate to Discovery > Manage Devices.
2. Locate and select the device.
3. Check the device.
4. Click Delete.

Result:

• The device is removed immediately.
• The exclusion prevents it from returning.

Alternative Option: Disable Active Scanning

1. Navigate to Discovery > Manage Networks.
2. Locate and check the network/subnet.
3. Click Don’t Scan.

Result:

• Devices in this subnet will not be actively discovered or rediscovered.

Ensuring a Deleted Device Is Rediscovered

If you want a deleted device to return automatically, verify the following:

1. Active Scanning Is Enabled

• Navigate to Discovery > Manage Networks.
• Confirm the subnet is set to actively scanned (not set to “Don’t Scan”).

2. No Exclusion Exists

• Ensure the device’s IP is not included in any exclusion rule.

3. Device IP Is Within a Scanned Range

• Confirm the device’s IP address falls within an included network range.

4. Network Reachability (ICMP)

Verify the Auvik collector can reach the device via ICMP:

• The device responds to ping
• No firewall rules are blocking ICMP between the collector and the device

Summary

• Delete controls immediate removal.
• Exclude controls future discovery.
• To fully remove and prevent return, use both actions together.