Marvis Virtual Network Assistant and Troubleshooting
This domain tests how Marvis works and how to use it methodically. Questions often describe a symptom and ask what Marvis would use or what to check first.
What Marvis is
Marvis is Mist's Virtual Network Assistant: a natural-language interface plus a proactive engine. It answers questions such as why a client is slow, surfaces Marvis Actions ranked by scope and severity, and recommends fixes.
Data it uses
Marvis consumes SLE classifiers, client and AP events, switch telemetry, and configuration. Marvis Minis run synthetic client tests from APs to check DHCP, DNS, auth, and roaming without a real user. The Marvis client app adds client-side Wi-Fi detail.
Troubleshooting method
Scope first: one client, one AP, one VLAN, or a whole site. Then read the relevant SLE and classifier, confirm with Marvis, and verify the fix by re-running the check. Marvis Actions show confidence and affected scope - treat them as evidence, not commands.
Worked example: users in building B cannot connect. Marvis reports DHCP failures on one VLAN. Auth works because clients associate, but they get no IP; check the DHCP scope, relay, and VLAN trunk. If the scope is exhausted, the fix is pool size or lease time, not radio power.
Traps: asking Marvis without a scope; treating a Marvis Action as a guaranteed root cause; confusing Minis, which are synthetic, with real client telemetry; ignoring the switch side of a wireless symptom.