Cisco Support Assistant Extension for Cisco XDR

Overview 

The Cisco Support Assistant Chrome Extension is designed to streamline and enhance the support experience for Cisco XDR (Extended Detection and Response) users. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough for installing the extension, authenticating it, and utilizing its features such as opening support cases, recording screens, and collecting browser HAR logs. By following these instructions, users can quickly and efficiently capture and share necessary information with Cisco's Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to expedite issue resolution.

Explore detailed explanations of these use cases and steps below. Learn more here.

Use Cases 

If you haven’t used the Cisco Support Assistant Extension previously, please read steps 1 and 2 below. For experienced users, proceed directly to step 3 to learn how to start using supported extension features. 

Step 1: Install the Chrome Extension 

1. Download and Install: Download the Cisco Support Assistant Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store and click "Add to Chrome" to install it, ensuring the browser extension is available for immediate use. 
2. Enable Extension: Once the extension is installed, ensure it is enabled by checking the extensions menu in Chrome and confirming that the Cisco Support Assistant is active. 

Step 2: Activate the Extension 

• Navigate to Cisco XDR: Open Chrome and navigate to a supported Cisco product, such as Cisco XDR, to initiate the activation process. 
• Pop-Up Activation: Upon visiting the supported product page, you would see a pop-up that says, "Unleash the power of TAC virtual assistants and activate Cisco Support Assistant extension."

1. Click to Activate: Click on the pop-up notification to trigger the Cisco.com authentication workflow. 
2. Authenticate: Complete the authentication process on Cisco.com by entering your credentials and verifying your identity. 
3. Confirmation: Once authenticated, you would see that the extension is marked as "On," and your name would appear when you click on the extension icon in the Chrome toolbar. 

Step 3: Using the Extension Features 

A. Opening a Cisco Support Case

1. Open Extension: Click on the Cisco Support Assistant extension icon located in the Chrome toolbar to open the extension interface. 
2. Select 'Open Support Case': In the extension interface, choose the option to open a new support case, which would guide you through the necessary steps. 
3. Record Issue: Optionally, use the screen recording feature to capture and explain your issue visually and verbally, which can be extremely helpful for the support team (detailed instructions in Step 4). 
4. Submit Case: Fill in the required details, such as the issue description and relevant information, and submit your support case through the extension interface. 

B. Recording Your Screen

• Start Recording: Click on the extension icon in the Chrome toolbar and select the "Record Screen" option to initiate the screen recording process. 

• Choose Recording Area: You would be prompted to select whether you want to record a specific Chrome tab, the entire browser window, or your entire desktop screen.

• Microphone Permission: Optionally, allow the extension to access your microphone to provide an audio explanation of your issue, enhancing the clarity of your recording. 
  
• Begin Recording: Follow the on-screen instructions to start the screen recording, capturing all relevant actions and information. 

• Add Screenshots: During the recording, you can double-click any screen to add a screenshot, which would be included in the support case along with the video recording.

• Stop Recording: To stop the recording, click the "Stop" option in the floating bar at the bottom of the screen or click on the extension icon and select the stop recording button. 
• Upload Recording: Once the recording is stopped, you would have the option to upload the video to an existing case by entering the nine-digit service request number (SR number) or open a new case. 

C. Collecting HAR Logs

1. Initiate Log Capture: Click on the Cisco Support Assistant extension icon and select the "Collect HAR Logs" option to start capturing log data. 
2. Navigation Instruction: A pop-up would appear instructing you to navigate through different pages and reproduce the issue, allowing the extension to capture the relevant HAR logs. 
3. Start Capture: Click "OK" on the pop-up to begin the HAR log capture process. 
4. Stop Capture: Once you have reproduced the issue and captured the necessary data, click the same button to stop the hard log capture. 
5. Upload Logs: You can then choose to upload the collected logs to an existing support case by entering the nine-digit SR number or open a new case if needed. 

Step 4: Submitting Information to TAC 

1. Existing Case: If you are uploading information to an existing case, enter the nine-digit service request (SR) number to ensure the logs or recordings are attached to the correct case. 
2. New Case: If you are opening a new case, the extension would pre-populate certain information based on the activities performed during the hard log capture or screen recording process, prompting you to complete the remaining details. 
3. Confirmation: After submitting the information, you would receive email notifications confirming the file uploads or the creation of the new case, ensuring that the TAC team has all the necessary data to start working on your issue. 

Step 5: Follow-Up 

• TAC Response: The TAC team would review the submitted information and may reach out for additional details if necessary, starting the process of troubleshooting and resolving the issue. 
• Issue Resolution: TAC would work on resolving the issue based on the provided data, potentially reducing the need for additional Webex meetings or back-and-forth emails, thereby accelerating the resolution process. 

By following these steps, users can leverage the full functionality of the Cisco Support Assistant Chrome extension, ensuring a more efficient and effective support process with Cisco XDR.