# Sync data from your devices

> Learn how ITVA collects data from your devices, and sync a device manually from its device page.

Section: Getting Started  
Source: https://www.itva.com/docs/getting-started/sync-data-from-your-devices  
Last updated: 2026-11-02

In this guide, you sync data from a device by hand and confirm that the sync worked. You also learn how ITVA collects data, so you know when to use a schedule.

## Before you begin

- You have a probe that shows as online. See [Add your first probe](https://www.itva.com/docs/getting-started/adding-your-first-probe).
- You have added at least one device. See [Add your first device](https://www.itva.com/docs/getting-started/add-your-first-device).

## How syncing works

A sync collects data from a device and saves it in ITVA. The probe connects to the device with the device's protocol, port, and credentials. Then the probe sends the results to ITVA.

Devices that you add through a controller, such as Cisco Meraki and Ubiquiti, are different. For these devices, the ITVA platform calls the controller's API directly, not through the probe.

A sync can collect system info, device metrics, interfaces, VRFs, ARP and MAC tables, VLANs, LLDP and CDP neighbors, and IS-IS, OSPF, and BGP entries. It can also run a health check and back up the device's configuration.

ITVA does not sync a device when you add it. A new device has no data until you sync it by hand or a schedule syncs it.

## Sync a device manually

1. In the portal, open the device.
2. Open the actions menu dropdown next to **Test Connection**.
3. Select **Sync Data**.
4. In **Checks**, select the data to collect. To change all checks at once, select **All** or **None** next to **Select**.
5. Select **Sync**.

Keep the dialog open while the sync runs. The dialog shows the progress and the log.

## Check that it worked

1. While the sync runs, make sure the dialog shows **Syncing** with the device name.
2. When the sync is done, read the **Log**. Each check has a line such as `[Interfaces] sync succeeded`.
3. Make sure the log ends with the start time, the completion time, and the duration.
4. Close the dialog and open the device's tabs, such as **Interfaces**, to see the new data.

## Troubleshooting

If a line in the log shows `sync failed` with an error, the probe could not collect that data. Do these checks:

1. Open the actions menu and select **Test Connection**.
2. If the test fails, make sure the probe host can reach the device on the management port.
3. Make sure the device's credentials are correct.
4. Make sure the device uses the protocol and port in [Supported vendors](https://www.itva.com/docs/devices/supported-vendors).

If only one check fails, the device might not support that data. For example, a switch has no firewall objects.

## Keep your data up to date

A manual sync runs only when you start it. To sync your devices automatically, [create your first schedule](https://www.itva.com/docs/getting-started/create-your-first-schedule).