# Select the SDN scenario before starting automated data-path diagnostics

> How should an administrator scope a Windows Admin Center SDN data-path collection?

- Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260908-155-select-the-sdn-scenario-before-starting-automated-data-path-diagnostics/
- Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security)
- Author: DSE Security Editorial Team
- Published: 2026-09-08T18:14:36+00:00
- Modified: 2026-09-08T18:26:31+00:00
- Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-09-08
- Resource type: Guide
- DSE priority: Information
- Topics: IT, Networks & Infrastructure
- Reading time: 1 minutes

## What you need to know

How should an administrator scope a Windows Admin Center SDN data-path collection?

## Potentially affected

Administrators using the SDN monitoring extension in Windows Admin Center.

## DSE recommendation

Write the expected path and the observed failure in the collection record.

## Article

## Source facts

The SDN Data Path Diagnostics tool automates Packet Monitor captures for selected SDN scenarios and presents the results together. Microsoft places the tool under the cluster’s SDN monitoring extension on the Data Path Diagnostics tab. The initial selection separates workload scenarios from infrastructure scenarios, and the administrator chooses the scenario to investigate. [Microsoft documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/pktmon/pktmon-sdn-data-path-wac-extension).

## Applicability

Check the target server version, Windows Admin Center installation, registered cluster, and Network Controller connection against the prerequisites. Identify the failing workload or infrastructure operation before choosing a collection.

## DSE recommendation

Write the expected path and the observed failure in the collection record. Select the scenario that matches that path and have the SDN owner confirm the endpoints and reproduction window. Arrange appropriate handling for captured traffic and retain the collection parameters with the results.

## Verification

Confirm that the displayed collection contains the intended endpoints and test activity. Compare the captured path with the expected tenant or infrastructure route and correlate it with the failure time. Record missing segments and uncertain observations explicitly before drawing a conclusion about where the traffic stopped.

## Official references

[Microsoft Learn: SDN Data Path Diagnostics Extension in Windows Admin Center](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/pktmon/pktmon-sdn-data-path-wac-extension). Source reviewed September 8, 2026.

## Primary reference

- Name: SDN Data Path Diagnostics Extension in Windows Admin Center
- Authority: Microsoft Learn
- URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/pktmon/pktmon-sdn-data-path-wac-extension
- Source publication date: Not stated by the source

## Citation and use

Preferred citation: “Select the SDN scenario before starting automated data-path diagnostics,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260908-155-select-the-sdn-scenario-before-starting-automated-data-path-diagnostics/
Publishing principles: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-updates-editorial-methodology/
Usage and citation policy: https://update.dsesecurity.com/usage/
Copyright © 2026 Detection Systems & Engineering. All rights reserved.