How to: Get .HAR files for troubleshooting – Cisco Umbrella

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Overview

Are you reporting odd UI behaviour in Umbrella? Support may request that you record a HAR file. HAR files are an archival format for HTTP transactions that can be used by a web browser to export detailed performance data about web pages it loads. You may be asked to record a HAR file or a log of network requests, while that issue is occurring and then provide that to them for further analysis.

Note that HAR files contain sensitive data, including content of the pages you downloaded while recording and your cookies. This allows anyone with the HAR file to impersonate your account and all the information that you submitted while recording (personal details, passwords, credit card numbers, etc.).

Below are some instructions about how you can easily generate a HAR file using different browsers.

Chrome
Internet Explorer / Edge
Firefox
Safari

How do I create one in Chrome?

Because it's meant to record what behaviour is happening, you will first need to startup the developer tools in Chrome. This can be done by going to Menu, More Tools, Developer tools:

A window will appear that looks like this. Select network, and make sure that the record button is active and all types are displayed:

Alert:

If the issue involves multiple web pages or redirects ensure the 'Preserve Log' option is also selected. This prevents the log file from being cleared.

Now reproduce the browser behaviour you are experiencing. The developer window will record it down.

Once the behaviour is produced, in Chrome, click Export HAR to download. Then save the file to your computer: Save as HAR with Content.

Fill in a name and select a destination for your file and you are done! Send this file to support.

How about for Edge/Internet Explorer?

First select the the "..." option and then F12 Developer Tools:

You should see the developer tools appear with multiple tabs. Make sure to select the Network tab and ensure that play button is grey as this means that the tool is taking in data.

Alert:

If the issue involves multiple web pages or redirects ensure to deselect the 'Clear Entries on redirect'. This prevents the log file from being cleared.

Now reproduce the browser behaviour you are experiencing. The developer window will record it down.

Once completed, click on Export as HAR to save the file.

And you are done! Send this file to support.

How about for Firefox?

Go to Menu, Web Developer, Network (Top right menu > Developer > Network, or ctrl-shift-E)

Now reproduce the browser behaviour you are experiencing. The developer window will record it down.

Alert:

If the issue involves multiple web pages or redirects ensure the 'Persist Logs' option is selected. This prevents the log file from being cleared.

Once completed, save the capture by right-clicking on the grid, choosing "Save all as HAR" and saving your capture.

And you are done! Send this file to support.

How do I create one in Safari?

Open Safari.
In Safari, go to the webpage in question.
Enable Developers Tool: Safari > Preferences > Advance > Click Show Develop menu in menu bar
Select Develop in menu > Show Web Inspector > Select Network tab