Getting started
First login
- Browse to your portal URL (e.g.
https://meridiannip.acme.com). - Enter the username + temporary password your admin provided.
- If MFA is required for your role, enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app.
- You'll be prompted to change the temporary password. Choose something you haven't used on any other system.
Accepting the Acceptable Use Policy
On first login, the portal shows your organization's full AUP and requires you to tick "I accept". This is one-time per AUP version. Your acceptance is audit-logged with timestamp, IP, and user agent. If the AUP is updated later, you'll be re-prompted.
Enrolling MFA
Even if MFA isn't required for your role, enrolling it is strongly recommended.
- Settings → MFA / Security → "Enroll authenticator"
- Scan the QR code with an app: Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password, Bitwarden, etc.
- Enter the 6-digit code to confirm.
- Save the backup codes somewhere safe — each is good for one login if you lose the authenticator device.
The sidebar
The left sidebar is your primary navigation:
| Section | What's there |
|---|---|
| Dashboard | Your overview — pinned tools, recent activity, URL monitors, service health |
| DNS Tools | Dig sandbox, propagation checker, DNSSEC chain, zone health, AXFR audit, etc. |
| DHCP | Query live leases, scopes, reservations across Infoblox / Kea / MS DHCP |
| IPAM | Subnet utilization, IP claim/release, conflict detection across external IPAM systems |
| Network Tools | Ping, MTR, port scan, iperf3, HTTP tester, SNMP, packet capture |
| Wizards | Guided diagnostics — "Why isn't my domain resolving?", "Why isn't mail delivering?", etc. |
| Monitors | Your uptime + latency watchlists |
| Directory | AD / Entra ID user, group, and DL lookups (if your admin has granted access) |
| Certificates | TLS cert lifecycle for monitored domains and the portal itself |
| File Repo | Your personal file space (scripts, docs, exported pcaps, PDF reports) |
| Messages | Inter-user messages + admin broadcasts |
Command palette
Press Ctrl+K (or Cmd+K on macOS) anywhere to open the command palette. Type a tool name, domain, or IP to jump directly. Press ? to see the full keyboard-shortcut cheat sheet.
Running your first query
DNS Tools → Dig:
- Type a domain in the target field (e.g.
example.com). - Pick a record type (A, AAAA, MX, etc.).
- Pick a resolver (Cloudflare 1.1.1.1, Google 8.8.8.8, Quad9 9.9.9.9, or Local BIND9).
- Click flag chips to toggle dig options (
+short,+trace,+dnssec, …). - Click "Run query".
Output appears in the console panel below. Use "Copy", "CSV", "JSON", or "PDF" to export.
Pinning to your dashboard
On any tool result, click the "Pin to dashboard" button. It appears as a widget in the Pinned Tools grid on your Dashboard.
Idle timeout
By default you're signed out after 30 minutes of no activity. A 60-second warning modal appears before logout with a "Stay signed in" button. You can change your personal timeout in Settings → Sessions (within limits your admin allows).
Single-session policy
Meridian allows one active session per user by default. Signing in on a new device signs you out of the previous one and records both the old and new IP/device to the audit log. This prevents credential sharing.
If you legitimately need multi-device (phone + laptop), ask your admin to raise your max_concurrent_sessions.
Getting help
- Press
?for keyboard shortcuts - Every sandboxed tool has an "Example" button showing realistic usage
- Wizards walk you through common diagnostics step-by-step with plain-English explanations
- Your admin's support contact is in the page footer and on the AUP