Getting Started with the VergeOS 26 UI
An introduction to the VergeOS 26 user interface, covering dashboard navigation, menus, themes, auto-refresh, and help access for new and transitioning administrators.
This guide introduces the VergeOS User Interface (UI), highlighting primary concepts to help you get oriented quickly and navigate confidently.
Overview
The VergeOS UI provides a unified management experience for your entire virtualized infrastructure. Whether you're monitoring system health, configuring networks, or managing virtual machines, the interface follows consistent patterns that make complex tasks intuitive.
This document will help you understand how to navigate the VergeOS interface, interpret dashboard information, and locate the tools you need for day-to-day administration.
Transitioning from VergeOS 4.13 to 26.0
If you're familiar with VergeOS 4.13, this section outlines key updates in 26.0 to ease your transition.
While VergeOS 26 introduces a refreshed look and several usability enhancements, the core structure remains comfortably familiar. The interface continues to follow the overview-to-detail dashboard model, preserving the general flow while improving clarity and accessibility.
What Stays the Same
Overview-to-detail dashboard model and workflow logic
Left navigation menu structure and organization
Core management workflows for VMs, networks, and storage
User menu location and account settings access
Dashboard-centric approach with drill-down capabilities
What's New in 26
Terminology Updates: Virtual Wires are now called Virtual Switch Ports, and Cloud Snapshots are now called System Snapshots, and Media Images is now called Files
Persistent Top Navigation Bar: The main menu now remains visible at all times, allowing seamless context switching without losing your place
Redesigned Status Indicators: Tiles and cards now use horizontal status bars instead of circular indicators for clearer visual feedback
Menu Reorganization: Navigation elements have been regrouped for improved logical flow and faster access to related functions
Enhanced Browser Navigation: The browser's back button now works reliably, complementing the existing breadcrumb navigation for flexible movement through your session history
Improved Visual Cues: Better visual hierarchy helps you understand your current location and available options
Modernized Aesthetics: Updated color schemes and typography create a more contemporary and professional appearance
Migration Quick Wins
Use the persistent top navigation to quickly switch between major modules (VMs, Networks, Storage) without returning to the main dashboard
Look for horizontal status bars instead of circular progress indicators when assessing resource health
Take advantage of improved browser back button functionality for faster navigation
Explore the reorganized menus to discover more intuitive groupings of related features
Try both light and dark themes via the user menu to find your preferred working environment
Navigation Model: Overview to Detail
VergeOS uses an overview-to-detail navigation model that allows you to start with high-level summaries and drill down into specific assets as needed. This hierarchical approach organizes information from system-wide summaries down to individual components.
How It Works
The navigation model follows a consistent three-level pattern throughout the system:
System Level: The Main Dashboard shows aggregate statistics and health across all resources
Module Level: Dashboards for VMs, Networks, Storage, etc., display summaries for that resource type
Object Level: Individual resource dashboards (specific VM, network, or node) provide detailed information and management controls
At each level, you can:
View summary statistics and current status
Access relevant logs and activity history
Click through to more detailed views
Navigate directly to related resources
Example Navigation Flow:
This model supports both broad monitoring (checking overall system health) and targeted administration (configuring a specific component).
Dashboards
Dashboards are the foundation of the VergeOS UI, providing information and serving as navigation hubs. Every major area of the system has a dashboard, from the system-wide Main Dashboard down to individual resource instances.
Main Dashboard
The home screen displays the Main Dashboard for your VergeOS system, serving as your primary starting point. This view includes:
System-Wide Statistics
Aggregate counts for VMs, networks, storage, tenants, and nodes
Current resource utilization (CPU, RAM, storage)
Health status indicators with color-coded alerts
Activity and Monitoring
Real-time system logs showing recent events and actions
Performance metrics and trending indicators
Alert notifications for issues requiring attention
Navigation Elements
Left menu for accessing major system modules
Quick links to frequently used resources
Direct access to administrative functions
Quick Access Sections
Top compute resources by utilization
Most active networks
vSAN tier status and capacity
Tenant resource consumption (in multi-tenant environments)
From the Main Dashboard, you can quickly assess system health and navigate to any area requiring attention or configuration.
Module Dashboards
Each major functional area has its own dashboard that aggregates information for that resource type. These module dashboards provide a middle layer between system-wide views and individual resources.
Example: Networks Dashboard
The Networks Dashboard provides:
Overall network statistics (total networks, active connections, throughput)
List of all networks with their status and configuration
Network-specific logs and recent activity
Links to individual network dashboards for detailed management
Networks Dashboard
Common Use Cases:
Quickly check which networks are experiencing high traffic
Identify misconfigured or offline networks
Access logs to troubleshoot connectivity issues
Create new networks or modify existing ones
Object Dashboards
Each individual resource instance has its own dedicated dashboard providing granular detail and management controls.
Example: VM Dashboard
A virtual machine's dashboard displays:
Configuration Summary
VM name, power state, and resource allocation
Operating system and guest tools status
Assigned compute cluster and host node
Performance Metrics
Current CPU and RAM utilization
Disk I/O statistics
Network throughput per NIC
Component Access
Links to drives, NICs, and other virtual devices
Snapshot management and history
Console and remote access options
Related Resources
Host node details and health
Network assignments and connectivity
Storage tier and volume information
Common Actions from VM Dashboard:
Power on/off or restart the VM
Open a console session
Take or restore snapshots
Modify VM configuration
Review performance history
Menus
VergeOS includes three primary menu systems that work together to provide comprehensive access to all system functions. Understanding how these menus work and when to use each one streamlines your workflow.
Top Navigation Bar
The top navigation bar remains visible at all times (new in v26), providing persistent access to major system modules. This menu includes:
Primary Modules
Dashboard (returns to Main Dashboard)
Virtual Machines
Networks
Storage
Tenants
System
Utility Functions (right side)
Notifications center (bell icon)
Messages and communications (envelope icon)
RSS feeds and activity streams
Download center for exports and reports
User menu and settings
The top navigation allows you to quickly switch between different areas of the system without losing your current context. For example, you can switch from managing a VM to reviewing network configuration, then return to the VM exactly where you left off.
Left Context Menu
The left menu displays context-sensitive options based on your current location in the interface. As you navigate through the system, this menu dynamically updates to show relevant actions and views, with menu items organized alphabetically.
At Module Level (e.g., on Networks Dashboard):
Dashboard (module overview)
New (create new resource)
Settings (module configuration)
Help (module-specific documentation)
At Object Level (e.g., viewing a specific VM):
Dashboard (resource overview)
View (detailed information)
Edit (configuration changes)
Power (start/stop controls)
Snapshots (backup management)
Console (direct access)
Advanced (specialized functions)
Your current module location is indicated near the top of the left menu, helping you maintain awareness of where you are in the system hierarchy.
User Menu
Located in the top-right corner (click your username), this menu provides user-specific settings and actions:
Account Management
Update display name
Change password
Configure two-factor authentication
Manage SSH keys
Preferences
Theme selection (light/dark/custom)
Notification settings
Default landing page
Session Controls
Switch tenant context (in multi-tenant environments)
Logout
Themes
VergeOS includes Default Light Mode and Default Dark Mode themes. Organizations can also create custom branded themes.
To change your theme: Click the theme toggle icon in the utility bar (top-right corner). Your preference is automatically saved for future sessions.
For details on creating and managing custom themes, see the Themes documentation.
Auto-Refresh
The auto-refresh feature controls whether dashboard data automatically updates in real time. This toggle is located in the utility bar (top-right corner).
Status Indicators:
Orange icon = Auto-refresh enabled (default)
Black/White icon = Auto-refresh disabled
When to Use Auto-Refresh
Enable (Orange) When:
Monitoring active processes or operations
Watching real-time performance metrics
Tracking ongoing migrations or backups
Managing live production workloads
Disable (Black/White) When:
Reviewing historical data or logs
Taking screenshots for documentation
Troubleshooting specific issues that require static data
Reducing system load during maintenance windows
Your auto-refresh preference persists throughout your session but resets to enabled (orange) when you log in again.
Product Documentation & Help
VergeOS provides multiple ways to access help and documentation directly from the interface, ensuring you can find answers without leaving your workflow.
Accessing the Product Guide
Method 1: Click the Product Guide link at the bottom of any page
Method 2: Click the question mark icon in the utility bar (top-right) and select Product Guide
The Product Guide opens in a new browser tab, allowing you to reference documentation while continuing your work in the main interface.
Context-Sensitive Help
Many configuration screens and forms include contextual help:
Field Labels: Hover over field labels to see detailed explanations
Info Icons: Click the information icon next to complex settings for additional guidance
Validation Messages: Form fields provide real-time feedback on input requirements and formatting
Object Tagging
Tags allow you to organize and categorize objects throughout VergeOS. For details on creating and using tags, see the Tags documentation.
Verification & Next Steps
Verify Your Understanding
To confirm you're comfortable with the VergeOS UI, try these quick exercises:
Navigation Practice:
Start at the Main Dashboard
Navigate to the Virtual Machines module
Select a specific VM and view its dashboard
Return to the Main Dashboard using the breadcrumb or top navigation
Dashboard Exploration:
Identify the current resource utilization from the Main Dashboard
Find a module dashboard (Networks, Storage, etc.) and review its statistics
Compare information density between module and object dashboards
Menu Familiarity:
Switch between light and dark themes
Locate the notification center and check for any alerts
Find the user menu and review available options
Help Access:
Open the Product Guide in a new tab
Hover over a configuration field to see contextual help
Locate the version information displayed in the interface
Common Issues
Can't find a specific feature
Use the top navigation to access major modules, then drill down using the left context menu
Dashboard data not updating
Check that auto-refresh is enabled (orange icon) in the utility bar
Interface looks different than expected
Verify you're using the correct theme (light/dark toggle in top-right)
Navigation breadcrumbs missing
Click the home icon (system name) in the top-left to reset to Main Dashboard
Feedback
Your experience with this guide helps us improve VergeOS documentation. If you found any sections confusing or have suggestions for additional topics, please share your feedback with the documentation team.
Need Help?
If you have questions about navigating the VergeOS interface or need assistance with specific tasks, contact the VergeOS support team through the support portal accessible from the user menu.
Last updated
Was this helpful?