Frequently Asked Questions - Systemwalker Centric Manager

1. Concepts/Positioning

Q1-1: What is the origin of the name "Systemwalker"?

Systemwalker is an integrated operations management solution that monitors and manages your entire system. We envision it walking around your system as security guards and IT personnel walk around your business, taking notes, solving problems, and making improvements: hence "Systemwalker".

Q1-2: What features does Systemwalker CentricMGR have?

Systemwalker CentricMGR is one of the Systemwalker modules. It provides lifecycle and operation management for IT assets such as hardware, operating systems, networks, and applications. A management framework enables personnel to monitor assets efficiently from a central location. Lifecycle management comprises four functions:

• Deployment (installation and setup)
• Monitoring
• Recovery from problems
• Assessment, to prevent future problems

Systemwalker CentricMGR's many tools enable you to efficiently manage large systems, minimizing the time spent locating problems and providing a framework for continually improving the system. This careful asset management maximizes the value and lifespan of your IT investments.

Q1-3: What functions are included in Deployment, Monitoring, Recovery, Assessment, and the management framework?

Deployment:

• Helps you install and set up software, including installations across networks, on multiple machines, or at multiple locations.

Monitoring:

• Monitors operation status and the performance of networks, systems, applications, messages, and jobs. Automatically notifies personnel of any conditions or errors that require attention.

Recovery:

• Facilitates recovery with remote operation support and predefined, automatic recovery actions.

Assessment:

• Tracks and reports on failures and license management to help you analyze your system's robustness and develop error prevention procedures.

Management framework:

• Manages network and system configurations from a common management base.

Q1-4: What types of systems does Systemwalker CentricMGR manage?

Systemwalker CentricMGR can accommodate various scales of systems, from a LAN/WAN to a large heterogeneous network with internet-connected systems and web systems. Systemwalker CentricMGR has three versions:

Standard Edition (SE):

• Performs central operation management in a standard system environment.

Enterprise Edition (EE):

• Performs all the functions of the standard edition, along with enhancements for reliability and performance in a large-scale system environment.

Global Enterprise Edition (GEE):

• Performs all the functions of the enterprise edition, and also monitors global servers (mainframe computers).

2. Functions

2-1. General

Q2-1-1: What functions does Systemwalker CentricMGR provide?

• Management framework
  
  • Network configuration management
  • System configuration management (inventory management)
  • License management (Windows only)
• Deployment
  
  • Installation support
  • Policy distribution
  • Resource distribution (including remote installation)
• Monitoring
  
  • Central console
  • System/Network monitoring
  • Application monitoring
  • Business monitoring
  • Administrator Notification
• Recovery
  
  • Corrective actions for failure (remote operation)
  • Automated corrective actions
  • Failure management (Helpdesk)
• Assessment
  
  • Reporting

Q2-1-2: What operating systems does Systemwalker CentricMGR support?

See the system requirements.

Q2-1-3: What systems can Systemwalker CentricMGR monitor and manage?

Monitored objects:

• Windows NT/2000/2003, Solaris OS, HP-UX, AIX, and global servers.

Managed systems:

• All systems running an SNMP agent.

Q2-1-4: Do I need a dedicated machine for the monitoring server?

We recommend dedicating a machine to reduce the server load. Otherwise, monitoring may interfere with business activities in large environments.

2-2. Network Configuration Management

Q2-2-1: What type of management does Systemwalker CentricMGR perform?

The GUI management console allows you to automatically detect and display network devices (nodes) such as servers, clients, routers, and hubs that are connected to the network. With this information, you can centrally control your network configuration, using the information you gather to map the network configuration and manage assets. You can save the configuration information to a CSV file for easy customization.

Q2-2-2: What type of node information does Systemwalker CentricMGR collect?

Systemwalker CentricMGR records each node's IP address, node name (host name), and MAC address. If an SNMP agent is running on the node, it also collects the operating system and manufacturer name.

2-3. System Configuration (Inventory Management)

Q2-3-1: What type of inventory information does Systemwalker CentricMGR collect?

Hardware information:

• Computer name, CPU type, physical memory size, BIOS version, clock number, drive mapping, disk capacity, disk space, MAC address, and IP address

Software information:

• Product name, version, executable files, and manufacturer of installed software

User-defined information:

• Operation management information that customers wish to track, such as asset management numbers, administrator names, and lease information

Q2-3-2: Does collecting inventory information place a heavy load on the network?

Systemwalker CentricMGR collects inventory information incrementally, so only the changed information traverses the network. This feature minimizes the network load while providing complete, up to date information.

Q2-3-3: Does the Standard Edition provide a dictionary for inventory information?

The standard edition does not provide a dictionary. CentricMGR for Windows automatically collects software information based on registry information, so a dictionary is not necessary. However, you can create a user dictionary for software information or user application data, because those cannot be automatically collected.

Q2-3-4: How can I use the inventory information?

You can view and analyze the inventory information on the GUI management console, or export it to a CSV file and database for further analysis and reports.

Q2-3-5: What are the benefits of using Systemwalker CentricMGR to collect inventory information?

Systemwalker CentricMGR reduces the time and labor involved in tracking important inventory information such as CPU type, disk capacity, software in use, and fixed asset numbers. Having accurate, detailed information about your software in a readily accessible central location facilitates effective license control and lot purchase.

Q2-3-6: Can I view inventory information even when a target client is not running?

Systemwalker CentricMGR periodically stores the inventory information on an Operation Management Server. You can view recent inventory information for any client on the Operation Management Server, even when the client is not activated.

2-4. License Management (Windows only)

Q2-4-1: How does Systemwalker CentricMGR help me manage licenses?

Systemwalker CentricMGR tracks the number of software installations on server/client PCs against the number of purchased licenses. If the number of software installations exceeds the number of purchased licenses, a warning icon appears. If the number of licenses in use exceeds the number of licenses preset by the administrator, another warning icon appears.

Q2-4-2: How does license management relate to inventory management?

Systemwalker CentricMGR's license management module manages licences based on the software information collected by the inventory management module.

2-5. Installation Support

Q2-5-1: What is the difference between installation support and resource distribution (remote installation)?

Installation support enables you to remotely install Systemwalker resources. Resource distribution enables you to distribute and remotely install commercial software, business applications, and various other data. Both functions drastically improve administrative efficiency.

Q2-5-2: Does installation support allow me to install on both servers and clients?

Yes.

Q2-5-3: What products can I install using installation support?

Systemwalker CentricMGR and Systemwalker OperationMGR.

Q2-5-4: Can I remotely define operation environment settings?

The policy operation module allows you to manage the operating policy and operation rules for an entire distributed system. You can define what to monitor for systems, networks, applications, and network traffic conditions, and send these monitoring instructions to each server from the Operation Management Server. This feature eliminates the burden of manually configuring monitoring operations for one server at a time, and assures smooth, consistent operation throughout the entire corporate structure.

2-6. Policy Distribution

Q2-6-1: What is policy distribution?

Policies are system operation requirements such as definitions and thresholds for event monitoring. Policy distribution occurs when administrators define policies centrally and then distribute them to dispersed servers and clients. This feature eliminates the burden of manually setting one server at a time, and assures smooth, consistent operation throughout the entire corporate structure.

2-7. Resource Distribution (including Remote Installation)

Q2-7-1: If resource distribution to a client results in an error, does it affect the resource distribution to other clients?

No.

Q2-7-2: What happens if a client lacks the disk space to handle distributed resources?

If this occurs, you will receive an error message. However, the resource distribution module provides tools to prevent this problem from occurring in the first place. Running the inventory management function ahead of time allows you to detect client PCs that have run out of disk space. When you distribute resources with the differential form (pc#pkg) of remote installation, it checks the the disk space on the client side before distributing.

Q2-7-3: Can I distribute resources to a specific drive?

Yes. You can specify a destination drive for the software to be downloaded. You can also require the system to search for and install on a drive that has sufficient space for the installation.

Q2-7-4: Can I distribute resources to a client that is turned off?

Yes. Client status does not matter when you initiate the distribution. When you send resources from the Operation Management Server to the Section Management Server/Job Server, the Section Management Server/Job Server must be connected and turned on. The Section Management Server/Job Server checks the client status and begins downloading information when the client is turned on.

Q2-7-5: How can I ensure that the software distributed to a client PC has been applied?

The central console allows you to collectively manage the software resources and check the status of distributed software. You can view a list per server (e.g., the Section Management Server) or per resource, indicating the distribution status by color and enabling you to view clients where the software is not yet installed or resource distribution failed.

Q2-7-6: Can I use resource distribution to install software?

Yes. The method for distributing the software differs depending on the software type.

No installer:

• Distribute the software just like a data resource.

Silent installation:

• In this type of installation, the resource distribution module installs the software by executing an installation batch file. When you distribute the configuration file and the software installer, the installer starts automatically.

Interactive installation:

• In this type of installation, some conversational exchange is required. This can happen in one of two ways:

• You create a batch file of the interactive setup process, using commercial Windows GUI software to record the installation procedures, and distribute the batch file along with the software.
• You create a record of the differential data of the system information before and after installing the software, using a model PC (see note). Install the software by distributing and applying this differential.

Note: A model PC is a personal computer used to automatically extract differentials and generate application scripts for resource distribution.

Q2-7-7: Does a model PC have to be a dedicated machine?

Although the model PC does not have to be a dedicated machine, it must contain an operating system that can be recorded.

Q2-7-8: Can our company start using a new version of resources on the exact day we start new business?

Yes. If you preset the date and time to apply the software, you can start using the new version simultaneously throughout the company on the day when you start new business. You can always perform synchronized resource application to a server and its clients, because the server and its subordinated clients can be treated as a single unit.

Q2-7-9: Can Systemwalker CentricMGR reduce the distribution load?

Yes. Systemwalker provides several methods for distributing large amounts of data or resources using a low speed line:

Relay function:

• If you have a large number of servers, deploy a relay server between the Operation Management Server and the Section Management Servers to balance the distribution load.

Compressing resources:

• Reduce the load by compressing the distribution data when you register resources. (Compression rate: 60%) The compressed data is automatically extracted after it is distributed to clients.

Offline distribution:

• If you have trouble distributing resources online, place the resources on a medium such as CD or magnetic optical disk, then copy those to the section servers. Even if you distribute the resources in an offline fashion like this, you can monitor the distribution status on the Operation Management Server and use the resources in combination with the resources distributed online.

Split distribution:

• Download distribution data in groups by specifying a transfer volume and interval time.

Version management:

• Instruct the resource distribution process not to distribute software that has already been distributed. It will distribute only the newly registered resource (upgraded software).

Synchronous distribution control:

• Minimize the number of resource distributions by synchronizing the distribution to server and clients.

Q2-7-10: Does the Section Management Server always have to act as an intermediary when distributing resources from server to client?

No. You can configure multi-layer operation systems from two layers to n layers depending on the number of client machines. Although the number of clients per server is not limited, we recommend limiting the number of concurrent connection clients under a single server to a maximum of 50 to optimize distribution performance.

Q2-7-11: Can I perform any resource distribution tasks over a web browser?

You can refer to a list of system configuration data, see the distribution status of branch offices, and view inventory information directly from your PC, instead of going to the Operation Management Server.

2-8. Monitor Consoles

Q2-8-1: What type of consoles are available for monitoring operations?

• The Business Monitor console allows you to monitor the business aspects of networks, systems, applications, and other areas of your company. You can also perform operation management tasks such as starting applications.
• The System Monitor console enables you to use Systemwalker CentricMGR functions from a web browser without installing Systemwalker. Administrators can receive event notifications via email or pager and check the event from a remote location, such as during a business trip. They can also can check the system from their PDAs.

Q2-8-2: Can I view the Windows OS event log, UNIX syslog, or SNMP trap on one monitor?

Yes. They appear on the monitor console of the Business Monitor window.

Q2-8-3: Can I search for a certain event?

Yes. The Event Monitoring window provides a search feature.

2-9. Monitoring Systems and Networks

Q2-9-1: What kinds of problems can I monitor?

You can monitor any problem contained in the event log, in a system message, or in another log file. All messages are categorized into groups such as "error", "warning", or "information". Systemwalker CentricMGR provides filtering tools so you can zero in on the important messages and ignore the rest.

Q2-9-2: Can I troubleshoot problems on a remote system?

The remote operation function enables you to connect to the remote system and execute commands to address the issue.

Q2-9-3: What network monitoring functions does Systemwalker CentricMGR provide?

Systemwalker CentricMGR provides an intuitive GUI for multi-vendor LAN environments. You can perform failure monitoring and SNMP trap monitoring, and display performance information (MIB) and traffic volume on graphs.

Q2-9-4: Can I monitor hubs and routers as well as servers and clients?

If the hub or router runs an SNMP agent, you can monitor it.

Q2-9-5: Can I monitor a LAN-WAN-LAN network?

Yes.

Q2-9-6: Can I create a network configuration diagram?

You can create it using the automatic node detection function. Network devices such as PCs and routers are automatically displayed on the monitoring GUI. You can create a configuration diagram by arranging the actual location of PCs and routers with the office layout for a background. If you add new network devices to the network, they are automatically reflected on the monitor console.

Q2-9-7: Can I check whether servers or routers are turned on?

Yes. The status of servers, clients, and LAN equipment, collectively called nodes, appears on the network configuration diagram in the following colors:

Green:

• SNMP agent service is on.

Blue:

• SNMP agent service is on but part of the interface is down.

Light Blue:

• The node is up and using TCP/IP communication but the SNMP agent service is not on or not installed.

Yellow:

• The node is not up and using TCP/IP communication, because it is not connected or not turned on.

Q2-9-8: Can I prevent performance problems on the networks and systems

Systemwalker CentricMGR monitors network traffic and server performance based on predefined threshold values. If the threshold is exceeded, the system notifies the Operation Management Server, which in turn notifies appropriate personnel. This threshold notification enables you to anticipate and prevent problems with network traffic and server performance.

Q2-9-9: What type of threshold value does Systemwalker CentricMGR use to monitor network traffic?

There are two types of threshold monitoring:

• Service level monitoring checks if a monitored value exceeds the target value that was preset during network design. You can choose to omit a threshold value and have the system determine the best value based on the line type (Ethernet, FDDI, WAN, etc.).
• Baseline monitoring compares the current value to a normal value that is calculated from historical traffic statistics. You can also compare the value to the historical value on that day of the week, that month, or any other specific time period.

Q2-9-10: How does Systemwalker CentricMGR display network and system performance information?

Traffic information, such as the number of bytes and packets and the CPU usage rate, appears on two types of performance monitoring map. The maps also display server performance information such as CPU and memory, allowing you to diagnose performance problems.

• Node maps display connections between nodes (Job Server and routers). The selected node's subnet is at the center of the map, and target nodes within the subnet appear in concentric circles around it. Related subnets are placed on circles centered on each node. The map displays performance data for each node server and shows the traffic between connected nodes.
• Pair Node maps depict the subnet and node relationships between two selected nodes, and display traffic and server performance information.

Q2-9-11: Can I check the traffic load of each subnet to determine if the subnet should be dispersed to balance the load?

The industry standard MIB-2 allows you to collect network and traffic information about each IP node. It provides rough figures from monitoring the traffic in gateways and hubs, including routers on the subnet. If you installed the network device (RMON Probe) on each segment, you can collect the RMON-MIB data and monitor the traffic amount per LAN segment with even more accuracy.

Q2-9-12: What can I do with the stored network and system performance information ?

You can store the agent logs that are collected by the MIB operation and export them to text files in CSV format. You can also display various types of graph by integrating your system with Systemwalker PerfMGR.

Q2-9-13: Can I perform failure monitoring even if an SNMP agent is not running on the network ?

Yes, as long as the node is up and communicating via TCP/IP.

Q2-9-14: How can I collect server and network traffic information?

Systemwalker CentricMGR collects traffic information from the performance management information of MIB on each device. You must install an SNMP agent on monitored server and network devices.

Q2-9-15: Are the events on the Monitored Event List the same as the events written to the event log?

This depends on your filter settings. If you do not filter the messages from the event log, then the Monitored Event List displays the same messages. If you filter out messages by importance (e.g., discarding messages with a status of "information", but forwarding those with a status of "warning"), then the Monitored Event List displays a subset of the messages in the event log.

Q2-9-16: Can I monitor messages from mainframe computers?

Systemwalker CentricMGR Global Enterprise Edition (GEE) allows you to monitor mainframe computers. To do this, you must run the Operation Management Server on Solaris 2.6 OS, Solaris 7 OS, Solaris 8 OS, or Solaris 9 OS. You can collect the following types of messages:

• System messages
• Error messages generated by linked products
• Messages that appear on the AVM console
• Hardware error messages detected by SVPM monitoring
• Network errors

2-10. Application Monitoring

Q2-10-1: What type of application monitoring does Systemwalker CentricMGR perform?

Systemwalker CentricMGR monitors:

• Application operating status
• Application performance
• Internet server operating status

Q2-10-2: Can I monitor the operating status of applications?

You can monitor the operating status of the resident processes.

Q2-10-3: What types of application events might Systemwalker CentricMGR notify me about?

Systemwalker CentricMGR checks to ensure that applications are running according to the operating conditions (policies) set by the administrator. For example, if an application is not running between the scheduled start time and end time, or if an application is still running at the scheduled end time, Systemwalker CentricMGR judges these to be policy violations, and signals them as events.

Q2-10-4: What elements of application performance does Systemwalker CentricMGR monitor?

The administrator can view the elapsed time and CPU usage rate of currently running processes. If the CPU usage rate or virtual memory capacity exceed the preset values (thresholds), the system notifies the administrator.

Q2-10-5: Can I monitor the log file for each application?

Yes. A text message written to the log file is treated as a monitoring event message, which is terminated by the line break code and monitored as one message.

2-11. Business Monitoring

Q2-11-1: What is a "business" in Systemwalker CentricMGR?

To Systemwalker CentricMGR, IT resources such as networks, systems, hardware, operating systems, and applications that are grouped into a unit are called a business.

Q2-11-2: What type of business monitoring does Systemwalker CentricMGR perform?

The business monitoring module alerts appropriate personnel when problems occur, shows which businesses and IT resources are affected, helps determine the proper order of recovery procedures, and lets you close the process if necessary.

2-12. Administrator Notification

Q2-12-1: How does Systemwalker CentricMGR notify the administrator when a problem occurs?

Systemwalker CentricMGR provides multiple levels of notification and support:

• Warning beep and flashing icon at the monitor console, where the administrator can quickly identify the type and location of the problem
• Alerts via email, pager, messaging service, and so on
• Automatic trouble ticket generation
• Predefined corrective actions

2-13. Corrective Action (Remote Operation)

Q2-13-1: What kind of operations can I perform on a remote server and clients?

You can display the current screen of the target PC server and client on your PC screen using the screen transfer feature. This feature allows you to operate the system as if you were sitting in front of it. You can turn systems on and off remotely, and execute commands on remote UNIX and PC servers.

Q2-13-2: How can I connect to or disconnect from a client during remote operation?

First, please note that in remote operations, the side performing the recovery operation is called the "expert", and the side being recovered is called the "client". Clients initiate remote operation by sending a request for support. An expert checks to ensure that the client exists. If the expert finds the client, the connection is established and recovery procedures ensue. Experts can also connect to a client by directly specifying its IP address. Either the client or the expert can end the connection.

Q2-13-3: What security measures does Systemwalker CentricMGR provide?

You can set clients up with password protection for when experts attempt a connection. Clients can also use the Approval Connections option to admit an expert to the session.

2-14. Automate Corrective Action

Q2-14-1: How can I automate corrective actions?

You can predefine recovery flow commands that automatically initiate corrective actions in response to a particular problem.

Q2-14-2: What automatic corrective actions are available?

Some corrective actions relate to the notification process, and others directly address the source of the problem.

Automatic notification

• Systemwalker CentricMGR can send notifications in the following ways:
  
  • Audio text
  • WAV files
  • Beep tone
  • Email or MS-Mail
  • Pop-up messages
  • Pager notification
  In addition, Systemwalker CentricMGR can issue trouble tickets for the Helpdesk.

Automatic corrective actions

• Systemwalker CentricMGR can perform the following types of activities to solve problems:
  
  • Issuing a SNMP trap
  • Issuing a remote command
  • Starting an application
  • Outputting data to an application event log

2-15. Problem Management (Helpdesk)

Q2-15-1: How should I resolve problems using Systemwalker CentricMGR?

For the best results, implement a logical, robust troubleshooting process and use Systemwalker CentricMGR's functions to support the process. The following sections identify the tasks that the recovery process must include, and list the Systemwalker CentricMGR functions that support that task.

• Manage trouble tickets
  
  • Issue trouble tickets
  • Track progress, using tickets to indicate problem status
  • Manage trouble ticket processes, such as forwarding tickets to other administrators
• Investigate the problem
  
  • Search known faults
  • Use remote operation to locate and define problems
  • Display information about systems, users, hardware, and software
• Notify end users
  
  • Report problems to users who may be affected by the problem
  • Report problems to users who may be involved in the cause of the problem
• Solve the problem
  
  • Send corrective data
  • Search the knowledge database for solutions
  • Search the knowledge database for preventative methods
• Track problem status and statistics
  
  • Monitor the occurrence of problems across the network
  • Monitor the status of existing problems
  • Collect statistical information
  • Maintain the trouble ticket database

Q2-15-2: When does Systemwalker CentricMGR issue trouble tickets?

• When a user notifies the Helpdesk of a problem, personnel can create trouble tickets using the GUI.
• When the event management function detects a problem, the system automatically creates a trouble ticket.

Q2-15-3: Can I search through previous trouble tickets?

Yes. You can search the trouble ticket history by keywords such as message ID, date, person in charge, and so on.

Q2-15-4: Can Systemwalker CentricMGR notify the person in charge of the Helpdesk about a trouble ticket?

Yes. You can instruct Systemwalker CentricMGR to notify appropriate personnel via pager, email, or MS-Mail.

Q2-15-5: Do I need to install Helpdesk Server on a dedicated server?

We recommend that you install the Helpdesk Server and Operation Management Server on the same server. However, you can install the Helpdesk Server in the database on another server.

2-16. Reporting

Q2-16-1: What kind of information can I display with the reporting function

Systemwalker CentricMGR lets you display accumulated network and system performance data, and trends in monitored events, on a graph. Integrating your system with Systemwalker PerfMGR allows you to display detailed information about system performance in whatever type of graph suits your needs.