Microsoft Windows

PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide Monitoring and Managing with PATROL Volume 2

Version 3.5

August 08, 2002

Copyright © 1999-2002 BMC Software, Inc., as an unpublished work. All rights reserved. BMC Software, the BMC Software logos, and all other BMC Software product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of BMC Software, Inc. All other registered trademarks or trademarks belong to their respective companies. PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows technology, U.S. Patent Number 5,655,081.

Restricted Rights Legend U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. UNPUBLISHED–RIGHTS RESERVED UNDER THE COPYRIGHT LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions set forth in FAR Section 52.227-14 Alt. III (g)(3), FAR Section 52.227-19, DFARS 252.227-7014 (b), or DFARS 227.7202, as amended from time to time. Contractor/Manufacturer is BMC Software, Inc., 2101 CityWest Blvd., Houston, TX 77042-2827, USA. Any contract notices should be sent to this address.

Contacting BMC Software You can access the BMC Software Web site at http://www.bmc.com. From this Web site, you can obtain information about the company, its products, corporate offices, special events, and career opportunities.

United States and Canada

Outside United States and Canada

Address

Telephone

(01) 713 918 8800

Fax

(01) 713 918 8000

BMC Software, Inc. 2101 CityWest Blvd. Houston TX 77042-2827

Telephone

713 918 8800 or 800 841 2031

Fax

713 918 8000

Customer Support You can obtain technical support by using the Support page on the BMC Software Web site or by contacting Customer Support by telephone or e-mail. To expedite your inquiry, please see “Before Contacting BMC Software.”

Support Web Site You can obtain technical support from BMC Software 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at http://www.bmc.com/support.html. From this Web site, you can • • • • • • •

read overviews about support services and programs that BMC Software offers find the most current information about BMC Software products search a database for problems similar to yours and possible solutions order or download product documentation report a problem or ask a question subscribe to receive e-mail notices when new product versions are released find worldwide BMC Software support center locations and contact information, including e-mail addresses, fax numbers, and telephone numbers

Support by Telephone or E-mail In the United States and Canada, if you need technical support and do not have access to the Web, call 800 537 1813. Outside the United States and Canada, please contact your local support center for assistance. To find telephone and e-mail contact information for the BMC Software support center that services your location, refer to the Contact Customer Support section of the Support page on the BMC Software Web site at www.bmc.com/support.html.

Before Contacting BMC Software Before you contact BMC Software, have the following information available so that Customer Support can begin working on your problem immediately: •

product information — — —

•

product name product version (release number) license number and password (trial or permanent)

operating system and environment information — — — — —

machine type operating system type, version, and service pack or other maintenance level such as PUT or PTF system hardware configuration serial numbers related software (database, application, and communication) including type, version, and service pack or maintenance level

BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

iii

•

sequence of events leading to the problem

•

commands and options that you used

•

messages received (and the time and date that you received them) — — —

product error messages messages from the operating system, such as file system full messages from related software

BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Contents

Contents About This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv Chapter 1

Overview of Monitoring and Managing

Overview of PATROL Monitoring Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Computer Icon States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Application Instance Icon States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Parameter Icon States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5 Other Types of Monitoring Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 Overview of PATROL Managing Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8 Parameter Recovery Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8 Menu and Task Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9 State Change Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10 PATROL Agent Setup Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10 Event Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11 Startup and Shutdown Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11 Agent Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12 Service Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13 Chapter 2

Working With Parameters

Overview of Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 What Parameters Are . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 What Parameters Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 When Parameters Are Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 How Parameters Store Current Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 How Parameters Store History Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 How Parameters Display Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Types of Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Tasks Available from the Parameters Shortcut Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8 BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Methods for Viewing Information about Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8 Types of Information Available about Parameters . . . . . . . . . . .2-9 Types of Parameter Charts and Graphs Available . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9 Parameter Information Viewed as Charts and Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11 What the PATROL Console Charting Server Is . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12 PATROL Console Charting Server Main Window . . . . . . . . . . .2-12 Files Used by the PATROL Console Charting Server . . . . . . . . .2-13 What You Can Do with the PATROL Console Charting Server .2-15 Manipulation of Data Shown in the Chart or Graph . . . . . . . . . .2-20 Creating a New Graph Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-21 Saving the Attributes of a Chart or Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-22 Displaying Annotated Data Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-23 Removing Parameters from Existing Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-24 Viewing Data History for a Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-26 Plotting Data from Specific Time Periods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-27 Manipulation of Data Shown in the Chart or Graph . . . . . . . . . .2-28 Using Optional Chart Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-29 Displaying Data Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-31 Displaying Data Point Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-32 Rotating a Chart in 3-D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-33 Using the Zoom Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-34 Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-35 Chart Axes Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-38 Chart Chart Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-39 Chart Gridline Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-41 Chart Title Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-42 Chart Legend Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-43 Chart Data Series Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-45 Parameter History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-47 Methods of Manipulating Parameter History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-47 Viewing Parameter Value History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-49 Methods for Manipulating Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-49 Snoozing an Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-50 Refreshing All Parameters for a Computer Instance . . . . . . . . . .2-51 Refreshing All Parameters for an Application Instance . . . . . . .2-52 Overriding Application Discovery Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-53 Overriding Parameter Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-55 Chapter 3

Management of the Object Hierarchy

Relationships of Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1 BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Management of Computers, Applications, and Parameters as Groups 3-2 Creating a Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 Moving an Object into a Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Removing an Object from a Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7 Deleting a Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8 Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9 Creating a Shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10 Removing a Shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11 Chapter 4

Using Commands and Tasks

Differences between Commands and Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 Background on Running Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 Types of Commands You Can Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 Accounts That Run a Command or Task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 Run-Time Passing Arguments to Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4 Commands Using the System Output Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4 How to Run Menu Items Against Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 How to Run Commands or Tasks Using the Command Dialog . . . . 4-6 Types of Commands You Can Run Using Command Dialog . . . 4-7 Commands That Prompt for Arguments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7 Commands That Include PATROL Built-in Macro Variables . . . 4-7 Methods for Accessing the Command or Task Dialog . . . . . . . . 4-7 Running a Command or Task from a Command or Task Dialog 4-9 Using the Text Editor to Write a Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 PSL Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12 Where to Find More Information about PSL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12 Method Available for Checking the Syntax of a PSL Command 4-13 Built-in Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13 Available Built-in Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13 Running Built-in Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15 Output from Commands and Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16 System Output Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16 Task Output Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16 Chapter 5

Management of the PATROL Agent

Background on Tuning the PATROL Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 PATROL Agent Self-Tuning Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 Prerequisites for Tuning the PATROL Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 PATROL Agent Load Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 Tasks You Can Perform to Manage the PATROL Agent . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Chapter 6

Use of the Agent Query

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3 Components of the Agent Query Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3 Components of the Query Results Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7 Agent Query Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-13 Examples of Using Agent Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-15 Creating a Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-15 About Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-16 Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-16 Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-17 Creating a Query with Quick Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-18 Creating Your Own Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-20 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-25 Modifying a Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-26 Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-26 Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-26 Modifying a Query with Quick Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-27 Modifying a Query with the SELECT and WHERE Boxes . . . .6-28 Modifying Queries with the Query Box Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . .6-30 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-32 Issuing a Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-32 Task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-33 Issuing a Query from the Agent Query Window . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-34 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-34 Using Query Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-35 Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-35 Selecting Rows in the Query Results Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-36 Sorting Objects in the Query Results Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-40 Setting the Display of Table Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-43 Resizing Columns in the Query Results Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-44 Scheduling a Query for Reissue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-45 Disabling Scheduled Reissue of Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-47 Reissuing a Query at Random . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-48 Hiding a Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-49 Working with Results of a Different Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-50 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-50 Managing Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-51 Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-51 Adding Objects to Containers or Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-52 Connecting Computers to PATROL Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-54 BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Disconnecting Computers from PATROL Agents . . . . . . . . . . . 6-55 Finding an Object’s Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-56 Opening Containers, Gauges, and Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-57 Creating Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-58 Snoozing Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-59 Resetting Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-61 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-61 Saving Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-61 Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-61 Saving a Query in the Agent Query Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-63 Saving Results of a Query in the Query Results Window . . . . . 6-64 Exporting Query Results to a Text File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-65 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-65 Using Saved Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-65 Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-66 Using a Saved Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-67 Using Saved Query Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-68 Saving Changes to Query Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-69 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-69 Closing and Exiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-70 Chapter 7

Management of Events

PEM Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 PEM Graphical Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4 PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5 Event Details Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8 Filter Editor Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9 Event Repository Statistics Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10 Window Statistics Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12 Accessing the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14 Sorting Events in the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14 Saving Events from the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15 Managing Events in the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16 Viewing Specific Events in the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17 Generating Event Statistics in the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17 Display of Event Information and Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18 Displaying Events for a Specific Host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19 Displaying and Working with Event Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-21 Filtered View of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-26 Setting a View Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-29 BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Setting a Persistent Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-32 Viewing a Persistent Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-33 How to Sort Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-34 Sorting Events in the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-35 How to Manage Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-36 Making an Entry in the Event Diary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-38 Acknowledging, Closing, or Deleting a Single Event . . . . . . . . .7-41 Performing Matching Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-43 How to Generate Event Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-44 Displaying Statistics for Multiple PATROL Agents . . . . . . . . . .7-46 Displaying a PEM Window Statistics Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-49 Closing the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-51 Index

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Tables

Tables Table 1-1 Table 1-2 Table 1-3 Table 2-1 Table 2-2 Table 2-3 Table 2-4 Table 2-5 Table 2-6 Table 2-7 Table 2-8 Table 2-9 Table 2-10 Table 2-11 Table 2-12 Table 2-13 Table 2-14 Table 2-15 Table 2-16 Table 2-17 Table 3-1 Table 4-1 Table 4-2 Table 4-3 Table 4-4 Table 4-5 Table 4-6 Table 5-1

Computer Icon States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Application Instance Icon States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parameter Icon States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Types of Information Displayed by Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . Types of Parameters and Their Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tasks Available for Parameters from the Shortcut Menu . . . . . Types of Information Available about Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . Types of Parameter Charts and Graphs Available . . . . . . . . . . Files Used by the PATROL Console Charting Server . . . . . . . . Chart Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Customize Grid Dialog Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Axes Property Elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chart Property Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gridlines Property Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Title Property Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Legend Property Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data Series Property Elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Methods of Manipulating Parameter History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Override Properties Dialog Property Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . Override Parameter Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Relationships of Objects in PATROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Differences between Commands and Tasks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Types of Commands You Can Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accounts Used to Run a Command or Task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Methods of Running Menu Items Against Objects . . . . . . . . . . Methods for Accessing the Command or Task Dialog . . . . . . . Built-in PATROL Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parameters for Monitoring PATROL Agent Load . . . . . . . . . . .

1-2 1-4 1-5 2-6 2-7 2-8 2-9 2-10 2-14 2-29 2-36 2-38 2-40 2-42 2-43 2-44 2-46 2-47 2-54 2-56 3-2 4-2 4-3 4-4 4-6 4-8 4-13 5-2

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Table 5-2 Table 6-1 Table 6-2 Table 6-3 Table 6-4 Table 6-5 Table 6-6 Table 6-7 Table 6-8 Table 6-9 Table 6-10 Table 7-1 Table 7-2 Table 7-3 Table 7-4 Table 7-5 Table 7-6 Table 7-7 Table 7-8

Tasks for Managing the PATROL Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . File Menu in the Agent Query Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quick Query Menu in the Agent Query Window. . . . . . . . . . . . Button Bar in the Agent Query Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . File Menu in the Query Results Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edit Menu in the Query Results Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . View Menu in the Query Results Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Actions Menu in the Query Results Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Query Results Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Button Bar in the Query Results Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Examples of Using Agent Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Type Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PEM Window Menu Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Repository Statistics Window Menu Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tasks Available from the View menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Information Items of the Event Details Dialog Box. . . . . . . . . . Using wildcard characters to filter events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Column Headings in the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Information Items in the Event Repository Statistics Window .

5-3 6-5 6-5 6-7 6-9 6-9 6-10 6-11 6-12 6-13 6-15 7-5 7-6 7-11 7-17 7-23 7-30 7-34 7-47

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Figures

Figures Figure 2-1 Figure 2-2 Figure 2-3 Figure 2-4 Figure 2-5 Figure 2-6 Figure 2-7 Figure 2-8 Figure 2-9 Figure 2-10 Figure 2-11 Figure 3-1 Figure 6-1 Figure 6-2 Figure 6-3 Figure 6-4 Figure 6-5 Figure 6-6 Figure 6-7 Figure 6-8 Figure 6-9 Figure 7-1 Figure 7-2 Figure 7-3 Figure 7-4 Figure 7-5 Figure 7-6 Figure 7-7

PATROL Console Charting Server Main Window . . . . . . . . . . Pick History Range Dialog Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Statistics Results Dialog Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Axes Tab of the Chart Properties Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chart Tab of the Chart Properties Dialog Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gridlines Tab of the Chart Properties Dialog Box. . . . . . . . . . . Title Tab on Chart Properties Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Legend Tab of the Chart Properties Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . Data Series Tab of the Chart Properties Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . Override Properties Dialog Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Override Parameters Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Properties Sheet for a New Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Agent Query Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Query Box Buttons in the Agent Query Window . . . . . . . . . . . Query Results Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Agent Query Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Search and Select Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sorting Query Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Set Time Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Add to Container or Graph Dialog Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Set Time Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PATROL Event Manager Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PATROL Event Manager Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PEM Window Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Details Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Filter Editor Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Repository Statistics Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Repository Statistics Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2-13 2-27 2-31 2-38 2-40 2-41 2-42 2-44 2-46 2-53 2-56 3-4 6-4 6-7 6-8 6-14 6-39 6-41 6-46 6-52 6-60 7-4 7-6 7-8 7-9 7-10 7-11 7-12

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Figure 7-8 Figure 7-9 Figure 7-10 Figure 7-11 Figure 7-12 Figure 7-13 Figure 7-14 Figure 7-15 Figure 7-16

Window Statistics Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sorting the PATROL Event Manager Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Details Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Filter Window Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Real-Time Event Updates in a Multiuser Environment . . . . . . . Event Diary Text Editor Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Toolbar Buttons for Managing Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Repository Statistics Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PEM Window Statistics Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7-13 7-15 7-23 7-28 7-37 7-39 7-42 7-47 7-50

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

About . . .

About This Book The PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL describes how to use PATROL components to better perform your job. This book is Volume 2 of a 3-volume series. This book also contains instructions for loading and configuring the PATROL Knowledge Module™ (KM). For more details, refer to the online Help for the KM. The PATROL Console for Unix (Operator and Developer) is a Unix application that runs on Unix machines. For information about the PATROL Console for Unix, refer to the PATROL Console for Unix User Guide. Note

This book assumes that you are familiar with your host operating system. You should know how to perform basic actions in a window environment, such as choosing menu commands and dragging and dropping icons.

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Who Should Read This Book The PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL is intended for database administrators, system administrators, and anyone who monitors an open systems environment using the PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows. If you are responsible for using PATROL after it has been set up, you should read this volume for information on monitoring and managing your system.

How This Book Is Organized This book is organized as follows: Chapter

Title

Purpose

1

Overview of Monitoring and Managing

Contains overview information about using PATROL Console to monitor and manage your computer environment. It lists and describes the types of icons and how they indicate information about your system. This chapter also provides a brief description of the managing activities you can perform using the PATROL Console.

2

Working With Parameters

Contains a description of what parameters do, the methods available for viewing parameter information, creating and modifying charts and graphs, viewing parameter history, and the methods for manipulating parameters from the PATROL Operator Console.

3

Management of the Object Hierarchy

Contains information about managing the object hierarchy. It provides information regarding the relationships of objects in PATROL, and task information for managing objects as groups using folders.

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Chapter

Title

Purpose

4

Using Commands and Tasks

Contains information about using commands and tasks. It describes the differences between commands and tasks, lists the methods available for running commands and tasks and viewing the resulting output.

5

Management of the PATROL Agent

Contains information about managing the PATROL Agent. It provides information regarding the self-tuning ability of the PATROL Agent as well as instructions for tasks you can perform to manage the PATROL Agent.

6

Use of the Agent Query

Provides an overview of using the Agent Query function to query the PATROL agent for monitored objects.

7

Management of Events

Contains overview information about managing events using the PATROL Event Manager.

Index

Index

Lists index entries for Volume 2.

Online and Printed Books The books that accompany BMC Software products are available in online format and printed format. You can view online books with Acrobat Reader from Adobe Systems. The reader is provided at no cost, as explained in “To Access Online Books.” You can also obtain additional printed books from BMC Software, as explained in “To Request Additional Printed Books.” To Access Online Books

Online books are formatted as Portable Document Format (PDF) files. You can view them, print them, or copy them to your computer by using Acrobat Reader 3.0 or later.You can access online books from the documentation compact disc (CD) that accompanies your product or from the World Wide Web.

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In some cases, installation of Acrobat Reader and downloading the online books is an optional part of the product-installation process. For information about downloading the free reader from the Web, go to the Adobe Systems site at http://www.adobe.com. To view any online book that BMC Software offers, visit the support page of the BMC Software Web site at http://www.bmc.com/support.html. Log on and select a product to access the related documentation. (To log on, first-time users can request a user name and password by registering at the support page or by contacting a BMC Software sales representative.) To Request Additional Printed Books

BMC Software provides a core set of printed books with your product order. To request additional books, go to http://www.bmc.com/support.html.

Online Help You can access Help for a product through the product’s Help menu. The online Help provides information about the product’s graphical user interface (GUI) and provides instructions for completing tasks.

Release Notes Printed release notes accompany each BMC Software product. Release notes provide up-to-date information such as • •

updates to the installation instructions last-minute product information

The latest versions of the release notes are also available on the Web at http://www.bmc.com/support.

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Conventions The following conventions are used in this book: Note

Notes provide additional information about the current subject.

Warning

Warnings alert you to situations that can cause problems, such as loss of data, if you do not follow instructions carefully.

Example

An example clarifies a concept discussed in text.

Tip

A tip provides useful information that may improve product performance or make procedures easier to follow.

•

All syntax, operating system terms, and literal examples are presented in this typeface.

•

In instructions, boldface type highlights information that you enter. File names, directories, and Web addresses also appear in boldface type.

•

The symbol => connects items in a menu sequence. For example, Actions => Create Test instructs you to choose the Create Test command from the Actions menu.

•

The symbol

» denotes one-step instructions.

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•

In syntax, path names, or system messages, italic text represents a variable, as shown in the following examples: The table table_name is not available. system/instance/file_name

•

In syntax, the following additional conventions apply: — A vertical bar ( | ) separating items indicates that you must choose one item. In the following example, you would choose a, b, or c: a | b | c — An ellipsis ( . . . ) indicates that you can repeat the preceding item or items as many times as necessary. — Square brackets ( [ ] ) around an item indicate that the item is optional.

•

The following table shows equivalent mouse buttons for Unix users and Microsoft Windows users:

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Unix Button

Windows Button

Description

MB1

left mouse button

Click this button on an icon or menu command to select that icon or command. Click MB1 on a command button to initiate action. Double-click an icon to open its container.

MB2

not applicable

Click this button on an icon to display the InfoBox for the icon. To simulate MB2 on a two-button mouse, simultaneously press the two buttons (MB1 and MB3).

MB3

right mouse button

Click this button on an icon to display its pop-up menu.

Note

If you have a one-button mouse (such as an Apple Macintosh mouse), assign MB1 to that button. You should also define a user-selectable combination of option and arrow keys to simulate MB2 and MB3. For details, refer to the documentation for your emulation software.

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1

Overview of Monitoring and Managing

1

This chapter contains overview information about monitoring and managing using the PATROL Console. It lists and describes the types of icons and how they indicate information about your system. This chapter also provides a brief description of the managing activities you can perform using the PATROL Console. Overview of PATROL Monitoring Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Computer Icon States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Application Instance Icon States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Parameter Icon States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5 Other Types of Monitoring Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 Overview of PATROL Managing Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8 Parameter Recovery Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8 Menu and Task Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9 State Change Actions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10 PATROL Agent Setup Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10 Event Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11 Startup and Shutdown Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11 Agent Query. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12 Service Reporting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

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Overview of PATROL Monitoring Information With a PATROL Console, information about your computing environment is obtained from instance icons, menu command reports, task reports, InfoBox items, parameter graphs and gauges, parameter warnings and alarms, events , and error messages.

Computer Icon States A monitored computer’s icon indicates something about that computer. PATROL automatically determines the icon display based on the computer state. Normally, a computer icon has a gray base when the computer is offline. However, you can tell PATROL to make the icon flash red and yellow when the connection to the computer is not manually broken. The following icon conventions are used to indicate a computer’s state. Table 1-1

Icon Examples

Computer Icon States (Part 1 of 2)

State

Display Characteristics

Description

void; connection cannot be established

round, gray base (yellow triangle at upper right may or may not be displayed)

The PATROL Console cannot connect to the computer for one of the following reasons: • computer is offline, shutdown, or not accessible • connection between the computer and the PATROL Console is down or not functioning correctly

void; connection previously established but now broken

broken square base that is • flashing red and yellow, if user preference is set • gray, if user preference is not set

The PATROL Console is no longer connected to the computer for one of the following reasons: • computer went down • PATROL Agent stopped running • network connection failed

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 1-1

Icon Examples

State

Computer Icon States (Part 2 of 2)

Display Characteristics

Description

OK; no output messages pending

round, white base

None of the application parameters are in warning or alarm state; the system output window does not contain new messages from the OS or the PATROL Agent.

OK; output messages pending (new data)

round, white base; yellow triangle at upper right

None of the application parameters are in warning or alarm state; the system output window contains new messages from the OS or PATROL Agent.

warning

square, yellow base (yellow triangle at upper right may or may not be displayed)

One or more of the application parameters are in warning state.

alarm

square, flashing red and yellow base (yellow triangle at upper right may or may not be displayed)

One or more of the application parameters are in alarm state.

Application Instance Icon States A monitored application instance icon indicates something about that application. The application icon can represent any monitored object, for example, a server, a database, or a file system. PATROL automatically determines the icon display based on the application instance state. The following icon conventions are used to indicate an application instance state.

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Table 1-2

Icon Examples

State

Application Instance Icon States

Display Characteristics

Description

offline; application previously discovered and connected but now disconnected

depending on the KM definition, can be • round, gray base • square, flashing red and yellow base

PATROL Agent can no longer monitor the application for one of the following reasons: • application is offline, shutdown, or not accessible • application has been changed or upgraded, and the KM does not know about the changes

OK

round, white base

None of the application parameters are in warning or alarm state.

warning

square, yellow base

One or more of the application parameters are in warning state.

alarm

square, flashing red and yellow base

One or more of the application parameters are in alarm state.

none

deactivated

N/A

The application has been manually deactivated. The PATROL Agent is no longer monitoring the application.

none

filtered (hidden)

N/A

The application has been manually hidden from the PATROL Console’s view. The PATROL Agent is still monitoring the application.

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Parameter Icon States A parameter’s icon indicates the parameter’s status. Parameter icons are displayed in object windows, the Desktop tree, and the KM tree. The following icon conventions are used to indicate parameter state. Table 1-3

Icon Examples

State

Parameter Icon States (Part 1 of 2)

Display Characteristics

Description

offline

round, gray base

The parameter is not running for one of the following reasons: • PATROL Agent has not yet run the parameter. • Parameter is not functioning properly.

OK

• round, white base, if parameter type is graph, gauge, or text • green light, if parameter type is stoplight • green check mark, if parameter is Boolean

The parameter is running and history is being collected.

warning

• square, yellow base, if parameter type is graph, gauge, or text • yellow light, if parameter type is stoplight • red x, if parameter is Boolean

The parameter has returned a value that is in the warning range.

alarm

• Square, flashing red and yellow base, if parameter type is graph, gauge, or text • Red light, if parameter type is stoplight • Red x on a flashing red and yellow base, if parameter is Boolean

The parameter has returned a value that is in the alarm range.

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Table 1-3

Icon Examples

none

Parameter Icon States (Part 2 of 2)

State

Display Characteristics

Description

no history

gray triangle displayed in the upper-left corner

The parameter is not collecting history for one of the following reasons: • Parameter is running but the history retention period has been set to zero. • Parameter is offline or has been suspended and history has not been collected.

snoozed

• round, white base, if parameter type is graph, gauge, or text • green light, if parameter type is stoplight • green check mark, if parameter is Boolean

The parameter has returned a value that is in the alarm range, but the parameter’s alarm has been manually snoozed.

suspended

the letter s in a red circle is displayed in the upper-right corner

The parameter has been manually suspended.

deactivated

N/A

The parameter has been manually deactivated.

Other Types of Monitoring Information In addition to icons that display the states of computer instances, application instances, and parameters, there are other types of monitoring information available to you through PATROL. You can get monitoring information from • • •

InfoBoxes events error Messages

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InfoBoxes

Each monitored object has its own InfoBox that displays certain attributes about that object and that contains the results of specific data collection commands. For example, selecting the InfoBox for a database may display the last time the transaction log was dumped or the date on which the database was created. For another example, selecting the InfoBox for a computer may display the host name, IP address, and machine class. Display an InfoBox by choosing InfoBox from an object pop-up menu. Events

PATROL Event Manager displays the event messages that a PATROL Agent generates for each monitored object. A PATROL Agent generates an event record each time one of the following events occurs: •

A parameter changes state.

•

The computer connection status changes (the computer goes offline or comes online).

•

A global parameter description changes.

Error Messages

From the PATROL Console, you can view error messages generated by PATROL or by your operating system and applications. PATROL error messages are generated automatically by the PATROL Console or the PATROL Agent. Error messages can also be generated manually when you choose to load and set up a KM or to issue a KM menu command or a task. Error messages are displayed with command output in any one of the command output windows. Some KMs provide a menu item that allows you to search for and display certain operating system and application error messages. Many KMs also provide one or more debugging menu items that allow you to view debugging messages issued during a particular process, such as setting up a new server or a new database to monitor. Refer to the online Help system or to the manual for each KM that you use. BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Some KM online Help systems include a list of error messages, detailed explanations of the error conditions, and instructions for resolving problems that may have caused the conditions.

Overview of PATROL Managing Activities With a PATROL Console, you can manage and change your computing environment by performing certain activities using menu commands, parameter recovery actions, state change actions, and PATROL Agent setup commands. With Service Reporting, you can analyze data across multiple PATROL Knowledge Modules (PATROL KMs) from multiple nodes and develop ad hoc or custom reports on this data.

Parameter Recovery Actions In addition to generating a report when a parameter goes into a warning or alarm state, recovery actions can send an e-mail message, activate a beeper, tune a system that is in a certain condition, or actually fix a problem that has caused the warning or alarm. A parameter can store a list of recovery actions associated with different alarm ranges that you have set for the same problem. Recovery actions are stored and executed by the PATROL Agent. For information about creating or changing parameter recovery actions, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL. When you issue parameter recovery action commands or tasks, you can use PSL functions, built-in commands, and built-in macro variables. For detailed information about PSL and built-in commands and macros, refer to the PATROL Script Language Reference Manual Volume 1-PSL Essentials.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Menu and Task Commands Menu commands and tasks sent by the PATROL Console are executed by the PATROL Agent and then returned to the PATROL Console in an output window. You can issue commands to a monitored object using •

a one-time command from the PATROL Console menu bar

•

an interactive session from a monitored computer’s operating system prompt

•

a predefined menu command (which can be part of the PATROL Console or part of the KM files) from the object’s pop-up menu or from the PATROL Console menu bar.

PATROL provides a certain number of predefined KM menu commands. By creating your own menu commands, you can incorporate your own scripts that you frequently use to perform functions and maintain your environment, such as backups and queries. A menu command can be issued as a command that the PATROL Agent runs during its run queue cycle or as a task that is run outside of the PATROL Agent queue cycle. Running a command as a task produces a task icon. When you issue a menu command or a task, you can use PSL functions, built-in commands and built-in macro variables. Some commands can be executed only by a PATROL Developer Console. For detailed information about PSL built-in commands, refer to the PATROL Script Language Reference Manual Volume 2-PSL Functions. For information about issuing one-time commands or opening an interactive session on a monitored computer, refer to Chapter 4, “Using Commands and Tasks.” For information about creating or changing predefined KM menu commands, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL.

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State Change Actions State change actions are run by the PATROL Console when a computer or application changes from one state to another. State change actions normally notify you or some other person about certain changes in the condition of your monitored environment. These actions include sounding an audible alert to indicate that a problem has been detected and sending an electronic mail message, facsimile, or pager message to a responsible person. State change actions are similar in nature and purpose to parameter recovery actions and can be specified to work with recovery actions. The primary difference between a state change action and a recovery action is the location where each is executed. While recovery actions are stored and executed by the PATROL Agent, state change actions are executed by the PATROL Console. For example, a state change action can let you know if an object is no longer available for monitoring. When you issue state change action commands, you can use built-in commands and built-in macro variables. For information about creating or changing PATROL Console state change actions, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL.

PATROL Agent Setup Commands Setup commands are run by the PATROL Agent when the PATROL Console connects or reconnects to the PATROL Agent. Setup commands normally perform a specific housekeeping task such as initializing an application log file to be ready for monitoring. Setup commands are not scheduled in the PATROL Agent’s run queue. When you issue PATROL Agent setup commands, you can use PSL functions, built-in commands, and built-in macro variables. For detailed information about PSL built-in commands, refer to the PATROL Script Language Reference Manual Volume 2-PSL Functions.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

For information about creating or changing PATROL Agent setup commands, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL.

Event Commands Used with PATROL Event Manager, event commands are run by the PATROL Agent when certain events occur. The commands are specified for the event class associated with the event. A command can be one of three types: escalation, notification, or acknowledgment. For example, an event class can specify that commands be executed •

after a certain escalation period

•

when a specific event is triggered (notification)

PATROL provides a standard set of event classes, some having escalation and notification command properties. With a PATROL Developer Console, you can create or change event class command properties. For information about creating or changing event class command properties, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL.

Startup and Shutdown Commands As part of your PATROL Console’s user preferences, you can specify startup and shutdown commands to be executed on the PATROL Agent machine when the PATROL Console is shut down and restarted. These startup and shutdown commands differ from PATROL Agent setup commands that are executed on the PATROL Agent machine when the PATROL Console connects or reconnects to the PATROL Agent. Startup and shutdown commands also differ from state change actions that are executed on the PATROL Agent machine when a computer or application changes from one state to another.

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Agent Query With Agent Query, you can arrange your desktop and perform management activities for many objects in a single action. You start by creating queries to the PATROL Agent to find out the current state of monitored objects. Then you perform object management activities in the Query Results window. With Agent Query, you can •

add objects to containers and graphs

•

create charts for parameters

•

snooze a parameter warning and alarm

•

connect to and disconnect from host computers

•

quickly find the container for one or more objects, open containers, and open parameter gauges and graphs

For information about using Agent Query, refer to Chapter 6, “Use of the Agent Query.”

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Service Reporting Service Reporting, found under the Tools menu of PATROL, is an integrated product that combines data collection, storage, and retrieval with report creation and viewing facilities. Service Reporting provides a visual presentation of system management data that you might already be collecting. You can analyze collected data across multiple KMs and computers, then select user-defined generic reports and predefined custom reports that reflect this data. Note

If the Service Reporting menu pick and its submenus are grayed out, you do not have Service Reporting installed. Service Reporting is a feature of Perform for Microsoft Windows and must be installed separately. To obtain Perform for Microsoft Windows, please contact your BMC Software, Inc. representative. For more information about Service Reporting, refer to one of the following sources: • • •

Service Reporting Getting Started DataStore Administrator Guide Reporting User Guide

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

2

Working With Parameters

2

This chapter contains information about PATROL Parameters. It includes a description of what parameters do, the methods available for viewing parameter information, creating and modifying charts and graphs, viewing parameter history, and the methods for manipulating parameters from the PATROL Operator Console. Overview of Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 What Parameters Are . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 What Parameters Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 When Parameters Are Run. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 How Parameters Store Current Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 How Parameters Store History Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 How Parameters Display Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Types of Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Tasks Available from the Parameters Shortcut Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8 Methods for Viewing Information about Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8 Types of Information Available about Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9 Types of Parameter Charts and Graphs Available . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9 Parameter Information Viewed as Charts and Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11 What the PATROL Console Charting Server Is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12 PATROL Console Charting Server Main Window . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12 Files Used by the PATROL Console Charting Server . . . . . . . . . 2-13 What You Can Do with the PATROL Console Charting Server . 2-15 Manipulation of Data Shown in the Chart or Graph . . . . . . . . . . 2-20 Creating a New Graph Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21 Saving the Attributes of a Chart or Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22 Displaying Annotated Data Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23 Removing Parameters from Existing Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24 BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Viewing Data History for a Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-26 Plotting Data from Specific Time Periods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-27 Manipulation of Data Shown in the Chart or Graph . . . . . . . . . .2-28 Using Optional Chart Views. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-29 Displaying Data Statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-31 Displaying Data Point Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-32 Rotating a Chart in 3-D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-33 Using the Zoom Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-34 Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-35 Chart Axes Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-38 Chart Chart Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-39 Chart Gridline Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-41 Chart Title Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-42 Chart Legend Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-43 Chart Data Series Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-45 Parameter History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-47 Methods of Manipulating Parameter History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-47 Viewing Parameter Value History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-49 Methods for Manipulating Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-49 Snoozing an Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-50 Refreshing All Parameters for a Computer Instance . . . . . . . . . .2-51 Refreshing All Parameters for an Application Instance . . . . . . . .2-52 Overriding Application Discovery Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-53 Overriding Parameter Attributes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-55

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Overview of Parameters This section contains basic information about parameters. It describes what parameters are, what they do, when they are run, how they display information, and the types of parameters.

What Parameters Are A parameter is a command written in PATROL Script Language (PSL) that periodically obtains data on a system resource and then parses and processes that data. Parameters are run by the PATROL Agent. Parameter data values are collected, summarized, and stored on the computer running the PATROL Agent. The parameter data can be accessed from a PATROL Console or an SNMP console.

What Parameters Do Parameters contain thresholds and can trigger alarms. The thresholds for the parameters are called alarm ranges. When a value is returned by the parameter, the value is checked against the alarm range. If the value returned by the parameter triggers an alarm, the PATROL Agent notifies the PATROL Console of the alarm and runs any recovery actions associated with the parameter.

When Parameters Are Run Parameters run on a regular schedule (the polling cycle) or when you specifically request the parameter to be run (updating a parameter). The execution schedule defined for the parameter determines when the PATROL Agent runs the parameter. Before the parameter can be run, it must be activated. Most parameters are activated by default. For information about activating and deactivating parameters, see the PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL.

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The parameters that have been activated begin running when you first start PATROL, unless they are scheduled to run at a particular time. The parameters continue to run according to their schedules (also called their polling cycles). You can force the PATROL Agent to run one or more parameters immediately, regardless of their polling cycle, through updating of parameters. Updating does not reset the polling cycle; rather it gathers a new data point between polling cycles. For information about updating parameters, see “Refreshing All Parameters for a Computer Instance” on page 2-51 and “Refreshing All Parameters for an Application Instance” on page 2-52.

How Parameters Store Current Data Current parameter data is kept in the parameter cache. You can set the size of the cache using the PATROL Agent’s configuration file. Note

Using the PATROL Agent’s configuration file, you can also specify the maximum number of data points stored in cache and the period of time (in seconds) after which the parameter cache is flushed to the history file. See the PATROL Agent Reference Manual for more information.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

How Parameters Store History Data Parameter history data is stored by the PATROL Agent in compressed binary files. The history files are circular, keeping only the most current number of days selected. History is stored for all parameters, except those that display output as text. With a PATROL Developer Console (or PATROL Operator Console with an appropriate user role), you can specify how many days of data are to be stored. With a PATROL Developer Console, you can also clear history for an individual parameter of an instance. Note

You can also specify the number of days that parameter history is to be collected by using the PATROL Agent’s configuration file. See the PATROL Agent Reference Manual for more information.

How Parameters Display Information A parameter displays information regarding its state and information about the actual value returned as a result of the PATROL Script Language (PSL) command for the parameter. Types of Information Displayed

Table 2-1 shows the types of information and how the information is depicted.

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Table 2-1

Types of Information Displayed by Parameters

Type of Information

How Represented

How Accessed

state

parameter icon

Double-click the icon for the computer or application against which the parameter runs.

Parameters are represented as icons. Parameter icons appear in the icon window of the computer or application against which they are run. Parameter icons change appearance to reflect a change in state. There are two methods for conveying the state of a parameter: • Icons that appear yellow are in a warning state. Icons that flash alternating red and yellow are in alarm state. • Signal parameter (stoplight) icons display a green light for OK state, yellow for warning state, and red for alarm state.

actual value returned

• • • • •

Double-click the icon for the parameter.

The data returned by parameters is displayed on the PATROL Console as a graph, a gauge, or a text field. The data provides a concise snapshot of the current state of the computer or application against which the parameter is being run.

on/off switch gauge graph no Output text

Additional Information

States Indicated by Parameter Icons

For information about the states indicated by parameter icons and other icons, see Chapter 1, “Overview of Monitoring and Managing.”

Types of Parameters Parameters differ in the way they gather and display data. PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows has three types of parameters: • • •

collector consumer standard

Table 2-2 shows the types of parameters and the characteristics of each type.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Type

Gathered

collector

multiple values

yes

yes

no

no

no

consumer

N/A

no

no

yes

yes

yes

standard

single number or text string

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Recovery Actions

Runs

Alarms

Issues

Values

Displays

Commands

Executes

Type of Values

to Polling Cycle

Types of Parameters and Their Characteristics

Executes according

Table 2-2

Collector Parameter

A collector executes commands and gathers data for consumer parameters to display, often collecting many values. Collector parameters do not display any values. They do not have alarms or run any recovery actions. Collector parameters are powerful because they can feed numerous consumer parameters. A single collector parameter sending a single query to a server can set an almost unlimited number of parameters by using a portion of the query to set each parameter. Consumer Parameter

A consumer parameter only displays a value that was collected by either a collector or standard parameter. A consumer parameter never issues commands and is not scheduled for execution. However, it has alarms and can run recovery actions. Standard Parameter

A standard parameter executes commands that return a single numeric value or text and then displays the result. Some standard parameters can also execute commands and gather data for consumer parameters to display.

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Tasks Available from the Parameters Shortcut Menu Table 2-3 shows the tasks for parameters that you can perform using the commands from the shortcut menu. Table 2-3

Tasks Available for Parameters from the Shortcut Menu

Task You Want to Perform

Command to Use

Change the attributes for the parameter.

Override Parameters

Create a shortcut icon for the parameter.

Create Shortcut

Delete the historical data retained for the parameter.

Clear History

Display the actual value returned by the parameter.

Open

Display information about the parameter, including time it was last run, current value, oldest value, and the amount of historical data retained.

InfoBox

Display the Online Help for the parameter.

Help On

Display the state changes that have occurred for this parameter by starting PATROL Event Manager (PEM).

Event Manager

Ignore an alarm for a specified amount of time.

Alarm Snooze

Restart the parameter to run according to its polling cycle.

Resume

Run the parameter immediately.

Update

Stop the parameter from running according to its polling cycle.

Suspend

Methods for Viewing Information about Parameters This section contains information about viewing parameter information. It includes a description of the types of parameter reports and provides a brief introduction to the types of charts and graphs available for parameters.

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Types of Information Available about Parameters Table 2-4 shows the types of information about parameters that are available to you, tells you where each type of information is displayed, and provides a reference for detailed descriptions of each type. Table 2-4

Types of Information Available about Parameters

Type of Information

Where Information Is Displayed

Where to Find More Information

actual value returned by a single parameter

the graph, gauge, or text for the parameter

• “Tasks Available from the Parameters Shortcut Menu” on page 2-8 • “Parameter Information Viewed as Charts and Graphs” on page 2-11

charts and graphs of actual values returned by more than one parameter

PATROL Console Charting Server

“Parameter Information Viewed as Charts and Graphs” on page 2-11

detailed parameter reports containing information about a warning or an alarm

task output window

Chapter 4, “Using Commands and Tasks”

PATROL Event Manager (PEM)

Chapter 7, “Management of Events”

state

parameter icon

PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Understanding the Basics

Types of Parameter Charts and Graphs Available You can create charts and graphs of actual values returned by more than one parameter by using the PATROL Console Charting Server. The PATROL Console Charting Server allows you can drag and drop various parameters into a multiline graph folder and plot the results into a chart or graph of your choice.

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Table 2-5

Types of Parameter Charts and Graphs Available (Part 1 of 2)

Type of Information You Want to See

Chart or Graph to Use

data values at specific times and comparisons between parameters

bar charts

proportions of parameter values to the whole

pie charts

rate of change to values of parameters and changes to values of parameters over a period of time

line plots

Example

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 2-5

Types of Parameter Charts and Graphs Available (Part 2 of 2)

Type of Information You Want to See

Chart or Graph to Use

relationships between the values of parameters and the magnitude of the changes to those values

area plots

relationship of various parameter values to the whole at specific times

stacked bar chart

Example

For more information on the PATROL Console Charting Server, see “Parameter Information Viewed as Charts and Graphs” on page 2-11.

Parameter Information Viewed as Charts and Graphs This section contains information about viewing parameter information as charts and graphs. It includes background information about the PATROL Console Charting Server, instructions on manipulating the data that appears in a chart or graph, and instructions on how the data is displayed. BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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What the PATROL Console Charting Server Is The PATROL Console Charting Server plots the parameter data either in real time or from history sets, and presents the graphical information in a number of ways, including pie charts, bar charts, and area plots. You can view the charts through the PATROL Console or print out the results to a local printer or PostScript file.

PATROL Console Charting Server Main Window The PATROL Console Charting Server main window, as shown in Figure 2-1 on page 2-13, is the interface that displays your plotted parameter data and provides the tools used to modify the graphical information. Accessing the PATROL Console Charting Server Main Window

You can access the PATROL Console Charting Server main window from either a graph folder icon or a parameter graph icon. To access the PATROL Console Charting Server main window, do the following:

» Double-click either a graph folder icon or a parameter graph icon. The system displays the PATROL Console Charting Server main window for the graph folder or a parameter graph. Parts of the PATROL Console Charting Server Main Window

The following illustration lists the parts of the PATROL Console Charting Server main window.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Figure 2-1

PATROL Console Charting Server Main Window

Graph Folder Menu Bar Tool Bar Header Data Area Y-axis

X-axis Legend

Time Line Slider Bar Parameter List Message Area

Note

When there is a gap in the curve data of a graph and the Show data gap feature ( )is turned on, the first point following the gap is not displayed. The point following the gap can be displayed by turning Show data gap off.

Files Used by the PATROL Console Charting Server The appearance of chart windows can be customized by opening a chart, using the chart customization dialog to set up the way charts look, and saving the customizations in a file. The chart customization files (the global defaults) are stored in a file named chart_config. This file is always saved in %PATROL_HOME%\patrol\chart directory.

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Defaults that are specific to a single chart are saved in a local PATROL directory. The name of the local patrol directory depends on the environment variables that are set on the local computer, and may be %PATROL_CACHE or %HOME (if you have %HOME set). Note

Customization files are not required for the charting server to function correctly. If there are no customization files defined, the charting server uses built-in, default values when a chart window is opened. Table 2-6 lists and describes the files used by the PATROL Console Charting Server. All files are contained in %PATROL_HOME%\patrol\chart. Table 2-6

Files Used by the PATROL Console Charting Server

File Name

Purpose

chart_config

This file is a global default for all charts and graphs. All newly created charts and graphs use the colors, backgrounds, line styles and widths, and other settings that are contained in this chart or graph.

Command That Writes to File File => Save As Default

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 2-6

Files Used by the PATROL Console Charting Server

Command That Writes to File

File Name

Purpose

*.ctf

This file is a chart template file that is unique to an individual chart or graph. It contains the display attributes for a chart or graph that are directly associated with the actual plot portion of the chart window.

File => Save

The name of the file is made up of the network node alias, the computer name, and the chart or graph name. For example, the chart template file for the parameter DemoParam in the application CPU on the computer MyPC would be named 1-_MyPC_CPU_CPU_DemoParam.ctf. This file is associated with a *.res file. *.res

This file is a PATROL-specific resource file that is unique to an individual chart or graph. It contains the display attributes for a chart or graph that are not directly associated with the actual plot portion of the chart window.

File => Save

The name of the file is made up of the network node alias, the computer name, and the chart or graph name. For example, the PATROL-specific resource file for the parameter DemoParam in the application CPU on the computer MyPC would be named 1-_MyPC_CPU_CPU_DemoParam.res. This file is associated with a *.ctf file.

What You Can Do with the PATROL Console Charting Server The following table lists the tasks you can perform with the PATROL Console Charting Server, tells you the command to use, and where to find more information. All tasks are initiated from the PATROL Console Charting Server main window.

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Where to Find More Information

Task You Want to Perform

Method to Use

add a legend to your chart or graph

• View => Legend command • Legend button from the Chart toolbar

change the appearance of the chart or graph legend

• Options => Customize command, Legend tab • Customize chart button from the Chart toolbar • Right-click on chart and select Customize from context menu

“Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area” on page 2-35 and “Chart Title Properties” on page 2-42

change the appearance of the chart or graph title box

• Options => Customize command, Title tab • Customize chart button from the Chart toolbar • Right-click on chart and select Customize from context menu

“Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area” on page 2-35 and “Chart Title Properties” on page 2-42

change the color and borders of the chart or graph window and data area

• Options => Customize command Chart tab • Customize chart button from the Chart toolbar • Right-click on chart and select Customize from context menu

“Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area” on page 2-35 and “Chart Gridline Properties” on page 2-41

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Where to Find More Information

Task You Want to Perform

Method to Use

change the grid lines in the chart or graph

• Options => Customize command, Gridlines tab • Customize chart button from the Chart toolbar • Right-click on chart and select Customize from context menu

“Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area” on page 2-35 and “Chart Gridline Properties” on page 2-41

set the size of the data point symbols

• Options => Customize, Data Series tab • Customize chart button from the Chart toolbar • Right-click on chart and select Customize from context menu

“Chart Data Series Properties” on page 2-45

set the time range on the x-axis

• Options => Customize, Axes tab • Customize chart button from the Chart toolbar • Right-click on chart and select Customize from context menu

“Chart Axes Properties” on page 2-38

set the y-axis scale range

• Options => Customize, Axes tab • Customize chart button from the Chart toolbar • Right-click on chart and select Customize from context menu

“ Parameter History” on page 2-47

close the PATROL Console Charting Server

Click on X in upper right-hand corner of dialog box

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Where to Find More Information

Task You Want to Perform

Method to Use

close the PATROL Console Charting Server and exit PATROL

File => Exit

customize the page layout of printed charts or graphs

File => Print Setup

display the PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows online Help for the parameter in the chart or graph

Help button from the Chart toolbar

display the PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows online Help Table of Contents

Help => Help Topics

display statistics on the parameter data plotted in the chart or graph

• Options => Statistics command • Show statistics button from the Chart toolbar

plot the missing data points on an area or line graph

• View => Gap command • Show data gap button from the Chart toolbar

plot your parameter data as an area chart

• Type => Area Plot command • Area plot button from the Chart toolbar

“Types of Parameter Charts and Graphs Available” on page 2-9

plot your parameter data as a line plot.

• Type => Line Plot command • Line plot button from the Chart toolbar

“Types of Parameter Charts and Graphs Available” on page 2-9

plot your parameter data as a bar chart

• Type => Bar Chart command • Bar chart button from the Chart toolbar

“Types of Parameter Charts and Graphs Available” on page 2-9

plot your parameter as a stacked bar chart

• Type => Stacked Bar Chart • Stacked bar chart button from the Chart toolbar

“Types of Parameter Charts and Graphs Available” on page 2-9

“Displaying Data Statistics” on page 2-31

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Where to Find More Information

Task You Want to Perform

Method to Use

plot your parameter data as a pie chart

• Type => Pie Chart command • Pie chart button from the Chart toolbar

“Types of Parameter Charts and Graphs Available” on page 2-9

plot previous data values collected for your parameters

Options => History

“Viewing Data History for a Parameter” on page 2-26

plot the y-axis parameter values on an exponential scale

View => Axis => Logarithmic Y

switch the orientation of the x-axis and y-axis

View => Axis => Invert X-Y Axes

print the chart or graph to a local printer or a PostScript file

File => Print

restore your chart or graph to the original view after you zoom in on a portion of the graph

View => Reset Zoom

“Using the Zoom Feature” on page 2-34

save any changes you have made to the chart window, headers, legend, line styles, and so on

File => Save Chart

Save button from the Chart toolbar

The next time you open the graph folder, the chart or graph will retain your customized format. save any changes you have made to the chart window, data area, headers, legend, line styles, and so on, as the default format for all subsequent charts or graphs you create

File => Save Chart as Default

save any changes you have made to the chart window, headers, legend, line styles, and so on, to a file name of your choice

File => Save Chart As...

update your chart or graph in real time as new parameter data is collected

Options => Autoscroll

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Manipulation of Data Shown in the Chart or Graph This section contains information about manipulating the data that is shown in the charts and graphs that you produce using the PATROL Console Charting Server. For example, you can create graphs that show relationships between parameters by plotting two or more parameters across a time period.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Creating a New Graph Folder Summary:

In this procedure, you will create a new graph folder.

To Create a Graph Folder

Follow these steps to create a new graph folder: Step 1

From the PatrolMainMap menu bar, choose File => New => Graph Folder. The Folder Properties sheet appears.

Step 2

Complete the Folder Properties sheet.

Step 3

Click OK. A new graph folder appears in the PatrolMainMap.

Step 4

Locate the system and application parameters that you want to plot in your chart.

Step 5

Drag and drop the parameter icons into the graph folder.

Step 6

Double-click the graph folder. The PATROL Console Charting Server plots your chart.

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Saving the Attributes of a Chart or Graph Summary:

In this procedure, you will save the attributes of a chart, graph, or graph folder.

To Save the Attributes of a Chart, Graph, or Graph Folder

» To save the attributes of a chart or graph, perform one of the following actions: •

If you want to save any changes you have made to the headers, legend, line styles, and so on, choose File => Save.

•

If you want to save any changes you have made to the data area, headers, legend, line styles, and so on, as the default format for all subsequent charts or graphs you create, choose File => Save As Default.

•

If you want to save any changes you have made to the headers, legend, line styles, and so on, to a file name of your choice, choose File => Save As.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Displaying Annotated Data Points Summary:

In this procedure, you will display annotation information related to a data point.

To Display Annotated Data Points

Some area and line plots contain annotated data points that provide detailed information about a parameter in an alarm state at a particular point in time. An asterisk (*) appears on annotated data points. Note

The default annotation character is (*). However, the default annotation character can be changed to any other character by editing the annotation character field in the Miscellaneous tab of the User Preferences dialog box.

» To display the annotated information, double-click the data point.

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2-23

Removing Parameters from Existing Charts Summary:

In this procedure, you will remove parameters from existing charts.

To Remove Parameters from Existing Charts–Temporarily

Follow these steps to temporarily remove parameters from existing charts. Step 1

In the Parameter List, click the parameter entry you wish to remove. The parameter entry is highlighted.

Step 2

Right-click the highlighted parameter. A shortcut menu appears.

Step 3

Choose Remove. The PATROL Console Charting Server removes the parameter from your chart, but the parameter will be in the chart the next time the chart is opened.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

To Remove Parameters from Existing Charts–Permanently

Follow these steps to permanently remove parameters from existing charts: Step 1

In the Desktop tree, expand the folder for the existing chart. The list of parameters in the chart displays.

Step 2

Right-click the parameter you want to remove. A shortcut menu appears.

Step 3

Choose Remove. The Delete Shortcut dialog box displays.

Step 4

Click Yes to delete the parameter from the chart. The PATROL Console Charting Server removes the parameter from your chart, and the chart will not contain the parameter the next time it is opened.

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2-25

Viewing Data History for a Parameter Summary:

In this procedure, you will view historical (old) data for a parameter.

Before You Begin

Before you can plot parameter data from specific time periods, data history collection must be turned on for the parameters in your chart. For information about history collection, see the PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL. To View Data History for a Parameter

Follow these steps to view parameter data history. Step 1

From the PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows window menu bar, choose Options => History. The Pick History Range dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 2-2 on page 2-27.

Step 2

Click Reset to Max.

Step 3

Click OK. The History Chart window for the parameter appears.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Plotting Data from Specific Time Periods Summary:

In this procedure, you will plot data from a specific time period.

Before You Begin

Before you can plot parameter data from specific time periods, data history collection must be turned on for the parameters in your chart. For information about turning on data history collection, see the PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL. To Plot Data from Specific Time Periods

Follow these steps to plot parameter data from specific time periods. Step 1

From the PATROL Console Charting Server window menu bar, choose Options => History. The Pick History Range dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 2-2. Figure 2-2

Step 2

Pick History Range Dialog Box

Click the Start spin box until you have set the beginning of the time period you would like to plot.

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2-27

Step 3

Click the End spin box until you have set the end of the time period you would like to plot.

Step 4

Click OK. The History Chart window for the parameter appears.

Manipulation of Data Shown in the Chart or Graph This section contains information about manipulating how the data is shown in the charts and graphs you produce using the PATROL Console Charting Server. For example, you can display the data as a pie chart, a bar graph, or a line plot; you can add legends and change the scale of the axes.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Using Optional Chart Views Summary:

PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows supplies several optional chart views that display additional information or alter the layout of certain graph elements, such as the x-axis and y-axis. In this procedure, you will use optional chart views.

To Use Optional Chart Views

» To activate an optional view, click View from the PATROL Console Charting Server menu bar, then click the view you would like to use. Note

On the View menu, a check mark to the left of a view option indicates that the view is currently active. Views without a check mark are not active. Table 2-7 describes the types of information you can display and the command to use. Table 2-7

Chart Views (Part 1 of 2)

Information You Want to Display

Command to Use

chart legend that lists each parameter’s name and associated line color and data point symbol

View => Legend

list of detailed parameter information at the bottom of your chart

Options => Statistics

continuously updated data

Options => Autoscroll

y-axis plotted on an exponential scale (logarithmic y-axis is useful for viewing parameter values that differ by several orders)

View => Axis => Logarithmic Y

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Table 2-7

Chart Views (Part 2 of 2)

Information You Want to Display

Command to Use

x-axis and y-axis positions flipped (for plotting time, rather than data values, on the y-axis; for emphasizing comparisons between parameter magnitudes rather than their changes over time; typically used only with bar and stacked bar charts)

View => Axis => Invert X-Y Axes

missing data points plotted in area and line plots (otherwise chart shows gap in line where data is missing)

View => Gap

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Displaying Data Statistics Summary:

In this procedure, you will display statistics on the parameter data plotted in the chart.

To Display Data Statistics

Follow these steps to display statistics on the parameter data plotted in your chart: Step 1

From the PATROL Console Charting Server main window menu bar, choose Options => Statistics. The Statistics Results dialog box appears. Figure 2-3

Step 2

Statistics Results Dialog Box

After you are finished viewing the data statistics, click the X button to close the Statistics window.

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2-31

Displaying Data Point Coordinates Summary:

In this procedure, you will display data point coordinates.

To Display Data Point Coordinates

Follow this step to display data point coordinates in area and line plots:

» Simultaneously click and hold the left and right mouse buttons. The precise x-axis and y-axis data point coordinates appear in the bottom message area. Note

If you click and hold both mouse buttons simultaneously, you can drag the cursor across the data area and continuously display the precise x-axis and y-axis data point coordinates.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Rotating a Chart in 3-D Summary:

In this procedure, you will rotate a chart in three dimensions.

Before You Begin

If you prefer, you can rotate the 3-D chart until it appears as a 2-D, or flat, chart. To Rotate 3-D Charts

Follow these steps to rotate bar, pie, and stacked bar charts: Step 1

Simultaneously click and hold the left and right mouse buttons anywhere in the data area of your chart.

Step 2

Move your mouse until you have rotated the chart to the desired view.

Step 3

Release the mouse buttons.

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2-33

Using the Zoom Feature Summary:

In this procedure, you will use the zoom feature to enlarge portions of an area and line plots to see the data points more clearly.

Before You Begin

The Zoom is automatically reset if new data is plotted on your chart. If you do not want this automatic reset to occur, make sure the Options => Autoscroll is not checked (is inactive). To Use the Zoom Feature Note

The Zoom feature is only available for line plots and area plots. Follow these steps to zoom in on a section of your area or line plot: Step 1

Position your cursor at the uppermost corner of the section of the chart you would like to enlarge.

Step 2

Click and drag your cursor downwards until you have created a box around the section of the chart you would like to enlarge.

Step 3

Release the mouse button. The PATROL Console Charting Server enlarges the section of your chart to fill the data area.

Step 4

After you have finished viewing the enlarged section, choose Options => Zoom Reset to restore your chart to the original view.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area Summary:

In this procedure, you will customize the color and appearance of the PATROL Console Charting Server window and data area.

Before You Begin

Before you begin to customize the color and appearance of the PATROL Console Charting Server window and data area, make sure you are aware of the following note. Note

The PATROL Console Charting Server recognizes up to 226 colors. If your configuration supports fewer colors, the colors that are not supported by your configuration are mapped to the nearest color that is supported. On systems that support only 256 or fewer colors, PATROL may produce incorrect chart colors. When possible, set your video controller to display more than 256 colors.

To Customize the Chart Window and Data Area

Follow these steps to customize the color and appearance of the PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows window and data area: Step 1

Perform one of the following actions: •

From the PATROL Console Charting Server window menu bar, choose Options => Customize. The Chart Properties property sheet appears.

•

From the chart toolbar, click Customize chart. The Chart Properties property sheet appears.

•

In the Parameter list of the chart window, double-click the first colored box (to the left of the State field) of the parameter you want to customize.

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The Parameter Customization property sheet appears. Step 2

Click the appropriate tab for the item you want to customize. Refer to Table 2-8. Table 2-8

Customize Grid Dialog Fields (Part 1 of 2)

Item in Chart You Want to Customize

Tab

Where to Find More Information

chart area color and borders

Chart

“Chart Chart Properties” on page 2-39

chart window color

Chart

“Chart Chart Properties” on page 2-39

data item line color, size, and style

Data Series

“Chart Data Series Properties” on page 2-45

data point marker color, size, and style

Data Series

“Chart Data Series Properties” on page 2-45

gridline pattern and intensity

Gridlines

“Chart Gridline Properties” on page 2-41

plot area color

Chart

“Chart Chart Properties” on page 2-39

legend color, border, and placement

Legend

“Chart Legend Properties” on page 2-43

title color, border, and placement

Title

“Chart Title Properties” on page 2-42

x-axis range

Axes

“Chart Axes Properties” on page 2-38

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 2-8

Customize Grid Dialog Fields (Part 2 of 2)

Item in Chart You Want to Customize

Where to Find More Information

Tab

x-axis and y-axis labels

Axes

“Chart Axes Properties” on page 2-38

y-axis scale

Axes

“Chart Axes Properties” on page 2-38

Step 3

Customize the chart window and data area by changing the appropriate values.

Step 4

Click OK. Your changes are applied to the window and data area.

Step 5

Perform one of the following actions: •

If you want to save any changes you have made to the chart window, headers, legend, line styles, choose File => Save Configuration. The next time you open the graph or graph folder, the chart will retain the customized format.

•

If you want to save any changes you have made to the chart window, headers, legend, line styles, and so on, to a file name of your choice, choose File => Save Chart As.

•

If you want to save any changes you have made to the chart window, data area, headers, legend, line styles, and so on, as the default format for all subsequent graphs you create, choose File => Save Chart as Default.

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Chart Axes Properties You customize the axes on a chart from the Axes tab of the Chart Properties dialog box. For information on accessing the Chart Properties dialog box, see “Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area” on page 2-35. Figure 2-4

Axes Tab of the Chart Properties Dialog Box

Table 2-9 displays the chart axes property elements. Table 2-9

Axes Property Elements (Part 1 of 2)

Property

Default

Description

X-axis: Range Days

0

Enter the amount of days of data you want to include in the chart.

X-axis: Range Hours

2

Enter the amount of hours of data you want to include in the chart.

X-axis: Range Minutes

0

Enter the amount of minutes of data you want to include in the chart.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 2-9

Axes Property Elements (Part 2 of 2)

Property

Default

Description

Y-axis: Scale Autoscale

Autoscale

Automatically set the minimum and maximum values for the Y-axis based on the magnitude of the data. The default Autoscale values are defined in the parameter’s corresponding Knowledge Module.

Y-axis: Scale Max

Autoscale

Enter the maximum value for the Y-axis. The default Max values are defined in the parameter’s corresponding Knowledge Module.

Y-axis: Scale Min

Autoscale

Enter the minimum value for the Y-axis. The default Min values are defined in the parameter’s corresponding Knowledge Module.

Labels Use Default

None

Use the default labels for the X-axis and Y-axis. The default axis labels are defined in the parameter’s corresponding Knowledge Module.

Labels X-axis

None

Enter the label for the X-axis.

Labels Y-axis

None

Enter the label for the Y-axis.

Chart Chart Properties You customize the colors and borders of the chart area, chart window, and plot area on a chart from the Chart tab of the Chart Properties dialog box. For information on accessing the Chart Properties dialog box, see “Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area” on page 2-35.

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Figure 2-5

Chart Tab of the Chart Properties Dialog Box

Table 2-10 displays the chart chart property elements. Table 2-10

Chart Property Elements (Part 1 of 2)

Property

Default

Description

Chart Area Background Color

White

Enter the color you want for the background of the chart area.

Chart Area Foreground Color

Black

Enter the color you want for the foreground of the chart area.

Chart Area Border Style

None

Enter the style for the border of the chart area.

Chart Window Border Width

2

Enter the point size for the border of the chart window.

Chart Window Background Color

White

Enter the color you want for the background of the chart window.

Chart Window Foreground Color

Black

Enter the color you want for the text (foreground) of the chart window.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 2-10

Chart Property Elements (Part 2 of 2)

Property

Default

Description

Plot Area Transparent

Transparent

Click if you want the plot area to be transparent.

Plot Area Color

None

Enter the color you want for the plot area.

Chart Gridline Properties You customize the pattern and intensity of the gridlines on a chart from the Gridlines tab of the Chart Properties dialog box. For information on accessing the Chart Properties dialog box, see “Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area” on page 2-35. Figure 2-6

Gridlines Tab of the Chart Properties Dialog Box

Table 2-11 displays the chart gridline property elements.

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2-41

Table 2-11

Gridlines Property Elements

Property

Default

Description

Pattern Use Default

Use Default

Click whether you want to use the default color, point size, and style for the gridlines.

Pattern Color

Use Default

Enter the color you want for the gridlines.

Pattern Size

Use Default

Enter the point size for the gridlines.

Pattern Style

Use Default

Enter the style for the gridlines.

Intervals X-Axis

0

Enter the value for increments on the x-axis of the grid.

Intervals Y-Axis

20

Enter the value for increments on the y-axis of the grid.

Note

You can enter fractional values using the format “0.n” (the “0” preceding the decimal point is required). This feature is useful for displaying y axis grids for curves that have a small range of values. For example, if a curve has a minimum value of 0, and a maximum value of 1.0, you can display a grid between 0 and 1 by entering “0.5” for the y axis grid interval.

Chart Title Properties You customize the title of a chart from the Title tab of the Chart Properties dialog box. For information on accessing the Chart Properties dialog box, see “Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area” on page 2-35. Figure 2-7

Title Tab on Chart Properties Dialog Box

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 2-12 displays the chart title property elements. Table 2-12

Title Property Elements

Property

Default

Description

Color Background

White

Enter the color you want for the background of the title.

Color Foreground

Black

Enter the color you want for the text (foreground) of the title.

Border Style

None

Enter the style for the border of the title.

Border Width

2

Enter the point size for the border of the title.

Chart Legend Properties You customize the legend of a chart from the Legend tab of the Chart Properties dialog box. For information on accessing the Chart Properties dialog box, see “Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area” on page 2-35. The customizations you make here are only visible if the legend is shown for the chart. To add the legend to a chart, choose View => Legend from the PATROL Console Charting Server main window or click the Legend button on the Chart toolbar.

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Figure 2-8

Legend Tab of the Chart Properties Dialog Box

Table 2-13 displays the chart legend property elements. Table 2-13

Legend Property Elements (Part 1 of 2)

Property

Default

Description

Color Background

White

Enter the color you want for the background of the legend.

Color Foreground

Black

Enter the color you want for the text (foreground) of the legend.

Border Style

None

Enter the style for the border of the legend.

Border Width

2

Enter the point size for the border of the legend.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 2-13

Legend Property Elements (Part 2 of 2)

Property

Default

Description

Location Placement

South

Enter the position for the legend. NorthLegend appears at top of graph SouthLegend appears at bottom of graph EastLegend appears at right of graph WestLegend appears at left of graph NortheastLegend appears at top right corner of graph NorthwestLegend appears at top left corner of graph SoutheastLegend appears at bottom right corner of graph SouthwestLegend appears at bottom left corner of graph The final location of the legend depends on the space available and the dimensions of the legend. Therefore, the legend dimensions may not be exactly as specified. If there is not enough space at the specified location for the legend, the chart automatically places it as near as possible to the specified location.

Location Alignment

Horizontal

Enter whether the curve legends appear in vertical or horizontal order. For example, if there are three curves (curve1, curve2, curve3) and the alignment is specified as Vertical, the three legends are stacked vertically, with the legend for curve1 at the top, the legend for curve2 in the middle, and the legend for curve3 at the bottom. Depending on available space and the dimensions of the legend, the chart may automatically reorder the legends to fit in the available space.

Chart Data Series Properties You customize the color, size, and style of the data item line and the data point marker on a chart from the Data Series tab of the Chart Properties dialog box. For information on accessing the Chart Properties dialog box, see “Customizing the Chart Window and Data Area” on page 2-35.

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Figure 2-9

Data Series Tab of the Chart Properties Dialog Box

Table 2-14 displays the data item line and data point marker property elements. Table 2-14

Data Series Property Elements

Property

Default

Description

Line Color

Red

Enter the color you want for the background of the title.

Line Size

1

Enter the point size for the line.

Line Style

Enter the style for the line.

Marker Color

same as curve color

Enter the color you want for the data point marker.

Marker Size

7

Enter the style for the data point marker.

Marker Style

Triangle

Enter the style for the data point marker.

Sample

Displays a preview of the selected line and marker colors, sizes, and styles. For graph folders with multiple parameters, it lists all of the data lines and markers and allows you to select a line and marker to change.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Parameter History This section contains information on historical information regarding parameters.

Methods of Manipulating Parameter History Table 2-15 tells you the tasks you can perform with parameter history and lists the method to use for each task. Table 2-15

Methods of Manipulating Parameter History

Task You Want to Perform

Method to Use

Extract data to a target machine and load it into a specified database table.

PATROL History Loader KM

Review different parameter values at different points to analyze trends and identify other problem areas.

param.hist File

param.hist File

Parameter values can be retained for a maximum of one year before they are automatically deleted. You can review different parameter values at different points to analyze trends and identify other problem areas. PATROL maintains a history database for each parameter on each computer being monitored. Each time a parameter runs, the resulting value is written to the parameter history database. The history database is stored in the directory %PATROL_HOME%\log\history \\<port-number>. Example

\PATROL3-4\log\history\patuser\history\3181

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This default location can be changed by setting the PATROL_HISTORY environment variable. For information about modifying environment variables and parameter definitions, see PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL. PATROL History Loader KM

With the PATROL History Loader KM, you can extract data to a target machine and load it into a specified database table. You can create, purge, or drop database tables with the PATROL History Loader KM. The utility can be set to automatically propagate the history or can be used to manually propagate data for a specified period of time.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Viewing Parameter Value History Summary:

In this procedure, you will view parameter value history information.

Before You Begin

A grey triangle in the top left-hand corner of a parameter icon indicates that no history exists for this parameter. To View Parameter Value History

To view the parameter value history for a graph: Step 1

Display the parameter full size by double-clicking the icon.

Step 2

Perform one of the following actions: •

From the parameter window menu bar, choose Options => History. The Pick History dialog box is displayed.

•

From the chart toolbar, click Show History Data. The Pick History dialog box is displayed.

Step 3

Enter the history span you want to see displayed by the graph by using the spin boxes for the start and end dates.

Methods for Manipulating Parameters This section contains information about manipulating parameters. It includes those tasks you can perform from a PATROL Operator Console.

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2-49

Snoozing an Alarm Summary:

If you have not resolved the problem associated with an alarm, and you do not want the associated icons to flash, snooze the alarm. The parameter will remain red but will not flash. In this procedure, you will snooze a parameter.

To Snooze an Alarm

» Choose Snooze from the parameter’s pull-down menu. The parameter will remain red but will not flash.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Refreshing All Parameters for a Computer Instance Summary:

In this procedure, you will refresh all parameters for a computer instance.

To Refresh All Parameters for a Computer

To refresh all parameters for a computer instance, perform the following steps. Step 1

Right-click the computer icon. The shortcut menu for the computer instance appears.

Step 2

Choose KM Commands => Refresh Parameters. The parameters for all the application instances on the computer are updated with new values.

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2-51

Refreshing All Parameters for an Application Instance Summary:

In this procedure, you will refresh all parameters for an application instance.

To Refresh All Parameters for an Application Instance

To refresh all parameters for an application instance, perform the following steps: Step 1

Right-click the application icon. The shortcut menu for the application instance appears.

Step 2

Choose KM Commands => Refresh Parameters. All the parameters for the application instance are updated with new values.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Overriding Application Discovery Properties Summary:

In this procedure, you will change the discovery properties for an application. These changes supersede properties set by the default for the KM or that were set by another user.

Before You Begin

You must be running a console with an appropriate user role to modify application properties. See Appendix A, “Setting Up User Roles” in the PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL for information on user roles in customizing PATROL. To Change Application Discovery Properties

To change the properties of an application, perform the following steps: Step 1

Right-click the icon for the application whose properties you need to modify. The shortcut menu for the application appears.

Step 2

Choose Override Properties. PATROL displays the Override Properties dialog box. Figure 2-10 Override Properties Dialog Box

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Step 3

Change the properties as needed. Table 2-16 describes the property elements on the Override Properties dialog box. Table 2-16

Step 4

Override Properties Dialog Property Elements

Attribute

Description

Name

The name of the application you are overriding. PATROL supplies the value for this field based on the application you are modifying.

Custom Discovery Cycle

Check to set a custom discovery cycle for the application. Fill in the hours, minutes, and seconds fields to specify how often to run discovery for this application. By default, PATROL attempts to discover applications every five minutes.

Click OK. PATROL stores the changes to the discovery cycle in the agent’s configuration database.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Overriding Parameter Attributes Summary:

In this procedure, you will change the attributes of an application parameter, and (optionally) apply the change to all instances of the application. These changes supersede properties set by the default for the KM or that were set by another user.

Before You Begin

You must be running a console with an appropriate user role to modify application properties. See Appendix A, “Setting Up User Roles” in the PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL for information on user roles and customizing PATROL. Note

If you override the attributes of a parameter, any recovery actions defined for the parameter are disabled.

To Override a Parameter’s Attributes

To change the attributes of a parameter, perform the following steps: Step 1

Right-click the icon for the parameter you need to modify. The shortcut menu for the parameter appears.

Step 2

Choose Override Parameters. PATROL displays the Override Parameters dialog box indicating the presently set values for the parameter.

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Figure 2-11 Override Parameters Dialog Box

Step 3

Change the attributes as needed. Table 2-17 describes the property elements on the Override Parameters dialog box. Table 2-17

Override Parameter Attributes (Part 1 of 2)

Attribute

Description

Parameter Name

The name of the parameter you are overriding. PATROL supplies the value for this field based on the name of the parameter you are changing.

Parameter Type

The type of the parameter you are overriding. PATROL supplies the value for this field based on the type of the parameter you are changing.

Active

Check to activate monitoring of this parameter.

Apply to All Instances

Check to apply your parameter attribute changes to all instances of the application. Remove the check to limit the change to the instance you selected in Step 1.

Poll Interval

Enter the period of time in hours, minutes, and seconds, between each execution of the parameter. Enter an interval of 0:0:0 to run the parameter continuously.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 2-17

Override Parameter Attributes (Part 2 of 2)

Attribute

Description

History Retention

Enter the number of days to retain data for this parameter.

Border Alarm

Check the Active box to enable the border alarm. Specify minimum and maximum values for the border alarm such that the values for Alarm 1 and Alarm 2 (if active) fall with the border alarm limits. Select an application state to set for the application instance if the parameter value falls outside the Border Alarm limits. Select whether you want the alarm to trigger immediately, after a defined number of alarm occurrences, or after all recovery actions fail.

Alarm 1

Check the Active box to enable Alarm 1. Specify minimum and maximum values for Alarm 1 such that the values for Alarm 1 fall within the limits for Alarm 2. Select an application state to set for the application instance if the parameter value falls outside the Alarm 1 limits. Select whether you want the alarm to trigger immediately, after a defined number of alarm occurrences, or after all recovery actions fail.

Alarm 2

Check the Active box to enable Alarm 2. Specify minimum and maximum values for Alarm 2 such that the values for Alarm 2 fall outside the limits for Alarm 1. Select an application state to set for the application instance if the parameter value falls outside the Alarm 2 limits. Select whether you want the alarm to trigger immediately, after a defined number of alarm occurrences, or after all recovery actions fail.

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Step 4

Check Apply to All Instances to apply your changes to all instances of the parameter’s application. Clear Apply to All Instances to limit the effect of your changes to this instance of the parameter.

Step 5

Click OK. PATROL stores the changes to the parameters in the agent’s configuration database (config.-<portnumber>). Note

Parameter overrides can also be defined in external files. See the PATROL Agent Reference Manual for more information on external parameter overrides.

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3

Management of the Object Hierarchy 3 This chapter contains information about managing the object hierarchy. It provides information regarding the relationships of objects in PATROL and task information for managing objects as groups using folders. Relationships of Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 Management of Computers, Applications, and Parameters as Groups3-2 Creating a Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 Moving an Object into a Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Removing an Object from a Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7 Deleting a Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8 Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9 Creating a Shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10 Removing a Shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

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Relationships of Objects Objects in PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows have a parent-child relationship. Parents “own” the children and can inherit the state from the children. Children inherit the attributes from their parents. Folders function as a way of grouping objects so you can more easily manage the objects. The following table describes the relationships of objects in PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows. Table 3-1

Relationships of Objects in PATROL

Object

Parent

Child

Source of Inheritance

ALL_COMPUTERS Class

N/A

Computer Class

N/A

Computer Class

ALL_COMPUTERS Class

Computer Instance

ALL_COMPUTERS Class

Computer Instance

Computer Class

Application

Computer Class

Application Class

N/A

Application Instance

N/A

Application Instance

Application Class

Parameter

Application Class

Parameter

Application Instance

N/A

N/A

Folder

N/A

N/A

N/A

Management of Computers, Applications, and Parameters as Groups You can group computers, applications, and parameters into a single folder icon or graph object for easy management. With folders, you can create logical groupings that you can easily display. There is no restriction on the number of folders you can create, but an object can belong to only one folder at a time. A folder is represented by the icon or graph you choose and can be grouped in any folder and displayed in its folder window.

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Where to Find More Information

Task You Want to Perform

Method to Use

create a new folder

File => New => Folder command from the PatrolMainMap window

“Creating a Folder” on page 3-4

delete a folder

Delete command from the folder shortcut menu

“Deleting a Folder” on page 3-8

move an object into a folder

click and drag the object inside the folder

“Moving an Object into a Folder” on page 3-6

remove an object from a folder

click and drag the object outside the folder

“Removing an Object from a Folder” on page 3-7

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Creating a Folder Summary:

In this task, you will create an empty folder icon and later drag and drop each object icon you want to include into the folder.

Before You Begin

Before you begin to create a folder, make sure you have performed the following actions: • •

You have read “Relationships of Objects” on page 3-2. You have started the PATROL Console.

To Create a Folder

To create a folder, perform the following steps: Step 1

From the Console window, Choose File => New => Folder. The Folder Properties dialog box (Figure 3-1) opens. Figure 3-1

Properties Sheet for a New Folder

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Step 2

Complete the fields on both of the tabs of the Properties Sheet.

Step 3

Click on OK to remove the Properties Sheet and create a new folder icon. The new folder icon is displayed in the PatrolMainMap.

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Moving an Object into a Folder Summary:

In this task, you will move an object into a folder.

Before You Begin

Before you begin to move an object into a folder, make sure you have performed the following actions: • • •

You have read “Relationships of Objects” on page 3-2. You have started the PATROL Console. You have created a folder.

To Move an Object into a Folder

To move an object into a folder, perform the following action:

» Click and drag the object icon and drop it onto the folder icon. The object icon disappears, and the object becomes part of the logical group represented by the folder.

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Removing an Object from a Folder Summary:

In this task, you will remove an object from a folder.

Before You Begin

Before you begin to remove an object from a folder, make sure you have performed the following actions: • •

You have read “Relationships of Objects” on page 3-2. You have started the PATROL Console.

To Remove an Object from a Folder

To remove an object from a folder perform the following steps: Step 1

Double-click on the folder icon to display the folder icon window.

Step 2

Click and drag the object icon that you want to remove from the group out of the window and back to either the PatrolMainMap or its parent windows. The object is removed from the logical group.

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Deleting a Folder Summary:

In this task, you will delete a folder.

Before You Begin

Before you begin to delete a folder, make sure you have performed the following actions: • •

You have read “Relationships of Objects” on page 3-2. You have started the PATROL Console.

To Delete a Folder

To delete a folder from the PATROL Console, perform the following steps: Step 3

Click one or more folders that you want to delete, then use right-click to access the shortcut menu for the folder.

Step 4

Choose Delete from the shortcut menu. A confirmation box is displayed.

Step 5

Click Yes to confirm that you want to delete the folder and move the objects it contains back to their parent windows. The folder is deleted, the folder icon is no longer displayed, and the objects that were in the folder are now displayed in their parent windows.

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Shortcuts If you want to create an alternative method for accessing a computer, application, or parameter independently of the object hierarchy, you can create a shortcut. When you create a shortcut, you create a duplicate icon for the computer, application, or parameter. You can place the duplicate icon in a folder or graph, or you can place it on the PatrolMainMap. When you double-click the duplicate icon, you access the computer, application, or parameter directly. Where to Find More Information

Task You Want to Perform

Method to Use

create a shortcut

Create Shortcut command from the computer, application, or parameter shortcut menu

“Creating a Shortcut” on page 3-10

delete a shortcut

Delete command from the computer, application, or parameter shortcut menu

“Removing a Shortcut” on page 3-11

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Creating a Shortcut Summary:

In this task, you will create a shortcut to a computer, an application, or a parameter.

To Create a Shortcut

Follow these steps to create a shortcut to a computer, an application, or a parameter: Step 1

Right-click the icon for the computer, application, or parameter. A shortcut menu appears.

Step 2

Choose Create Shortcut. The shortcut icon for the computer, application, or parameter appears in the same window or folder as the icon for the computer, application, or parameter.

Step 3

If you want to move the shortcut icon to another folder, drag the shortcut icon and drop it on the folder.

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Removing a Shortcut Summary:

In this task, you will delete a shortcut to a computer, an application, or a parameter.

To Delete a Shortcut

Follow these steps to delete a shortcut to a computer, an application, or a parameter: Step 1

Right-click the shortcut icon for the computer, application, or parameter. A shortcut menu appears.

Step 2

Choose Remove. The Delete Shortcut dialog box appears.

Step 3

Click Yes. The shortcut icon for the computer, application, or parameter is removed from the window or folder.

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4

Using Commands and Tasks

4

This chapter contains information about using commands and tasks. It describes the differences between commands and tasks, lists the methods available for running commands and tasks, and provides instructions for running them and viewing output. Differences between Commands and Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 Background on Running Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 Types of Commands You Can Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 Accounts That Run a Command or Task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 Run-Time Passing Arguments to Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4 Commands Using the System Output Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4 How to Run Menu Items Against Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 How to Run Commands or Tasks Using the Command Dialog . . . . . 4-6 Types of Commands You Can Run Using Command Dialog . . . 4-7 Commands That Prompt for Arguments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7 Commands That Include PATROL Built-in Macro Variables . . . 4-7 Methods for Accessing the Command or Task Dialog . . . . . . . . 4-7 Running a Command or Task from a Command or Task Dialog. 4-9 Using the Text Editor to Write a Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 PSL Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12 Where to Find More Information about PSL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12 Method Available for Checking the Syntax of a PSL Command 4-13 Built-in Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13 Available Built-in Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13 Running Built-in Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15 Output from Commands and Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16 System Output Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16 Task Output Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16 BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Differences between Commands and Tasks PATROL® Console for Microsoft Windows allows you to run operating system commands and other types of commands from the PATROL Console. You can run these commands inside the run queue of the PATROL Agent or outside the run queue of the PATROL Agent. Commands that are run inside the run queue of the PATROL Agent are called commands; commands that are run outside the run queue of the PATROL Agent are called tasks. The following table shows the differences between commands and tasks. Table 4-1

Differences between Commands and Tasks

PATROL Agent’s Run Queue

Methods Available for Running

How to View Output

command

yes

• menu item • command dialog • System Output window

View through the System Output window

task

no

• menu item • command dialog

Click the icon for the task. The task timer string is displayed under the task output window icon. It shows the number of hours, minutes, and seconds that have elapsed since the task was started.

Background on Running Commands This section provides background information about running commands and tasks. It lists the types of commands you can run and the methods available for running the commands. This section also describes how to pass arguments to the commands and shows the accounts under which commands run.

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Types of Commands You Can Run The following table lists the types of commands you can run, the methods available for running each type, and any additional information. Table 4-2

Type of Command

Types of Commands You Can Run

Methods Available for Running the Command

Additional Information

predefined PSL commands that are basic for PATROL

menu item

On shortcut menus, these commands appear above the menu separator.

pre-defined PSL commands that are loaded from a KM or that are user-defined

menu item

On shortcut menus, these commands appear below the menu separator.

PATROL built-in commands that run as operating system commands

menu item

See “How to Run Commands or Tasks Using the Command Dialog” on page 4-6.

operating system commands

user-defined commands

command dialog for computer command dialog for computer

All environment variables defined in PATROL for the computer are in effect.

System Output window

No environment variables defined in PATROL for the computer are in effect.

command dialog for computer

See “How to Run Commands or Tasks Using the Command Dialog” on page 4-6.

Accounts That Run a Command or Task The following table shows the account in effect for running commands or tasks.

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Table 4-3

Accounts Used to Run a Command or Task

Object Command Is Run Against

User Account Defined for Instance

computer

yes

account for the computer instance

no

account for PATROL

yes

account for the application instance

no

account for PATROL

application

User Account Used for Command

Run-Time Passing Arguments to Commands Some commands can require arguments and variables to be passed at run time. These commands will display a special interactive command dialog that prompts you for the argument or the variable. Note

If you have loaded the operating system Knowledge Module, interactive commands of the type OS and PSL that prompt for the command argument are available from the computer pop-up and Commands pull-down menus.

Commands Using the System Output Window You can run operating system commands, built-in commands, and PSL commands from the System Output window. You enter the commands at the OS> prompt. To access the System Output window, perform the following action:

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» Right-click on the computer on which you want to run the command and choose Show System Output Window. Although you can enter operating system commands in the System Output window, the System Output window does not provide the same functionality as a command prompt on Windows systems. The System Output window interacts with the operating system by submitting commands that are entered in the window to the operating system shell. The data that is written to standard output (stdout) by the command is displayed in the System Output window. No interpretation of the data is performed by the PATROL Agent or PATROL Console. Note

In general, only commands that output plain text are supported by the System Output window. Commands that launch a GUI or interact with the system display or keyboard will not work correctly.

How to Run Menu Items Against Objects The following table provides instructions for running menu items against objects.

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Table 4-4

Object Menu Item Is Run Against computer

Methods of Running Menu Items Against Objects

From the Main Window

From the Shortcut Menu

1. Click the icon for the computer.

1. Right-click the icon for the computer. 2. Choose .

2. Choose Commands => For Computers => . computer class

1. Click the icon for the computer and then hold down the shift key and click on the other icons for the computers in the class.

N/A

2. Choose Commands => For Computers => . application

application class

1. Click the icon for the application.

1. Right-click the icon for the application.

2. Choose Commands => For Applications => .

2. Choose .

1. Click the icon for the application and then hold down the shift key and click on the other icons for the applications in the class.

N/A

2. Choose Commands => For Computers => .

How to Run Commands or Tasks Using the Command Dialog You can run commands using the Command dialog. The Command dialog accepts any command of the specified type that you type in the Command entry field. Note

The command types known to PATROL other than OS and PSL depend on the Knowledge Modules you have loaded. BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Types of Commands You Can Run Using Command Dialog The command you define can be either of the two default command types, OS (including PATROL built-in commands) or PSL, or any other command type displayed in the Commands dialog. For more detail about command types, see PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL . You can use the PSL response function to interactively prompt for responses as part of any custom PSL commands you create using a PATROL Developer Console. Refer to the the PATROL Script Language Reference Manual Volume 2-PSL Functions for further details.

Commands That Prompt for Arguments You can create commands that prompt for arguments by using the double percent symbols “%%” as a preface.

Commands That Include PATROL Built-in Macro Variables Your OS commands can include PATROL built-in macro variables. These variables will be expanded by PATROL before the execution of the command. For more information about macro variables, see the PATROL Script Language Reference Manual Volume 1-PSL Essentials.

Methods for Accessing the Command or Task Dialog The following table provides instructions for accessing the Command or Task dialog for the command or task you want to run.

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Table 4-5

Type of Command or Task

Methods for Accessing the Command or Task Dialog

From PATROL Main Menu

Menu Item From Shortcut Menu

OS command

Commands => For Computers => => OS Command

KM Commands => OS Command

OS command as a task

Commands => For Computers => => OS Task

KM Commands => OS Task

PSL command

Commands => For Computers => => PSL Command

KM Commands => PSL Command

PSL command as a task

Commands => For Computers => computer_class> => PSL Task

PSL Commands => PSL Task

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Running a Command or Task from a Command or Task Dialog Summary:

In this task, you will run a command or task from a Command or Task dialog.

Before You Begin

Before you begin running a command or task from a Command or Task dialog, make sure you have performed the following actions: • •

You have read “Methods for Accessing the Command or Task Dialog” on page 4-7. You have started the PATROL Console and have accessed the Command or Task dialog.

To Run a Command or Task from a Command or Task Dialog

To run a command or task from a Command or Task dialog, perform the following steps. Step 1

Click the command type. A check mark appears next to the command type to be entered.

Step 2

Click the command entry area (the bottom half of the Command or Task dialog).

Step 3

Perform one of the following actions: •

If the command is a short command, type it in the command entry area. Continue with Step 4 on page 4-10.

•

If the command is a long command and you want to use a text editor to enter the command, click the text editor button. The system displays the text editor. Continue with “Using the Text Editor to Write a Command” on page 4-11.

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Step 4

Perform one of the following actions: •

If you want to run the command on the selected host, click Apply.

•

If you want to run the command on all selected hosts, click Apply to Selected.

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Using the Text Editor to Write a Command Summary:

In this task, you will load an existing command or define a long, complex command into a Command or Task dialog using the text editor.

Before You Begin

The text editor has different menu options and functions depending on the type of command you are entering. See the online Help for the window. Before you begin using the text editor to write a command, make sure you have performed the following actions:

Step 1

Step 2

•

You have read “Running a Command or Task from a Command or Task Dialog” on page 4-9.

•

You have started the PATROL Console and have accessed the text editor from a Command or Task dialog.

Perform one of the following actions: •

If you want to write a new command by typing it, type the command.

•

If you want to load an existing file that contains a command, choose File => Load from the editor menu bar.

•

If you want to save your command for future use, choose either File => Save or File => Save As.

•

If you are writing your command in PSL, you can check its syntax before running it. Choose Options => Check Syntax from the editor menu bar. This option is available only if you chose PSL Command from the shortcut menu.

Choose File => Exit from the editor menu bar. A message dialog is displayed.

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Step 3

Perform one of the following actions: •

To save any text you have entered, click Yes. A dialog is displayed.

•

To discard any entries you have made, click No. The entries you made are discarded.

Step 4

Perform one of the following actions: •

To display the command in the Command dialog, click Apply.

•

To both display the command in the Command dialog and save the command to a file, click Separate File.

•

To neither display the command in the Command dialog nor save the command to a file, click Cancel.

PSL Commands PATROL provides a scripting language called PATROL Script Language (PSL). You can use PSL to create commands and tasks that you can run in PATROL.

Where to Find More Information about PSL For more information about PSL, see the PATROL Script Language Reference Manual Volume 1-PSL Essentials.

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Method Available for Checking the Syntax of a PSL Command You can perform a quick check of the syntax of a PSL command by using the text editor available from the Command and Task dialogs. For more information, see “Using the Text Editor to Write a Command” on page 4-11.

Built-in Commands PATROL provides a set of built-in commands for handling commonly encountered situations like setting a variable or forcing application discovery. These commands run as OS commands.

Available Built-in Commands The following table lists the tasks you can perform using the built-in commands supported by the PATROL Agent and the built-in command to use for the task. Table 4-6

Built-in PATROL Commands

Task to Perform

Command to Use

dump internal data structures for debugging

%DUMP
echo

%ECHO

execute a short one-line PSL command

%PSL

list all active PSL processes and brief information about what they are (parameters, recovery, etc.)

%PSLPS

refresh all discovered parameters

%REFRESH_ALL_PARAMS

refresh the application’s instance creation filter

%REFRESH_APPL_FILTER

refresh parameters for selected instances but not all instances

%REFRESH_PARAMS

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Table 4-6

Built-in PATROL Commands

Task to Perform

Command to Use

refresh the process cache and trigger application discovery

%REFRESH_PROC_CACHE

reset error counters to zero

%RESET_ERRORS

restart the PATROL Agent from a Developer Console

%CTRL_ALT_DEL NOW

set an agent tuning variable(s)

%SET

trigger the PATROL Agent to perform a fresh application discovery process

%REFRESH_APPL_DISC

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Running Built-in Commands Summary:

In this task, you will run a built-in command against an object in PATROL.

Before You Begin

Before you begin running a built-in command, make sure the Commands => For Computers => OS Command menu item is available from the PATROL Main window. If it is not available, you cannot run a built-in command. To Run a Built-in Command

To run a built-in command against the selected computers, perform the following steps: Step 1

In the PATROL Main window, click on the computer against which you want to run the built-in command.

Step 2

Choose Commands => For Computers => OS Command. The system displays the Command dialog.

Step 3

Define the command type as OS and type the built-in command.

Step 4

Perform one of the following actions: •

If you want to run the command on all hosts, click Apply.

•

If you want to run the command on selected hosts, click Apply to Selected.

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Output from Commands and Tasks This section tells you how to view the output from commands and tasks. It includes information about accessing the System Output window and the Task Output window.

System Output Window The output of commands are displayed in the System Output window of the computer on which they have run. To access the System Output window, perform the following action:

» Right-click on the computer on which you want to run the command and choose Show System Output Window.

Task Output Window The output of commands are displayed in the Task Output window of the computer on which they have run. To access the Task Output window, perform the following action:

» Double-click on the task icon for the task.

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5

Management of the PATROL Agent

5

This chapter contains information about managing the PATROL Agent. It provides information regarding the self-tuning ability of the PATROL Agent as well as instructions for tasks you can perform to manage the PATROL Agent. Background on Tuning the PATROL Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 PATROL Agent Self-Tuning Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 Prerequisites for Tuning the PATROL Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 PATROL Agent Load Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 Tasks You Can Perform to Manage the PATROL Agent . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

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Background on Tuning the PATROL Agent This section provides background information about tuning the PATROL Agent. It describes how the PATROL Agent tunes itself, lists the prerequisites for tuning the PATROL Agent, and tells you how to monitor the load.

PATROL Agent Self-Tuning Capabilities The PATROL Agent has a self-tuning mechanism to ensure the correct balance between its monitoring of the system and its use of system resources. If left alone, this tuning mechanism works well and will adjust scheduling of PATROL Agent activity for optimum efficiency. However, you can alter the scheduling policy of the PATROL Agent. Take care to modify PATROL Agent activity only when absolutely necessary. You can modify or override its self-tuning mechanism at any time by either modifying PATROL Agent parameters or executing a tuning command.

Prerequisites for Tuning the PATROL Agent The PATROL Agent application icon, shortcut menu items, and parameter icons can be displayed only if you have loaded the system Knowledge Module. The PATROL Agent icon will then appear in the icon window of every managed computer. Although you can change the behavior of PATROL Agent by issuing commands through the OS Command dialog for a computer with a PATROL Agent installed, you will not be able to display the effect of these commands on the PATROL Agent until you load the Knowledge Module.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

PATROL Agent Load Monitoring The PATROL Agent application class includes parameters for monitoring the load and work rate of the PATROL Agent. These parameters are displayed by double-clicking on the PATROL Agent icon to display the Icon window. The parameters are described in Table 5-1. The Macro Variable column shows the variable used for each parameter. Refer to the PATROL Script Language Reference Manual Volume 1-PSL Essentials for a full listing of macro variables for computers, applications, and parameters. Table 5-1

Parameters for Monitoring PATROL Agent Load

Item You Want to Monitor for the PATROL Agent

Parameter

Macro Variable

Average amount of time between executions of command and parameters (this value should be as high as possible)

PADeltaBetweenExecSecs

%{/timeBtnExecs}

Average number of executions per minute (this value should be as low as possible)

PAWorkRateExecsMin

%{/execsPerMin}

Number of processes started by PATROL Agent that are still executing

PAOutstandingJobs

%{/executingProcs}

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Management of the PATROL Agent

5-3

Tasks You Can Perform to Manage the PATROL Agent You can perform these tasks to affect the PATROL Agent. Table 5-2

Tasks for Managing the PATROL Agent (Part 1 of 5)

Menu Command to Use

Built-in Command to Use

Set the frequency (in seconds) that the PATROL Agent checks the status of applications (the Application Check Cycle Variable).

KM Commands => Tune Agent => Set Agent Variables => Set Application Check Cycle

%SET APPL_CHECK_CYCLE =

APPL_CHECK_CYCLE

Set the frequency (in seconds) that the PATROL Agent automatically executes application discovery (the Process Cache Refresh Rate Variable).

KM Commands => Tune Agent => Set Agent Variables => Set Get Processes Cycle

%SET GET_PROCS_CYCLE =

GET_PROCS_CYCLE

Turn off the automatic execution of application discovery.

%SET GET_PROCS_CYCLE =0

GET_PROCS_CYCLE

Reset automatic application discovery to the default.

%SET GET_PROCS_CYCLE = 300

GET_PROCS_CYCLE

Set built-in tuning variables from within your own commands and scripts.

%SET =

Display the current value of any built-in macro variable.

%ECHO %<MACROVARIABLE>

Task to Perform

Variable Affected

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 5-2

Tasks for Managing the PATROL Agent (Part 2 of 5)

Menu Command to Use

Built-in Command to Use

Make PATROL Agent perform application discovery at any time.

KM Commands => Trigger Agent Activities => Perform Application Discovery

%REFRESH_APPL_ DISCOVERY

Control the priority under which the PATROL Agent and any commands it runs execute.

KM Commands => Tune Agent => Set Priority => Agent

%SET AGENT_PRIORITY =

AGENT_PRIORITY

Control the priority of the process cache fetch process.

KM Commands => Tune Agent => Set Priority => Process Cache

%SET PROC_CACHE_PRIO RITY =

PROC_CACHE_PRIO RITY

Control the priority of the process cache schedule.

KM Commands => Tune Agent => Set Priority => Process Cache Priority

%SET PROC_CACHE_SCHE DULE_PRIORITY =

PROC_CACHE_SCHE DULE_PRIORITY

Control the priority of user commands.

KM Commands => Tune Agent => Set Priority => User

%SET USER_PRIORITY =

USER_PRIORITY

Set the time interval to be allowed between any two parameter instance executions.

KM Commands => Tune Agent => Set Run Queue => Delta

%SET RUNQ_DELTA

RUNQ_DELTA

Control the amount of time the scheduler delays a parameter instance execution until its execution time has been delayed to be equal to, or greater than, the RUNQ_DELTA variable value.

KM Commands => Tune Agent => Set Run Queue => Delta Increment

%SET RUNQ_DELTA_INCRE MENT

RUNQ_DELTA_INCRE MENT

Task to Perform

Variable Affected

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Table 5-2

Task to Perform

Tasks for Managing the PATROL Agent (Part 3 of 5)

Menu Command to Use

Control the maximum amount of time that the scheduler delays a parameter instance execution.

KM Commands => Tune Agent => Set Run Queue => Maximum Delta

Control PATROL Agent’s scheduling policy by using one of the following methods.

KM Commands => Tune Agent => Set Run Queue => Schedule Policy

Generate a report which lists all Runable processes (RunQ).

KM Commands => List Agent Information => Runable Processes

Generate a report which lists processes currently running.

KM Commands => List Agent Information => Running Processes

Generate a report which lists tasks currently running.

KM Commands => List Agent Information => Executing Task Commands

Generate a report which lists defined applications (the application classes defined for PATROL Agent discovery).

KM Commands => List Agent Information => Registered Applications

Generate a report which lists discovered application instances.

KM Commands => List Agent Information => Discovered App Instances

Generate a report which lists defined parameters (all parameters, active or inactive, associated with any application instance PATROL Agent has discovered).

KM Commands => List Agent Information => Registered Parameters

Built-in Command to Use

Variable Affected RUNQ_MAX_DELTA

%SET RUNQ_SCHED_POLIC Y

RUNQ_SCHED_POLIC Y

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 5-2

Task to Perform

Tasks for Managing the PATROL Agent (Part 4 of 5)

Menu Command to Use

Generate a report which lists errors encountered by PATROL Agent.

KM Commands => List Agent Information => Error Backtrace

Generate a report which lists the current value of all PATROL Agent tuning variables.

KM Commands => List Agent Information => List Agent Tuning Variables

Run a dump of all structures.

Built-in Command to Use

Variable Affected

%DUMP_ALL The dump commands may result in high CPU usage.

Run a dump of application instances.

%DUMP_APP_INSTS

Run a dump of application descriptions.

%DUMP_APPS

Run a dump of registered errors, including a backtrace.

%DUMP_ERRORS

Run a dump of global variables (registered file descriptors, process cache, and so on).

%DUMP_GLOBALS

Run a dump of KMs currently loaded, Version, Static (Y/N), number of PATROL Consoles currently attached.

%DUMP_KM_LIST

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Management of the PATROL Agent

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Table 5-2

Task to Perform

Tasks for Managing the PATROL Agent (Part 5 of 5)

Menu Command to Use

Built-in Command to Use

Run a dump of parameter descriptions and instances.

%DUMP_PARAMS

Run a dump of currently executing processes (parameters, tasks, and so on).

%DUMP_RTLIST

Variable Affected

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5-8

PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

6

Use of the Agent Query

6

This chapter provides an overview of using the Agent Query function to query the PATROL Agent for monitored objects. It explains the following topics:

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3 Components of the Agent Query Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3 Components of the Query Results Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Agent Query Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14 Examples of Using Agent Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-15 Creating a Query. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16 About Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16 Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16 Tasks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17 Creating a Query with Quick Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18 Creating Your Own Queries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-25 Modifying a Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26 Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26 Tasks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26 Modifying a Query with Quick Query. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-27 Modifying a Query with the SELECT and WHERE Boxes . . . . 6-28 Modifying Queries with the Query Box Buttons. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32 Issuing a Query. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-33 Task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-33 Issuing a Query from the Agent Query Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-34 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-34 BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Using Query Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-35 Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-35 Selecting Rows in the Query Results Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-36 Sorting Objects in the Query Results Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-40 Setting the Display of Table Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-43 Resizing Columns in the Query Results Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-44 Scheduling a Query for Reissue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-45 Disabling Scheduled Reissue of Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-47 Reissuing a Query at Random . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-48 Hiding a Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-49 Working with Results of a Different Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-50 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-50 Managing Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-51 Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-51 Adding Objects to Containers or Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-52 Connecting Computers to PATROL Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-54 Disconnecting Computers from PATROL Agents . . . . . . . . . . . .6-55 Finding an Object’s Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-56 Opening Containers, Gauges, and Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-57 Creating Charts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-58 Snoozing Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-59 Resetting Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-61 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-61 Saving Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-61 Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-62 Saving a Query in the Agent Query Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-63 Saving Results of a Query in the Query Results Window . . . . . .6-64 Exporting Query Results to a Text File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-65 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-65 Using Saved Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-66 Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-66 Using a Saved Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-67 Using Saved Query Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-68 Saving Changes to Query Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-69 Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-69 Closing and Exiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-70

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Overview Agent Query is a powerful tool for monitoring and managing objects in your enterprise. Using this function, you can work with objects outside of the console window. Instead of viewing objects as icons, you view their names in a tabular, or table, format. With Agent Query you can: • • •

monitor objects according to your specifications perform management activities for many objects in a single action arrange your desktop

You start by creating queries to the PATROL Agent to find out the current state of monitored objects. Agent Query uses a SQL-like language for queries, but you do not need to know SQL to create queries. All queries are created in the Agent Query window. Results of queries appear in the Query Results window. You perform object management activities in the Query Results window.

Components of the Agent Query Window To access the Agent Query window,

» On the main console menu bar, click Tools => Agent Query. The Agent Query window appears.

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Use of the Agent Query

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Figure 6-1

The Agent Query Window Menu bar SELECT box

WHERE box

Query box and buttons

Button bar

The Agent Query window consists of • • • • •

menu bar SELECT box WHERE box Query box and its buttons button bar

Menu Bar

The Agent Query menu bar consists of • •

File menu Quick Query menu

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6-4

PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

File Menu

The table below lists the function of each item on the File menu. Table 6-1

File Menu in the Agent Query Window

If you want to

Choose

work with a previously saved query file

Open

save changes to a query file you loaded

Save

save a query

Save As

close the Agent Query window

Close

Quick Query Menu

Items on the Quick Query menu allow you to use queries for often-needed information. The table below lists the function of each item on the Quick Query menu. Table 6-2

Quick Query Menu in the Agent Query Window

If you want to

Choose

query all computers, applications, instances, and parameters that are in a specified state

Select All (the first choice on the menu) Additional menus allow you to specify the object class and state.

query all computers, applications, instances, and parameters that are in warning state

Select All Warnings

query all computers, applications, instances, and parameters that are in alarm state

Select All Alarms

query all computers, applications, instances, and parameters that are in warning and alarm states

Select All Warnings & Alarms

query every monitored object

Select All

Help Menu

Use this menu to access online Help for Agent Query.

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Use of the Agent Query

6-5

SELECT Box

This part of the Agent Query window allows you to select one or more objects for creating customized queries: • • • •

computers applications instances parameters

The objects you choose appear in the SELECT statement in the Query box. WHERE Box

This part of the Agent Query window allows you to specify conditions for objects you chose in the SELECT box, narrowing the conditions for your search. The conditions you can specify are different for each object. Object

Conditions You Can Specify

computers

name, status, and types

applications

name and status

instances

name and status

parameters

name, status, attributes, and range

Conditions you specify in the WHERE box appear in the WHERE statement in the Query box. Query Box

This area of the Agent Query window displays the SQL-like queries you created by using either the Quick Query menu selections or the SELECT and WHERE boxes. When more than one query statement is in the Query box, a message appears. For example, the following message means you are viewing the first of four query statements. Query 1 of 4. Results of queries will be combined. BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Query Box Buttons

Buttons available in the Query box are shown in Figure 6-2. Figure 6-2

Query Box Buttons in the Agent Query Window

Reset

Delete Add

Down Up

Located on the right side of the Query box, these buttons allow you to erase (reset), combine (by adding queries), or delete queries, as well as display combined queries one at a time. Button Bar

The table below describes functions of the buttons on the Agent Query window. Table 6-3

Button Bar in the Agent Query Window

If you want to

Choose

issue a query to a PATROL Agent

Search

close the Agent Query window

Close

access online Help for Agent Query

Help

Components of the Query Results Window Whether you create queries with the Quick Query menus or the SELECT and WHERE boxes in the Agent Query window, the Query Results window displays results that match your query.

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Use of the Agent Query

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Figure 6-3

Query Results Window Menu bar Query box

Query Results table

Button bar Status line

The Query Results window consists of: • • • • •

menu bar Query box Query Results table button bar status line

Menu Bar

The menu bar consists of: • • • •

File menu Edit menu View menu the Actions menu

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6-8

PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

File Menu

The table below lists the functions of items on the File menu. Table 6-4

File Menu in the Query Results Window

If you want to

Choose

work with a previously saved query file that includes query results

Load A dialog box allows you to select the file you want to use. Once it’s selected, the title bar of the Query Results window displays the path name of the file.

save changes to a query file you loaded

Save

save both the query and its results

Save As

save the query and its results to a text file (columns will appear in tabular format)

Export

close the Query Results window

Exit

Edit Menu

Items on this menu allow you to work with rows in the Query Results table. The table below describes the functions of the Edit menu. Table 6-5

Edit Menu in the Query Results Window

If you want to

Choose

select rows according to object status, name, or attributes

Select By Additional menus allow you to specify the object name, status, or attributes.

select all rows

Select All

unselect all selected rows

Unselect All

delete all selected rows

Delete Selected

delete all rows that are not selected

Delete Unselected

delete all rows in the table

Clear Results

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Use of the Agent Query

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View Menu

The table below describes the functions of items on the View menu. Table 6-6

View Menu in the Query Results Window

If you want to

Choose

enable or disable automatic issuing of the displayed query at timed intervals (this updates the Query Results table)

Auto-Refresh

set the time when you want to automatically issue the displayed query again (this updates the Query Results table)

Set Auto-Refresh Interval A menu allows you to set the timed interval.

set the display of columns in the Query Results table

Fixed Columns A menu allows you to set the columns.

sort the rows of the Query Results table alphabetically according to the object’s full name, or the names listed in each host, application, instance, parameter, type, or status column

Sort By

select a descending (from z to a) sort on objects in the Query Results table

Sort Descending

select an ascending (from a to z) sort on objects in the Query Results table

Sort Ascending

A menu allows you to make your selection.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Actions Menu

Selections on the Actions menu allow you to perform many management activities for objects you select in the Query Results table. The table that follows describes the functions of the items on the Actions menu. Table 6-7

Actions Menu in the Query Results Window

If you want to...

Choose

add one or more selected objects to a container or graph

Add to Container or Graph The Add to Container or Graph dialog allows you to move or copy objects to containers or graphs.

connect selected computer objects

Connect Hosts

disconnect selected computer objects

Disconnect Hosts

display the containers for the selected objects

Locate

open the selected objects’ containers, gauges, graphs, and so on

Open

open a chart for the selected parameters

Chart

snooze alarms for selected objects

Alarm Snooze A menu allows you to set the snooze time.

Query Box

The Query box displays the last issued query. The results of this query are in the Query Results table. Query Results Table

The Query Results table shows the monitored objects you specified in your query, plus any other conditions you defined (for example, all computers whose status is alarm).

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Use of the Agent Query

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The contents of the table’s columns depend on what you included in the query. For example, if you limit your query to instances, the Parameters column will be blank. And if a query for computers did not include status, the Status column will be blank. The table below lists and defines all the columns in the Query Results table. Table 6-8

Query Results Table

Column Name

Description

(first column)

displays the state of the object: green is OK, yellow is warning, alarm is red, gray is offline or disconnected, and pink is void

Host

computer class; the name of host (computer) where the PATROL Agent resides

Application

name of application class

Instance

name of instance objects

Parameter

name of parameter objects

Type

type of objects you queried for (application, computer, instance, or parameter)

Status

states of the objects you queried for

Value

value set for a parameter

Units

unit a parameter measures (for example, number of errors or interrupts)

Date/Time

date and time when a parameter’s value was set

Attributes

attributes associated with the objects in your query

Title

title of a graph or gauge that’s displayed when you open its container (for parameters only)

To view items in the table •

Use the horizontal scroll bar to move left and right. This allows you to view undisplayed columns.

•

Use the scroll arrows or scroll box to move up and down. This allows you to view undisplayed rows.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Button Bar

The table below describes the functions of items on the button bar in the Query Results window. Table 6-9

Button Bar in the Query Results Window

If you want to

Choose

stop the query (all results found up to that point will appear in the Query Results table)

Stop (overlays the Update button when a query is in progress)

reissue the query displayed in the Query box and update the information in the Query Results table

Update

return to the Agent Query window and create a new query

New Query

close the current Query Results window and return to the Agent Query window

Close

access online Help

Help

Status Line

The status line is at the bottom of the Query Results window. It displays messages as you perform activities. For example, when a query is in progress, the status line displays the following message. Sending query to agents.

This type of message appears for only a few seconds. When the query is complete, the status line shows statistics about the items (such as number of objects) in the Query Results table.

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Use of the Agent Query

6-13

Agent Query Process The diagram below illustrates the basic process for using Agent Query. Figure 6-4

Agent Query Process

Choose Tools => Agent Query from the main console window

Create a query in the Agent Query window

Need to change query?

Yes

Modify the query

No

Issue the query using the Search button

View results in table of Query Results window

Select objects in the table

Perform management activities for the selected objects

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Examples of Using Agent Query The table below gives examples of how you can take advantage of Agent Query’s capabilities. Table 6-10

Examples of Using Agent Query

Desired Task

Summary of Actions

reconnect all disconnected computers

1. Use Quick Query to select all computers that are disconnected. 2. Issue the query. 3. On the Query Results window, click Edit => Select All. 4. On the Query Results window, click Action => Connect Hosts. All computers are connected at once, instead of connecting them one at a time when using Update Connection from the icon’s shortcut menu.

snooze alarms for multiple objects

1. Query for objects in alarm. 2. Issue the query. 3. In the Query Results window, select all objects in alarm state. 4. Click Actions => Alarm Snooze to set the snooze time. All objects in alarm are snoozed at once, instead of snoozing them one at a time as happens when using the icon’s shortcut menu.

check problem servers for a specific application (an often-repeated activity)

1. Construct a query for servers running the application. 2. Issue the query. 3. Save the query to a *.qry file. The next time you need to check the problem servers, there is no need to reconstruct the query. Load the *.qry file and reissue the query.

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Use of the Agent Query

6-15

Creating a Query When you create queries, be as specific as possible. All query statements appear in the Query box of the Agent Query window.

About Queries Queries are created using SQL-like statements. However, you do not have to know SQL to create queries. When you use Quick Query or the SELECT and WHERE boxes, the appropriate statements appear in the Query box with the proper format. All queries begin with a SELECT statement. This statement indicates the type of objects you want to find (computers, applications, instances, or parameters). WHERE statements are not required for queries. Include WHERE statements to add conditions to your query that allow PATROL to find exactly what you want. Query Structure

In all queries, the SELECT statement is first, followed by the optional WHERE conditions. SELECT Computers FROM PATROL WHERE Computers-Types IN (‘NT’) AND Computer-Status IN (‘OK’,’Warn’,’Alarm’,’Alarm (Disconnected','Void')

In this query, the PATROL Agent will look for all monitored Unix computers that are in OK, warning, alarm, or disconnected states.

Options You can create a query in one of two ways:

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

• •

using the items on the Quick Query menu using the SELECT and WHERE boxes of the Agent Query window

Tasks This section describes how to • •

create a query with Quick Query create your own customized queries

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Use of the Agent Query

6-17

Creating a Query with Quick Query Summary:

With Quick Query, you don’t construct SELECT and WHERE statements separately; it’s automatically done for you.

Options

The table below lists the options available for using Quick Query. Desired Task

Command to Choose

query for all computers

Select All => Computers Then choose one of the following states: in Warning, in Alarm, in Warning & Alarm, that are Disconnected, that are Connected, or Select All Computers.

query for all applications, Instances, or parameters

Select All => Applications, Instances, or Parameters. Then choose one of the following states: in Warning, in Alarm, in Warning & Alarm, that are Offline, or that are not OK.

query objects that are in warning state

Select All Warnings

query objects that are in alarm state

Select All Alarms

query objects that are in warning and alarm state

Select All Warnings & Alarms

query all monitored objects

Select All

To Create a Query with Quick Query

The following is an example of using Quick Query.

» Choose Quick Query => Select All => Computers => in Warning & Alarm.

The query box displays the following message and the resulting query: BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Query 1 of 1. Results of Queries will be combined. SELECT Computers FROM PATROL WHERE Computers-Status IN (‘Warn’, ‘Alarm’)

This query will search for all computers that are in warning and alarm states. Note

Quick Query automatically combines query statements. For more information, see “Modifying Queries with the Query Box Buttons” on page 6-30.

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Creating Your Own Queries Summary:

The example query in this task is the same one used in “Creating a Query with Quick Query” on page 6-18. This task illustrates how using the SELECT and WHERE boxes to create queries differs from using Quick Query. By using this method, you can construct SELECT and WHERE statements separately.

Options for the SELECT Box

You can choose one or more objects for the SELECT statement.The table below describes the check boxes in the SELECT box of the Agent Query window. If you want to

Check

search for computers

Computers check box

search for applications

Applications check box

search for instances

Instances check box

search for parameters

Parameters check box

search for more than one object

appropriate check boxes

Note

To deselect an object, click the check box. The check mark disappears.

Options for the WHERE Box

Each object has a properties tab in the WHERE box. When you click a properties tab, a properties dialog appears that allows you to specify conditions for the objects you want to query. The following tables list and describe the property elements for each object.

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Property Elements for the Computers Tab Button

Elements

Description

Name

LIKE, NOT LIKE selection box

Indicate whether you want to include (using LIKE) or exclude (using NOT LIKE) objects from your query.

text box

Type the name of the object you want to include or exclude from your query.

use wildcards ‘*?’ option button

Check to perform a wildcard search (default); that is, a search that allows the use of the asterisk (*) or question mark (?) as wildcards.

use regular expression option button

Check to search with a Unix-style regular expression.

OK check box

Search for computers whose state is OK.

Warn check box

Search for computers whose state is warn.

Alarm check box

Search for computers whose state is alarm.

Alarm (Disconnected) check box

Search for computers whose state is disconnect.

Void (Disconnected) check box

Search for computers whose state is void; that is, the network connection between the console and the computer may be down. In addition, the PATROL Agent may not be running.

selection box with a list of computer types

Select one or more types of computers to query.

Status

Types

Property Elements for the Applications Tab Button

Elements

Description

Name

selection box with a list of application names

Select one or more names of applications to query.

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Button

Elements

Description

Status

OK check box

Select applications whose state is OK.

Warn check box

Select applications whose state is warning.

Alarm check box

Select applications whose state is alarm.

Offline check box

Select applications whose state is offline.

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Property Elements for the Instances Tab Button

Elements

Description

Name

LIKE, NOT LIKE selection box

Indicate whether you want to include (using LIKE) or exclude (using NOT LIKE) objects from your query.

text box

Type the name of the object you want to include or exclude from your query.

use wildcards ‘*?’ option button

Check to perform a wildcard search (default); that is, perform a search that allows the use of the asterisk (*) or question mark (?) as wildcards.

use regular expression option button

Check to search with a Unix-style regular expression.

OK check box

Search for instances whose state is OK.

Warn check box

Search for instances whose state is warning.

Alarm check box

Search for instances whose state is alarm.

Offline check box

Search for instances whose state is offline.

Status

Property Elements for the Parameters Tab Button

Elements

Description

Name

LIKE, NOT LIKE selection box

Indicate whether you want to include (using LIKE) or exclude (using NOT LIKE) objects from your query.

text box

Type the name of the object you want to include or exclude from your query.

use wildcards ‘*?’ option button

Check to perform a wildcard search (default); that is, a search that allows the use of the asterisk (*) or question mark (?) as wildcards.

use regular expression option button

Check to search with a Unix-style regular expression.

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Button

Elements

Description (continued)

Status

OK check box

Search for parameters whose state is OK.

Warn check box

Search for parameters whose state is warning.

Alarm check box

Search for parameters whose state is alarm.

Offline check box

Search for parameters whose state is offline.

Active check box

Search for active parameters.

Suspended check box

Search for suspended parameters.

Global check box

Search for global parameters.

Local check box

Search for local parameters.

BETWEEN and AND text boxes

Type the range of parameter values you want to search for.

Attributes

Range

To Create Your Own Queries Step 1

In the SELECT box of the Agent Query window, click the check box of the objects (Computers, Applications, Instances, or Parameters) that you want to query. For example, click Computers. The Query box displays the SELECT statement. In this example, the statement is SELECT Computers FROM PATROL

This statement will query all the computers from all PATROL Agents. The next step narrows the criteria for the query. Step 2

In the WHERE box, click the tab of the object (Computers, Applications, Instances, or Parameters) that you want to use to narrow the search criteria. For example, click the Computers tab.

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The property elements for Computers appear. By default, the Name button is selected. The LIKE and Use Wildcards ‘*?’ property elements are also selected by default. Step 3

Perform the appropriate action: • •

To enter object names, use the elements for the Name button. To indicate other conditions, click the button of your choice: — For example, click the Status button on the Computers property dialog. The Status property elements appear. — Click the Warn and Alarm check boxes. A WHERE clause appears in the Query box. In this case, the resulting WHERE clause is: WHERE Computers-Status IN (‘Warn’,’Alarm’) This query will search for all computers that are in warning and alarm states.

Where to Go from Here The tasks below are related to creating queries. Desired Task

Where to Go

modify the query before you issue it

“Modifying a Query” on page 6-26

issue the query

“Issuing a Query” on page 6-33

save a query (not its results) to a file from the Agent Query window

“Saving Queries” on page 6-61

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Modifying a Query You can modify a query using elements of the Agent Query window.

Options You can modify a query in several ways: • • •

using the Quick Query menu items using the SELECT and WHERE boxes using the buttons in the Query box

Tasks This section describes how to: • • •

modify a query with Quick Query modify a query with the SELECT or WHERE boxes modify queries with the Query Box buttons

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Modifying a Query with Quick Query Summary:

This task describes how to change a query using Quick Query menu items.

Before You Begin

The example task uses the following query: SELECT Computers FROM PATROL WHERE Computers-Status IN (‘Warn’, ‘Alarm’)

You will change the WHERE statement. To Modify a Query with Quick Query

» Choose the appropriate items from the Quick Query menus. In this example, choose Quick Query => Select All => Computers => that are Disconnected. The SELECT and WHERE boxes reflect your choices. The query statement changes to SELECT Computers FROM PATROL WHERE Computers-Status IN (‘Alarm(Disconnected)’, ‘Void’)

This query will search for all disconnected computers.

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Modifying a Query with the SELECT and WHERE Boxes Summary:

The example query in this task is the same one used in “Creating a Query with Quick Query” on page 6-18. This task illustrates how using the SELECT and WHERE boxes to create queries differs from using Quick Query. By using this method, you can construct SELECT and WHERE statements separately.

Before You Begin

The example task uses the following query:

SELECT Computers FROM PATROL WHERE Computers-Status IN (‘Warn’, ‘Alarm’)

Before issuing the query, you want to include more objects (this will change the SELECT statement) and more conditions (this will change the WHERE statement). To Modify a Query with the SELECT and WHERE Boxes Step 1

Be sure a query statement appears in the Query box.

Step 2

In the SELECT box, click the check box of the object you want to include. For this example, click Applications. The SELECT statement changes: SELECT Computers, Applications FROM PATROL WHERE Computers-Status IN (‘Warn’, ‘Alarm’)

This query would search for all computers in warning and alarm, plus all applications. Step 3

Make any changes to conditions in the WHERE box. In this example, click the Applications tab.

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Step 4

Click the button name of property elements you want to change. In this example, click the Status button.

Step 5

Click the appropriate check boxes. In this example, click Warn and Alarm. Another line is added to the WHERE statement. The query changes to SELECT Computers, Applications FROM PATROL WHERE Computers-Status IN (‘Warn’, ‘Alarm’) AND Applications-Status IN (‘Warn’, ‘Alarm’)

This query will search for • •

all computers that are in warning and alarm states all applications in warning and alarm states

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Modifying Queries with the Query Box Buttons Summary:

You can combine, delete, and erase queries using the buttons in the Query box.

To Combine Queries with the Query Box Buttons Step 1

Be sure a query appears in the Query box. In this example, you will add another query statement and combine it with the following query: SELECT Computers FROM PATROL WHERE Computers-Status IN (‘Warn’, ‘Alarm’) Note

When only one query statement is in the Query box, the following message appears above the query: Query 1 of 1. Results of queries will be combined. Step 2

Click the Add button. In this example, you are ready to add a second query, so the message line changes to: Query 2 of 2. Results of queries will be combined.

This means the combined results of both query statements will be in the Query Results table. The default query SELECT * FROM PATROL

appears in the Query box, indicating that you can now add a query to your previous one. Step 3

Use the SELECT and WHERE boxes or the Quick Query menus to create a new query.

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3.A

In the SELECT box, add an object for the new query. For this example, click the Applications check box. The SELECT statement changes to: SELECT Applications FROM PATROL

3.B

Add conditions to the query by using property elements in the WHERE box. In this example, perform these steps to add conditions: •

Use the Name button’s property elements (the default) to select NT_CPU from the list of application names.

•

Click the Status button, then click the OK, Warn, Alarm, and Offline check boxes.

The query now includes a WHERE statement:

SELECT Applications FROM PATROL WHERE Applications-Name IN (‘NT_CPU’) AND Applications-Status IN (‘OK’,‘Warn’,‘Alarm’,‘Offline’)

This query will search for applications named NT_CPU that are in OK, warning, alarm, or offline states. Note

You can display queries one at a time by using the Move Up or Move Down buttons.

To Delete a Query with the Query Box Buttons Step 1

Use the Move Up or Move Down buttons to find the query you want to delete.

Step 2

Click the Delete button.

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The previous query appears in the Query Box. To Erase a Query with the Query Box Buttons Step 1

Be sure to delete any unwanted queries.

Step 2

Use the Move Up or Move Down buttons to find the query you want to erase.

Step 3

Click the Reset button. SELECT * FROM PATROL appears in the Query box.

Step 4

Use the elements of the SELECT and WHERE boxes or the Quick Query menus to create a new query.

Where to Go from Here The tasks below are related to modifying queries. Desired Task

Where to Go

issue the query

“Issuing a Query” on page 6-33

save a query (not its results) to a file from the Agent Query window

“Saving Queries” on page 6-61

work with the results of a query by selecting or arranging objects in the Query Results table

“Using Query Results” on page 6-35

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Issuing a Query When all objects and conditions are specified for a query, issue the query to PATROL Agents.

Task This section describes how to issue a query from the Agent Query window.

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Issuing a Query from the Agent Query Window Summary:

This task details how to issue a query to the PATROL Agent for the first time.

Step 1

Be sure a query appears in the query box.

Step 2

Click Search.

Step 3

The Query Results window opens. The results of the query appear in the Query Results table. Note

While the query is in progress. the Stop button overlays the Update button. To halt the query, click Stop. The Query Results table will list all objects found before you stopped the query.

Where to Go from Here The tasks below are related to issuing queries. Desired Task

Where to Go

work with the results of a query by selecting or arranging objects in the Query Results table

“Using Query Results” on page 6-35

save the query to a file, with or without its results

“Saving Queries” on page 6-61

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Using Query Results After you issue a query, you can use items on the Edit and View menus of the Query Results window to work with objects that matched the query. Tip

Remember: You must select objects in the Query Results table before you can perform any object management activities.

Tasks This section describes how to • • • • • • • • •

select rows in the Query Results table sort objects in the Query Results table set the display of table columns resize table columns schedule a query for reissue disable scheduled reissue of queries reissue a query at random hide a query work with results of a different query

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Selecting Rows in the Query Results Table Summary:

Selecting rows in Query Results table allows you to customize the display of objects or to eliminate unwanted objects in the table. Before you can perform any object management activities, you must select rows in the table.

Note

You can also double-click a row to select it; single-click to deselect the row.

Options

Many options are available for selecting objects in table rows. The tables that follow list all the options. Select By Options for Object Status Desired Task

Command to Choose

select objects with a Warn status

Select By => Status => Warning

select objects with an Alarm status

Select By => Status => Alarm

select objects with both Warn and Alarm status

Select By => Status => Warning & Alarm

select objects with an Offline status

Select By => Status => Offline

select objects that do not have an OK status

Select By => Status => not OK

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Select By Options for Computers Desired Task

Command to Choose

select disconnected computers

Select By => Computers => Disconnected

select connected computers

Select By => Computers => Connected

select all computer objects

Select By => Computers => All

Select By Options for Applications Desired Task

Command to Choose

select all application objects

Select By => Applications

Select By Options for Instances Desired Task

Command to Choose

select all instance objects

Select By => Instances

Select By Options for Parameters Desired Task

Command to Choose

select parameters with graphs

Select By => Parameters => Graphs

select parameters with gauges

Select By => Parameters => Gauges

select parameters with text output

Select By => Parameters => Text Output

select parameters with no output

Select By => Parameters => No Output

select all parameters, regardless of type

Select By => Parameters => All

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select all global parameters

Select By => Parameters => Global

select all local parameters

Select By => Parameters => Local

select all parameters that are active

Select By => Parameters => Active

select all parameters that are suspended

Select By => Parameters => Suspended

Select By Options for Search Desired Task

Command to Choose

select rows by using wildcards or regular expressions

Select By => Search The Search and Select dialog box appears. Use it to enter your search criteria.

To Select Rows in the Query Results Table Step 1

To select an object, use the Edit menus. In this example, choose Edit => Select By => Application. The table rows containing applications are highlighted.

Step 2

Use the Edit menus to specify conditions. In this example, you want to select rows according to object state, so you choose Edit => Select By => Status => Offline. All table rows containing objects with an Offline state are highlighted.

Step 3

Perform the appropriate action: •

To work with the objects in the highlighted rows, choose Edit => Delete Unselected.

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•

To work with the objects in rows that are not highlighted, choose Edit => Delete Selected.

To Select Rows Using the Search and Select Dialog Box Step 1

Choose Edit => Select by => Search. The Search and Select dialog appears. Figure 6-5

Search and Select Dialog Box

Step 2

Select LIKE to include or NOT LIKE to exclude the text you will type in the text box.

Step 3

Type the name of the object you want to include or exclude.

Step 4

Perform one of two actions:

Step 5

•

Click use wildcards ’*?’ to use the asterisk (*) or question mark (?) as wildcards.

•

Click use regular expression to use a Unix-style regular expression.

Perform one of two actions: • •

To search for all occurrences of the object, click Find All. To search for the first occurrence of the object, click Find Next.

The rows containing object names matching the search are highlighted.

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Sorting Objects in the Query Results Table Summary:

You can arrange rows in the table by sorting according to object name, type, or status. You can sort in ascending order (from a to z) or in descending order (from z to a), by clicking on the column headings or by using the menu commands. Both methods are explained in this section.

Sorting Objects with Column Headings

Set the sort criteria and sort events by clicking on a column heading. The headings sort the events according to the sort criteria you have selected (whichever column heading is selected, indicated by the column heading text being white). Clicking again on the column heading that is already selected toggles the sort criteria from ascending to descending or vice versa and re-sorts the data. Figure 6-6 illustrates the sorting of the data in the Query Results table with the column headings.

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Figure 6-6

Sorting Query Results

To sort information for a specific column in ascending or descending order, click the desired column header. Click the column header again to re-sort and/or toggle between ascending and descending order.

Note

Any updates to the table will not be sorted automatically. To update the display, you must re-sort the column.

Sorting Objects with Menu Commands Step 1

Step 2

Decide whether you want to sort in ascending or descending order: •

To use ascending order, select View => Ascending Sort. A checkmark appears beside Ascending Sort.

•

To use descending order, select View => Descending Sort. A checkmark appears beside Descending Sort.

Choose View => Sort By. A menu appears.

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Step 3

From the View => Sort By menu, select the object name, type, or status you want to sort by. Desired Task

Sorting Method to Select

sort by the combined names of hosts, applications, instances, and parameters

Full Name

sort by the names of hosts

Host

sort by the names of applications

Application

sort by the names of instances

Instance

sort by names of parameters

Parameter

sort by object types

Type

sort by object status

Status

When you select an object name, type, or status, the corresponding column name in the Query Results table lists its contents in ascending or descending alphabetical order, according to your choice. Note

Any updates to the table will not be sorted automatically.

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Setting the Display of Table Columns Summary:

Step 1

You can set the display of columns in the Query Results table. This enables you to always view a specified number of columns as you scroll to the columns on the right side of the table. Choose View => Freeze Columns. A menu appears.

Step 2

Step 3

Determine the number of columns you always want to be able to see when you scroll to the right. Desired Task/View

Number to Select

have no columns frozen in the table

None

always see the first columns

1

always see columns 1 and 2

2

always see columns 1 through 3

3

always see columns 1 through 4

4

always see columns 1 through 5

5

In the Query Results table, use the horizontal scroll bar to move to the columns on the right. The fixed columns on the left do not move out of view as you scroll to the right.

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Resizing Columns in the Query Results Table Summary:

You can resize a column in the Query Results table. You can increase or decrease column size.

Step 1

Move the cursor to the right line next to the column name at the top of the table.

Step 2

The cursor changes to a double arrow.

Step 3

Hold the left mouse button down and drag the column to the right (to increase) or left (to decrease) to change the size of the column.

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Scheduling a Query for Reissue Summary:

Step 1

You can designate timed intervals to reissue a query to the PATROL Agent. After you enable the function, reissuing the query becomes automatic. This updates the data in the Query Results table. Choose View => Set Auto-Refresh Interval. A menu appears. The current timed interval displays on the menu.

Step 2

Perform one of two actions: •

Select a timed interval from the menu: — Select 5 minutes to set the requery interval for every 5 minutes. — Select 15 minutes to set the requery interval for every 15 minutes. — Select 30 minutes to set the requery interval for every 30 minutes. — Select 1 hour to set the requery interval for every hour. — Select 1 day to set the requery interval for every day.

•

Enter a timed interval using the Set Time dialog. — From the Set Auto-Refresh Interval menu, choose Set Time. The Set Time dialog appears.

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Figure 6-7

Set Time Dialog Box

— Enter the days, hours, or minutes for the timed interval and click OK. Step 3

To enable automatic requery, choose View => Auto-Refresh. A check mark appears beside Auto-Refresh. When the query is issued again, the message line above the Query Results box displays the date and time of the last query.

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Disabling Scheduled Reissue of Queries Summary:

You can disable automatic requery to the PATROL Agents. This also disables updates to the data in the Query Results box.

Before You Begin

Be sure Auto-Refresh is enabled (a check appears next to the menu item). To Disable Automatic Requery

» Choose View => Auto-Refresh. A check mark no longer appears next to Auto-Refresh, indicating it is disabled.

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Reissuing a Query at Random Summary:

You can reissue a query whenever you want by using the Update button in the Query Results window.

» On the button bar of the Query Results window, click Update. The contents of the Query Results table are updated. The message line at the top of the Query Results box displays the date and time of the query. Note

While the query is in progress, the Stop button overlays the Update button. To halt the query, click Stop. The Query Results table will list all objects found before you stopped the query.

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Hiding a Query Summary:

You can hide the query statements that appear in the Query box of the Query Results window. This allows you to expand the Query Results table.

» Choose View => Hide Query. The Query box disappears, and the Query Results table now extends into that area of the window.

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Working with Results of a Different Query Summary:

Step 1

You can work with multiple queries and their results in separate Query Results windows. This can be useful when, for example, you want to work with Oracle database issues in one window and Lotus Notes issues in another. From the Query Results window, click New Query. The Agent Query window reappears, displaying the last query you issued from that window.

Step 2

Use either the Quick Query menu items or the SELECT and WHERE boxes to create another query.

Step 3

Click Search to issue the query. Another Query Results window overlays the Agent Query window. Any unclosed Query Results windows you were using remain open. Now you can perform separate activities with the contents of the Query Results table in the new Query Results window.

Where to Go from Here These tasks are related to using query results. Desired Task

Where to Go

save query results to a file

“Saving Queries” on page 6-61

perform management actions on selected rows

“Managing Objects” on page 6-51

use a saved query

“Using Saved Queries” on page 6-66

close and exit the Query Results window

“Closing and Exiting” on page 6-70

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Managing Objects Many object management activities that you can perform with Agent Query enable you to work with a number of objects at once, rather than one at a time. Note

Other chapters of this guide give details of management activities you can perform that are not available from menus within Agent Query.

Tasks This section describes how to • • • • • • • •

add objects to containers or graphs connect computers to PATROL Agents disconnect computers from PATROL Agents find an object’s container open containers, gauges, and graphs create charts snooze alarms reset alarms

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Adding Objects to Containers or Graphs Summary:

You can add objects to containers by copying or moving them. You can add objects to graphs by copying them.

Step 1

In the Query Results table, select the rows with the objects you want to add to a container or graph.

Step 2

Choose Actions => Add to Container or Graph. The Add to Container or Graph dialog appears. Figure 6-8

Step 3

Add to Container or Graph Dialog Box

Perform one of these actions: Desired Task

Dialog to Select

copy the selected objects to a container

select Copy to Container

move the selected objects to a container

select Move to Container

copy the selected objects to a graph

select Copy to Graph

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Step 4

Desired Task

Dialog to Select

choose the name of the container or graph

select the name of the container from the list below the text box and select Copy to Container or Move to Container for the selected objects

create a container or graph for the selected objects

type the name of the new container or graph in the text box

Go to the main console window. The results you see depend on your actions in the dialog box: •

If you copied an object to a container or graph, a shortcut icon for the object appears in the selected container or graph.

•

If you moved an object to a container, the object’s icon appears in the selected container. The icon no longer appears in the original container.

•

If you added an object to a container or graph, the object’s icon appears in the new container or graph.

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Connecting Computers to PATROL Agents Summary:

You can connect disconnected computers to PATROL Agents.

Step 1

Be sure you queried for disconnected computers.

Step 2

Select one or more disconnected computers in the Query Results table.

Step 3

Choose Actions => Connect Hosts. The disconnected computers are reconnected to the Agents.

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Disconnecting Computers from PATROL Agents Summary:

You can disconnect connected computers from PATROL Agents.

Step 1

Be sure you queried for connected computers.

Step 2

Select one or more connected computers in the Query Results table.

Step 3

Choose Actions => Disconnect Hosts. The connected computers are now disconnected from the Agents.

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Finding an Object’s Container Summary:

You can quickly find the container for one or more objects in the Query Results table.

Step 1

Select one or more objects in the Query Results table.

Step 2

Perform one of the following actions: •

Double-click the desired row.

•

Select the row and choose Actions => Locate from the context menu.

The status line displays: Locating...done. Note

If an object you select does not have a container, a message on the status line at the bottom of the Query Results window lets you know. Step 3

Go to the main console window. The containers for the selected objects are opened. You can now perform any necessary management activities.

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Opening Containers, Gauges, and Graphs Summary:

You can open containers for any object in the Query Results table. You can open gauges and graphs for parameters. The procedure that follows uses parameters.

Before You Begin

If you want to work with gauges and graphs, be sure you queried for parameters. To Open Gauges or Graphs Step 1

Select one or more parameters that use gauges or graphs in the Query Results table. (The Attributes column lists whether the parameter has a gauge or graph.)

Step 2

Choose Actions => Open. The status line displays: Opening...done.

Step 3

Go to the main console window. The window for the gauge or graph is opened. You can perform any necessary management activities.

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Creating Charts Summary:

You can create charts for parameters you select in the Query Results table.

Step 1

Be sure you queried for parameters.

Step 2

In the Query Results table, select one or more parameters.

Step 3

Choose Actions => Chart. The status line displays: Charting...Done.

Step 4

Go to the main console window. A chart window is open. Lines for each selected parameter appear in the window.

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Snoozing Alarms Summary:

You can set the snooze time for selected objects in alarm state in the Query Results table.

Step 1

From the Query Results table, select one or more objects in alarm.

Step 2

Choose Actions => Alarm Snooze. A menu appears.

Step 3

Set the snooze time by using one of two methods: •

Use the Alarm Snooze menu to select the snooze time for the alarm: — — — — — —

•

Select 5 seconds to set snooze for every 5 seconds. Select 20 seconds to set snooze for every 20 seconds. Select 1 minute to set snooze for every minute. Select 15 minutes to set snooze for every 15 minutes. Select 1 hour to set snooze for every hour. Select 1 day to set snooze for one day.

Using the Set Time dialog, enter a snooze time. — From the Alarm Snooze menu, choose Set Time. The Set Time dialog appears.

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Figure 6-9

The Set Time Dialog

— Enter the days, hours, or minutes you want to snooze the alarm and click OK. In either case, the status line displays: Snoozing...Done. Step 4

Go to the main console window. The icon for the object in alarm no longer flashes red.

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Resetting Alarms Summary:

You reset or turn snoozed alarms on again.

Step 1

Select one or more objects whose alarms are snoozed.

Step 2

Choose Actions => Alarm Snooze => Reset.

Step 3

To verify the alarm is reset, go to the main console window. The icon for the object in alarm state is flashing red again.

Where to Go from Here These tasks are related tasks to managing objects. Desired Task

Where To Go

save query results

“Saving Queries” on page 6-61

use saved queries

“Using Saved Queries” on page 6-66

close the windows and exit

“Closing and Exiting” on page 6-70

Saving Queries You can save a query to a file (with or without its results) to avoid having to redefine it each time you want to use it. This allows you to use the query again.

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Tasks Information in this section describes how to • • •

save a query (not its results) in the Agent Query window save results of a query in the Query Results window export query results to a text file

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Saving a Query in the Agent Query Window Summary:

This task describes how to save the query, not the query and its results.

Step 1

Be sure the query you want to save appears in the Query box of the Agent Query window.

Step 2

Choose File => Save As. The Agent Query Browse dialog appears.

Step 3

Choose the folder and file name for the query. Use the *.qry extension for easy identification of the file.

Step 4

Click Save. The full path name of the file appears in the title bar of the Agent Query window. Note

If you click Save while this file name appears, this file will contain any changes you make. To clear the file name from the Agent Query window’s title bar, you must close the window. The next time you want to use the query, you can load the file.

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Saving Results of a Query in the Query Results Window Summary:

Step 1

You can save both the query and its results from the Query Results window. From the Query Results window, choose File => Save As. The Agent Query Browse dialog appears.

Step 2

Choose the folder and file name for the query results. Use the *.qry extension for easy identification of the file.

Step 3

Click Open. The Query Results window reappears. The full path name for the *.qry file is displayed in the title bar. Note

If you click Save while the file name appears, this file will contain any changes you make. To clear the file name from the title bar, you must close the window or open another Query Results window (by clicking New Query). The next time you want to use the query and its results, you can load the file.

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Exporting Query Results to a Text File Summary:

Step 1

This task describes how to export the contents of the Query Results table to a text file (*.txt). The table’s columns will be in tabular format in the text file. From the Query Results window, choose File => Export. The Agent Query Export Browse dialog appears.

Step 2

Choose the folder and file name for the query results. The default extension is *.txt.

Step 3

Click Save. The contents of the Query Results table and the query (if it’s displayed in the Query box) are saved to a text file, allowing you to view, edit, or print that file.

Where to Go from Here These tasks are related to saving queries. Desired Task

Where to Go

reuse query results in a saved *.qry file

“Using Saved Queries” on page 6-66

close the windows and exit Agent Query

“Closing and Exiting” on page 6-70

Note

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Using Saved Queries You can reuse any saved queries and query results (*.qry) files.

Tasks This section describes how to • • •

use a saved query (without results) use saved query results save changes to query files

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Using a Saved Query Summary:

Step 1

This task describes how to load a query that you saved, not the query results. From the Agent Query window, choose File => Open. The Agent Query Browse dialog appears.

Step 2

Select the appropriate file, then click Open. The full path name of the file appears in the title bar of the Agent Query window.

Step 3

To issue the query, click Search. The Query Results window appears. The table lists the objects matching the query.

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Using Saved Query Results Summary:

Step 1

You can reuse saved query results by loading a previously saved *.qry file. From the Query Results window, choose File => Load. The Agent Query Browse dialog appears.

Step 2

Select the appropriate file, then click Open. The full path name of the file appears in the title bar of the Query Results window.

Step 3

To issue the query, click Update. The Query Results table contains the latest results of the query. You can now perform any necessary management activities.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Saving Changes to Query Files Summary:

You can save changes you make to query (*.qry) files after you make modifications. The actions for saving changes are the same for each window.

» Perform one of two actions: • •

Click File => Save to save changes to the same file. Click File => Save as to save changes in a new file. Note

As long as the file path name of the *.qry file appears in the title bar, all saved changes will be written to that file.

Where to Go from Here These tasks are related to using saved queries. Desired Task

Where to Go

modify a query

“Modifying a Query” on page 6-26

work with query results to select or arrange objects in rows

“Using Query Results” on page 6-35

perform object management activities

“Managing Objects” on page 6-51

close the windows and exit Agent Query

“Closing and Exiting” on page 6-70

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Closing and Exiting Summary:

You can close the Agent Query function from either window.

To Close a Query Results Window Step 1

Perform one of two actions: • •

Step 2

Click File => Exit. Click the Close button.

Repeat Step 1 until you close all Query Results windows. The results of your action depend on whether the Agent Query window is closed (in cases where more than one Query Results window is open): •

If the Agent Query window is open, you return to the Agent Query window.

•

If the Agent Query window is not open, you exit the Agent Query function.

To Close the Agent Query Window and Exit the Agent Query Function

» Perform one of two actions: • •

Click File => Close. Click the Close button.

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7

Management of Events

7

This chapter contains information about using the PATROL Event Manager (PEM) to effectively monitor and manage PATROL events that relate to your enterprise. You can run the PEM from the PATROL Console (either as an Operator or Developer). This chapter discusses the following topics and tasks: PEM Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3 PEM Graphical Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5 PEM Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5 Event Details Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9 Filter Editor Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10 Event Repository Statistics Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11 Window Statistics Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13 Accessing the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14 Sorting Events in the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14 Saving Events from the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15 Saving Events from the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15 Viewing Specific Events in the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17 Generating Event Statistics in the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17 Display of Event Information and Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18 Displaying Events for a Specific Host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19 Displaying and Working with Event Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-21 Filtered View of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-26 Setting a View Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-29 Setting a Persistent Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-32 Viewing a Persistent Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-33 How to Sort Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-34 BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Sorting Events in the PEM Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-35 How to Manage Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-36 Making an Entry in the Event Diary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-38 Acknowledging, Closing, or Deleting a Single Event . . . . . . . . .7-41 Performing Matching Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-43 How to Generate Event Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-44 Displaying Statistics for Multiple PATROL Agents. . . . . . . . . . .7-46 Displaying a PEM Window Statistics Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-48 Closing the PEM Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-50

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PEM Operations You can use the PEM to manage events that occur on objects that are being monitored by a PATROL Agent. Using PEM, you can perform these tasks: • • •

view event information manage events generate event statistics

In addition, with a PATROL Developer Console, you can define event classes. Desired Information

Where to Go

viewing event information

“Display of Event Information and Details” on page 7-18 and “Filtered View of Events” on page 7-26

managing events

“How to Manage Events” on page 7-36

generating event statistics

“How to Generate Event Statistics” on page 7-44

defining event classes

PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL You can define event classes only with a PATROL Developer Console.

In the context of PATROL, an event is any state change that takes place for a monitored object on one or more hosts. Monitored objects can include computers, applications, or parameters. These are examples of state changes: • • •

A parameter goes above its alarm level. A global parameter definition is changed. A recovery action is executed.

The PEM can filter out unimportant events and low-priority alerts. You can use PEM filters to selectively display and limit your work to the most important events that affect your critical resources. BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

Management of Events

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Events are user-defined and are captured by a PATROL Agent and stored in an event history repository. The event history repository is saved locally on the machine (host) where the PATROL Agent resides. It can store only a limited number of events. When the maximum capacity is reached and a new event is stored, an old event is deleted. Using the PEM, you can access events stored in the event history repository. You can choose to view any of the stored events. You can supply filtering criteria so that the PEM displays only the events that match your criteria. Figure 7-1 shows the architecture of the PEM and how events are handled by PEM. Figure 7-1

PATROL Event Manager Architecture From the PATROL Console, open a PEM window for all monitored hosts or for a selected host. The PEM window allows you to filter, view, and act upon events that have been stored in event history repositories.

Using the PATROL Event Manager

PATROL

Event

Persistent

PEM Window

View

PATROL Console

Event From a single PATROL Console, you can open multiple PEM windows and manage events for computers (hosts) running PATROL Agents.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

PEM Graphical Components The main components for the PEM include the following graphical elements: • • • • •

PEM window Event Details dialog box Filter Window dialog box Event Repository Statistics window Window Statistics dialog box

PEM Window You can access the PEM window from either the toolbar in the main console window or from a selected computer’s pop-up menu. The majority of event management operations are carried out from the PEM window. You can view event summary details and perform actions on events from this window. In addition, the events listed in the PEM window are color-coded by event type so that you can easily distinguish one type from another. Table 7-1 lists event types and their associated colors in the PEM window. Table 7-1

Event Type Colors

Event Type

Color

Information

White

State Change

Green

Warning

Yellow

Alarm

Red

Response

Light Blue

Error

Orange

Note

Colors will vary depending on the display capabilities of your system.

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Management of Events

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Figure 7-2 shows the Event Manager window populated with various color-coded events. Figure 7-2

PATROL Event Manager Window

PEM Window Menu Bar

Table 7-2 lists tasks you can perform by using the menu bar items in the PEM window. Detailed instructions for performing these tasks are provided later in this chapter. Table 7-2

PEM Window Menu Bar (Part 1 of 2)

Task

Command to Choose

close the PEM window

File => Exit this window

save events

File => Save Events

perform matching operations

Edit => then one of the following: • Close Matching Events • Acknowledge Matching Events • Delete Matching Events

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Table 7-2

PEM Window Menu Bar (Part 2 of 2)

Task

Command to Choose

perform individual event operations

Edit => then one of the following: • Close Selected Event • Acknowledge Selected Event • Delete Selected Event

clear all events from the PEM window

View => Clear all Clearing does not remove all events from the event history repository, only from view.

display only events of the Alarm type in the PEM window

View => View All Alarms

display only events of the Warning type in the PEM window

View => View All Warnings

display original events in the PEM window (reverting to the original view may be desirable after changing the view filter)

View => View Original Events

display selected events details in the PEM window

View => Show Selected Event Details

display properties of the Filter Editor

View => Show Filter Editor

display current persistent filter settings

View => Show Persistent Filter Persistent filters determine which events are sent from a PATROL Agent to a PEM window.

display a summary of events in the PEM window

Options => Window Statistics

sort events in ascending order

Options => Sort Ascending Order

sort events in descending order

Options => Sort Descending Order

sort events in ascending order by the event ID

Options => Sort Ascending on EventID

sort events in descending order by the event ID

Options => Sort Descending on EventID

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Management of Events

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PEM Window Toolbar

Figure 7-3 shows the toolbar icons in the PEM window and explains how they are used. Figure 7-3

PEM Window Toolbar

Delete Event Close Event Acknowledge Event Detail (view event details) Sort Descending (sort events) Sort Ascending (sort events) Set Filter (display the filter window)

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Event Details Dialog Box This dialog box displays detailed information about a single event. You can view expert advice and enter event diary information for an event, or Web browser to view additional information. (Refer to “Display of Event Information and Details” on page 7-18 for more detailed information.) Figure 7-4

Event Details Dialog Box

Click to view expert

Click to access the Event Diary.

Click to launch web browser (after highlighting a World Wide Web address).

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Management of Events

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Filter Editor Dialog Box You select which events you view by using the Filter Window dialog box to create view filters. Additionally, you control which events are forwarded from PATROL Agents to the PEM window by defining persistent filters for PATROL Agents. Refer to “Filtered View of Events” on page 7-26 for more detailed information on the differences between standard view filters and persistent filters. Figure 7-5

Filter Editor Dialog Box

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Event Repository Statistics Window The Event Repository Statistics window displays summary event information for all hosts connected to your PATROL Console. Figure 7-6

Event Repository Statistics Window

Event Repository Statistics Menu Bar

Table 7-3 lists tasks you can perform using the menu bar items in the Event Repository Statistics window. Detailed instructions for performing these tasks are provided later in this chapter. Table 7-3

Event Repository Statistics Window Menu Bar (Part 1 of 2)

Task

Command to Choose

save the contents of the window to a text file

File => Save

close the Event Repository Statistics window

File => Exit this window

hide the toolbar

View => Toolbar

select all events for reporting

Edit => Select All

deselect all events for reporting

Edit => Unselect All

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Table 7-3

Event Repository Statistics Window Menu Bar (Part 2 of 2)

Task

Command to Choose

update statistics for one or more selected hosts

Edit => Refresh

update statistics for all hosts

Edit => Refresh All

set the criteria for events that display in the window using the Filter Editor dialog box

Edit => Set Reporting Filter

find the computer icon for a selected host

Host => Locate Hosts

set up policies for event statistics

Policy => then one of the following: • Match All • Match Persistent Filter • Match Reporting Filter

Event Repository Statistics Toolbar

Figure 7-7 shows the toolbar icons in the Event Repository Statistics window and explains how they are used. Figure 7-7

Event Repository Statistics Toolbar

Locate a host in your desktop. Refresh the status of selected agents. Unselect agent events. Select all agent events. Save statistics to a text file.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Window Statistics Dialog Box You can access the Window Statistics dialog box from the PEM window. The Window Statistics dialog box summarizes the total number of events that have been forwarded to the PEM window since it was first accessed or since the counters have been cleared. This dialog box lists the host with the worst instance (highest incidence) for each type of event. See “How to Generate Event Statistics” on page 7-44 for information about statistical reports available with PEM. Figure 7-8

Window Statistics Dialog Box

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Accessing the PEM Window Summary:

In these tasks you will open a PEM window for multiple hosts and for a specific host.

To Access the PEM Window for All Monitored Hosts

» In the PATROL Console main window, choose Tools => Event Manager. The PEM window for all monitored hosts appears. To Access the PEM Window for a Specific Host Step 1

Right-click a host icon in the PATROL desktop (PatrolMainMap).

Step 2

Choose Event Manager. The PEM window for the selected host appears. Use the scroll bar on the right side of the PEM window to scroll through events that are out of view.

Sorting Events in the PEM Window One of the first things you will do in the PEM window is to rearrange events so that you can view them and work with them more easily. You can set the sort criteria and sort events by clicking on a column heading. As new events are displayed, you can re-sort the event view by clicking on the Sort Ascending or Sort Descending buttons. These buttons re-sort the events according to the sort criteria you have selected (whichever column heading is selected, indicated by the column heading text being white). Clicking again on the column heading that is already selected toggles the sort criteria from ascending to descending or vice versa.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

For more detailed information about sorting events, refer to “Setting a Persistent Filter” on page 7-32. Figure 7-9

Sorting the PATROL Event Manager Window

• To sort information for a specific column in ascending or descending order, click the desired column header (except the ID column) or the appropriate toolbar button. Click the column header again to toggle between ascending and descending order. • To re-sort, click the appropriate toolbar button again.

Saving Events from the PEM Window The File menu allows you to save the contents of the PEM window in a text (.txt) file for future reference.

» Choose File => Save Events to save the contents of the PEM window in a text (.txt) file in the location of your choice. If you save an events file over a previous file by the same file name, you will receive a warning that you are about to overwrite the previous file. If you choose to overwrite the previous file, the previous file is saved as a .bak file. BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Managing Events in the PEM Window You can manage events in the PEM window by performing matching operations. To perform matching operations, use the Edit pull-down menu in the PEM window. Matching operations are described in “How to Manage Events” on page 7-36.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Viewing Specific Events in the PEM Window From the PEM window View pull-down menu, you can quickly isolate Alarm and Warning events with the following actions: Table 7-4

Tasks Available from the View menu

Task

Command to Choose

clear all events from the PEM window

View => Clear all Clearing does not remove all events from the event history repository, only from view.

display only events of the Alarm type in the PEM window

View => View All Alarms

display only events of the Warning type in the PEM window

View => View All Warnings

display only original events in the PEM window

View => View Original Events

display current persistent filter settings

View => Show Persistent Filter Persistent filters determine which events are sent from a PATROL Agent to a PEM window. For information on how to set a persistent filter, refer to page 7-32.

Generating Event Statistics in the PEM Window The Options menu allows you to view window statistics.

» Choose Options => Window Statistics to display a statistical summary of the events appearing in the current PEM window. See “How to Generate Event Statistics” on page 7-44 for detailed information. In addition, you can restrict the view of events displayed in the window or modify a persistent filter by using the PEM filtering feature. See “Filtered View of Events” on page 7-26.

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Display of Event Information and Details The PEM helps you quickly isolate event types to view or take action upon. The PEM provides you with event information about objects that are monitored by a PATROL Agent, such as computers, applications, and parameters. The event information that you can view with the PEM depends upon which PATROL KMs you have loaded on a monitored host and how you have defined the PEM’s persistent. A PEM window displays events for a single computer. You can open one or more PEM windows from the PATROL Console to view events from different PATROL Agents.

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Displaying Events for a Specific Host Summary:

Although the PEM window displays events for a single computer, the PEM window can be use to view events for all monitored computers (hosts) that have been defined for your PATROL Console. With the PATROL Console, you can open a PEM window for each host that you are interested in. This task describes how to display events for each host.

Before You Begin

You must be connected to one or more hosts. For more information about connecting to hosts from your PATROL Console, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Understanding the Basics of PATROL. To Display Events for a Specific Host Step 1

Right-click a host icon on your PATROL desktop (that is, the PatrolMainMap window).

Step 2

Choose Event Manager. The PEM window for the selected host appears. You can either view all the specified events for the monitored host or change the view filter for this PEM window to view only events of particular interest. (See optional Step 3 and Step 4 below.)

Step 3

If you want to set filter criteria for viewing events, perform these actions: 3.A

Click the Set Filter toolbar icon (

).

3.B

Select or type the desired filter criteria in the resulting Filter Window dialog box.

3.C

Click OK to apply the filter and return to the PEM window to view filtered events.

For more information about filtering events, see “Filtered View of Events” on page 7-26. BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Step 4

To view event information for another connected host, repeat Step 1 through Step 3.

Step 5

Choose File => Exit this window to close the PEM window.

Where to Go from Here

Once you have selected events for viewing, you can perform additional tasks. Task

Where to Go

perform various tasks on events to help you manage them

page 7-36

sort events in the PEM window

page 7-34

learn more about setting filters

page 7-26

display event details

page 7-21

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PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Displaying and Working with Event Details Summary:

When viewing events from the PEM window, you see only a portion of the details available for an event. In this task, you will access the Event Details dialog box to view all details for an event. You can also view the detailed information and record entries as needed in an event diary.

Before You Begin

Before working with event details, make sure •

You are connected to one or more hosts. For more information about connecting to hosts from your PATROL Console, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Understanding the Basics of PATROL.

•

You have a PEM window open. For a description of how to open a PEM window, see “Displaying Events for a Specific Host” on page 7-19.

To Display and Work with Event Details Step 1

In the PEM window, choose one of the following options: •

Click once on an event to select it, and then click the Detail toolbar icon ( ).

•

Double-click an event to view the event details.

•

Right-click an event in the list and select Details from the context menu.

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The Event Details dialog box appears. Click Help for detailed descriptions of the information fields. Note

Right-clicking an event and selecting Locate from the context menu displays the container of the object that triggered the event on the PATROL desktop. Step 2

Perform the step that applies to you: •

To display expert advice that has been associated with a particular event class, click Expert Advice. A separate dialog box displays expert advice for the event class to which the selected event belongs. If the expert advice contains an address to a URL on the World Wide Web, you can highlight the URL and click WWW for PATROL to launch your default Web browser and display the Web page specified by the URL. For detailed information about expert advice, see “How to Manage Events” on page 7-36. Note

You can add or modify the expert advice for any event class(es) in any event catalog only with a PATROL Developer Console. •

To add comments to the Event Diary window, click Diary. A text entry box appears in which you can type comments, including URLs to Web pages. For detailed information about creating diary entry, see “Making an Entry in the Event Diary” on page 7-38.

•

Step 3

Highlight a World Wide Web URL in the Event Diary and click the WWW button. PATROL launches your default Web browser and displays the Web page specified by the URL.

Click OK to close the Event Details dialog box. Any changes you have made will be saved.

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Figure 7-10 Event Details Dialog Box

Information Item Descriptions

The Event Details dialog box displays the following information items for the selected event: Table 7-5

Information Items of the Event Details Dialog Box (Part 1 of 3)

Item

Description

Status

shows the current event status You can filter events according to their status.

Type

indicates the event type You can filter events according to their type.

Severity

displays the numerical severity of the event Severity is defined for events at the event class level. You can filter events on the basis of severity. The lowest severity is 1 and the highest severity is 5. If, for example, you set the filter severity at 1, then all events with a severity of 1 through 5 will be displayed. If you set the filter severity at 4, then all events with a severity of 4 or 5 will be displayed.

Time Outstanding

shows the amount of time elapsed since the event occurred

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Table 7-5

Information Items of the Event Details Dialog Box (Part 2 of 3)

Item

Description

ID

shows the sequential number the PATROL Agent creates for every event

Event Class

shows the name (sometimes represented by a number) of the event class to which this event belongs. For more detailed information about creating event catalogs and event classes and about defining application classes, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL.

Escalation

shows the amount of time after which the event will be escalated unless someone closes or acknowledges the event Escalation actions are OS commands.

Time

shows the day, date, and time the event occurred

Node

shows the node where the event originated This is usually a computer host name but is PEM if the event has been generated by the PATROL Event Manager from a PATROL Console.

Origin

shows the name of the monitored object that triggered the event The object can be a computer instance, an application instance, or a parameter.

Owner

indicates who is assigned as the owner of this particular event class The default is Patrol. With a PATROL Developer Console, you can create or modify your own event classes and add them to an event catalog. If you edit an event class, you can determine who will be the owner of that specific class of events. For example, if the PEM is integrated with a Help desk facility, a trouble ticket can be automatically created and assigned to the event owner.

Handled By

shows the name of the person who last performed an action on an event Actions include acknowledging, closing, entering diary information for, or deleting an event.

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Table 7-5

Information Items of the Event Details Dialog Box (Part 3 of 3)

Item

Description

Event Catalog

shows the name of the event catalog, which is a collection of event classes Events that are part of the standard event catalog are standard with PATROL and have a numeric event class code for optimization purposes. You can create an event catalog for any application class and associate event classes with the catalog. For more information about event catalogs, event classes, and application classes, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL.

Life Expectancy

controls whether an event is stored in the event history repository If an event has a life expectancy of Stored, it will be stored. If it has a life expectancy of Delete if closed, it will not be stored if it is closed. If an event’s life expectancy is Delete if information, it will not be stored if it is an information event. The default event life expectancy is Stored. Events that are written to the event history repository remain there until the repository is full, at which time the oldest events are deleted first to make room for new events.

Event Description

gives a brief description of the nature of the event From the PEM Filter Window dialog box, you can enter descriptive text in the Pattern field as filter criteria.

Event Diary

shows a chronological listing of comments and actions taken on this event For detailed information about adding comments in this window, see “Making an Entry in the Event Diary” on page 7-38. PATROL time-stamps any comments that are added to the diary.

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Where to Go from Here

Once you have opened an Event Details dialog box, you can perform these tasks: Task

Where to Go

add event diary information for a particular event

page 7-38

create expert advice

PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL

Filtered View of Events The PATROL Event Manager displays a filtered view of events based on • •

a persistent filter a view filter

The persistent filter determines which events to forward to the PEM from the PATROL Agent’s event history repository. The persistent filter can be saved and used in your next session. The view filter helps you create a selective view of the events that have been forwarded from the PATROL Agent. You set up a view filter for your current session. Persistent Filter

The persistent filter helps minimize network traffic by restricting events forwarded from PATROL Agents to just those that you select for viewing from a PEM window. By default, the PATROL Agent forwards all events except information events to any connected console. A persistent filter can be modified and set up from the Filter Window dialog box. Click the Set Filter toolbar icon ( ) in the PEM window to access the Filter Window dialog box. An example Filter Window dialog box is shown in Figure 7-11 on page 7-28. The persistent filter remains in effect as long as the PATROL Agent maintains its connection with the PATROL Console. BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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A Persistent Filter Criteria dialog box displays the view filter criteria that you choose in the Filter Window dialog box to select the events currently shown in the PEM window. Choose View => Show Persistent Filter to display the Persistent Filter Criteria dialog box. You cannot modify any of the information in the Persistent Filter Criteria dialog box. View Filter

You can create a custom view filter for your current PEM session by selecting criteria for events to be forwarded from the PATROL Agent to the PATROL Console. Each time you alter your selection of events for viewing from the PEM Filter Window dialog box, the PEM stores this customized View Filter for reuse. The PEM stores the five most recent View Filters for reuse during a PEM session. You can use the Set Filter toolbar icon at the top of the PEM window to display the Filter Window dialog box, where you can select or deselect filter criteria.

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Figure 7-11 Filter Window Dialog Box

Clicking OK saves the current filter selection as a view filter.

Clicking Make Persistent sends the current filter selection to the PATROL Agent to be used as a persistent filter. It also saves it as the view filter.

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Setting a View Filter Summary:

In this task, you will create a custom filter for your current PEM session by using the Filter Window dialog box to select criteria for viewing and acting on events.

Before You Begin

Before setting a view filter, make sure •

You are connected to one or more hosts. For more information about connecting to hosts from your PATROL Console, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Understanding the Basics of PATROL.

•

You have a PEM window open. For a description of how to open a PEM window, see “Displaying Events for a Specific Host” on page 7-19.

To Set a View Filter Step 1

Click the Set Filter toolbar icon. The Filter Editor dialog box appears, similar to the one shown in Figure 7-11 on page 7-28. Click Help for detailed descriptions of the information fields.

Step 2

Check Absolute Time to view events that took place between a specific start time and end time. Clear Absolute Time to view events that took place during a past period of time relative to the current time.

Step 3

In the Filter Window dialog box, indicate the start and end dates and times for the events you want to view. 3.A

Highlight the start or end month, day, year, hour, minute, or second you want to change. If you removed the check from the Absolute time option in Step 2, highlight the Rollback time and Range.

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3.B

Click the appropriate spin buttons to set the correct start and end date or time. If you removed the check from the Absolute time option in Step 2, set the Rollback time (hours, minutes, and seconds ago) and Range (hours, minutes, and seconds elapsed since the Rollback time) from which you wish to view events. The start (or Rollback) date and time default to the age of the oldest event in the event history repository (or repositories, for a PEM window showing events for multiple hosts). The end date and time (or Range time from Rollback date and time) default to the age of the newest event in the event history repository (or repositories).

Step 4

Select or type the remaining event filter criteria in the Filter Window dialog box. Include an asterisk wildcard character in entries for the Node, Origin, and Pattern fields to view events that match multiple criteria. Table 7-6

Using wildcard characters to filter events

Event You Want to Display

Text to Enter

generated from host machines with names ending with the letters ’BMC’

in the Node box

originating from the NT_CACHE application

*BMC NT_CACHE* in the Origin box

with the word (or with any words containing) ’PROCESS’ in the description

Step 5

*PROCESS* in the Pattern box

Set the query mode by clicking either Remote or Local: •

To view event information from connected agents, choose a remote query.

•

To view events from information stored in the local cache of the console, choose a local query.

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Step 6

Click OK to save and apply the view filter and return to the PEM window. The events that match the view filter criteria are displayed in the PEM window.

Where to Go from Here

Once you have filtered your event view, you can perform these tasks: Task

Where to Go

perform various tasks on events to help you manage them

page 7-36

sort events in the PEM window

page 7-14

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Setting a Persistent Filter Summary:

In this task, you will use the PEM Filter Window dialog box to set the persistent filter that governs which events are forwarded from PATROL Agents.

Before You Begin

Before setting a persistent view filter, make sure •

You are connected to one or more hosts. For more information about connecting to hosts from your PATROL Console, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Understanding the Basics of PATROL.

•

You have a PEM window open. For a description of how to open a PEM window, see “Displaying Events for a Specific Host” on page 7-19.

To Set a Persistent Filter Step 1

Click the Set Filter toolbar icon to open the Filter Window dialog box.

Step 2

Select the filter criteria that you want to retain and click Make Persistent. The view filter criteria that you selected will be saved and sent to the PATROL Agent as the persistent filter for the PEM window.

Where to Go from Here

Once you have set a persistent filter, you can perform these tasks: Task

Where to Go

perform various tasks on events to help you manage them

page 7-36

sort events in the PEM window

page 7-14

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Viewing a Persistent Filter Summary:

In this procedure you will display the Persistent Filter dialog box, which shows the persistent filter currently in use.

To View the Persistent Filter settings

» Click View => Show Persistent Filter. The PEM displays the Persistent Filter Criteria dialog box. You cannot modify any of the information in the Persistent Filter Criteria dialog box.

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How to Sort Events By default, events appear chronologically in the PEM window. In descending order, the most recent event is listed last. If there are more events than can be displayed in the window, the window automatically scrolls to the bottom of the list to display the most recent events. You can sort events in the PEM window by clicking on one of the column headings listed in Table 7-7. Table 7-7

Column Headings in the PEM Window

Column Heading

How Events Are Sorted

Status

ascending or descending, in order of status

Type

ascending or descending, in order of importance, most critical displayed last

Date/Time

ascending or descending, chronologically, oldest to most recent

Host

ascending or descending, alphabetically

Origin

ascending or descending, alphabetically

Description

ascending or descending, alphabetically

Note

As you hover the cursor over the column headings, the cursor changes to either an arrow facing up or an arrow facing down. The arrow facing up indicates that the sort criteria for that column is set for ascending order, while the arrow facing down indicates that descending order is set.

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Sorting Events in the PEM Window Summary:

In this task, you will sort events viewed in the PEM window.

PEM window

Sort

Sort

1

3 or

Column Heading (Mouse) Click on a column heading to sort events in either ascending or descending order. As new events occur, they are displayed at the bottom of the PEM window. Click either the Sort Ascending or the Sort Descending toolbar button to re-sort events. Click again on the column heading to toggle the sort criteria between ascending and descending order.

Before You Begin

Before sorting PEM events, make sure •

You are connected to one or more hosts. For more information about connecting to hosts from your PATROL Console, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Understanding the Basics of PATROL.

•

You have a PEM window open. For a description of how to open a PEM window, see “Displaying Events for a Specific Host” on page 7-19.

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To Sort Events in the PEM Window Step 1

Click on a PEM window column heading. The events are sorted accordingly. Note

After a sorting operation, all new events are placed at the bottom of the event list as they occur. Events are not re-sorted automatically. Step 2

Click either the Sort Ascending or Sort Descending toolbar icon to re-sort events by using the most recent column selection.

Where to Go from Here

Once you have sorted your event view, you can perform these tasks: Task

Where to Go

perform various tasks on events to manage them

page 7-36

How to Manage Events PATROL provides event management from the PEM window. You can use the window not only to show a select view of events, but also to •

document events by making an entry in the Event Diary

•

access expert advice Note

You can create expert advice only from a PATROL Developer Console. For information on how to provide expert advice to other PATROL users, see the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL.

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•

change the event status to acknowledged, closed, or deleted to coordinate problem resolution within a group of PATROL operators

•

perform matching operations on filtered events from the PEM window Edit pull-down menu

When you acknowledge, close, or delete an event, all users viewing the event are notified in real time. The Event Diary is updated to indicate the name of the person changing the event status. This update allows many operators to work together in a distributed environment. Figure 7-12 shows how real-time updates can be made in a multiuser environment. Figure 7-12 Real-Time Event Updates in a Multiuser Environment The same event “e” is viewed by three users connected to the same PATROL Agent from a console or from a PEM window. Additionally, PATROL event “e” can generate a Remedy Trouble Ticket “e#.” If any user acknowledges, closes, or deletes event “e,” all connected consoles are notified in real time. PATROL

PEM

“e”

“e”

(event)

(event)

PEM PATROL

“e”

Remedy

(event)

Event Repositor

Remedy Database

“e”

“e#”

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Making an Entry in the Event Diary Summary:

In this task, you will make entries in the PEM Event Diary. You can enter a comment in the Event Diary for an event at any time.

Before You Begin

Before you make an entry into the PEM Event Diary, make sure •

You are connected to one or more hosts. For more information about connecting to hosts from your PATROL Console, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Understanding the Basics of PATROL.

•

You have a PEM window open. For a description of how to open a PEM window, see “Displaying Events for a Specific Host” on page 7-19.

•

You have a Event Details dialog box open to make an entry in the Event Diary. For a description of how to open an Event Details dialog box, see “Displaying and Working with Event Details” on page 7-21.

To Make an Entry in the Event Diary Step 1

From the Event Details dialog box, click Diary to open the Event Diary dialog box. The Event Diary text editor dialog box, similar to the one in Figure 7-13, is displayed.

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Figure 7-13 Event Diary Text Editor Dialog Box

Step 2

Enter your comments in the text editor entry field. If available, enter a World Wide Web address to provide a link to additional information for other PATROL operators. The text editor field automatically supports word wrap, but the display field on the Event Details dialog box where your comments appear does not. You can either type your entry so that it displays only one line, or you can press Enter occasionally to create new lines, which makes your entry more readable in the Event Details dialog box.

Step 3

Click OK to save your entry and store it in the Event Diary. Your comment is stored in the Event Diary with the current date and user name. If you want to restrict your view to only those events that you are responsible for, use the Pattern field on the Filter Window dialog box to filter events that match your user name.

Where to Go from Here

If you want to continue managing events, you can: Task

Where to Go

perform tasks on events, such as creating expert advice or defining new event classes

PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL

acknowledge, close, or delete an event

page 7-41

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Task

Where to Go

perform matching operations on events

page 7-43

create new view filters or change the persistent filter definition

page 7-26

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Acknowledging, Closing, or Deleting a Single Event Summary:

In this task, you will acknowledge, close, or delete an event. When you acknowledge an event, you imply that you accept the responsibility for taking action on it. When you close an event, you imply that the event has been examined and that the problem causing the event has been dealt with. When you delete an event, you imply that the event is no longer important enough to keep a record of it.

Before You Begin

Before working with PEM events, make sure •

You are connected to one or more hosts. For more information about connecting to hosts from your PATROL Console, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Understanding the Basics of PATROL.

•

You have a PEM window open. For a description of how to open a PEM window, see “Displaying Events for a Specific Host” on page 7-19.

To Acknowledge, Close, or Delete an Event Step 1

From a PEM window, select the event (the event is highlighted).

Step 2

Choose one of the following methods: • •

Right-click the event and select Acknowledge, Close, or Delete. Click the desired toolbar button, as found in Figure 7-14.

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Figure 7-14 Toolbar Buttons for Managing Events

Acknowledge Event

1

3 Close Event

(Mouse) Delete Event

The Status column entry is changed for the selected event, and the event is moved to the bottom of the list. Where to Go from Here

If you want to continue managing events, you can choose one of the following tasks. Task

Where to Go

perform tasks on events, such as creating expert advice or defining new event classes

PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL

make an entry in the event diary

page 7-38

perform matching operations on events

page 7-43

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Performing Matching Operations Summary:

In this task, you will simultaneously close, acknowledge, or delete all events listed in a PEM window that match the current filter criteria. These are called matching operations.

Before You Begin

Before you perform matching PEM operations, make sure •

You are connected to one or more hosts. For more information about connecting to hosts from your PATROL Console, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Understanding the Basics of PATROL.

•

You have a PEM window open. For a description of how to open a PEM window, see “Displaying Events for a Specific Host” on page 7-19.

To Perform a Matching Operation Step 1

Use the PEM window to select all the events on which you want to perform a matching operation. You can choose View => Show Persistent Filter. (Refer to “Filtered View of Events” on page 7-26 for more information about filtering events.) Note

Make sure that your filter does not include Response events. Matching operations do not work for Response events. Response events require individual attention. Step 2

From the following PEM window menu options, choose the matching operation you want to perform: • • •

Edit => Close Matching Events Edit => Acknowledge Matching Events Edit => Delete Matching Events

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A confirmation dialog box appears. Step 3

Do one of the following: •

To confirm that you wish to perform the matching operation, Click Yes.

•

To return to the PEM window without performing a matching operation, Click No.

Matching operations are executed on all events that match your current filter criteria. Where to Go from Here

If you want to continue managing events, you can perform these tasks: Task

Where to Go

perform tasks on events, such as creating expert advice or defining new event classes

PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Customizing PATROL

make an entry in the event diary

page 7-38

acknowledge, close, or delete an event

page 7-41

How to Generate Event Statistics You can display a statistics report at any time. You can generate reports for the following: • • •

all events in the event history repositories of all monitored computers events that appear in the current PEM window for a computer events by type that are stored in a host’s event history repository

The event statistics that are reported include •

the number of events

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— total in this window — total open, acknowledged, closed, and deleted — totals of each type (alarm, warning, state change, error, and information) •

time recorded for the earliest and the most recent event

•

smallest and greatest event notification ID

You can identify any recorded event by an event notification ID and the event time. The PATROL Agent assigns a unique numerical event ID to each event it records in the event history repository. The agent increments the event ID number by 1 for each new event. The difference between the smallest and largest ID numbers indicates how many events have been recorded.

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Displaying Statistics for Multiple PATROL Agents Summary:

In this task, you will display an Event Repository Statistics window for the PATROL Agent machines (hosts) to which your PATROL Console is connected. The report provides communications status information; summary information about alarms, warnings, escalation events, and error events; and information about state changes.

Before You Begin

You must be connected to one or more hosts. For more information about connecting to hosts from your PATROL Console, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Understanding the Basics of PATROL. To Display an Event Repository Statistics Window for Multiple Hosts Step 1

From the PATROL Console main window, choose Tools => Event Repository Statistics. The Event Repository Statistics window, similar to the one shown in Figure 7-15 on page 7-46, appears.

Step 2

Scroll the Event Repository Statistics window left and right to see all the summary information for each PATROL Agent that your console is connected to, or scroll up and down through the list of Agents. Figure 7-15 Event Repository Statistics Window

Scroll right to see the remaining event statistics. BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Step 3

To close the Event Repository Statistics window, click OK.

Information Item Descriptions

The Event Repository Statistics window displays the following information items for an event history repository: Table 7-8

Information Items in the Event Repository Statistics Window

Column

Description

PATROL Agent

the machine name and UDP port number of all the agents your PATROL Console is monitoring

Status

the PATROL Agent communications status: • OK means that statistics can be obtained • Not OK means that a report from the Agent cannot be generated, possibly because of communication errors

Last Update

the date and time the statistics for this host were last obtained

Total

the total number of events in this agent's event history repository

Open

the total number of events with a status of Open

Ack'd

the total number of events with a status of Acknowledged

Closed

the total number of events with a status of Closed

Escal'd

the total number of events with a status of Escalated

Deleted

the total number of events with a status of Deleted

Alarm

the number of events of type Alarm

Warning

the number of events of type Warning

Error

the number of events of type Error

State

the number of events of type State Change

Info

the number of events of type Information

Response

the number of events of type Response

Where to Go from Here

If you want to view event statistics for PATROL objects (such as applications and parameters), use the PATROL Operator or Developer Console to launch the PEM from the object’s shortcut menu. BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

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Displaying a PEM Window Statistics Report Summary:

In this task, you will display an Event Repository Statistics report for all the events listed in the PEM window that is currently open.

Before You Begin

Before you display the Event Repository Statistics, make sure •

You are connected to one or more hosts. For more information about connecting to hosts from your PATROL Console, refer to the PATROL for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Understanding the Basics of PATROL.

•

You have a PEM window open. For a description of how to open a PEM window for the host(s) of interest, see “Accessing the PEM Window” on page 7-14.

To Display a Current PEM Window Statistics Report Step 1

From the PEM window menu bar, choose Options => Window Statistics. The Window Statistics report appears. Figure 7-16 shows an example of this report.

Step 2

Click OK to close the Window Statistics report.

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Figure 7-16 PEM Window Statistics Report

displays the number of events categorized by Event Status displays the number of events categorized by Event Type displays the day, date, and time of creation of the oldest and newest events displayed in this PEM window displays the Event ID of the oldest and newest events displayed in this PEM window

Where to Go from Here

If you want to view event statistics for PATROL objects (such as applications and parameters), use the PATROL Operator or Developer Console to launch the PEM from the object’s shortcut menu.

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Closing the PEM Window Summary:

In this task you will close the PEM window.

» Choose File => Exit this window. The PEM window closes.

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Index

Index Symbols %CTRL_ALT_DEL NOW 4-14 %DUMP 4-13 %ECHO 4-13 %PSL 4-13 %PSLPS 4-13 %REFRESH_ALL_PARAMS 4-13 %REFRESH_APPL_DISC 4-14 %REFRESH_APPL_FILTER 4-13 %REFRESH_PARAMS 4-13 %REFRESH_PROC_CACHE 4-14 %RESET_ERRORS 4-14 %SET 4-14

A accessing Event Details dialog box 7-21 Event Diary 7-8, 7-22 Event Repository Statistics window 7-46 Filter Window dialog box 7-27 PEM window 7-14 Windows Statistics dialog box 7-12 acknowledging events 7-41 acknowledgment

event commands 1-11 adding Expert Advice 7-22 Agent Query capabilities of 1-12 examples 6-15 issuing 6-34 managing objects 6-51 to 6-65 overview 6-3, 6-3 to 6-13 process 6-13 results 6-6 to 6-13, 6-35 to 6-50 using 6-1 Agent Query window components 6-3 Button bar 6-7 menu bar 6-4 Query box 6-6 Query Box buttons 6-7 SELECT box 6-6 WHERE box 6-6 alarm Agent Query 6-59 to 6-61 parameter role in 2-3 resetting 6-61 snoozing 2-50, 6-59 Alarm event type 7-17 alarm icon state 1-3, 1-4 alarm state 1-5 alert 7-3

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Index

1

annotated data points 2-23 application discovery enabling automatic discovery 5-4 application instance alarm state 1-4 deactivated status 1-4 filtered status 1-4 icon state 1-3 to 1-4 offline state 1-4 OK state 1-4 refreshing parameters 2-51 states 1-3 warning state 1-4 applications Agent Query 6-20 enabling automatic discovery 5-3 managing objects 3-2 to 3-7 overriding discovery properties 2-53 to 2-54 running commands/tasks on 4-3 running menu items against 4-6 architecture, PEM 7-3 arguments and running of commands 4-4, 4-7 attributes, overriding of parameter 2-55

B Boolean parameters 1-5, 1-6 built-in commands available 4-13 in OS commands 4-9, 4-15 parameter recovery 1-8 PATROL Agent setup 1-10 running 4-15 state change actions 1-10 built-in macro variables parameter recovery 1-8 PATROL Agent setup 1-10 state change actions 1-10

to manage PATROL Agent 5-4

C cache, parameters 2-4 charting server See PATROL Console Charting Server charts annotated data points 2-23 axes properties 2-38 chart chart properties 2-39 to 2-41 creating 6-58 creating folder for 2-21 data history 2-26 data point coordinates 2-32 data series properties 2-45 to 2-46 data statistic displays 2-31 display options 2-28 files used 2-13 gridline properties 2-41 to 2-42 legend properties 2-43 to 2-45 main window 2-12 to 2-13 manipulating data using 2-20 to 2-28, 2-28 to 2-39 optional chart views 2-29 to 2-30 parameter types available 2-9 to 2-11 plotting data 2-27 removing parameters 2-24 rotating in 3-D 2-33 saving 2-22 tasks and menu commands 2-15 to 2-19 time period plots 2-27 title properties 2-42 zoom feature 2-34 children object relationship 3-1 classes computer/application 4-6 event 1-11 closing and exiting BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

2

PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

Agent Query 6-70 PEM 7-41, 7-42, 7-51 collector parameters 2-7 command dialog 4-7 to 4-12 accessing 4-7 commands argument prompting 4-7 arguments passed at run time 4-4 built-in 4-13 built-in, PSL 1-8, 1-10 checking PSL syntax 4-13 escalation 1-11 event class 1-11 events 1-11 methods of using 4-2 to 4-15 notification 1-11 output 4-16 PATROL Agent 1-11 PATROL Agent setup 1-8, 1-10 PATROL Console 1-8, 1-9 PATROL Script Language (PSL) 4-12 running 4-2 types 4-3 with built-in macro variables 4-7 writing with text editor 4-11 computer classes running menu items against 4-6 computer instances refreshing parameters 2-51 computers icon states 1-2 to 1-6 object management 3-1, 3-2 to 3-8 Quick Query 6-18 running commands/tasks on 4-3 running menu items against 4-6 select options with queries 6-37 connections, computers to agents 6-54 consumer parameters 2-7 containers adding objects 6-52

finding objects 6-56 opening 6-57

D data point coordinates 2-32 data statistic displays 2-31 date range for view filter 7-29 date range in view filter 7-29 deactivated status 1-4, 1-6 deleting events 7-41 deleting events 7-41 Desktop tree, parameter icon states 1-5 dialog boxes Event Details 7-21 event details 7-8, 7-21 to 7-25 Event Diary 7-38 Event Diary text editor 7-39 Filter Editor 7-9, 7-26 to 7-33 Filter Window 7-9 Search and Select 6-39 Window Statistics 7-12 Windows Statistics 7-12 Diary push button 7-8, 7-25, 7-38 discovery properties, overriding of application 2-53 to 2-54 display methods Agent Query 6-3 to 6-13, 6-35 annotated date points 2-23 Console Charting Server 2-12 to 2-13 multiple agent statistics 7-46 to 7-48 output from commands/tasks 4-16 parameter icon states 1-5 parameters 2-9 PEM 7-4 to 7-17, 7-18 to 7-26, 7-46 system output 4-4 table columns in queries 6-43 to 6-44 displaying

BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

Index

3

event information and details 7-18 to 7-26 event statistics for multiple hosts 7-46 events for a specific host 7-19 events for multiple hosts 7-14 Expert Advice 7-22 PEM window statistics report 7-49

E entry making in Event Diary 7-38 error messages 1-7 escalation commands 1-11 event ID in a Window Statistics report 7-50 ID in Event Details dialog 7-24 Event Catalog 7-25 event commands 1-11 Event Description 7-25 Event Details dialog box accessing 7-21 description 7-8 information items 7-23 working with 7-23 Event Diary accessing 7-8, 7-9, 7-22, 7-38 adding comments to 7-22 definition 7-25 making an entry 7-38 using 7-25, 7-38 to 7-39 Event Diary text editor dialog box 7-39 event filter persistent 7-26 view 7-27 event history repository 7-3 Event Repository Statistics menu bar for window 7-11 Event Repository Statistics report displaying 7-49

information items 7-50 Event Repository Statistics window 7-47 description 7-10 displaying 7-46 information items 7-47 events acknowledge 1-11 acknowledging 7-41 classes 7-24 close 1-11 closing 7-41 color coding in PEM 7-5 commands 1-11 definition 7-2 delete 1-11 deleting 7-41 details 7-21 displaying information 7-18 to 7-25 escalate 1-11 escalation 7-24 event details dialog box 7-8, 7-21 to 7-25 Event Diary 7-38 to 7-39 event messages 1-7 filters 7-26 generating statistics 7-44 to 7-49 handling 7-24 life expectancy 7-25 managing 7-16 with matching operations 7-16 node 7-24 origin 7-24 owner 7-24 PATROL Event Manager (PEM) event messages 1-7 severity 7-23 sorting 7-14, 7-34 to 7-36 status 1-11, 7-23, 7-50 summary statistics 7-12 time 7-24 BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

4

PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

time outstanding 7-23 types 7-23 viewing 7-17 viewing specific 7-17 Expert Advice 7-22

graphs. See also charts grouping of computers/applications/parameters 3-2

F

hidden applications 1-4 hiding queries 6-49 history icon states 1-6 parameters 2-5, 2-26, 2-47 to 2-49 History Loader 2-48 hosts. See computers 1-12

filter criteria for matching operations 7-43 Filter Window dialog box accessing 7-27 description 7-9 using 7-26 to 7-33 filter, application 1-4 filter, event 7-26 filter, persistent 7-32 filter, view 7-31 folders creating 3-4 graph 2-21 managing objects 3-4 to 3-8 folders, deleting 3-8

G gauge parameter 1-5 gauges, opening 6-57 generating event statistics for a PEM window 7-17 event statistics reports 7-44 graph parameter 1-5 graphs adding objects 6-52 annotated data points 2-23 creating folder for 2-21 opening 6-57 parameter types available 2-9, 2-10 to 2-11 time period plots 2-27

H

I icon state 1-3, 1-5 icons computer/application 1-2 to 1-6 parameter 2-6 InfoBoxes 1-7 instances icon states 1-4 refreshing parameters for 2-51, 2-52 inverting x- and y-axis 2-30

K KM. See PATROL KMs

L legend, chart 2-29 logarithmic y-axis 2-29

BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

Index

5

M macro variables, built-in parameter recovery 1-8 Make Persistent push button 7-28, 7-32 managing events with matching operations 7-16 matching operations, PEM 7-37 menu commands objects 4-5 PEM 7-6 role of 1-9 monitored objects 7-3

N new data status 1-3 no history status 1-6 notification commands 1-11

O objects adding to containers/graphs 6-52 and Agent Query 1-12, 6-36 to 6-42, 6-51 to 6-53 creating charts 6-58 finding object’s container 6-56 hierarchy management 3-1 to 3-8 icon states 1-2, 1-3, 1-5 menu commands 4-5 moving to a folder 3-6 queries 6-5 removing from a folder 3-7 offline state 1-4, 1-5 OK state 1-3, 1-4, 1-5 OS (operating system) commands 4-4, 4-6, 4-8

output messages pending 1-3 output, command/task 4-16 overriding parameters 2-55

P param.hist file 2-47 parameter 2-49 parameters Boolean 1-5, 1-6 charts and graphs for 2-9 to 2-46 deactivated status 1-6 history 2-47 to 2-48 history data 2-5 icon states 1-5 manipulating 2-49 object management 3-2 to 3-7 overriding 2-55 overriding discovery 2-53 overview 2-3 to 2-8 recovery action 1-8 viewing information on 2-8, 2-11 warning and alarm 1-8 parent 3-1 PATROL Agent commands 1-10 to 1-11 configuration file 2-4 events 1-7, 7-44 management 5-1 to 5-7 monitoring load 5-2 parameters role 2-3 prerequisites for tuning 5-2 setup commands 1-10 startup and shutdown command 1-11 state change actions 1-10 tasks to manage 5-3 tuning 5-1 work load parameters 5-2 work rate 5-2 PATROL Console BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

6

PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

and state change actions 1-10 error messages 1-7 startup and shutdown command 1-11 PATROL Console Charting Server chart axes properties 2-38 to 2-39 chart chart properties 2-39 to 2-41 chart data series properties 2-45 to 2-46 chart gridline properties 2-41 to 2-42 chart legend properties 2-43 to 2-45 chart title properties 2-42 files used 2-13 main window 2-12 to 2-13 manipulating data using 2-20 to 2-28, 2-28 to 2-37 tasks and menu commands 2-15 to 2-19 PATROL desktop 7-14 PATROL Event Manager (PEM) displaying information/details 7-18 to 7-25 filtering 7-26 to 7-33 generating statistics 7-44 to 7-50 graphical components 7-4 to 7-13 managing 7-36 to 7-44 operations and tasks 7-2 to 7-3 sorting 7-34 to 7-36 toolbar 7-7 PATROL KM tree and parameter icons 1-5 PATROL KMs and error messages 1-7 and PEM 7-18 and Service Reporting commands 1-9 event information 7-18 History Loader 2-48 menus 1-9 PATROL Script Language (PSL) parameters 1-8, 2-3 running 4-3, 4-7, 4-8, 4-12 PatrolMainMap 7-14

persistent filter, PEM description 7-26 setting 7-28 viewing 7-33 polling cycles parameters 2-3 property elements applications tab 6-21 computers tab 6-21 instances tab 6-23 parameters tab 6-23 PSL. See PATROL Script Language

Q queries deleting with Query Box buttons 6-31 erasing with Query Box buttons 6-32 exporting to text file 6-65 hiding 6-49 modifying 6-26 to 6-31 object management 6-51 to 6-64 reissuing 6-45 to 6-48 results 6-6 to 6-13, 6-50, 6-64 to 6-65 saving 6-61 to 6-64, 6-69 queries (Agent Query) capabilities of 1-12 creating 6-15 to 6-25 issuing 6-32 to 6-34 overview 6-3 to 6-13 process and examples 6-13 to 6-15 queries (Quick Query) using 6-18 to 6-19

R ranges alarm 2-3 recovery action, parameter 1-8

BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

Index

7

recovery actions parameter 1-8, 1-10 refreshing parameters for instances 2-51 to 2-52 reissue of queries 6-45 to 6-48

S saving charts and graphs 2-22 queries 6-61 to 6-64, 6-69 schedules, parameter 2-3 search and select dialog box 6-39 select by options, Agent Query 6-36 to 6-38 select rows in Query Results table 6-38 using Search and Select dialog box 6-39 SELECT statements 6-16 to 6-32 Service Reporting and PATROL KMs setting persistent filter 7-32 setup commands PATROL Agent 1-10 vs. startup and shutdown commands 1-11 shortcuts 3-9 to 3-11 shutdown commands PATROL Agent 1-11 snoozed parameter, icon state 1-6 snoozed status 1-6 sorting PEM 7-14, 7-34 to 7-36 query results 6-40 to 6-42 sorting events 7-14, 7-34 to 7-36 SQL statements 6-16 standard parameters 2-6, 2-7 startup commands, PATROL Agent 1-11 state change actions 1-10 state changes 7-3

information 7-46 statistics charts 2-31 generating for a PEM window 7-17 PEM 7-10 to 7-13, 7-44 to 7-50 summary event 7-12, 7-44 stoplight parameter 1-5, 1-6 suspended parameter, icon state 1-6 system knowledge module 5-2 System Output window 1-9, 4-4, 4-16

T tables, column displays in Agent Query 6-43 to 6-44 task commands 1-9 Task Output window 4-16 tasks methods of using 4-2 to 4-15 output 4-16 parameter shortcut menu 2-8 PATROL Agent management 5-3 to 5-7 PATROL Console Charting Server 2-15 to 2-19 role of 1-9 text editor and running commands 4-11 text parameter 1-5 thresholds for parameters 2-3 time range for view filter 7-29 title properties of charts 2-42 tuning of PATROL Agent 5-1 to 5-3

U updating parameters 2-3 user preferences 1-11 user-defined commands 4-3 BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

8

PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

V value history 2-49 view filter, PEM 7-26 to 7-31 void state 1-2

W warnings, icon states 1-3, 1-4, 1-5 WHERE statements 6-16 to 6-32 window displays Agent Query 6-3 to 6-13, 6-34, 6-63 to 6-65 parameter icon states 1-5 PATROL Console Charting Server 2-10 to 2-11 PEM 7-4 to 7-17, 7-46 to 7-50 System Output 4-4, 4-16 Window Statistics dialog box 7-12 window statistics reports, PEM 7-49 to 7-50 windows Event Repository Statistics 7-10 PatrolMainMap 7-14

BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

Index

9

BMC Software, Inc., Confidential and Proprietary Information

10

PATROL Console for Microsoft Windows User Guide—Monitoring and Managing with PATROL

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SW EULA Int 030102

Notes

 

  

  

  

 *17611*