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Gathering Verastream Host Integrator Server Statistics
Technical Note 40011
Last Reviewed 21-Jul-2006
Applies To
Verastream Host Integrator version 4.5 or higher
Summary
Technical Note 40011
Last Reviewed 21-Jul-2006
Applies To
Verastream Host Integrator version 4.5 or higher
Summary
This technical note discusses how to use SNMP to gather Verastream server usage statistical data.
About Server Statistics
Server usage statistics can be used to obtain information about your Verastream Host Integrator (VHI) system's performance, usage patterns, peak loading, or the tuning effectiveness of related hardware and software.
Methods for Gathering Statistics
VHI provides two methods for gathering VHI server statistics: Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and VHI server logging. The preferred method is SNMP.
For information about using VHI server logging to gather VHI server usage statistical data, see Technical Note 40032.
About SNMP
Host Integrator Servers can be configured to use SNMP to distribute status information. The SNMP system uses a Network Management Station (NMS) of your choice to gather information about agents on your network. There are many SNMP managers available ranging from freeware downloads to more sophisticated systems for purchase.
VHI acts as an SNMP agent (client). The NMS gathers information from agents using a Management Information Base (MIB), which specifies the structure and format of the information that is passed between the NMS and an agent. This information is transferred to the NMS when a specific trap event occurs, or when the NMS issues a query for the information. The NMS can use this information to track the general health of a Host Integrator Server, and chart and graph performance trends over time.
There are two key benefits of using SNMP over VHI server logging. Some statistics, such as the average operation time or peak session counts, can not be obtained using VHI server logging, and the VHI SNMP monitor has a minimal impact on the server's performance and resources.
For further details about VHI and SNMP, search for SNMP in the VHI Administrative WebStation help.
Obtaining Statistics Using SNMP
SNMP contains two parts:
- A server manager that can be run from any machine.
- The client MIB, which is built into the VHI server installation.
In VHI, SNMP is disabled by default. To activate it, follow the steps below.
- Start the VHI Administrative WebStation.
- On the top navigation bar, click Config.Mode.
- On the left navigation bar, click Servers, select the server you wish to monitor, and then click Server Configuration > SNMP Configuration > SNMP Properties.
- Select Enable SNMP, configure the options on this panel, and then click Save.
- On the left navigation bar, select Log Messages > Info/Warning Messages.
From the list of VHI info/warning messages, enable the messages you wish to collect. For example, if you wish to track the number of sessions active over a specified period, enable Log Message ID's 3 and 7.
If you will be running queries against this data, set the messages to Monitor in SNMP MIB. If you want the server to automatically send a trap to the manager, set the messages to Send SNMP Trap and monitor in SNMP MIB.
- In the field, Seconds between duplicate traps, enter 0.
- Click Save.
To configure the SNMP server manager to interact with the VHI SNMP MIB, follow the steps below.
- Copy the file vhi.mib from <install directory>/VHI/lib/java/vhi.mib to your SNMP manager's root directory.
- Open the SNMP manager and select Add a MIB.
- Select the VHI MIB from the list.
- Save and compile the VHI MIB.
- Drag the compiled VHI MIB into the selected variables window and remove the messages you do not wish to see in the report.
For example, to get a report on the number of sessions in a given time period, remove all VHI variables except maximum sessions allocated, total client connections, start time, and trap count. You can save this information to review at a later time. By trying combinations of these reports over a period of time, you can generate a good picture of the VHI server activity.
Note: See Help in the VHI Server Reference Guide for further details on the setup and use of SNMP.
