Getting Started with SPECTRUM for Operators

Transcription

1 Getting Started with SPECTRUM Titlepae Document 1763 SPECTRUM Operation

2 Copyright Notice Document Copyright 2001-present, Aprisma Management Technologies, Inc., 273 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH USA. All rights reserved worldwide. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the United States government is subject to the restrictions set forth in DFARS (c)(1)(ii) and FAR Liability Disclaimer Aprisma Management Technologies, Inc. ( Aprisma ) reserves the right to make changes in specifications and other information contained in this document without prior notice. In all cases, the reader should contact Aprisma to inquire if any changes have been made. The hardware, firmware, or software described in this manual is subject to change without notice. IN NO EVENT SHALL APRISMA, ITS EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AGENTS, OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS MANUAL OR THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN IT, EVEN IF APRISMA HAS BEEN ADVISED OF, HAS KNOWN, OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN, THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Trademark, Service Mark, and Logo Information SPECTRUM, IMT, and the SPECTRUM IMT/VNM logo are registered trademarks of Aprisma Management Technologies, Inc., or its affiliates. APRISMA, APRISMA MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES, the APRISMA MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES logo, MANAGE WHAT MATTERS, DCM, VNM, SpectroGRAPH, SpectroSERVER, Inductive Modeling Technology, Device Communications Manager, SPECTRUM Security Manager, and Virtual Network Machine are unregistered trademarks of Aprisma Management Technologies, Inc., or its affiliates. For a complete list of Aprisma trademarks, service marks, and trade names, go to All referenced trademarks, service marks, and trade names identified in this document, whether registered or unregistered, are the intellectual property of their respective owners. No rights are granted by Aprisma Management Technologies, Inc., to use such marks, whether by implication, estoppel, or otherwise. If you have comments or concerns about trademark or copyright references, please send an to spectrum-docs@aprisma.com; we will do our best to help. Restricted Rights Notice (Applicable to licenses to the United States government only.) This software and/or user documentation is/are provided with RESTRICTED AND LIMITED RIGHTS. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the government is subject to restrictions as set forth in FAR (June 1987) Alternate III (g)(3) (June 1987), FAR (June 1987), or DFARS (c)(1)(ii) (June 1988), and/or in similar or successor clauses in the FAR or DFARS, or in the DOD or NASA FAR Supplement, as applicable. Contractor/manufacturer is Aprisma Management Technologies, Inc., 273 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH In the event the government seeks to obtain the software pursuant to standard commercial practice, this software agreement, instead of the noted regulatory clauses, shall control the terms of the government's license. Virus Disclaimer Aprisma makes no representations or warranties to the effect that the licensed software is virus-free. Aprisma has tested its software with current virus-checking technologies. However, because no anti-virus system is 100 percent effective, we strongly recommend that you write-protect the licensed software and verify (with an anti-virus system in which you have confidence) that the licensed software, prior to installation, is virus-free. Contact Information Aprisma Management Technologies, Inc. 273 Corporate Drive Portsmouth, NH Phone: U.S. toll-free: Web site: SPECTRUM Operation Page 1 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

3 WELCOME TO SPECTRUM!...3 WHAT IS SPECTRUM?...4 ICONS...5 LIVE PIPES...7 SPECTRUM S TOPOLOGY VIEWS...8 NAVIGATING IN SPECTRUM...9 WORKING WITH SPECTRUM WINDOWS...10 NAVIGATING WITH MENU SELECTIONS...11 SPECTRUM S ALARM MANAGER...12 SUMMARY: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THE NETWORK I M MONITORING? 13 SPECTRUM S OTHER VIEWS...14 WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?...14 Contents SPECTRUM Enterprise Manager Page 2 Getting Started with SPECTRUM for

4 Welcome to SPECTRUM! This guide is an introduction to SPECTRUM s basic features and how to use them most effectively. It is designed for end-users responsible for basic network monitoring and maintenance. In the following pages, you will learn: How SPECTRUM maps and displays information about your network How to read and interpret the most important SPECTRUM views How to navigate through SPECTRUM views How to interpret alarm information and utilize the features in the Alarm Manager Where to turn for more information on SPECTRUM SpectroGRAPH: Topology: Universe Sugar This guide is designed for beginning operators responsible for monitoring a network through SPECTRUM. For more detailed information on configuring, trouble-shooting, or managing the network, refer to the list of sources on page 15 of this guide. The SPECTRUM view to the right is typical of the way SPECTRUM maps elements of your network. The following sections describe how SPECTRUM constructs the views that represent your network. Model Type Universe of type Universe of Landscape sugar: Primary SPECTRUM Operation Page 3 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

5 What is SPECTRUM? SPECTRUM is advanced network management software that provides a reliable way to monitor the status of devices on a network. SPECTRUM isolates the exact point of failure when problems occur and makes it possible for network difficulties to be resolved quickly. SPECTRUM is a client/server system made up of two different computer programs: SpectroSERVER and SpectroGRAPH. SpectroSERVER, which stores and updates the network and device models, is the server, and SpectroGRAPH, which displays the information on a SPECTRUM screen through the Graphical User Interface (GUI), is the client. The network-mapping process in SPECTRUM begins with a database containing descriptions of each device on the network. The data consists of detailed information on the device, such as what type of device it is, how many ports it has, and at what speed the ports are set. The database also keeps track of the interconnection status between devices on the network. SPECTRUM continually polls each network device through SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) to ensure that each is operating normally. The polling consists of IP (Internet Protocol) packets sent out to devices at specified intervals, and each device answers the poll. SPECTRUM s built-in intelligence then allows it to represent each network device as a dynamic model, or device icon, as shown in Figure 1 below. The icons are color-coded to indicate their operational status. Information on connected device models is then combined and represented in a higher level view with a network icon, as shown in Figure 2 below. Network models can then be combined and represented by higher-level network icons or s, and so on up through the network s hierarchy. Figure Model Type SNMP Models from the database containing device information are represented by Model Type device icons SNMP_1 that can be combined and represented on a higher-level view by a network icon, which displays important network information. Figure Model Type a higher-level network icon Landscape Device and network icons can be combined and represented by or a landscape icon. SPECTRUM Operation Page 4 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

6 Icons There are two basic types of icon representation: physical and logical. Physical, or device, icons are silver and represent devices which make up the network s hardware: routers, hubs, bridges, etc. Logical, or network, icons are orange and represent collections of connected devices, such as a particular site, building, floor, or any other specified group of connected devices. SPECTRUM s icons display the type of device each represents and the model name. The icons also convey performance information to network operators through two color-coded zones: the contact status label, which indicates the level of communication SpectroSERVER has with the device, and the roll-up label, which indicates the status of devices contained within the model represented by that icon. Additional information and views can be accessed from the icon through its doubleclick zones. For more information on icon double-click zones, refer to page 15 for a list of sources. Graphical symbols represent the primary function of modeled device (bridge, router, hub, Lan, landscape, etc.). Contact status labels change color to indicate alarm condition. Roll-up labels on icons are color-coded to indicate roll-up condition status of devices contained within the model represented by the icon. Access arrow provides double-click access to increasingly more detailed views of device, network, or landscape _802_ of type _802_3 Network Icon Dynamic Icon Label identifies the model type and appears when you hold the pointer over the icon without clicking. Model Type Device Icon Upper text labels display the model name. In some very large networks, SPECTRUM functions more efficiently if it adds another type of model called a Landscape. Landscapes represent other SpectroSERVERs stored in, maintained, and monitored from other computers. The other SpectroSERVERs contain models of other networks and are represented by landscape icons. This system is called Distributed Management because the network represented by each landscape can be managed and maintained separately from all others. SPECTRUM icons provide access to many more levels of views containing information on networks and devices. For more information on accessing and understanding these views, refer to the list of sources on page 15 of this guide. Lower text labels display the model type. Numbered color-coded labels on a landscape icon indicate the numbers of red, orange, and yellow alarms on that landscape Landscape Landscape Icon Icon Color-Coding Colors indicate device, connection, and roll-up alarm conditions according to levels of severity: Blue - INITIAL: no contact established Green - GOOD: operation and connection are normal Yellow - MINOR: indicates a problem that is not serious Orange - MAJOR: indicates a serious problem Gray - MAJOR: indicates a serious problem that is elsewhere on the network Red - CRITICAL: contact lost or connection down NOTE: Color-coded labels and roll-ups are often accompanied by audible alarms set up by a network administrator. For more information on audible alarms, refer to the list of sources on page 15 of this guide. SPECTRUM Operation Page 5 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

7 Icons contain labels that provide graphical representations of the type of model each icon represents... Types of Device Representations Types of Network Representations Bridge Bridge FDDI Hub PC Hub PC Networks (Ethernet) WS Workstation IPClassB Landscape Networks (Token Ring) SPECTRUM also displays off-page reference icons which represent connected models at the next level up... Landscape SPECTRUM represents your host, or machine, with a virtual network machine icon like this one... tutor #1 Sugar Off-page Reference Icons Hub VNM VNM VNM (Virtual Network Machine) SPECTRUM Operation Page 6 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

8 Live Pipes SPECTRUM displays the connection status between devices on a network by showing logical links, or pipes, between device and network icons. The pipes change color to indicate the status of the connection. The pipe colors represent the following connection conditions, listed in order of increasing severity: Blue - connection is still in the initial stage. Green - connection status is good. Brown - connected device is disabled or has an unknown status. Gray - connected device or devices are unreachable. Orange - connected devices are in bad or disabled condition. Red - contact has been lost with one of the connected devices. Pipes can represent up to twenty port connections. The color of the pipe represents the most serious status of those connections. For more detailed information on a connection, double-click on the pipe to see the Link Information View. If more than one connection exists, there will be an intermediate dialog box that allows you to choose the connection you want to view. For more information on Link Information Views, refer to the list of sources on page 15 of this guide. Cisco Double-click Universe_5 SpectroGRAPH: Link Information Green pipe - normal connection Orange pipe - disabled connection File Universe_5 Cisco Red pipe - lost connection Gray pipe - unreachable or unknown connection status Brown pipe - disabled or unknown connection status Network A CSIRptr Repeating Port 1.26 Cisco Network A Port 2.2 Link Information View appears, containing important connection information. GenRptrR4Port GenRptrR4Port Cisco SPECTRUM Operation Page 7 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

9 SpectroGRAPH: Topology: Universe Landscape 7 Universe View showing a landscape and an IPClassB Network SPECTRUM s Topology Views SPECTRUM displays all of the device icons and connections that have been discussed so far within a layered structure of views called Topology Views. The highest level Topology View, called the Universe View, shows the most general groupings of SPECTRUM network and landscape icons. By navigating down into the topological map of the network, you can see increasingly more specific views of the networks and devices that make up the general groupings shown in the Universe View. SpectroGRAPH: Topology: Universe _1 _2 IPClassB _802_3 _802_3 IPClassB Primary Landscape 0x VNM sugar - Universe Help Inside the, with 802_3 networks and routers Inside the IPClassB Network, with a Discrete Primary Landscape 0x VNM - Sugar #1 Hub Help Inside an with a hub and several nodes WS PC PC Primary Landscape 0x VNM tutor of type IP_Class Primary Landscape 0x VNM tutor of type IP_Class SPECTRUM Operation Page 8 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

10 Navigating In SPECTRUM All SPECTRUM icons are made up of individual zones that provide access to other views when you double-click on them with the mouse pointer. Network and landscape icons have double-click zones that allow you to open the views containing the networks and devices that make up the network or landscape. Those icons, in turn, provide double-click access to more detailed views of their components, as do those icons, and so on. By repeatedly navigating into increasingly more detailed views, you can open many views on your screen. However, an excessive number of open views can drastically slow down the computer system, so it is recommended that you keep open only those views which are essential for monitoring the network. To Open a Network or Landscape View: position the pointer on the access arrow on the left of the icon double-click the left mouse button Double-click SpectroGRAPH: Topology: Universe Landscape Wait a few seconds for the new screen to appear Primary Landscape 0x VNM tutor of type IP_Class SPECTRUM Operation Page 9 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

11 Working with SPECTRUM Windows Even just one view can take up a lot of space on your screen, so SPECTRUM has a feature that allows you to shrink, or minimize, views, and then to restore them to normal size as needed. To minimize a SPECTRUM view: click the smaller square on the window s title bar with the left mouse button. File SpectroGRAPH: Topology: Universe View Tools Bookmarks click Help Universe SpectroGRAPH: Topology: Universe click _1 _802_3 To restore a SPECTRUM view: depending on the type of workstation you have, click or double-click on the minimized icon with the left mouse button. The view is restored to normal size. The view disappears and a small icon representing the view appears somewhere along the edge of your screen. _2 _802_3 Primary Landscape 0x VNM tutor of type IP_Cla Universe SpectroGRAPH: Topology: Universe File View Tools Bookmarks Help Minimizing and restoring views allows you to have instant access to important views without cluttering your screen or draining the system with lots of open views. It is recommended, though, that you do not minimize all the views you open, as even minimized views use valuable system resources. Close any view you are not using. double-click To close a SPECTRUM view: double-click on the left-hand square of the window s title bar with the left mouse button. SPECTRUM Operation Page 10 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

12 Navigating with Menu Selections In addition to the click and double-click functionality available for navigating through SPECTRUM views, there are also menu selections to help you choose precisely where you would like to go. Using the menu selections on the title bar of your SPECTRUM view, you can navigate up to the next highest level view, down to the next lowest, or go immediately back to the previous view. Menu selections also provide access to other views necessary for network monitoring, such as the Alarm Manager, which is discussed in the following section. For information on additional SPECTRUM views that can provide you with more in-depth monitoring capability, refer to the list of sources on page 15 of this guide. The following illustrations show how to navigate using SPECTRUM menus. To return to the previous view: Go Back Go Up Icon Subviews New View View History Current View Info... Notes... Jump by name... Close Window Navigate Model Alarms Performance Notes... Events Navigate In Navigate Up Click on the View selection in the title bar with your left mouse button. Select Go Back from the menu. Go Back Go Up To navigate into or up from Green the Enabled current view on your screen: Information Click on the View selection Attribute in Walk the title bar with your left mouse button. Select Icon Subviews ->Navigate, and then your selection. A list of selections will appear depending upon which view you are in and what devices are modeled. To navigate in or up, simply click on the appropriate selection. To navigate up to the next level in the topological hierarchy: Go Back Go Up Icon Subviews Topological Click on the View selection in the title bar with your left mouse button. Select Go Up ->Topological from the menu. SPECTRUM Operation Page 11 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

13 SPECTRUM s Alarm Manager SPECTRUM s primary purpose is to provide network management staff with the quickest possible way to isolate and resolve problem areas on the network. SpectroGRAPH s color-coded icons and audible alarms are the first indication of problems. But SPECTRUM also tells you what the problem is, precisely where it is occurring, probable causes of the problem, and suggestions for resolution. SPECTRUM displays alarm information in the Alarm Manager. The Alarm Manager is updated automatically to show new alarms and changes in alarm status.* It lists all of the current alarms contained within the landscape from which you opened the Alarm Manager, including all of the information from the levels below your current view. Since keeping track of alarms is essential to monitoring a network, you will probably want to keep the Alarm Manager open and minimized on your screen when you are not looking at it. The minimized Alarm Manager can sound an alarm and open the Alarm Manager window automatically if your administrator has set up those options. The Alarm Manager consists of three main fields. The Alarm Information Panel displays information particular to each device listed in the Alarm List. To select the device for which you wish to see specific alarm information, double-click on any column entry for that device in the Alarm List. The Alarm Information Panel also displays probable cause information for the device as well as recommended actions. The recommended actions you take, however, will depend upon the discretion of your administrator. The Alarm List includes all devices on the landscape. The Alarm Count Panel displays the total number of alarms on the landscape according to levels of severity. To exit the Alarm Manager, double-click on the button in the top left of the window or select File -> Exit from the menu bar. Alarms To open the Alarm Manager: Click on the View selection in the title bar with your left mouse button. Select Icon Subviews -> Alarms from the menu. The Alarm Manager will appear on your screen. Alarm Information Panel Enterprise Alarm Manager: Main File View Model Alarms Troubleshooter Options Help ar1 SN GnSNMPDev set- sta- Alarm Status System History Trouble Ticket ID Probable Cause Events Location Thu 31 Oct, :51:18 - Alarm number has been updated for device ar1 of type GnSNMPDev. New Assignment - Mr. Fix-it. (event [ ] Thu 31 Oct, :24:08 - Alarm number 139 generated i?? Device Notes File View Tools Bookmarks Help Severity Date/Time Network Address Vendor Name Model Class Model Type Critical 08:53:11 Wed 16 Oct RptrPort Network C_1.1 Unknown node Host_Sun P Go Back Go Up Icon Subviews New View View History Current View Information Notes... Close Window Navigate Model Alarms Alarm List Critical 08:56:23 Wed 16 Oct RptrPort Network B_1.1 Aprisma node VNM Critical 08:59:42 Wed 16 Oct RptrPort Network B_1.1 SUN MICRO... node Host_Sun Critical 08:59:42 Wed 16 Oct RptrPort Network B_1.1 SUN MICRO... node Host_Sun Major 13:06:31 Wed 16 Oct GnSNMPDev ar1 APRISMA node VNM Minor 11:53:00 Wed 16 Oct GnSNMPDev ar1 COMPAQ node Host_Comp.. Minor 13:06:31 Wed 16 Oct GnSNMPDev ar1 Unknown node Host_Sun Minor 14:22:34 Wed 16 Oct GnSNMPDev ar1 Unknown node Host_Sun Minor 08:53:11 Wed 16 Oct 3COM CORP.. node Host_NT Minor 08:53:11 Wed 16 Oct 3COM CORP.. node Host_NT Minor 08:53:11 Wed 16 Oct World World Unknown node Host_Sun Minor 14:26:45 Thur 17 Oct RMONCreate RMONCreate Aprisma node VNM *For SPECTRUM users in a distributed environment, the Enterprise Alarm Manager works the same as the Alarm Manager, but shows alarms for all landscapes. For more information on the Enterprise Alarm Manager, refer to page 15 of this guide for sources. Alarm Count Panel Search Shown PREV NEXT Filtered by: Condition, Model, Secondary Alarms DiSPLAyed 12 of 12 Critical: Major 1 Minor 7 Total 12 Displays the CONDITION of the alarm Servers SPECTRUM Operation Page 12 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

14 Summary: What Happens When There is a Problem on the Network I m Monitoring? When there is a problem on your network, SPECTRUM does several things to alert you and enable you to isolate and identify the problem. As shown in Figure 1, SPECTRUM icons become color-coded immediately to indicate the type and severity of the alarm. Figure 2 shows that there will also be an audible alarm if your administrator has enabled this option. In Figure 3, the alarm change and detailed information automatically appear in the Alarm Manager. From this point on, your responsibilities will depend on the instructions you receive from your administrator. When a problem arises... Figure 1. Color-coded label on the icon reflects a change in alarm status Figure 2. Audible alarm sounds (if enabled) set- sta- OR Severity Date/Time Network Address Vendor Name Model Class Model Type Critical 08:53:11 Wed 16 Oct RptrPort Network C_1.1 Unknown node Host_Sun Critical 08:56:23 Wed 16 Oct RptrPort Network B_1.1 Aprisma node VNM Critical 08:59:42 Wed 16 Oct RptrPort Network B_1.1 SUN MICRO... node Host_Sun P Color-coded roll-up label changes color to reflect a problem with a device contained within the model represented by the icon Critical 08:59:42 Wed 16 Oct RptrPort Network B_1.1 SUN MICRO... node Host_Sun Major 13:06:31 Wed 16 Oct GnSNMPDev ar1 APRISMA node VNM Minor 11:53:00 Wed 16 Oct GnSNMPDev ar1 COMPAQ node Host_Comp.. ar1 Unknown node Host_Sun ar1 Unknown node Host_Sun Figure 3. Changes in alarm status and relevant information are displayed in the Alarm Manager SPECTRUM Operation Page 13 Getting Started with SPECTRUM

15 SPECTRUM s Other Views The Topology Views we have covered so far represent the network according to its logical connections. But SPECTRUM can also display the network using two other presentations: Location, which simulates the geographical and physical location of devices; and Organization, which simulates the corporate structure that owns or manages each group of devices. Though the Topology hierarchy is the one most commonly used, your administrator may elect to map the network according to either of these other two, or all three, hierarchies. These Location and Org Views are much more customizable than that of the Topology Views, so that the Location Views at one site or organization may look totally different from those somewhere else, and the same applies for the Org Views. The same general principles for navigation and for monitoring and interpreting alarms still apply, however, and your administrator should be able to provide any other necessary information. For more detailed information on Location and Organization Views, refer to the last section in this guide for sources. Where Do I Go From Here? This guide has provided an overview of the most basic SPECTRUM functionality and views you will probably encounter in your job. Depending on the needs of your administrator, you may also be required to access and use some of SPECTRUM s more advanced features. The SPECTRUM Operator s Manuals are designed for operators and contain detailed information about these features. If you wish to locate more in-depth information on any of the material covered in this guide or to learn more about all the features available for network operators, the following SPECTRUM documents are also recommended. SPECTRUM documents are all available on-line from the Help? menu. Use these documents to expand on the information provided in this guide. Title Description SPECTRUM Installation Guide A step-by-step procedure for installing the current version of SPECTRUM. This manual is intended for network administrators and developers. SPECTRUM Getting Started for Administrators A guide to familiarize administrators with SPECTRUM s basic functionality. How to Manage Your Network with SPECTRUM A guide to what to do with SPECTRUM once you have installed it and performed an AutoDiscovery of your network. It includes how to customize your network model to look like and do what you want, how to use security features, and how to monitor and isolate faults. SPECTRUM Operator s Manuals How to guides for using the views, menus, and utilities available in SPECTRUM. These manuals are intended for all SPECTRUM users. SPECTRUM Administrator s Manuals These documents provide the information necessary to use SPECTRUM to create and maintain a model of your network and administer user access to that model. Device-Specific Management Module Guides These guides detail the features, functions, and views unique to individual management modules. Network technicians and administrators will find these guides essential when working with specific management modules. SPECTRUM Report Generator User s Guide This guide provides an overview and detailed instructions for generating reports on statistics, relations, alarms, events, and inventory. SPECTRUM Operation Page 14 Getting Started with SPECTRUM