| Managing Multiple Server
Deployments
Once you have deployed your rack of servers, how will
you manage them? Using GlobalVision™ SNMP Remote
Management, Cubix offers a "lights out" management
option.
- Stay abreast of system environmentals such
as power supplies, chassis temperature, status of the fans,
and processor power.
- Individual processors can even be powered
up or down remotely – without interfering with the
operation of the other servers in the chassis.
- The GlobalVision console communicates with
the IES (Intelligent Environmental Supervisor) board
integrated into each Density chassis via an
"out-of-band" management network. This keeps you
in control even if the network should fail.
- A single console can support as many as 248
Cubix servers.
- GlobalVision can be deployed via a WAN/LAN
or Web connection, can be integrated into enterprise
management systems, and using third-party applications, can
send pager or email alerts.
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| GlobalVision provides an integrated view of Cubix servers
with a hierarchical graphical presentation of the information for easy, at-a-glance
viewing. |
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Whether for dialup, email, fax, Internet, telephony or any
other service, managing network servers is critical. Cubix server platforms are easily
and securely managed at the chassis, across the LAN or WAN, through a dialup connection, or via the
Internet. GlobalVision provides 32-bit client support using IP and IPX protocols in Novell
and Microsoft network environments.
Administrators can securely access a GlobalVision management console
via a Web browser over an Internet connection. GlobalVision also uses scripting to notify
administrators of system alarms via third-party email and paging software.
Only consoles that have been given permission
to access the local GlobalVision console can monitor and manage the Cubix
equipment at a particular site.
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Manage
from a Single Console
A "Cubix enterprise" can be comprised of hundreds
of Cubix servers, and a single Cubix single-board computer configured as a
"supervisor" can support as many as 200 servers in 25 Cubix systems. Multiple
supervisors can be combined and managed from a single authorized console running on Windows NT®.
Because GlobalVision uses standard Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), it can also
be integrated with your enterprise management application.
With Cubix systems' ability to manage a suite of servers
through a single entry point, checking the status of Cubix servers requires just a few
mouse clicks.
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Administrator in City "A" can
manage and control Cubix systems in all three cities across the WAN. Authorized
administrators in all three cities can monitor Cubix systems via the Internet.
*Web server and firewall can be run on a
Cubix system.
**At least one local GlobalVision console must be configured on each LAN. |
Multiple
Site Management
Multiple sites may view and manage Cubix systems across the
WAN. An administrator can also be authorized to "link" to a GlobalVision session on a secure area
of his intranet to monitor Cubix servers, reset locked processors, and perform other
management tasks.
Administrators can power down and power up not just the
server but also its related adapters and drives. This is helpful in a variety of
situations, such as when a modem locks up.
Cubix's GlobalVision monitors and displays processor
information, including session logging, serial and parallel port information, processor
type, and memory.
Secure Access
With IP filtering, a remote console can
access GlobalVision and manage Cubix servers and Density enclosures only
where the network administrator has enabled that access.
Once the network
administrator has installed the new console, enabling IP filtering simple.
To enable IP filtering, use the following step-by-step procedure:
- Select Network
and Packet Filtering from the GlobalVision pull-down menu.
- As instructed, close
and open GlobalVision.
- Select Network
and Trusted Consoles, which brings up the Trusted
GlobalVision Consoles dialog box.
- Click on the IP button
(IPX is also supported), which brings up the Add Trusted IP Consoles
dialog box.
- Select the Single
button for a specific IP address or the Range button for the
beginning and ending IP addresses in a range. IPX allows only
a single address.
- Enter the single IP address or beginning and
ending IP addresses of the range.
- Click OK.
The remote GlobalVision
console can now monitor and manage the Cubix servers and Density
enclosures. This assures the network administrator that only
those Windows NT or Windows 2000 user accounts authorized through Microsoft
or Novell network security can access Cubix servers using the
GlobalVision console.
With GlobalVision, network
administrators have a variety of options for rebooting selected processors, including:
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Schedule selected processor(s) for shutdown
and optional reboot |
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Schedule selected processor(s) for periodic
automatic reset |
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Enable automatic reset on selected
processor(s) for failure to respond to polling |
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Force selected processor to shut down
or power up |
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Force a reset on selected processor |
GlobalVision generates real-time alarms for conditions such
as a failed fan or power supply, high chassis temperature, or a locked processor. Messages
on the authorized network administrator's console provide alarm notification. With the addition of
third-party paging and email applications, administrators can receive immediate
notification even when they are away from the console. GlobalVision provides standard SNMP
support with MIBs (management instrument bases) that are compliant with SNMP-instrumented
management applications. GlobalVision also supports historic logging of SNMP traps in an
open database connectivity (ODBC) compliant database.
Equipment can be grouped physically (e.g., all
Cubix servers in one chassis) or logically (e.g., all Cubix servers used for
remote-control processing). Domain reporting options allow information to be collected on
Cubix's out-of-band network and reported only as required or when requested. This
out-of-band feature greatly reduces LAN/WAN traffic compared to other management
applications.
Graceful Shutdown of NT Services
Administrators can gracefully shut down Windows NT® and
Windows 95® services either locally or remotely. When a server is selected for shutdown,
a message to logged-in users warns them so they can save their work and log off before
service is suspended. Graceful shutdown can also be scheduled ahead of time, with the
warning being broadcast a few minutes before the actual shutdown.
This feature is particularly useful in a Citrix WinFrame®
or Microsoft® Windows NT® Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition, environment. These
servers should be periodically reset to "refresh" NT applications.
Administrators can schedule resets for times when usage will be light and/or stagger
shutdown and reboot times across load-balanced servers to minimize the effect on users.
Manage Even When the Network Is Down
Cubix uses an out-of-band network to monitor systems and
send management commands (local or dial-in only). Only alarms and SNMP reporting is done via the LAN; therefore,
GlobalVision does not burden the LAN or WAN with continuous management traffic from
systems that are operating perfectly. Further, if the LAN fails (e.g., the file
server abends), GlobalVision is still functioning with key features such as environmental
monitoring and server reset. You can even hard reset the downed file server
(powering down a server will not restore the LAN) or power it
down to restore the network!
Pager,
Email, Remote-Control and Web Browser Support
GlobalVision includes application program interfaces (APIs)
that allow administrators to specify alarms and other conditions for which they want to be
notified via pager or email. Many popular pager and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
email applications may be used.
Control Front Panel Switching From
Anywhere
GlobalVision 2.5 remote console provides
an operating display of the front panel on the Density and ERS/FT II
chassis.
With the addition of a popular third-party remote-control
application, such as Danware NetOp® (which is available from Cubix), GlobalVision allows administrators to view and
control sessions on any processor. This feature can be helpful for troubleshooting and
help-desk tasks. Remote control and graceful NT shutdown are not supported by
GlobalVision Web Interface.
Authorized administrators can monitor Cubix servers from
anywhere in the world using Netscape® Navigator® (version 3.x or later) or Microsoft®
Internet Explorer® (version 3.x or later). Activating a link from a secure area of the
user's intranet site launches a GlobalVision session. GlobalVision Web
interface is supported by Microsoft IIS at present.
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