Enhancing the HP e3000 User Interface

Appendix F: Windows Applications
Bradmark’s Command Center
The use of multiple systems has increased the complexity of managing a computer environment.
Operating just a single system requires a number of tasks that take time and effort to
accomplish. The HP e3000 MPE/iX operating system remains a command-line driven
environment, which challenges the efficiency and effectiveness of system managers. The
character-based interface remains on par with the DOS interface for PCs where many tasks can
be performed, but not with the ease and simplicity to which today’s Windows GUI users are
accustomed.
System management faces a daunting task when it comes to working in this character-based
environment. It is often necessary to launch multiple applications to resolve system status and
issues. Only within a Windows environment can this task be accomplished from a single
console.
Logging onto and off of systems is a time consuming task for system managers. Single
passwords for all systems leave the entire network vulnerable while unique passwords for every
system slows the management down and invites vulnerability when passwords are kept on
cheat sheets and left open to prying eyes.
Even the task of determining system health is tedious, requiring that applications be
independently run, then reviewed. Without a single monitoring capability, system operators
must check each system and application to ensure proper operation, losing time reviewing
healthy systems rather than responding to systems in distress.
With Bradmark’s Command Center, HP e3000 users can now manage, from a single-console
Windows environment, the tasks system management faces when working in the character-
based HP e3000 MPE/iX operating environment. By mapping all systems into the Command
Center, each system can be completely managed from a single location, which need not be
adjacent to the system. Console messages, system health, command windows and more are
available from a singe workstation.
The Server Agent sends console messages to the Command Center for full review by the system
operator. No time is wasted returning to the physical system console to review and reply to
messages. This is accomplished without the need to redirect the console from the terminal.
Command Center allows the system operator to view message priority in different colors by
specifying message filters. As a result, system operators can quickly view and respond to
messages that require immediate attention. In addition, the Command Center has the ability to
monitor multiple servers at the same time.
Launching applications from the Command Center requires only a few simple clicks.
Applications are configured on a per platform basis, providing quick and direct access to the
tools needed to manage each system.
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