¨ SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
Summary of Changes Version 9031666 E9 Date 6/5/98 Nature of Changes • Documented Tool Tip help (see Toolbar Buttons in Chapter 2). SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
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Contents Preface Product Description...............................................................................................................ix Who Should Read This Guide ...............................................................................................ix Prerequisites for Users .........................................................................................................ix Related Documentation ...................................................................................
Chapter 3 Developing the Case Library In This Chapter ...................................................................................................................3-1 Generating a Seed Case Library Automatically................................................................3-2 Making a Backup Copy of the Case Library......................................................................3-4 Generating a Seed Case Library Manually .......................................................................
cbr_delete...................................................................................................................... 6-3 cbr_execute ................................................................................................................... 6-4 cbr_exit ......................................................................................................................... 6-5 cbr_get_case....................................................................................................
Contents vi SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
Figures Figure 1-1. Figure 1-2. Figure 1-3. Figure 2-1. Figure 2-2. Figure 2-3. Figure 2-4. Figure 3-1. Figure 3-2. Figure 3-3. Figure 3-4. Figure 4-1. Figure 5-1. Figure 5-2. Figure 5-3. Figure 5-4. Figure 5-5. Figure 7-1. Figure 7-2. Figure 7-3. Figure 7-4. Figure 8-1. Figure 8-2. Figure 8-3. Figure 8-4. Figure 8-5. Figure A-1. Figure A-2. Figure A-3. The SpectroRx Workflow Process ......................................................................... 1-4 SpectroRx Architecture .......................
Figures viii SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
Preface The Preface lists background information for understanding the SpectroRX User’s Guide. Product Description Welcome to the SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide. This guide describes how to use SpectroRx to provide fault resolution for network alarms. Who Should Read This Guide This guide is intended for SPECTRUM administrators, repairpersons, and troubleshooters who are responsible for keeping network devices and applications up and running.
How to Use This Guide How to Use This Guide The guide is organized as follows: Chapter Description Chapter 1 What is SpectroRx? This chapter describes SpectroRx, the alarm resolution process, and case-based reasoning — the methodology SpectroRx uses to help you solve alarms. Chapter 2 Getting Started This chapter describes how to access and use SpectroRx and describes the fields, sections, and buttons in the SpectroRx window and text-edit dialog boxes.
Typographical Conventions Typographical Conventions The following typographical conventions are used throughout this manual: • Referenced chapter titles and section headings appear in italics (hypertext-blue italics for on-line readers). • Referenced SPECTRUM publications appear in bold italics. • User-supplied parameter names appear in angle brackets. For example, the parameter name for a password appears as .
Questions about SPECTRUM Documentation Preface xii SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
Chapter 1 What is SpectroRx? This chapter describes SpectroRx, the alarm resolution process, and case-based reasoning — the methodology SpectroRx uses to help you solve alarms. In This Chapter • How SpectroRx Can Benefit You What SpectroRx is and what it can do for you. • The Alarm Resolution Process How Spectrum creates an alarm and how to use SpectroRx to resolve the alarm. • What Is Case-Based Reasoning? How case-based reasoning works.
How SpectroRx Can Benefit You How SpectroRx Can Benefit You SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) is a case-based tool application that extends the fault resolution capabilities of SPECTRUM and other 3rd party fault-management applications. SpectroRx enables administrators to collect, organize, and store knowledge about network problems and the resolutions to these problems. When new problems occur on the network, administrators can request solutions from SpectroRx.
The Alarm Resolution Process The Alarm Resolution Process What SPECTRUM does SPECTRUM continuously interrogates the devices on the network, storing the information about each device in the SpectroSERVER database. If SPECTRUM detects certain alarm conditions, it generates an alarm for the device. Although SPECTRUM itself provides symptoms and probable causes whenever an alarm occurs, this text is proprietary and cannot evolve or change to reflect your particular network.
The Alarm Resolution Process Figure 1-1.
What Is Case-Based Reasoning? What Is Case-Based Reasoning? Case-based reasoning systems try to approximate the problem-solving process used by the human mind. For example, if you are confronted with a new problem, you analyze past experiences that are similar to the present one. Then you select a solution that worked for one of these experiences and adapt it to the current problem. In a sense, your new solution is a gamble or a good guess because you do not know if it will really work.
About SpectroRx About SpectroRx Before you begin working with SpectroRx, you should be familiar with the following concepts: the SpectroRx architecture, the case, the seed case library, the case library, and the retrieval algorithm. Architecture SpectroRx uses the general architecture of all case-based reasoning systems. Five operations make up the building blocks of a case-based reasoning system — Input, Find, Adapt, Execute, and Organize. See Figure 1-2.
About SpectroRx The Case The Case A completed case is a problem with one or more possible solutions. The SpectroRx case looks and functions much like any form that you would fill out — a college or job application form, for example. Like an application form, it contains blank spaces (or slots) for information. When completed, it presents a set of data that is unique to a specific alarm situation. The SpectroRx window, illustrated in Figure 1-3, represents a single case.
About SpectroRx The Seed Case Library The Seed Case Library All case-based reasoning systems start with a seed case library. The seed case library provides a starting point for building the case library. It contains broadbrush solutions provided by SPECTRUM so that you can begin using SpectroRx immediately. However, to maximize the usefulness of SpectroRx, you should edit the seed cases, as appropriate, to fit your needs and you should add more cases as you respond to new problems.
Suggested Reading Suggested Reading Kolodner, Janet. Case-Based Reasoning. San Mateo, CA: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 1993. Lewis, Lundy. Managing Computer Networks: A Case-Based Reasoning Approach. Boston: Artech House, 1995.
Suggested Reading What is SpectroRx? 1-10 SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
Chapter 2 Getting Started This chapter describes how to access and use SpectroRx and describes the fields, sections, and buttons in the SpectroRx window and text-edit dialog boxes. In This Chapter • Four Ways to Access SpectroRx Four ways of accessing SpectroRx (from the Alarm Manager, from anywhere in the SpectroGRAPH, from the command line, and from the Web).
Four Ways to Access SpectroRx Four Ways to Access SpectroRx There are four ways to access SpectroRx. • You can access SpectroRx from the Alarm Manager window in SpectroGRAPH. See Accessing SpectroRx from SPECTRUM in this chapter. • You can access SpectroRx from anywhere in SPECTRUM, whether or not alarms are present. See Accessing SpectroRx from SPECTRUM in this chapter. • Users (and integrated third party applications) can access SpectroRx from the command line.
Accessing SpectroRx from SPECTRUM Accessing SpectroRx from SPECTRUM There are two ways to access SpectroRx from within SPECTRUM: • From the Alarm Manager window in the SpectroGRAPH. • From anywhere in the SpectroGRAPH. This is helpful if you want to access SpectroRx when no alarms are present. To access SpectroRx from SpectroGRAPH’s Alarm Manager window, do the following. The procedure is illustrated in Figure 2-1: 1. Make sure SpectroSERVER and SpectroGRAPH are up and running. 2.
Accessing SpectroRx from SPECTRUM Figure 2-1. Invoking SpectroRx from Alarm Manager 2 File View Alarms Alarm Manager: Main Troubleshooter Options Help ?? ing sett us stat frog29 4 Model Name BdgCSIETW Probable Cause Events Location Alarm Status Device Notes Frog29 Management Agent Lost Network Address 132.177.09.98 Contact Gilbert SYMPTOMS: Device has stopped responding to polls.
Generating a Seed Case Library Automatically Generating a Seed Case Library Automatically When you first start SpectroRx there is no case library. Generating a seed case library will get you started with generic case information on all the devices your system manages. To generate a seed case library, do the following. Steps 2 through 4 of the procedure (invoking spectroRx from an alarm) are illustrated in Figure 2-1. The rest of the steps are illustrated in Figure 2-2: 1.
Generating a Seed Case Library Automatically Figure 2-2. Automatically Generating a Case Library Navigate Alarms Performance SpectroRx Notes 1 Cases Utilities Information Default View Case 1 The case library is empty. Open this case to see how to build a seed case library. Acknowledge 5 SpectroRx...
The SpectroRx Case Window The SpectroRx Case Window This section describes the various fields, sections, and buttons in the SpectroRx Case window.
The SpectroRx Case Window Toolbar Buttons Fi nd Si m ila C rC op as y es So lu tio n Fr om ... Ru n So lu tio n C as e D el et e C as e at e D up lic Pr in t.. . To ... Se nd Sa ve C as e C as es Al l Sh ow O pe n Bl an k C as e Toolbar Buttons The buttons in the toolbar give you easy access to SpectroRx menu options. For a description of each button’s function, see the Menu Options & Buttons section later in this chapter. Tool Tips provide “What’s this?” help.
The SpectroRx Case Window Case Data Section Case Data Section You can enter information in all the fields in the Case Data section. To expand any of the Case Data fields, click on the arrow button to the right of the field. Data Field Description Problem Summary A short phrase describing the problem. You can type directly in the field or click on the arrow button to the right of the field and select a summary from the Problem Summary dialog box that appears.
The SpectroRx Case Window Case Data Section Data Field Description Solution Summary A short phrase describing the solution. You can type directly in the field or click on the arrow button to the right of the field and select a summary from the Solution Summary dialog box that appears. Notice that SpectroRx allows only one entry in the Solution Summary field. By default the Solution Summary dialog box is empty.
The SpectroRx Case Window Menu Options & Buttons Menu Options & Buttons SpectroRx File Edit Open Blank Case Show All Cases Save Case Send To... Print... Close Window Duplicate Case Delete Case Menu Option/Button File Open Blank Case Actions Find Similar Cases Copy Solution From... Run Solution Description Opens a new (blank) case. This case does not contain any information about an existing alarm. If you are creating a case library without existing alarms, use this option.
The SpectroRx Case Window Menu Options & Buttons Menu Option/Button File Print... Description Opens the Print dialog box where you specify the printer and then print the case. (continued) In this dialog box, you can either type the printer name or select an entry from the list. If you want to add printer names to the dialog box, edit the printer_list file in the CBR directory. See Appendix B, Customizing the Environment. Edit Close Window Closes the current window.
The SpectroRx Case Window Menu Options & Buttons Menu Option/Button Actions Copy Solution From... (continued) Description Opens the Copy Solution From dialog box where you specify the case that contains the solution you want to copy. Once you copy a solution into the current case, you can use the Run Solution option to execute the solution directly from SpectroRx. Then you can record the results, modify fields, and save the case to the case library database.
Accessing and Editing Additional Information Accessing and Editing Additional Information Use the arrow button to the right of a text field to expand that field. Click on a right-pointing arrow button, located next to most of the fields in the SpectroRx window, to view or edit the complete text for that field. When you click on the arrow button, a text edit dialog box appears. See Figure 2-3 and Figure 2-4.
Accessing and Editing Additional Information Figure 2-4. Text Edit Dialog Boxes SpectroRx: Case Data Case Number Problem Detail 4 Clients are not able to login to server Maple. SpectroRx: Case Data Case Number Parameters OK model_name=132.177.67.03 model_type=Hub_CSI_IRM2 model_handle=0x1580996 ip_address=132.177.67.03 mac_address=0.0.1D.6.FA.
Copying Solutions and Other Information Copying Solutions and Other Information There are several ways to copy a solution or any other information: 1. With the mouse, select a solution from a similar case or select the information you want. a. To select all the solution information: • Select the visible line of solution information and then scroll through it by moving the cursor to the right. or • Click on the down arrow to the right of the solution entry to open the solution pop-up window.
Setting up SpectroRx as a Multi-User System Setting up SpectroRx as a Multi-User System You can set up SpectroRx to be used by more than one user at a time. The best way to do this is described in Chapter 4. However, some users may prefer to login to a machine and send the display back to their own machine. If you do this, you may have multiple people using SpectroRx at the same time, and possibly one person's changes can get overwritten if two cases are being saved at the same time.
Plug-and-Play with Multiple Case Libraries Getting Started 2-18 SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
Chapter 3 Developing the Case Library This chapter describes how to create and develop the cases that make up the SpectroRx case library. In This Chapter • Generating a Seed Case Library Automatically How to automatically generate a seed case library to get you started. • Making a Backup Copy of the Case Library How to ensure you will have a backup copy of the current case library. • Generating a Seed Case Library Manually Three methods of developing and three goals in developing a case library.
Generating a Seed Case Library Automatically Generating a Seed Case Library Automatically When you first start SpectroRx there is no case library. Generating a seed case library will get you started with generic case information on all the devices your system manages. To generate a seed case library, do the following. Steps 2 through 4 of the procedure (invoking spectroRx from an alarm) are illustrated in Figure 2-1. The rest of the steps are illustrated in Figure 3-1: 1.
Generating a Seed Case Library Automatically Figure 3-1. Automatically Generating a Case Library Navigate Alarms Performance SpectroRx Notes 1 Cases Utilities Information Default View Acknowledge 5 SpectroRx... Find Similar Cases Show Trouble Tickets Find Similar Cases (quick) Submit Trouble Ticket Show All Cases ConÞguration Develop Case 6 Application Case 1 The case library is empty. Open this case to see how to build a seed case library.
Making a Backup Copy of the Case Library Making a Backup Copy of the Case Library You can configure SpectroRx to maintain a backup copy of the case library. This is useful if your system becomes corrupted. Creating a Backup Directory To ensure that you will always have a backup of your current case library: 1. Create a backup directory. For example: mkdir /tmp/spectroRx Make sure you give the directory the necessary permissions. 2.
Generating a Seed Case Library Manually Generating a Seed Case Library Manually The intelligence of SpectroRx resides in the case library. Therefore, the first task that you should undertake is to create this library. There are three ways to approach this task: • Create a “starter” seed library before you put SpectroRx into operation. Integrators and service providers who develop case libraries for customers will probably use this method. • Build the case library over time as network problems occur.
Generating a Seed Case Library Manually Creating a Starter Case Library Creating a Starter Case Library An easy way to start a case library is to have SpectroRx generate a seed one from which you can grow a library designed for your needs. See Generating a Seed Case Library Automatically for how to do this. These cases will include information provided by SPECTRUM on all the device types your system manages. You can also create cases and a starter case library on your own.
Preparing a Strategy Preparing a Strategy Before you begin to create a case library, you should spend some time developing your alarm resolution strategies and mapping out the vocabulary you will use to define SpectroRx parameters. Although this is important for all SpectroRx users, it is especially so for developers who create a library all at once. SpectroRx searches each case for entries that are similar to the outstanding case.
Filling Out a Case Filling Out a Case Follow these steps to create a case for the SpectroRx case library. 1. Open SpectroRx. Follow the steps in the section Accessing SpectroRx from SPECTRUM in Chapter 2. The SpectroRx window appears. This window includes specific information about the alarm that you selected in SPECTRUM Alarm View. 2. Enter the appropriate information in the fields. See the section Case Field Requirements in this chapter for details about each field.
Case Field Requirements Figure 3-2. The Completed Case SpectroRx File Edit Ac- Case Number 4 Alarm Data Alarm Code: Probable Cause: Prob10701 CONTACT LOST Case Data Problem Summary: Problem Detail: Parameters: Solution Summary: Solution Detail: Runable Solution: Results: Notes: server unreachable Server ÒbottleÓ is not working.
Case Field Requirements SpectroRx Field Requirements Problem Detail • Use normal text to describe the problem. • Keywords should be enclosed in braces ({}), and can be separated by either a comma or a space. For example, {LAN2, Printer, failure}. • Even though SPECTRUM provides some parameters such as IP Address and Model Name, you can also add or edit entries in the field. • If you add entries, be sure to use the format X=Y, where X is the parameter and Y is the value.
Editing an Existing Case Editing an Existing Case Follow these steps to edit or complete an existing case: 1. Open the SpectroRx case library. • If SpectroRx is not up and running: a. Open the Alarm Manager in SpectroGRAPH and select any existing alarm entry. b. Select the SpectroRx option from the Icon SubView menu of the device showing the alarm. c. Then from the SpectroRx submenu, select the Show All Cases option. The SpectroRx Show All Cases dialog box, similar to that in Figure 3-3, appears.
Editing an Existing Case Figure 3-3. Opening a Specific Case SpectroRx File Edit Actions Open Blank Case Show All Cases Save Case Send To... Print...
Opening a Blank Case 3. Edit the case either by typing directly in the fields in the SpectroRx window or by adding information to the text-edit dialog boxes. Be sure to add information to the Solution Detail field. When you use the Find Similar Cases option, SpectroRx retrieves only those similar cases that include information in this field. 4. Save the modified case by clicking on the Save Case option or button. A Question dialog box appears asking you if you want to overwrite the existing case. 5.
Opening a Blank Case Figure 3-4. The Blank Case SpectroRx File Edit Actions 2 Open Blank Case Show All Cases Save Case Send To... Print... Alarm Data Close Window Alarm Code: File Prob10701 Edit Actions Exit Probable Cause: Case Number 4 SpectroRx CONTACT LOST Case Data 4 Problem Summary: Case Number server unreachable Alarm Data Problem Detail: Parameters: Solution Summary: Solution Detail: Runable Solution: Results: Notes: Server ÒbottleÓ is not working.
SpectroRx Worksheets SpectroRx Worksheets The SpectroRx worksheets will help you begin designing the cases for your case library and will also provide an overview of the cases in the case library. • • • Worksheet I establishes the basic outline of the case. Worksheet II fills in the outline provided in Worksheet I. Worksheet III allows you to enter an executable solution, if possible, for the case described in Worksheet 1 and 2. Proceed this way: 1.
SpectroRx Worksheets Worksheet I - Skeleton Cases List the typical alarms that occur on your network in the Problem Summary column. Enter a solution to the problem in the Solution Summary column. Each line on this worksheet is a skeleton case. Worksheet II and III flesh out the 30 skeleton cases on this worksheet.
SpectroRx Worksheets Worksheet II - Filling In the Cases When you have completed the case outlines in Worksheet I, fill in the information for each case in Worksheet II. Use normal text for Problem Detail and Solution Detail.
SpectroRx Worksheets Worksheet III - Completing the Cases When you have completed Worksheet I and II, create the scripts and programs that you can use to solve the problem. Write the commands for the Runable Solution field on this worksheet. Parameters Runable Solution 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Developing the Case Library 3-18 SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
Chapter 4 Setting up SpectroRx as a MultiUser System This chapter describes how to setup SpectroRx as a multi-user system. In This Chapter • How a Multi-User System Works How users in a multi-user system access the case library. • How to Set up SpectroRx as a Multi-User System Procedures for setting up SpectroRx as a multi-user system on the Solaris and on the NT operating systems.
How a Multi-User System Works One Public Case Library How a Multi-User System Works One Public Case Library Using SpectroRx as a multi-user system means there is one public case library and remote users use the knowledge that accumulates in it. Some users are given permission to modify the public library (that is, save and delete cases) while other users have only read permissions.
How to Set up SpectroRx as a Multi-User System Procedure Summary • Making your own private case library Users have the option of developing their own private case library. Users can switch back and forth between the public library and their private library, as appropriate.
How to Set up SpectroRx as a Multi-User System Procedure On the Administrator Machine Procedure On the Administrator Machine The Administrator machine can be running either the Solaris or the NT operating system. The procedure for setting up the machine differs slightly depending on which operating system is on the machine. • If administrator machine is a Solaris 1. Edit the cbr_setup file. This file is in the SpectroRx directory called CBR (just under the SPECTRUM top-level directory): a.
How to Set up SpectroRx as a Multi-User System Procedure On the Administrator Machine • If the administrator machine is an NT 1. Edit the cbr_setup file. This file is in the SpectroRx directory called CBR (just under the SPECTRUM top-level directory): a. Edit the line multi-user= to be multi-user=yes. b. Assuming that you want the public case library to reside on the drive h and in the directory /usr/spectroRx, edit the line db_dir= to be db_dir=h:/usr/spectroRx.
How to Set up SpectroRx as a Multi-User System Procedure On Each Client Machine Procedure On Each Client Machine • If the client is a Solaris 1. Create the /usr/spectroRx directory. For example: cd /usr mkdir spectroRx Make sure you give the directory the necessary permissions. 2. Mount the shared case library which is on the administrator machine: For example, suppose the Administrator machine is named Admin5: mount Admin5:/usr/spectroRx /usr/spectroRx 3. Edit the cbr_setup file.
Saving and Deleting Cases in a Multi-User System • If the client is an NT 1. Mount the shared case library which is on the Administrator machine. Use the Microsoft Explorer to mount file systems: Select Map Network Drive and enter the name of the Administrator machine and the path to the public case library. For example, if the name of the Administrator machine is Admin5 and the path is /usr/ spectroRx, then enter: Admin5:/usr/spectroRx Remember the name of the drive on which the library is mounted.
Plug-and-Play with Multiple Case Libraries Plug-and-Play with Multiple Case Libraries This section describes how to set up Plug-and-Play with multiple case libraries. A case library consists of four components: ¥ cbr.db Ñ contains the case library proper. ¥ cbr.map Ñ contains correlations between SPECTRUM alarms and case number (one-to-many). ¥ prob_list Ñ the items that display when you press the explode (arrow) button for Problem Summary.
Chapter 5 Finding Cases and Using the Library This chapter describes how to find similar cases from the SpectroRx case library, execute solutions directly from the library, and print and mail cases. In This Chapter • How To Use the Case Library A summary of the ways you can use the case library. • Finding Similar Cases The procedure for finding cases similar to the selected alarm.
How To Use the Case Library How To Use the Case Library SpectroRx gives you the tools to access and use the problem-solving expertise stored in the case library. With these tools you will be able to: • Find similar cases so that you can resolve an outstanding alarm. When you request similar cases, SpectroRx locates all cases that are similar to the outstanding case and displays them in the order of decreasing similarity.
Finding Similar Cases Finding Similar Cases Follow these steps to find and review cases that are similar to the outstanding alarm: 1. Do one of the following: • If you are in the Alarm Manager window: a. Select the alarm that you want to resolve in the SpectroGRAPH Alarm Manager window. Then invoke SpectroRx from the Icon Subview menu. The SpectroRx submenu appears. b. Then, select and click on either the Find Similar Cases or the Find Similar Cases (Quick) option.
Finding Similar Cases 6. (Optional) As a final step, save the case so that this experience becomes part of the SpectroRx knowledge-base. Figure 5-1. Finding Similar Cases SpectroRx File Edit 1 Actions Find Similar Cases Copy Solution From... Run Solution Alarm Data Alarm Code: Probable Cause: SpectroRx Case Number 1 9 Cases Prob CONTACT LOST Case 1 - 2 Points Case Data too much trafÞc on link Check trafÞc on other links and re-distribute nodes accordingly.
Using Runable Solutions Using Runable Solutions SpectroRx enables you to automate the alarm resolution process. There are two basic steps to this process—creating the scripts and programs that resolve the problems and then executing the Runable Solution from SpectroRx after similar problems have occurred. This section describes these two processes. Creating Scripts and Programs Whenever possible, you should create scripts or programs that can resolve your network problems.
Using Runable Solutions Creating Scripts and Programs Figure 5-2. Sample Script #!/bin/sh ###################################################################### # # The script "restart" restarts various daemons and applications. # The first argument, $1, specifies what is to be restarted. # Below we have implemented a script that can check whether # a SunOS snmpd is running. If the snmpd is not running, the script # tries to restart it. # # The syntax of "restart" is: # # restart item arg1 arg2 ...
Using Runable Solutions Executing a Solution from SpectroRx Executing a Solution from SpectroRx Once you have created executable solutions for the cases in your case library, you will be able to find and reuse these solutions whenever similar problems occur. If you want to execute a solution directly from SpectroRx, you have to copy the solution from the found case and then run the executable solution from the outstanding case. Follow these specific steps to copy and then execute the solution: 1.
Using Runable Solutions Executing a Solution from SpectroRx Figure 5-3. Executing a Solution from SpectroRx SpectroRx File Edit 5 Actions Find Similar Cases Copy Solution From... Run Solution Case Number 3 SpectroRx: Copy Solution From Alarm Data Case Number 4 Alarm Code: Prob10701 Probable Cause: CONTACT LOST Cases Case Data Problem Summary: server unreachable 1 2 3 4 Bad Port Status Management Agent Lost Not Pingable Connection Lost Problem Detail: Server ÒbottleÓ is not working.
Searching for Specific Case Information Searching for Specific Case Information You can also use the case library database — as you would any other database — to search for specific information. Just create a “mini-case” that contains the parameters you want to search on. Then use the Find Similar Cases option to find similar cases from the case library database.
Printing a Case Printing a Case Follow these steps to print a case. 1. Open or return to the case that you want to print. 2. In the Notes field, add any information that you want to appear at the top of the document. 3. Click on the Print option or button. A Print dialog box, similar to that in Figure 5-4, appears. 4. Select a printer name from the list of printers or type the printer name in the Printer text field.
Printing a Case Figure 5-4. The Print Dialog Box and the Printed Case SpectroRx: Print Printer nlp2 Printers nlp2 nlp1 lps2 lps1 SpectroRx Thur March 6 12:41:02 PDT 1997 NOTES Bill --This is the case you requested. You have to be root to start the snmp daemon. CASE NUMBER: 12 ALARM CODE: Prob10701 PROBABLE CAUSE MANAGEMENT AGENT LOST PROBLEM SUMMARY server unreachable OK PROBLEM DETAIL Cancel The server ÒbottleÓ in the south bottle domain is not responding.
Mailing a Case Mailing a Case Follow these steps to e-mail a case. 1. Open or return to the case that you want to mail. 2. In the Notes field, add any information that you want to appear at the top of the document. 3. Click on the Send To option or button. A Send To dialog box, similar to that in Figure 5-5, appears. 4. Select any number of addresses from the Users list or type the recipient’s address directly in the Recipients text field.
Mailing a Case Figure 5-5. The Send To Dialog Box and the E-Mailed Case SpectroRx: Send To Recipients howe@jupiter.com edmunds@hermes.com SpectroRx Thur May 8 12:41:02 PDT 1997 Users howe@jupiter.com edmunds@hermes.com jones@hermes.com long@jupiter.com NOTES Bill --This is the case you requested. You have to be root to start the snmp daemon.
Mailing a Case Finding Cases and Using the Library 5-14 SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
Chapter 6 Integration with 3rd Party Applications This chapter describes the SpectroRx integration interface. In This Chapter A SpectroRx integration interface is provided for developers who have programming experience. Network administrators can use this chapter to integrate the problem-solving expertise of SpectroRx with 3rd party applications or to operate the SpectroRx engine without dependence on the SpectroRx GUI.
Commands All SpectroRx commands are located in the CBR directory in the SPECTRUM directory. The cbr_get_case and cbr_retrieve commands have a nogui option that enables you to receive information in a string format. NOTE Before you use SpectroRx commands, make sure the ND_PATH variable is set to the ndlib directory in the SPECTRUM directory.
Commands cbr_delete cbr_delete Description: Deletes a specified case. Before the deletion, SpectroRx prompts the user for confirmation with a GUI Yes/No prompt. The user must select either Yes or No to continue. Syntax: cbr_delete Returns: If the user does not have permission to modify the case library, a message states so and asks the user to see the SpectroRx Administrator.
Commands cbr_execute cbr_execute Description: Executes the specified command and returns the results to standard output. Be sure to put Parameters in the parameter=value format. Syntax: cbr_execute \ [ac=] \ [pcat=] \ [p1=] \ [p2=] \ . . $ac $pcat $p1 $p2 ... Options: ac SPECTRUM Alarm Code pcat Problem Summary pn Any or all parameters Returns: The results of executing the command to standard output.
Commands cbr_exit cbr_exit Description: Closes all SpectroRx windows. Before closing the windows, SpectroRx prompts the user for confirmation. with a GUI Yes/No prompt. The user must select either Yes or No to continue. Syntax: cbr_exit Example: cbr_exit [Return] SpectroRx: Question Alarm ? Yes 9031666 E9 You Case will close all SpectroRx windows. Be sure you have saved any modiÞed cases.
Commands cbr_get_case cbr_get_case Description: Retrieves a specified case (or a blank case if no case number is specified). Syntax: cbr_get_case [case number] [nogui] Options: nogui Returns: If you use the nogui option with the command, SpectroRx returns the case information in a string format. Otherwise, it returns the case in a SpectroRx window.
Commands cbr_get_case The following example is of the previous command but without the nogui option. cbr_get_case 5 [Return] SpectroRx File Edit Actions Case Number 5 Alarm Data Alarm Code: Probable Cause: Prob00010009 CONTACT LOST Case Data Problem Summary: Problem Detail: Parameters: Solution Summary: Solution Detail: Runable Solution: Results: Notes: Contact Lost SYMPTOMS: cisco.78 Rtr_CiscoIGS model_name=cisco.
Commands cbr_mes cbr_mes Description: Displays the specified text in a message box with either Yes/No buttons or an OK button. If you use the command with the info argument, the message is displayed in a GUI with an OK button. If you use the command with the yn argument, the message is displayed in a GUI with Yes/No buttons. Syntax: cbr_mes yn|info “” Returns: On the terminal screen, displays a message box as explained in the preceding description.
Commands cbr_purge cbr_purge Description: Deletes all cases from the case library and returns a GUI information message saying that the cases have been deleted. Syntax: cbr_purge Returns: GUI information message. Example: cbr_purge [Return] SpectroRx: Question Alarm ? Yes Delete Entire Case Library? Case Close No If you respond, Yes, SpectroRx deletes the entire case library and returns this message. SpectroRx Question Alarm I Entire Case Case Library was deleted. Backups were made.
Commands cbr_retrieve cbr_retrieve Description: Returns a list of cases, sorting the cases according to the degree of similarity with the outstanding case. The first case is most similar to the outstanding case. Each subsequent case is less similar to the outstanding case. If you include the nogui option, SpectroRx returns the case information as a string. Otherwise it displays the SpectroRx Search Results window containing the list of similar cases.
Commands cbr_retrieve NOTE When you use the cbr_retrieve command, you can give an argument more weight if you include the argument more than once. For example, kw= “Address Address” cbr_retrieve kw=“Contact Lost” [Return] Alarm Data SpectroRx 9 Cases Case 164 - 2 Points too much trafÞcCase on linkData Check trafÞc on other links and re-distribute nodes accordingly. Case 141 - 2 Points device not pingable Agent is down. Case 139 - 2 Points server unreachable Server ÒbubbleÓ is not working.
Commands cbr_save cbr_save Description: Saves the specified variables as a case in the case library and also assigns a case number to the case. The first and third arguments after cbr_save must be a set of empty quotes(“”). When you use the cbr_save command, SpectroRx assigns a case number to the first set of quotes. SpectroRx also derives the Probable Cause from the Alarm Code and assigns it to the third set of quotes. Be sure to use all 11 arguments and separate arguments with spaces between.
Commands start_cbr start_cbr Description: Opens an empty (blank) case in a SpectroRx window. Syntax: start_cbr Returns: An empty case in a SpectroRx GUI.
Commands start_cbr Integration with 3rd Party Applications 6-14 SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
Chapter 7 Intelligent Monitoring and Control This chapter shows a programmer how to integrate SpectroRx and AlarmNotifier for intelligent monitoring and control — automatic monitoring and analysis of alarms, and the automatic execution of solutions. In This Chapter • How Automated Alarm Resolution Works What happens when you integrate AlarmNotifier with SpectroRx. • Step 1: Setting up Cases How to build a data library of solutions (cases) to known problems.
Step 1: Setting up Cases 5. If the alarm is repaired, the alarm will disappear from the Alarm Manager view. The larger the solution database, the better chance of the system finding a solution. • The information in this chapter is for advanced developers. To successfully implement the programming described in this chapter, you should have a basic understanding of (1) the design of algorithms, (2) network troubleshooting and repair techniques, and (3) the SPECTRUM network management platform.
Step 1: Setting up Cases The start_snmpd script (see Figure 7-1) is an example of a case for repairing a loss of communication with a SNMP agent when the repair is to restart it, as in situation 1 on the preceding page. This script takes two arguments: • A name of a host • The problem type The script issues a remote shell command to the host to re-start the SNMP daemon. The results of the command are assigned to the variable result and are displayed in a SpectroRx confirmation box.
Step 2: Integrating SpectroRx and AlarmNotifier Step 2: Integrating SpectroRx and AlarmNotifier The second step in creating automated alarm resolutions is to integrate SpectroRX software with the AlarmNotifier software. Though this section explains how to do this, you should see the AlarmNotifier User’s Guide and the SPECTRUM Guide to Integrating Applications for further details.
Step 2: Integrating SpectroRx and AlarmNotifier A Summary of How It’s Done The information that the program gets, as shown in Figure 7-2, is simply displayed on the screen. However, this information can be passed to peer applications for further processing. For example, the AlarmNotifier is often used to integrate SPECTRUM with Trouble Ticket Systems, paging systems, and electronic mail systems. In our example system, we pass this information to SpectroRx for automated diagnosis and repair.
Step 2: Integrating SpectroRx and AlarmNotifier The Integration Tasks The Integration Tasks We set up the integration with the AlarmNotifier as follows. 1. Copy the following files from the /NotiÞer directory to the /CBR directory: .alarmrc SetScript 2. Modify the .alarmrc file as shown in Figure 7-3. Figure 7-3. The Modified .
Step 2: Integrating SpectroRx and AlarmNotifier The Integration Tasks Figure 7-4.
Running the Integrated System An explanation of four sections in the preceding code (see Figure 7-4): ➊ The case statement starting at line #1 discards all alarms except the ones we’re interested in — 10701. ➋ The assignment lines starting at line #2 put the required information in the syntax recognized by the cbr_retrieve and cbr_execute commands. ➌ Line #3 issues the cbr_retrieve command with the information we know about the alarm.
Chapter 8 Accessing SpectroRx from the Web This chapter describes how to set up a Web interface for SpectroRX, and how to access and use it.
Setting Up and Accessing the Web Interface Setting Up and Accessing the Web Interface To set up and access the SpectroRx Web interface, do the following: 1. Install a Web server on the same machine where SpectroRx is installed. 2. In the location bar (or at the file location prompt) of the Web browser (for example Netscape Navigator/Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer), enter the location of SpectroRx. Use the following format: http:///cgi//cbr.
SpectroRx Web Functionality SpectroRx Web Functionality The SpectroRx Web interface is read-only. The functions you can use are Find Similar Cases and View All Cases. The following sections show examples of these two functions. The functions work slightly differently on the Web than from the NT or UNIX interface. However, the functions are the same. For complete descriptions, see Accessing SpectroRx from SPECTRUM in Chapter 2 and Searching for Specific Case Information in Chapter 5 respectively.
SpectroRx Web Functionality Finding Similar Cases Figure 8-2. Example Data Entry Form Netscape: SpectroRx File Edit View Go Communicator Help N Back Reload Forward Bookmarks Home Search Guide Print Security Stop Location: http://soda/cgi/usr/data/Spectrum/5.0/CBR/cbr.
SpectroRx Web Functionality Finding Similar Cases In the similar-case display, click on a case number to open it. The cases are listed according to similarity with the information you selected in the dataentry form. Points next to the case number indicate the degree of similarity. Figure 8-3.
SpectroRx Web Functionality Finding Similar Cases Netscape: SpectroRx File Edit View Go Communicator Help N Back Forward Reload Bookmarks Home Search Guide Print Security Stop Location: http://soda/cgi/usr/data/Spectrum/5.0/CBR/cbr.cgi?Case=6 Case 463 Alarm Code Prob00010009 Probable Cause CONTAC T LOST SYMPTOMS: Device has stopped responding to polls. PROBABLE CAUSES: 1) Device Hardware Failure. 2) Cable between this and upstream device broken. 3) Power Failure.
SpectroRx Web Functionality Viewing All Cases Viewing All Cases To view all cases, click on View All Cases and then Go. Figure 8-5 shows an example of the results. By clicking on the Case number, you can display that case. Figure 8-5. Example View-All-Cases Display Netscape: SpectroRx File Edit View Go Communicator Help N Back Reload Forward Bookmarks Home Search Guide Print Security Stop Location: http://soda/cgi/usr/data/Spectrum/5.0/CBR/cbr.
SpectroRx Web Functionality Viewing All Cases Accessing SpectroRx from the Web 8-8 SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
Appendix A Installation This appendix describes the procedures for installing SpectroRx.
The Installation Process The Installation Process SpectroRx is installed with the standard SPECTRUM installation program, Install. This is the same program that installs SPECTRUM, SPECTRUM management modules, SPECTRUM applications and tools. During the installation process you will have to answer prompts in various dialog boxes. After you type the ./Install command, these dialog boxes appear: • Software Extraction Key Window — which prompts you for your Extraction Key code.
Installation Procedure Installation Configuration dialog box. Or you can perform an auto installation and then change the parameter values in the cbr_setup file. See Customizing the Environment in Appendix B for instructions. Installation Procedure Follow these steps to perform either an auto or a custom installation of SpectroRx: 1. Before you install SpectroRx, install SPECTRUM according to the instructions in the SPECTRUM Installation Guide. 2.
Installation Procedure Figure A-1. The Installation Configuration Dialog Box japan: Installation Configuration Installation Type Choices Install Re-link previously Installed components Validate previously installed SpectroSERVER Location Configuration Source Directory: Target Directory: Target Ownership : /cdrom/Install japan:/usr/data/Spectrum/5.0 Click on Select all SpectroGRAPH components for both custom and auto install.
Installation Procedure A Component Selection dialog box, similar to that in Figure A-2, appears. 9. In the Component Selection dialog box, select SpectroRx and type an N in the SS status box and a Y in the SG status box . Then click the OK button to close the dialog box. You are returned to the Installation Configuration dialog box. Figure A-2.
Installation Procedure Figure A-3. Installation Monitor Dialog Box Installation Monitor Target path:japan: /user/data/Spectrum/5.0 Status Phase Running Media Extract Progress Meter Free Disk Space 422275 Log:LOGS_042696/inst_log.11.37 Freeze Scrolling *****************Installing SpectroRx***************** Installing SpectroRx in /usr/data/Spectrum/5.0/CBR... Cancel Exit Help 12.
Appendix B Customizing the Environment This appendix describes how to edit the SpectroRx resource file cbr_setup, and other environment files. In This Appendix • Editing Environment Files How to edit the files that determine the SpectroRx environment • SpectroRx Environment Files A description of each environment file Editing Environment Files Five files determine the SpectroRx environment. All of these files are located in the /CBR directory.
SpectroRx Environment Files If you chose to modify any of these files, follow these steps: 1. Make a backup copy of the file before you edit it. 2. Open the file with a text editor. 3. Add new entries or edit the existing entries in the file. Refer to the next section to see what formats are required in each file. SpectroRx Environment Files printer_list The printer_list file, by default, is empty.
SpectroRx Environment Files cbr_setup cbr_setup The resource file cbr_setup contains three parameters. You can edit the parameter values in this file but not the parameters themselves. Refer to the description below to see how each parameter functions. 9031666 E9 Parameter Description SPECTOP The pathname of the directory where the SpectroRx directory (CBR) is installed. Default: Format: SPECTOP=/usr/data/Spectrum/5.
SpectroRx Environment Files cbr_setup Customizing the Environment B-4 SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
Index A Alarm Code 2-8 alarm resolution 1-3 AlarmNotifier 7-4 architecture 1-6 arrow buttons 2-14 automated alarm resolution 7-1 B backing up case library 3-4 brittle systems 1-5 buttons Arrow 2-14 Tool Bar buttons 2-8 C case description of 1-7 filling out a 3-8 finding case data 5-9 finding similar 5-3 mailing 5-12 printing 5-12 running solution 5-5 Case Library 1-8 how to backup 3-4 how to create 3-1 how to find cases 5-1 how to use 5-2 Plug-and-Play with multiple libraries 4-8 private backup copy 4-2 p
H Help Tool Tips 2-8 I installation custom or auto A-2, A-6 default parameters A-2 procedure A-3 process A-2 intelligent monitoring and control 7-1 invoking SpectroRx 2-2 M menu options 2-11 multi-user system 4-1 N Notes 2-10, 3-10 Notice i O Open Blank Case 2-11 P Parameters 2-9, 3-10 Plug-and-Play with multiple case libraries 4-8 Prerequisites ix Print...
W web interface how to access 8-2 how to set up 8-2 9031666 E9 Index 3
Index 4 SpectroRx (SPECTRUM Resolution Expert) User’s Guide 5.
