Introduction to NonStop Operations Management

Operations Documentation
Introduction to NonStop Operations Management–125507
4-9
Flow Diagrams
to a configuration. In addition to the packaged reports, you can use the SQL report
writer to design and produce custom reports whose contents are tailored to your
specifications.
•
Application configuration listings. These listings help the staff monitor applications
and ensure that all required processes are running.
•
Database configuration listings. These listings show the major databases and the
applications that access them. The staff can use these listings to monitor disk I/O
load balancing and identify the applications that might be affected by a potential
disk failure.
•
NonStop SQL/MP catalog listings. These listing show where the NonStop SQL/MP
catalogs are located on the network.
Flow Diagrams
A flow diagram is a visual representation of a sequence of steps. Flow diagrams can help
the staff understand the steps required to perform a task. Useful flow diagrams include:
•
Activity flow diagrams. Activity flow diagrams show the sequence of activities
performed in an operations environment during a 24-hour period. By diagramming
the activities performed during the day, you can:
•
Get a global view of what goes on in your operations environment.
•
Safeguard against oversight, ensuring that all activities that must be performed
are performed.
•
Identify the dependencies required for each activity. For example, before you
run the Payroll application, you must load the Employee database.
•
Identify tasks that can be automated. For example, if application X must always
run before application Y, automate the task.
•
Process flow diagrams. Process flow diagrams show the actual processes required to
perform an activity or task and can include files, commands, and hardware used.
Figure 4-3 shows an activity flow diagram and Figure 4-4 shows a process flow diagram.
Note. Although configuration diagrams and listings can help operators monitor the system,
using online monitoring tools that display up-to-the-moment status information can improve
system reliability and availability. By monitoring your system online, you are instantly notified of
error conditions, state changes, and threshold conditions that have been exceeded, allowing
you to react to problems or changes more quickly.
For more information about monitoring systems online and for online monitoring tools provided
by Tandem, refer to Section 5, “Production Management.”