Brocade Fabric Watch Administrator's Guide v6.1.0 (53-1000601-02, June 2008)

22 Fabric Watch Administrator’s Guide
53-1000601-02
Notification methods
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DRAFT: BROCADE CONFIDENTIAL
Switch event (error) log
The switch event (error) log holds up to 1024 entries. This error log stores event information but
does not actively send alerts. Use the errShow command to view the log.
Log entries can also trigger SNMP traps if the SNMP agent is configured. When the SNMP agent is
configured to a specific error message level, then error messages at that level trigger SNMP traps.
For information on configuring the SNMP agent using the snmpconfig command, see the Fabric OS
Command Reference.
SNMP trap
The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) performs an operation called a trap that
notifies a management station (a workstation that runs network management applications using
SNMP protocol) when events occur.
You must configure the software to receive trap information from the network device. You must also
configure the SNMP agent on the switch to send the trap to the management station using the
snmpconfig command. For more information on this command, see the Fabric OS Command
Reference.
An SNMP trap forwards the following information to an SNMP management station:
• Name of the element whose counter registered an event
• Class, area, and index number of the threshold that the counter crossed
• Event type
• Value of the counter that exceeded the threshold
• State of the element that triggered the alarm
• Source of the trap
The trap stores event information but does not actively send alerts. Port changes do not generate
SNMP traps.
RAPI trap
RAPI Trap is a Fabric Watch alarm that actively alerts you to events. After you enable RAPI Trap,
Fabric Watch forwards all event information to a designated proxy switch. The host API
automatically configures the proxy switch based on firmware version. The switch forwards the
information to a server and alerts the SAN manager to event activity.
Third-party applications that use the Brocade API determine the manner in which RAPI Trap
presents alarms to the user.
Port log lock
The port log locks to retain detailed information about an event, preventing the information from
being overwritten as the log becomes full. This alarm stores event information but does not actively
send alerts, which is done automatically when some thresholds are exceeded and an alert is
triggered.
For more information about locking, unlocking, and clearing the port log, see the Fabric OS
Command Reference.