Introducing Sheer DNA
Cisco Systems, Inc. Page 5
Another important function of the Sheer DNA Gateway is to map network
resources to the business context. This enables Sheer DNA to contain
information that is not directly contained in the network (such as VPNs and
Subscribers) and display it to northbound applications.
Sheer DNA Unit
The main purpose of the Sheer DNA Units is to host the Autonomous VNEs.
The Sheer DNA Units are interconnected to form a fabric of VNEs that can
inter-communicate with other VNEs regardless of which unit they are
running on. Each Sheer DNA Unit can host thousands of Autonomous VNE
processes (depending on the server system size). The Sheer DNA Units also
allow for optimal VNE distribution, ensuring geographic proximity between
the VNE and its managed NE.
The clustered N+m high availability mechanism within the Sheer DNA
Fabric is designed to handle the failure of a Sheer DNA Unit. Sheer DNA
Unit availability is established in the Gateway, running a Protection Manager
process, which continuously monitors all the Sheer DNA Units in the
network. Once the Protection Manager detects a Sheer DNA Unit that is
malfunctioning, it automatically signals one of the m servers in its cluster to
load the configuration of the faulty unit (from the system Registry), taking
over all its managed Network Elements. The switchover to the redundant
standby Sheer DNA Unit does not result in any loss of information in the
system, as all of the information is auto-discovered from the network, and no
persistent storage synchronization is required. When a Sheer DNA Unit is
configured it can be designated as being an active or standby unit.
For more information about high availability, refer to the Cisco Active
Network Abstraction High Availability User’s Guide.
1.2.3 Sheer DNA Clients
Sheer provides a comprehensive suite of GUI applications to manage the
network using the Sheer DNA platform.
• Sheer NetworkVision: The main GUI application of Sheer DNA, used to
visualize every management function supported by the system. For more
information, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction NetworkVision
User’s Guide.
• Sheer EventVision: A tool for viewing all historical events detected by
the Sheer DNA system. For more information, refer to the Cisco Active
Network Abstraction EventVision User’s Guide.