Siemens V4.0 manual Tools Providing Automatic Status on the Server, Alerter Service

Troubleshooting Advanced Server Tools

11.1.2 Tools Providing Automatic Status on the Server

Quick response time is critical when dealing with server problems. Being aware of a problem at the time it occurs can decrease greatly the effect that the problem may have on the server user community.

Advanced Server can be configured to notify specified users when a problem occurs. The UNIX system also can be configured to generate and notify the system administrator when problems occur. The following sections discuss these features.

11.1.2.1Alerter Service

Advanced Server includes an Alerter service which can be used to notify specified users of the occurrence of a particular event. An administrator should use this service in order to make server problems known immediately. Prompt action to resolve server problems often can minimize their effect. The following examples illustrate situations that could generate alerts:

●The number of server errors exceeds a threshold set in the Advanced Server Registry.

●The number of bad access attempts exceeds a threshold set in the Advanced Server Registry.

●The number of bad password attempts exceeds a threshold set in the Advanced Server Registry.

●Errors were encountered during start of the Net Logon service.

●A printer is malfunctioning.

●A print request has been deleted or completed.

11.1.2.2UNIX System and Advanced Server Features

One of the benefits of Advanced Server is the availability of the inherent scripting features provided by the UNIX operating system. Combining these features with the data gathering tools provided by Advanced Server, an administrator can create a powerful tool that can be used to assess the health of Advanced Server at any given time.

For example, using the UNIX system job scheduling feature (CRON), various data gathering tools provided by Advanced Server, and some of the standard UNIX system commands for checking file system integrity and free space, administrators can write scripts that perform various system and server checks and then send the results to UNIX system administrators at regular intervals.

Product Manual U7613-J-Z815-6-76