The VPO Operator

2 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Section Overview

• The role of the VPO operator

• Starting and stopping the Motif GUI

• The VPO Operator windows

• Working with VPO Messages

• Problem resolution

• Running reports

3 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

The role of the VPO Operator

• Keep the computing environment operational

• Provide computing services to end users

• Typical tasks of operators:– Console message handling– Start / stop jobs and processes– Take care of printouts and backup– Monitor system and application status

• VantagePoint Operations focuses on the management (monitoring and control) of systems and system services

4 The VPO Operator

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Starting and Stopping VantagePoint Operations(The Operator GUI)

• Start VPO requesting the user ID and password:opc

• Alternate logins:opc -user

Bind VPO user id to UNIX user idopc -user <VPO user id> -passwd <VPO password>

Specify identification in the runstring

• Personal environment is set up by the Administrator

• Exit menu option is available from all main windows

5 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Getting Help

• Extensive online help is

provided

• Uses CDE help

• Accessible from all VPO

windows

• VPO QuickStart help volume

• Field-sensitive help on all

Dialog Manager windows

6 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

VantagePoint Operations GUI Main Windows

7 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

The Managed Nodes Window

• Shows all nodes the operator is responsible for

• Color-coded status information as in the Message Browser

• Hierarchies for large environments are available

8 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

The Message Groups Window

• Logical grouping of application and system messages

• Typically used to build application domains

• Symbols show message group status using color codes

9 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

The Application Desktop Window

Application Group

Application

10 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

The Broadcast Command

Input to Broadcast Command

Output Window

11 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Customized Startup

Use Right Mouse Buttonon Application Desktop symbol - reveals pop-up

Window presented with preconfigured input

Customizable areas for operator use

12 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Operator’s Drag & Drop Actions

Drag Object from...

Drop Object on Application

Node Layout Group

NodeExecute application using droppednode as an argument or executeapplication on the dropped node

Execute application either using allnodes in the group as argumentsor execute application on all the

nodes in the layout group

13 The VPO Operator

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The Message Browser Window

• Central information component of VPO• Lists all events an operator is responsible for• Point-of-control for actions

14 The VPO Operator

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Message Browser Windows

Browser Types:• Active Messages Default• View Messages Filtered subset of active messages • History Messages Subset of acknowledged messages • Pending Messages Messages from outside Service

Hours

Pending HistoryActive

15 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Message Details

• Full information about all message attributes• Full access to all actions, annotations, escalations

and other activities

16 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Using Views

• Multiple criteria available for flexible selection

• Saved Settings available for future use

17 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Instructions and Annotations

• Instructions– Configured per message by the administrator– Available via a pop-up menu or Details window– Provide hints and directions– Cannot be changed by the operator

• Annotations– Added to the message by the operator– Available via a pop-up menu or Details window– Can be added by running actions (automatic and operator

initiated)

18 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Automatic & Operator Initiated Actions

• Automatic Actions– Routine tasks– No operator intervention required

• Operator Initiated Actions– For actions that require operator interaction

• Re-running automatic actions– Used to re-try “failed” automatic actions

• Stopping Actions– Can be used to stop automatic and operator initiated actions

19 The VPO Operator

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External Services and Escalation

• External Notification– Configured by the VPO Administrator– Activation of pager, email etc. based on time and day– Uses VPO message attributes to forward to application/script

• Trouble Ticket– Configured by the VPO Administrator– Used to track, document and communicate problems– Uses VPO message attributes to forward to application/script

• Escalation– Configured by the VPO Administrator– Invoked by the VPO Operator– Allows forwarding of problem to “next level of support”– Requires cooperative Management Servers

20 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

SummaryThe Task-Oriented Working EnvironmentTools are matched to skills and responsibilities

Unique environment for each operatorSuited to the operator’s exact day-to-day needsCan be changed as the enterprise evolves

Main VPO WindowsManaged NodesMessage GroupsApplication DesktopMessage Browser

Working with messagesViewing the detailsRunning actionsUsing instructions and writing annotations

21 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Message/Problem Processing Flow

Log fileEncapsulator

Monitor Events

ApplicationEvents

ConsoleMessages (MPE/iX only)

Central EventHandler

Operator Station

ProblemNotification

Get Infoon Problem

Solve or EscalateProblem

DocumentProblem

Managed NodesMsg Grp MapBrowsersExternal

where what How to solve

Highlight DetailsEventHelp

Anno-tations

CheckSuccessfulcompletion

AutomaticAction

GuidedAction

OpenConsole

Broad-cast

Add Anno-tation

ReviewAnno-tations

TroubleTicket

AcknowledgeProblem

StartApplic

Management Server

Agent

22 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Message/Problem Processing Flow

Log fileEncapsulator

Monitor Events

ApplicationEvents

ConsoleMessages (MPE/iX only)

Central EventHandler

Operator Station

ProblemNotification

Get Infoon Problem

Solve or EscalateProblem

DocumentProblem

Managed NodesMsg Grp MapBrowsersExternal

where what How to solve

Highlight DetailsEventHelp

Anno-tations

CheckSuccessfulcompletion

AutomaticAction

GuidedAction

OpenConsole

Broad-cast

Add Anno-tation

ReviewAnno-tations

TroubleTicket

AcknowledgeProblem

StartApplic

Agent

Management Server

23 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Message/Problem Processing Flow

Log fileEncapsulator

Monitor Events

ApplicationEvents

ConsoleMessages (MPE/iX only)

Central EventHandler

Operator Station

ProblemNotification

Get Infoon Problem

Solve or EscalateProblem

DocumentProblem

Managed NodesMsg Grp MapBrowsersExternal

where what How to solve

Highlight DetailsEventHelp

Anno-tations

CheckSuccessfulcompletion

AutomaticAction

GuidedAction

OpenConsole

Broad-cast

Add Anno-tation

ReviewAnno-tations

TroubleTicket

AcknowledgeProblem

StartApplic

Agent

Management Server

24 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Message/Problem Processing Flow

Log fileEncapsulator

Monitor Events

ApplicationEvents

ConsoleMessages MPE/iX only)

Central EventHandler

Operator Station

ProblemNotification

Get Infoon Problem

Solve or EscalateProblem

DocumentProblem

Managed NodesMsg Grp MapBrowsersExternal

where what How to solve

Highlight DetailsEventHelp

Anno-tations

CheckSuccessfulcompletion

AutomaticAction

GuidedAction

OpenConsole

Broad-cast

Add Anno-tation

ReviewAnno-tations

TroubleTicket

AcknowledgeProblem

StartApplic

Agent

Management Server

25 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Message/Problem Processing Flow

Log fileEncapsulator

Monitor Events

ApplicationEvents

ConsoleMessages (MPE/iX only)

Central EventHandler

Operator Station

ProblemNotification

Get Infoon Problem

Solve or EscalateProblem

DocumentProblem

Managed NodesMsg Grp MapBrowsersExternal

where what How to solve

Highlight DetailsEventHelp

Anno-tations

CheckSuccessfulcompletion

AutomaticAction

GuidedAction

OpenConsole

Broad-cast

Add Anno-tation

ReviewAnno-tations

TroubleTicket

AcknowledgeProblem

StartApplic

Agent

Management Server

26 The VPO Operator

[vpo_operator]

Reporting Facility

• Available from Message Browser actions menu or as a set of Applications in the Application Desktop

• Access to preconfigured set of reports

• Reports support parameterization

• Output to window, printer or file