Can anyone explain to me how the MLM collection download process works? I am
working in a NetView/MLM 5.1.1 environment (NetView on AIX 4.x and MLM on
Windows NT 4.0), and we are seeing some problems related to distributing
collections. As I understand it, the netmon daemon will occasionally
download a new collection file to each MLM,  but I would like to understand
this better. Some questions come to mind, like:
1) What triggers a download?
2) What protocol is used (e.g. proprietary sockets or RPC connection, or
just an ftp)? There appears to be some sort of SNMP query activity around
this transfer as well.
3) At what point does netmon expect the MLM to take over the status
monitoring function? After download is complete? After receiving some
confirmation that the file was accepted? After the MLM actually begins/ends
its first status monitoring cycle?
4) What processing is the collection file subjected to at the MLM? There
appears to be some name/address resolution at minimum.
5) Are there some intermediate and final files created on the MLM we can use
to verify the state of the download?


Regards...

Peter Farr
Network Systems Engineer
International Network Services (INS) Canada
Pager: (800) INS-1-INS or (888) 548-6174