David,
I think the problem is deeper than just needing a command line interface. In
fact, the method that Leslie suggested of creating SmartSets can be partly done
from the command line, as there IS a command line for SmartSets (nvUtil). So you
can create a script that reads a list of nodes and builds a SmartSet.
THEN it gets messy, because you have to open each map to delete the contents of
the SmartSet. This is true because of what (I feel) is a fundamental problem
with the design of NetView, namely that the API for the map database is provided
by the GUI process itself (ovw). This means that any map operations can ONLY
take place if the GUI is open for that map ( which is why the web interface only
works with maps that are already open). So, even if you created a command line
program that deleted map symbols, it could only affect the open maps, assuming
it uses the API and doesn't dig directly into the map database (in fact, there
is an old ITSO redbook sample that allows you to create, connect, modify and
delete submaps, objects, connections... from the command line, but it uses the
API and has the same restriction). Ideally, the map would be implemented by a
daemon, one for each map, to which different interfaces (GUI, web, CLI) could
connect. I suppose if you look at it from Tivoli development's point of view,
unpicking the API from the GUI would be a lot of work which would not enhance
the product for most users, so it may not be a high priority.
Best regards,
Rob Macgregor
"Tremblay, David A." wrote:
> Leslie,
>
> <FLAMETHROWER ON>
>
> Why hasn't there ever been or planned a command line method to delete
> objects from the map in the many upgrades and enhancements within NetView?
> This is a BASIC function that should be available by now in such an advanced
> product as NetView. It would be easier for many shops to script AUTOMATIC
> deletion of objects within the NetView databases instead of having a person
> have to go in and perform this task MANUALLY. Regardless of setting up a
> SMART SET and trying to manually delete objects after the fact.
>
> It seems like a reasonable request especially if you have to delete 1,000's
> of objects from your maps when you do a MAJOR rebuild of your network which
> many companies do from time to time. It is UNREASONABLE to ask our staff
> to delete these objects one by one or in groups when an AUTOMATED SOLUTION
> should exist that could be a more efficient use of our time.
>
> Lastly, by giving the customer the ability to tap into a CLI method such as
> this, map maintenance would become a breeze as opposed to the nightmare I
> have encountered in my experience with the product. We do use a seedfile
> for discovery and even have it linked into an inventory database but IP
> Addresses change, DNS entries get dropped and departments sometimes want us
> to exclude monitoring of their box. When you multiply out these changes
> times 100 or 1000, it becomes very time consuming to search for all of these
> nodes to delete them using the current method.
>
> This is one of many complaints that I have with the product and yes, I have
> started to open enhancement requests to address other issues I have but this
> one in particular strikes a nerve.
>
> <FLAMETHROWER OFF>
>
> I would suggest that more members of the list open enhancement requests to
> address issues such as this. Maybe if enough people complain, the product
> will change for the better.
>
> Dave
>
> P.S. Leslie, please keep up your good work because we do learn quite a bit
> from both you and James. I have a problem with some aspects of the product
> and know the only way to create change is to follow through with some noise
> and an enhancement request.
>
> David A. Tremblay John Hancock Financial Services
> Lead Systems Analyst Corporate Technology Services
> Boston, MA 02117
>
> E-Mail: dtremblay AT jhancock DOT com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Leslie Clark [SMTP:lclark AT us.ibm DOT com]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 6:41 PM
> To: IBM NetView Discussion
> Subject: RE: Antw: RE: [NV-L] [nv-l]: command line interface
>
> Deleting from the map is a map function. No commandline
> utility is provided to do that. You are supposed to open the map,
> delete the thing (from all submaps), and then open any other maps
> you have and do the same thing. Once it is gone from all maps, it
> will be deleted from the topology database. What you are doing
> with that ovtopofix -r command is yanking it from the topology
> database first. The maps will supposedly figure that out and
> clean themselves up. But the reason that command exists is
> for fixing problems which left things in the topology database
> that are not in the map. Use it at your own risk. Better to
> just delete it from the map manually. If there are a bunch of them,
> make a Smartset that groups them all in one place, adjust the
> seedfile to prevent their rediscovery (if that is your intent),
> and then select them in the Smartset and delete.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Leslie A. Clark
> IBM Global Services - Systems Mgmt & Networking
> Detroit
>
>
>
> Johnson Brian-O10519
>
> <Brian.W.Johnson@mot To: "'IBM NetView
> Discussion'"
> orola.com> <nv-l AT tkg DOT com>
>
> Sent by: cc:
>
> owner-nv-l AT tkg DOT com Subject: RE:
> Antw: RE: [NV-L] [nv-l]:
> command line
> interface
>
>
> 08/21/01 12:25 PM
>
> Please respond to
>
> IBM NetView
>
> Discussion
>
>
>
>
>
> I am trying to delete an object from all submaps from the command
> line.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Leslie Clark [mailto:lclark AT us.ibm DOT com]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 6:34 AM
> To: IBM NetView Discussion
> Subject: Re: Antw: RE: [NV-L] [nv-l]: command line interface
>
> Brian, I feel compelled to warn you that the 'ovtopofix -r' is
> undocumented
> for a reason. It is intended as an emergency utility only, and very
> bad
> things can happen if you use it without knowing exactly what you are
> doing. Support will not be happy if you call them about corruption
> in
> the database after using it. What is it that you are trying to
> accomplish?
> Maybe there is a better way to go about it.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Leslie A. Clark
> IBM Global Services - Systems Mgmt & Networking
> Detroit
>
> "Michael
>
> Seibold" To: <nv-l AT tkg DOT com>
>
> <Michael.Seibo cc:
>
> ld AT gek DOT de> Subject: Antw: RE:
> [NV-L]
> [nv-l]: command
> Sent by: line interface
>
> owner-nv-l@tkg
>
> .com
>
> 08/20/01 05:47
>
> AM
>
> Please respond
>
> to IBM NetView
>
> Discussion
>
> ..and be careful while importing with xnmsnmpconf. If you have
> nodenames in
> the config file where nameresolution fails import will stop at that
> line.
> If you don't catch and correct this your configuration may look
> quite
> different afterwards from what you expect it to be.
>
> Michael Seibold
> Gmünder Ersatzkasse GEK
> Germany
>
> >>> donald.davis AT firstcitizens DOT com 17.08.2001 22.42 Uhr >>>
> Brian,
> Neither of the tasks that you want to perform are simple...
> >>a) set SNMP Configuration for a node (as one would do in the GUI
> by going
> to Options->SNMP Configuration)
> xnmsnmpconf -export <filename>
> Edit this file (ignore the comments at the top)
> 1. Add, modify or delete as you desire. Be careful to keep the
> file in
> the same order as you found it.
> Specific nodes first, then IP Network wildcards followed by
> *.*.*.*
> last.
> 2. Import the file back in with xnmsnmpconf -import <filename>
> 3. xnmsnmpconf -event (notifies applications that the database
> has
> changed)
> Word of Caution: All SNMP configuration for SmartSets will be
> lost
> You will have to re-enter any SmartSet SNMP customization from
> the GUI
>
> >>b) delete an object (as would be done in the GUI by right-clicking
> on the
> object and choosing Edit->Delete->Object->From All Submaps
> This is not documented:
> 1. ovstop netmon
> 2. ovtopofix -r <Selection Name | Object Number> [Object
> Number][Object
> Number]....
> 3. ovstart netmon
>
> Word of Caution: It is not documented because you could easily
> corrupt your
> database with a single typo.
>
> Don Davis
>
> Donald Davis
> First Citizens Bank
> Systems Engineer Consultant
> Enterprise Management
> 100 East Tryon Road
> Raleigh, NC. 27603-3526
> 919-716-8448
>
> Note: ovtopofix -r takes the Selection Name or the Object Number
> from the
> Object database, Multiple object numbers may be deleted at once.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Johnson Brian-O10519 [mailto:Brian.W.Johnson AT motorola DOT
> com]
> Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 3:47 PM
> To: 'nv-l AT tkg DOT com'
> Subject: [NV-L] [nv-l]: command line interface
>
> What are the commands (if they exist) to issue at the command line
> to
> accomplish the following:
>
> a) set SNMP Configuration for a node (as one would do in the GUI by
> going
> to
> Options->SNMP Configuration)
> b) delete an object (as would be done in the GUI by right-clicking
> on the
> object and choosing Edit->Delete->Object->From All Submaps
>
> Thanks in advance for your help.
>
> --Brian
>
> Brian Johnson
> Motorola, Inc.
> IT Systems Engineer
> GIS - Enterprise Systems Management
> Desk: (480) 441-1127
> 2-way Pager: 1-800-Skytel-2 PIN: 1267115
> e-mail: Brian.W.Johnson AT motorola DOT com
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________________
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--
From: Rob Macgregor
Tivoli Enterprise Certified Consultant
Nervus Systems Ltd
Tel: +44 07714 215165
Fax: +44 10794 513434
|
