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Cisco VFrame Data Center 1.1 Administration Guide
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Preface
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Getting Started with VFrame Data Center
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Managing Roles and Local Users
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Setting Up the Physical Network
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Managing Device Credentials
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Configuring DHCP for VFrame
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Discovering Devices
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Managing Devices
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Managing Server Images
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Managing Resource Pools
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Managing Virtual Contexts
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Designing Templates
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Managing Macros and Variable Group Types from the Library Manager
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Designing Service Networks
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Operating Service Networks
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Managing Faults
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Viewing Reports
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Maintaining Devices
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Managing the VFrame System
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System Actions and Default Variables
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Index
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Table Of Contents
Managing Operations—Basic Workflow
Logical Versus Physical Resources
Service Network and Logical Element States
Operating a Service Network—Scenario
Monitor and Maintain Your Service Network
Testing Service Network Deployment
Releasing Service Network Resources
Defining Service Network Policies
Defining Monitoring and Trend Policies
Defining Notifications for Alarms
Verify Service Network Dialog Box
Service Networks Policy Management Dialog Box
Server Group - Servers Dialog Box
Server LUN and Path Selection Dialog Box
Logical Element Fault State Machine Reference
Logical Server Fault State Machines
Logical Network Fault State Machines
Logical Network Services Fault State Machines
Logical Storage Fault State Machines
Operating Service Networks
Operations includes setting up, deploying, and monitoring the service networks that have been designed.
The following topics provide detailed information about setting up and deploying your service network:
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Managing Operations—Basic Workflow
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Managing Operations—Basic Workflow
Table 14-1 is an overview of the steps you take to set up and deploy a service network in VFrame.
Table 14-1 Managing Operations—Basic Workflow
Step 1
Schedule start, stop, and verification operations for your service network (see Scheduling Operations).
Step 2
Define the following server group settings, rules, and policies:
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Step 3
Define notifications and alarms (see Defining Notifications for Alarms and Defining Alarms).
Step 4
Configure servers (see Configuring Servers).
Step 5
Deploy your network (see Deploying Service Networks).
Step 6
Verify your network (see Verifying Service Networks).
Step 7
Monitor your network (see Monitoring Operations).
Understanding Operations
Operations include deploying and undeploying service networks and creating policies that help to maintain optimal performance of your service network.
The following topics help you understand operations:
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Logical Versus Physical Resources
In VFrame, you create service network templates, which are used to design service networks. The components that make up service network templates and service networks are called elements. Elements are logical representations of components and links within your service network. Elements are components, such as Firewall Services Modules, switches, server groups, links, ports, and so on.
Designing a service network is the process of assigning physical resources and defining specific information about the elements in the service network.
When you prepare a service network for deployment, you create logical elements. logical elements, such as logical servers, are devices that have been allocated, imaged, and configured, but have not yet been deployed.
When you deploy a service network, VFrame acquires physical resources to run the logical elements you have included in your service network. Physical resources are the actual devices that are configured to run your service network.
Service Network and Logical Element States
Table 14-2 describes operational states of service networks and their logical elements.
Table 14-2 Service Network and Logical Element States
Deployable
Service network must be in the Deployable state for any operation to be taken on the service network. When in this state, the service network has been successfully validated and is ready to be deployed.
At this point, you can either schedule to deploy or manually deploy the service network.
Acquiring Resources
A service network enters this state when attempting to gather the physical and logical resources it needs to run. As soon as it enters this state, the service network notifies all of its logical elements to also enter the Acquiring Resources state. Each logical element continues to reflect its own state during the acquisition process. When all logical elements have successfully acquired physical resources, the service network enters the Resources Acquired state; otherwise, it enters the Acquisition Failed state.
Resources Acquired
A logical element enters this state when VFrame successfully obtains all the physical and logical resources required for a particular logical element. It saves these mappings and places the logical element in the Resources Acquired state; otherwise, the logical element enters the Acquisition Failed state.
A service network enters this state when all essential logical elements have entered the Resources Acquired state. It is possible for a service network to enter the Resources Acquired state, while one of its logical elements remains in the Acquisition Failed state. This can happen when a particular logical element is not required for the service network to run.
The physical resources are now ready to be configured to run the service network. The service network automatically proceeds to the Configuring state.
Acquisition Failed
If a particular logical element fails to acquire the physical resources it needs, it enters the Acquisition Failed state. If this logical element is essential for the service network to function, the service network also enters the Acquisition Failed state. This can occur, for example, when the service network has only one logical element in it or when the failure of a logical element puts the number of logical elements of that type below the minimum required for the service network to function.
From this state, you can stop the service network. In addition, if a schedule is associated with the service network, and the time comes to stop the service network, the service network transitions to the Release state.
Configuring
A service network enters this state while configuring the physical resources to run the mapped logical elements. Each of the logical elements also enters a Configuring state.
Configured
The configuration generation failed for an element in a service network due to an application error, so the configuration is terminated. This state applies only to nonserver elements. You can undeploy the network from this state.
Configuration Failed
This state indicates a failure in configuring a physical resource to run its mapped logical element. The service network enters this state if any of its essential logical elements enters this state.
If the failed logical element is a server, you can stop the server without affecting the service network.
If the logical network is in this state, you can stop the service network.
Running
The service network and all its essential logical elements are in the Running state. It is possible for a service network to enter the Running state while a server remains in the Configuration Failed state.
Failure While Running
A service network in the Running state enters the Failure While Running state when it detects a fault in an essential logical element or when a verification operation returns a critical fault.
Service Network Element Error
(Servers only.) A server enters this state whenever it misses the specified number of consecutive heartbeats within the specified time frame.
For information about specifying server heartbeats and time frames, see Server Settings and Defining Server Settings.
Configuring (For Maintenance)
When you place any of the essential logical elements in maintenance mode, the logical element and service network enter the Configuring (For Maintenance) state.
Some logical elements require configuration of an associated physical resources in order for it to enter the Maintenance state. These logical elements have macros attached to them to perform configuration changes when a Maintenance event occurs. For example, a server might require an associated load balancer to be reconfigured not to direct traffic to it while it is in a Maintenance state. In this case, the load balancer enters the Configuring (For Maintenance) state.
If logical elements are successfully configured for maintenance, they, as well as the service network, enter the Maintenance state. The other resources that were configured for maintenance enter the Running state.
Maintenance
A service network enters a Maintenance state when any of the logical elements transition to the Maintenance state.
A scheduled operation (such as start, stop, or verify) has no affect on a service network in the Maintenance state. This prevents any maintenance operation from being interrupted.
Configuration (For Maintenance) Failed
A service network enters the Configuration (For Maintenance) Failed state whenever any of its essential logical elements enter this state.
You can stop or schedule to stop a service network when it is in this state.
Configuration (For Maintenance) Failed on Other
Some logical elements require configuration of an associated logical element in order for it to enter the Maintenance state. The logical element that initiates the Maintenance event is referred to as the source. The associated logical element that needs to be configured for the source logical element to enter the Maintenance state is referred to as the target.
A source logical element enters this state when configuration fails on its target logical elements. The target logical elements and the service network enter the Configuration (For Maintenance) Failed on Element state.
To clear this state, do one of the following:
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Configuration (For Maintenance) Failed on Element
Some logical elements require configuration of another logical element in order for it to enter the Maintenance state. The logical element that initiates the Maintenance event is referred to as the source. The other logical element is referred to as the target.
A target logical element enters this state when it fails to be configured for maintenance.
To clear this state, do one of the following:
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Configuring (For Exiting Maintenance)
A service network enters this state when any of its essential logical elements enter this state. A logical element enters this state when it needs to make configuration changes on an associated physical resource to return it to a Running state. Logical elements that do not require this type of configuration change skip this state.
When a service network or logical element successfully completes the configuration changes necessary to resume operation, it returns to the Running state.
Configuration (For Exiting Maintenance) Failed
A service network enters this state when any of its essential logical elements enters this state.
You can stop or schedule to stop a service network when it is in this state.
Configuration (For Exiting Maintenance) Failed on Other
Some logical elements require configuration of another logical element in order for it to exit the Maintenance state. The logical element that initiates Exit Maintenance event is referred to as the source. The logical element that needs to be configured for the source logical element to exit the Maintenance state is referred to as the target.
A source logical element enters this state when configuration fails on target logical elements. The target logical elements and the service network enter the Configuration (For Exiting Maintenance) Failed on Element state.
To clear this state, do one of the following:
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Configuration (For Exiting Maintenance) Failed on Element
A logical element enters this state when it fails to be configured for exiting maintenance.
To clear this state, do one of the following:
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Configuring (For Incremental Change)
A service network enters this state whenever an incremental change needs to be made to any of its essential logical elements. For example, a load balancer configuration might need to be changed when a server is added to the service network. In this case, the load balancer and the service network enter the Configuring (For Incremental Change) state.
When a service network or logical element successfully completes the configuration changes necessary for incremental change, it returns to the Running state.
Configuration (For Incremental Change) Failed
A service network enters this state when any of its essential logical elements enters this state.
You can stop or schedule to stop a service network when it is in this state.
Configuring (For Server Start)
A logical element enters this state when a Start Server event triggers configuration macros to be run on it.
Server Start Failed
(Servers only.) A server enters this state after it is successfully acquired and configured, but it or the logical elements surrounding it fail to be configured successfully.
Configuration (For Server Start) Failed
A logical element enters this state after entering the Configuring (For Server Start) state and failing to be successfully configured.
Removing Configuration (For Server Stop)
A logical element enters this state after entering the ConfigFailedForServerState state and receiving a Stop Server event.
Removing Configuration (For Server Stop) Failed
A logical element enters this state after entering the Removing Configuration (For Server Stop) state and failing to remove its configuration. If successful, it enters the Running state.
Server Initiated Maintenance
(Windows servers only.) A Windows server enters this state when it reboots. After successfully rebooting, it enters the Running state.
Removing Configuration
A service network enters this state when a user or schedule stops the service network from a Running or Maintenance state. Each of its logical elements also enters the Removing Configuration state while it removes any configuration that was done to set up the logical element on the physical resource.
Completed Removing Configuration
A logical element enters this state after successfully removing any configuration that was done to set up the logical element on the physical resource.
A service network enters this state when all logical elements have entered this state.
Removing Configuration Failed
A logical element enters this state when it is unsuccessful at removing any configuration that was done to set up the logical element on the physical resource.
A service network enters this state when all logical elements have entered this state.
Removing Configuration (Due To Error)
A logical element enters this state when it experiences a failure or an error, and then VFrame issues a Undeploy Network event or you manually stop the network.
Completed Removing Configuration (Due To Error) Failed
A logical element enters this state after entering the Removing Configuration (Due To Error) state and failing to remove its configuration.
Completed Removing Configuration (Due To Error)
A logical element enters this state after entering the Removing Configuration (Due To Error) state and successfully removing its configuration.
Releasing Resources
A service network enters the Releasing Resources state when all of its logical elements have entered the Completed Removing Configuration state. When this happens, all resources associated with the logical elements are released, and consequently, they also transition to an appropriate release state.
Logical elements enter this state while releasing all their associated physical and logical resources.
Releasing (Due To Error)
A service network enters this state in any of the following situations:
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When either of these situations happen, all physical resources associated with the logical elements are released in error, and consequently, they also transition to the ReleaseDueToError state.
A logical element enters this state when it is stopped either manually or at a scheduled time while it is in a configuration error state. The Releasing (Due To Error) state implies that VFrame was unable to remove completely the configuration from the physical resource.
Deployment Blocked
A service network enters this state if any of its essential logical elements enter this state. In this case, the service network releases all logical elements and physical resources.
You cannot deploy a service network when it is in this state; however, you can configure VFrame to ignore errors and transition to the Deployable state. You can also fix the errors on affected logical elements, which prompts the logical elements to transition to the Deployable state and the service network to transition to the Deployable state.
Service Network Configuration
When a configuration change is made, VFrame captures the configuration of the physical resource before and after the change. VFrame maintains a limited number of configurations, and older configurations are removed when new ones are uploaded.
If the device configuration uploaded before and after a configuration state change is made, you can view the difference in the device configuration caused by the VFrame action. You can also view the latest configuration of a physical resource if VFrame is the only management application configuring the physical resource.
Service Network Verification
Service network verification compares the initial configuration that VFrame deployed with the configuration running on the device. Verification checks all system-defined configuration changes and any user-defined macros that are associated with Verify events.
Any changes are reported as errors. If you want errors to be automatically corrected, select the Auto Correct Detected Changes option. This applies to all system actions and any user-defined macros that are designed with the capability to perform corrections. For more information about designing macros to perform auto correction, see Macro Design Concepts, page 11-9.
Operations Control
VFrame enables you to control the operation of your service network and the elements within it. You can schedule when to deploy or undeploy a service network, set the server count, and set up policies that specify when or under what conditions to start or stop a server. You can also configure e-mail notifications if faults of a specific priority level are logged.
VFrame uses the management VLAN to stop service networks and servers. So, it is important to have the management VLAN set up properly.
The following topics provide detailed information about controlling operations:
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Scheduled Operations
Scheduled operations are start, stop, and verification operations that occur at defined times for the opened service network. You can specify what time the operation should occur and whether it should be repeated.
For information about configuring these settings, see Scheduling Operations.
Network Settings
You can define a network setting, which affects all devices in your service network.
You can choose to upload device configuration settings after a configuration operation has completed. This information is used in the Diff operation to compare configuration settings before and after a configuration change.
For information about configuring this settings, see Defining Network Settings.
Server Group Policies
Server group policies maintain an optimum number of servers for your service network at any given time. These policies provide the following information:
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Server Settings
You specify server settings to tell VFrame the number of minutes to allow for a server to boot. You can also set the number of consecutive heartbeats to allow a server to miss before VFrame marks a server as failed and remaps it to a different physical server and the number of times a server may fail within a specific time frame before the server is marked in error. This failure count is for logical servers, not physical servers.
Remapping occurs when a logical server is successfully started, and then fails while it is in the Running state. VFrame stops the failed logical server and starts the same logical server on a different physical server. If an error occurs while while the logical server is attempting to start, it enters the Configuration Failed state until you stop the logical server or the service network.
For information about configuring these settings, see Defining Server Settings.
Server Count
You can configure a default server count, which is in effect whenever the service network is running and no other rule is in effect. You can also create server count rules that specify the maximum, minimum, and target number of servers for a service network during specified times.
VFrame applies the first server count rule that matches the current time. If none match, it applies the default server count settings.
The maximum, minimum, and target number of servers are defined as follows:
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When applying server counts, if the server count is below the target number, VFrame starts as many servers as needed to bring the count up to the target number. However, if the server count is above the target number, VFrame functions differently. VFrame stops servers only if the count is above the maximum number, and it stops only enough servers to bring the server count down to the maximum number, not to the target number.
Note
For information about configuring these settings, see Defining Server Count.
Load-Based Rules
Load-based rules specify thresholds for average memory and CPU utilization during specified times. They also define what action VFrame should take if one of those thresholds is exceeded. The actions are to start or stop a server.
For time- and load-based rules, VFrame evaluates all policies that match. Then it performs the action that has the most matches. For example, if six rules match with start server actions and three rules match with stop server actions, VFrame starts one server, because there are more matches with start server actions.
VFrame waits the number of minutes you specify in the default load-based rules settings whenever repeating an identical load rule action because rules matched. So, if VFrame already started one server based on a load rule, it will wait the number of minutes indicated before starting another server based on load rules.
Note
You can define load-based policies to monitor memory or CPU usage and start another server whenever the percentage of usage for any number of running servers exceeds the percentage indicated for the number of monitoring intervals specified. For example, you can set the CPU usage to 90 percent for three servers for five monitoring intervals. If VFrame finds that the CPU usage for three servers is at 90 percent or greater for five monitoring intervals, it adds a server.
Similarly, you can define load-based policies to monitor memory or CPU usage and stop a running server whenever the percentage of usage for any number of running servers falls below the percentage indicated for the specified number of monitoring intervals. For example, you can set the CPU usage to 20 percent for two servers for five monitoring intervals. If VFrame finds that the CPU usage for two servers is at or below 20 percent for five monitoring intervals, it will stop a running server.
Similar to default policies, when VFrame adds a server, the same constraints apply. VFrame can only start another server if one is allocated and available. A server is started based on load rules only if the running server count is below the maximum number, and a server is stopped based on load rules only if the running server count is above the target number.
For information about configuring these settings, see Defining Load-Based Rules.
Monitoring and Trend Policies
Monitoring and trend policies define time intervals for VFrame to poll servers in the selected server group for specified data. You specify the type of data, which is grouped into these four categories: system, interface, HBA ports, and NFS statistics.
Valid polling intervals are between 1 minute and 2 hours. Data is used to generate logical server trend reports. For details, see Generating Logical Server Trend Reports, page 16-8.
For information about configuring these settings, see Defining Monitoring and Trend Policies.
Notifications and Alarms
VFrame defines several fault state machines to track the status of various types of resources, both virtual and physical. In operations, you manage fault state machines for logical elements. For information about managing fault state machines for physical resources, see Managing Fault Alarms, page 15-1.
Each fault state machine includes a set of states. Whenever a resource enters or leaves a state, VFrame issues a fault alarm. You can configure the fault alarm to be one of four priority levels: fatal, error, warning, and informational. For each level, you can also configure e-mail notifications to be sent out. For details about setting fault alarm priority and e-mail notifications, see Defining Notifications for Alarms.
Notification settings specified for a service network automatically apply to all logical elements within the service network. For example, if you set an e-mail notification for faults with an Info priority level at the network level, whenever any of the logical elements log a fault with Info priority level, e-mail notifications are sent.
Operating a Service Network—Scenario
This scenario builds upon the service network template you created in Chapter 11, "Designing Templates" and the service network you designed in "Designing Service Networks." The template is based on a sample network design in which you have a switch with a CSM connected in single subnet (bridge) mode to a group of servers, as shown in Figure 11-11.
This scenario assumes that the VFrame administrator has already completed all of the prerequisites for creating a service network template and created the CSM service network template. For details on these prerequisites, see Creating a Service Network Template—Scenario, page 11-42. In addition, the default service network policies will be used for this scenario. For details about service network policies, see Operations Control.
This scenario assumes that you have done the following:
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This scenario shows you how to:
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Configure Your Servers
In order to run your service network, you need to create and image your servers. This scenario assumes you are using NFS storage, so LUN paths do not need to be defined.
Before You Begin
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Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
As the servers are created, their names and states appear below the server group, and they enter the Ready For Imaging state.
Step 5
Tip
After the servers are imaged, they enter the Deployable state.
Test Your Service Network
Before you deploy your service network, it is a good idea to perform a test run. Doing a test run starts virtual tasks without actually acquiring or configuring resources.
Before You Begin
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Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
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Step 5
Deploy Your Service Network
After you have configured and tested your service network, you can deploy your service network.
Before You Begin
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Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Monitor and Maintain Your Service Network
After your service network has been deployed successfully, you need to monitor it to make sure that it continues to operate as expected. You might also need to perform maintenance operations, such as upgrading device OS versions, replacing failing devices, or placing logical servers in Maintenance mode.
Following are some suggestions for monitoring and maintaining your service network:
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You can configure e-mail notifications for alarms based on the alarm severity. Although each alarm has a default severity, you can modify the severity to suit your notification requirements; changing the severity does not affect how the system responds to the faults. For details on setting up automatic e-mail notifications for alarms, see Defining Alarms and Defining Notifications for Alarms.
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Note
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Working with Operations
The following topics provide detailed procedures for managing Operations:
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Configuring Servers
In order to run your service network, first you need to configure your servers.
Before You Begin
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Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
As the servers are created, their names and states appear below the server group.
Step 5
If you are using SAN storage, you will need to specify the paths VFrame should use for communication between the servers and LUNs. The newly created servers enter the Waiting on LUN and Path Selection state and the LUN and Path Selection button is activated. Right-click a server and select Server LUN and Path selection.
The Server LUN and Paths Selection dialog box opens and displays information for up to two fabrics, depending on the number chosen in the Server Group Configuration wizard (see Defining Server Groups).
Perform these steps for each fabric:
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The servers enter the Ready For Imaging state.
Step 6
Tip
Step 7
Tip
Step 8
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Related Topics
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Testing Service Network Deployment
Before you deploy your service network, it is a good idea to perform a test run.
Before You Begin
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Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Related Topics
Deploying Service Networks
After you have configured your service network and its policies the way you want, you can deploy your service network.
Before You Begin
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Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
If a configuration error occurs during startup, an error is generated and the network is stopped. Left unchecked, the network continues to run while in the error state so that you can locate and correct the error. In order to implement the correction, you must undeploy and redeploy the network.
Step 5
Related Topics
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Stopping Service Networks
You can stop your service network at any time, which removes configurations from resources and releases them.
Alternatively, you can remove resources from your service network, which stops the resource from running but does not remove the configurations. For more information about this option, see Releasing Service Network Resources
Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Related Topics
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Verifying Service Networks
You can compare the initial configurations that VFrame deployed with the configurations running on the devices.
Before You Begin
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Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Auto-correction applies to all system-defined configuration changes and any user-defined macros that are designed with the capability to perform corrections. For more information about designing macros to perform auto correction, see Macro Design Concepts, page 11-9.
Step 4
Related Topics
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Releasing Service Network Resources
You can use the Release Resources option to stop resources from running without removing their configurations.
Alternatively, to remove resources from the network and remove their configurations as well, you can stop the service network. For more information about this option, see Stopping Service Networks.
Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Related Topics
Monitoring Operations
You can display information about the operations that have been performed for the selected service network.
Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
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Related Topics
Defining Service Network Policies
The following topics provide detailed procedures for defining service network policies:
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Scheduling Operations
You can schedule the times when you want to perform start, stop, and verification operations automatically for the selected service network. You can specify the time that the operation occurs and whether it is repeated.
Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
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For example, to schedule an operation to occur every other day, define 2 days, 0 hours, and 0 minutes. The operation will be repeated at the initial time you specify and every other day thereafter at the same time.
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Step 5
Related Topics
Defining Network Settings
You can define a network setting, which affects all devices in your service network.
Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Related Topics
Defining Server Settings
You can define server settings to maintain an optimum number of servers for your service network at any given time.
Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
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Step 5
Related Topics
Defining Server Count
You can configure a default server count, which is in effect whenever the service network is running and no other rule is in effect. You can also create server count rules that specify the maximum, minimum, and target number of servers for a service network during specified times.
Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
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Step 6
Related Topics
Defining Load-Based Rules
You can define load-based rules that specify whether to start or stop a server based on memory or CPU utilization.
Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
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Step 6
Related Topics
Defining Monitoring and Trend Policies
You can define Monitoring and Trend policies that specify events that you want to track and how often you want to poll for this information.
Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
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Step 6
Related Topics
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Defining Notifications for Alarms
Alarms and notifications are defined separately; however, they work together. When an alarm reaches a specified severity, a notification can be sent to a recipient via e-mail.
You can configure e-mail notifications for alarms based on the alarm severity. Although each alarm has a default severity, you can modify the severity to suit your notification requirements; changing the severity does not affect how the system responds to the faults.
Before You Begin
The system settings must identify an e-mail address and related account information that VFrame can use for sending e-mail notifications. Select File > System Settings to configure these settings if you have the appropriate permissions.
Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
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Step 6
Related Topics
Defining Alarms
Alarms and notifications are defined separately; however, they work together. When an alarm reaches a specified severity, a notification can be sent to a recipient via e-mail.
Although each alarm has a default severity, you can modify the severity to suit your notification requirements; changing the severity does not affect how the system responds to the faults.
Before You Begin
The system settings must identify an e-mail address and related account information that VFrame can use for sending e-mail notifications. Select File > System Settings to configure these settings if you have the appropriate permissions.
Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
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Step 6
Related Topics
Troubleshooting Operations
These are some problems you might have with operations and their solutions:
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Problem
Solution
Problem
Solution
Problem
Solution
Problem
Solution
Problem
Solution
Problem
Solution
Problem
Solution
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Each monitoring interval (set in the Monitoring/Trend tab), VFrame checks the rules to determine if any action is necessary, and acts on the first rule that it matches. Because VFrame analyzes the first rule and finds a match, the second rule will never be acted upon.
Check that your server count rules do not overlap. From the Operations tab, open the service network and click Policies. Select the server group and click the Server Count tab.
Problem
Solution
Problem
Solution
For example, you have the following server count rules:
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When VFrame transitions from rule 1 to rule 2, fault alarms will be logged because, based on the new rule, the service network is running with 5 servers, which is below 8 servers (the new minimum number of servers specified). To prevent unnecessary fault alarms, you can change minimum number of servers in rule 2 to be 5 servers. Alternatively, you can create a new rule that sets the minimum number of servers to 5 to be in effect temporarily, until VFrame can start enough servers to reach the new target.
Problem
Solution
Another possibility is that all server resources in the specified pool are in use. You will need to wait until these resources are released before your service network is able to acquire servers.
Problem
Solution
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Operations Reference
The following topics provide the following reference information:
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Operations Tab
Use the Operations tab to deploy, undeploy, and manage your service networks.
How to Get to This TabSelect Operations > Operations to open the Operations tab.
Related TopicsField Reference
Table 14-3 Operations Tab
Deploy
Click this button to deploy the opened service network so that physical network resources are acquired and configured to run the desired applications. For information about the dialog box that appears, see Start Network Dialog Box.
Undeploy
Click this button to stop the opened service network so that all physical resources are unconfigured and released.
Open
Click this button to open the selected service network. Alternatively, you can double-click the service network from the Service Networks selector.
Verify
Click this button to compare the device configuration with the configuration commands executed by VFrame and report any differences as errors. Differences in configurations can occur when someone changes a device configuration using the CLI after VFrame has already made configuration changes (called out-of-band changes).
For information about the dialog box that appears, see Verify Service Network Dialog Box.
Release Resources
Click this button to release all resources acquired by a running network without removing the configurations on the devices. You might want to use this function to stop a running network but leave all physical resources with their current configurations.
Details
Click this button to display information, such as variable values and assigned resources, about the opened service network.
History
Click this button to display state information for the opened service network. For more information, see History Dialog Box.
Policies
Click this button to display a dialog box in which you can set up policies to manage your network performance and operations. For information about the dialog box that appears, see Service Networks Policy Management Dialog Box
Filter button
Click this button to specify the scope of information to be displayed. The Filter dialog box appears.
Actions button
Select an item and click this button to open a context-sensitive drop-down menu of actions that you can perform. This menu is also available when you right-click an item.
Pan
Enables you to move the viewable area of the template. Click the Pan button, and then click and hold the left mouse button and drag the image to the desired position.
Select
Enables you to select the template or an item (element or link) within the template.
Click the Select button; and then right-click the work area to select the template or the desired item. To select multiple items within a template, right-click the item, and then hold down the Shift key while right-clicking additional items.
Zoom in rect
Select and zoom in on a selected area.
Click the Zoom in rect button, and then click and hold the left mouse button and drag it. A rectangle forms. Select the items you want to zoom in on, and then release the left mouse button. The view zooms into the area contained by the rectangle.
Zoom in
Increases the size of the items displayed.
Zoom out
Decreases the size of the items displayed.
Fit to view
Resizes all items and displays them within the viewable work area.
Logs tab
Displays log entries for every operation that VFrame performed for the opened service network. For detailed reference information, see Logs Tab.
Acquired Resources tab
Depending on the logical element you select in the opened Service Network selector, displays resources, such as devices and IP addresses, that have been acquired for your service network.
Right-click a resource in the Acquired Resources tab and select one of the following options:
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The Device Manager command does not function unless you or an administrator with the appropriate privileges sets up a device manager as described in Configuring Device Managers, page 18-9.
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Note
Verification Results tab
Displays details about the verification operation actions performed for the opened service network. For detailed reference information, see Verification Results Tab.
Configuration Results tab
Displays details about the configuration operation actions performed for the opened service network. For detailed reference information, see Configuration Results Tab.
Alarms Tab
Displays details about the faults detected by your service network. For detailed reference information, see Alarms Tab.
Start Network Dialog Box
Use the Start Network dialog box to deploy your network or perform a dry run.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Operations Tab, select a service network and click Deploy.
Related Topics•
Field Reference
Verify Service Network Dialog Box
You can compare device configurations with the configuration commands provided by VFrame and get a list of errors indicating any differences. You can schedule verification to occur immediately or at a future time. You can also schedule it to repeat at specified intervals. If auto-correction is enabled, VFrame corrects configuration errors that it detects, if possible.
The results of the verification are displayed in the History dialog box for a service network and on the Verification Results tab for a selected element.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Operations Tab, select a service network and click Verify.
Related TopicsField Reference
Table 14-5 Verify Service Network Dialog Box
Auto Correct Detected Changes
If selected, VFrame corrects configuration errors that it detects, if possible.
History Dialog Box
Use the History dialog box to display information about the operations that have been performed for the opened service network.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Operations Tab, select a service network and click History.
Related TopicsField Reference
Table 14-6 History Dialog Box
Filter button
Click this button to specify the scope of information to be displayed. The Filter dialog box appears.
You can filter the operations shown based on a combination of job type, status, and date and time range. You can also limit the number of items shown from 100 to 5000 items per page.
Show All button
Click this button to display all operations for the opened service network.
Type
Type of entry to display. The following are valid choices:
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Max Results
Number of entries to display.
Refresh button
Click to update results on the screen.
Cancel button
Click to stop the search for the specified type of entries.
Time Started
Time the operation began.
Operation
Name of the operation.
Operation Type
Type of operation.
SNE Name
Name of the service network.
Status
Status of the operation, indicating whether it was successful or not.
Duration
Amount of time the operation lasted.
Logs tab
Displays log entries showing the results of the selected operation. For detailed reference information, see Logs Tab.
Verification Results tab
Displays details about the actions performed for the selected verification operation. For detailed reference information, see Verification Results Tab.
Configuration Results tab
Displays details about the actions performed for the selected configuration operation. For detailed reference information, see Configuration Results Tab.
Service Networks Policy Management Dialog Box
Use the Service Networks Policy Management dialog box to set up policies to manage your network performance and operations.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Operations Tab, select a service network and click Policies. Then select the service network or an element within the service network.
Related Topics•
Field Reference
Table 14-7 Service Networks Policy Management Dialog Box
LN Elements Selector
Displays the name of the opened service network and its elements.
Schedule tab
Schedule start, stop, and verification operations for the opened service network. For more information, see Schedule Tab.
Network Settings tab
Specify whether to upload a device configuration settings after a configuration operation has completed. This information is used in the Diff operation to compare configuration settings before and after a configuration change.
Notification tab
Set up e-mail notifications for fatal, error, warning, and informational priority-level faults. For more information, see Notification Tab.
Alarms tab
Specify priority levels according to the state that the selected fault state machine enters. When a state machine for the selected element enters the corresponding state, an alarm is generated and set to the priority level you specify. For more information, see Alarms Tab.
You can also set e-mail notifications based on the severity of the alarm. See Notification Tab.
Server settings tab
Specify server settings, such as maximum number of minutes for server boot and server failure thresholds. For more information, see Server Settings Tab. (Displayed only for server groups.)
Server count tab
Create rules that specify the target, minimum, and maximum number of servers allowed for a given time period. For more information, see Server Count Tab. (Displayed only for server groups.)
Load based rules tab
Create rules that specify whether to start or stop a server based on memory or CPU utilization. For more information, see Load Based Rules Tab. (Displayed only for server groups.)
Monitoring/Trend tab
Specify events that you want to track and how often you want to poll for this information. For more information, see Monitoring/Trend Tab. (Displayed only for server groups.)
Schedule Tab
Use the Schedule tab to schedule start, stop, and verification operations for the opened service network. You can specify the time that the operation should occur and whether it should be repeated.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Service Networks Policy Management Dialog Box, select a service network and click the Schedule tab.
Related TopicsField Reference
Notification Tab
Use the Notification tab to set up e-mail notifications for fatal, error, warning, and informational priority-level faults.
This feature works with the Alarms tab. In the Alarms tab, you specify the fault priority levels for selected fault state machines, so that when a fault state machine enters the specified state, an alarm is generated and set to the corresponding priority level. When this situation happens, e-mail notifications are sent out to the e-mail addresses you specify.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Service Networks Policy Management Dialog Box, select a service network or element from the LN Elements selector and click the Notification tab.
Related Topics•
Field Reference
Alarms Tab
Use the Alarms tab to specify the fault priority levels for the selected state machine. When the selected state machine enters the corresponding state, an alarm is generated and set to the priority level you specify.
You can use this feature with the Notifications tab to send out e-mail notifications when specified alarm priority-levels are reached.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Service Networks Policy Management Dialog Box, select a service network or element from the LN Elements selector and click the Alarms tab.
Related Topics•
Field Reference
Table 14-10 Alarms Tab
State Machines
Based on the element selected, displays the state machine category and state machines associated with it. Select a state machine to display its states and set its state priority level.
For more information, see Logical Element Fault State Machine Reference.
Alarm level
List box containing the priority levels from which you can choose: fatal, error, warning, or informational. This field corresponds to the state displayed to its left.
When the selected state machine enters the corresponding state, an alarm is generated and set to the priority level you specify.
Server Settings Tab
Use the Server Settings tab to set the following thresholds and actions for the servers in your service network:
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How to Get to This TabFrom the Service Networks Policy Management Dialog Box, select a server group from the LN Elements selector and click the Server Settings tab.
Related TopicsServer Count Tab
Use the Server Count tab to specify defaults and to create rules that specify the target, minimum, and maximum number of servers allowed for a given time period.
How to Get to This Tab
From the Service Networks Policy Management Dialog Box, select a server group and click the Server Count tab.
Related TopicsField Reference
Table 14-11 Server Count Tab
Default
Default target, minimum, and maximum number of servers.
Edit button
Click this button to specify the default target, minimum, and maximum number of servers.
Rules
Displays rules in the order in which they are executed. You can do any of the following:
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Server Count Rule Dialog Box
Use the Server Count Rule dialog box to create rules that specify the target, minimum, and maximum number of servers allowed for a given time period.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Server Count Tab, click New or select an existing rule and click Modify.
Related TopicsField Reference
Load Based Rules Tab
Use the Load Based Rules tab to create rules that specify whether to start or stop a server based on memory or CPU utilization.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Service Networks Policy Management Dialog Box, select a server group and click the Load Based Rules tab.
Related TopicsField Reference
Table 14-13 Load Based Rules Tab
Default
Number of minutes VFrame waits before starting or stopping a server based on a specified rule.
Rules
Displays rules in the order in which they are executed. You can do any of the following:
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Load Based Rules Dialog Box
Use the Load Based Rules dialog box to create rules that specify whether to start or stop a server based on memory or CPU utilization.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Load Based Rules Tab, click New or select an existing rule and click Modify.
Related TopicsField Reference
Monitoring/Trend Tab
Use the Monitoring/Trend tab to specify events that you want to track and how often you want to poll for this information.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Service Networks Policy Management Dialog Box, select a server group and click the Monitoring/Trend tab.
Related Topics•
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Field Reference
Table 14-15 Monitoring/Trend Tab
Monitoring Interval
Time intervals during which VFrame polls servers in the selected server group for specified data. Valid polling intervals are between 1 minute and 2 hours.
Trend Variables
Data to track and download at monitoring intervals. Select the check box next to the trend variable you want to track. Data is used to generate logical server reports. For more information, see Understanding Logical Server Trend Reports, page 16-2.
Server Group - Servers Dialog Box
Use the Server Group - Servers dialog box to display information about the servers in the selected server group.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Operations Tab, the desired server group and select Show Servers.
Related TopicsField Reference
Table 14-16 Server Group - Servers Dialog Box
Name
Name of the server.
Operation State
State of the server. For information about server states, see Service Network and Logical Element States.
Fault Status
Fault status of the server. Valid values are ERROR, PARTIAL ERROR (errors on child elements only—not server), WARNING, and OK.
Config Status
Configuration status of the server. Valid values are ERROR, PARTIAL ERROR (errors on child elements only—not server), WARNING, and OK.
Verification Status
Verification status of the server. Valid values are ERROR, PARTIAL ERROR (errors on child elements only—not server), WARNING, and OK.
Server Properties Dialog Box
Use the Server Properties dialog box to obtain information about the selected server.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Operations Tab, right-click the desired server and select Server Details.
Related TopicsField Reference
Table 14-17 Server Properties Dialog Box
Design tab
Lists variable groups and variables associated with the selected server and shows the current variable values. Allows you to edit the variable values.
Deploy tab
Shows the following tabs, which provide information about the resources that were acquired for the server to function:
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Device Manager tab
Displays the device managers available for connecting to the device, and the parameters available for use with the device managers. For some attributes, such as the alternate management address, you can configure the value by selecting the attribute and clicking Edit. However, your changes are used only if the configured device managers use the selected attribute. For information on the attributes available, Device Manager Parameter Variables, page 18-94.
Network Connectivity Tab
Use the Network Connectivity tab to obtain details about the server port and the switch port to which the server is connected.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Server Properties Dialog Box, select Deploy > Network Connectivity.
Related TopicsField Reference
Storage Tab
Use the Storage tab to obtain details about the storage devices to which the server is connected.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Server Properties Dialog Box, select Deploy > Storage.
Related TopicsField Reference
Server LUN and Path Selection Dialog Box
Use the Server LUN and Path Selection dialog box to identify the paths that VFrame will use to connect to specified LUNs. This dialog box displays information for up to two fabrics, depending on the number chosen in the Server Group Configuration wizard (see Defining Server Groups).
Note
How to Get to This TabFrom the Operations Tab, select a server that you have previously created (and is in the Waiting on LUN and Path selection state) and click LUN and Path Selection.
Related TopicsField Reference
Logs Tab
Use the Logs tab to display log entries for every operation that VFrame performed for the opened service network.
How to Get to This TabDo one of the following:
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Related TopicsField Reference
Table 14-21 Logs Tab
Max Results1
Number of entries to show from 100 through 10000.
Filter button1
Click this button to specify the scope of information to be displayed. The Filter dialog box appears.
From the Filter tab:
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Details button1
Select a row in the table and click this button to display the information in a dialog box instead. This display helps you read the information in the row without having to use the horizontal scroll bar.
Severity
Priority level of the log entry. Valid priority level are fatal, error, warning, and informational.
Time
Date and time the operation occurred.
Operation
Name of operation.
Entry
Log entry.
Event Name
Name of event.
Activity
Action being performed.
SNE Name
Service network element name.
SNE Type
Service network element type.
Target Resource Name
Target resource name.
Target Resource Type
Target resource type.
1 Only visible from the History dialog box.
Verification Results Tab
Use the Verification Results tab to display details about the verification operations performed for the opened service network.
How to Get to This TabDo one of the following:
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Related TopicsField Reference
Table 14-22 Verification Results Tab
Filter button
Click this button to specify the scope of information to be displayed. The Filter dialog box appears.
From the Filter dialog box:
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From the Summary tab, check your current filter selections.
Details button
Select a row in the table and click this button to display the information in a dialog box instead. This display helps you read the information in the row without having to use the horizontal scroll bar.
Clear Status button
Select a row in the table and click this button to clear an error state. (This button is displayed only if you select the Verification Results tab or Configuration Results tab.)
Diff button
Select a row in the table pertaining to an action (user-defined macro) and click this button to compare the last known configuration (if available) with the most recent configuration that VFrame deployed.
Logs button
Select a row in the table pertaining to an action (user-defined macro) and click this button to display the communication between VFrame and the device. The communication includes commands sent to the device and the device prompts and responses.
Perl Routine button
Select a row in the table pertaining to an action (user-defined macro) and click this button to display the Perl file that was generated before running the macro.
Variable File button
Select a row in the table pertaining to an action (user-defined macro) and click this button to display the variable values that were generated before running the macro.
Show failed results only1
Click this check box to show only configuration operations that resulted in failure.
Status
Status of the action, indicating whether it was successful or not.
Last Update Time
Time the verification action was completed.
Event Type
Type of event that occurred. For a complete list of event types, see Events, page 11-6.
Event Name
Name of the event that occurred.
Action
User-defined macro or system action.
Message
Error or informational message after action occurs.
Resource
Resource associated with the target element.
Target SNE Name
Name of the target service network element.
Prev. Reset Status2
Status of the error before it was cleared.
Reset By2
Username of the person who cleared the error.
1 Only visible from the Operations tab.
2 Only visible from the History dialog box.
Configuration Results Tab
Use the Configuration Results tab to display details about the configuration operations performed for the opened service network.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Operations Tab, select a service network and click the Configuration Results tab.
Related TopicsField Reference
Table 14-23 Configuration Results Tab
Filter button
Click this button to specify the scope of information to be displayed. The Filter dialog box appears.
From the Filter dialog box:
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From the Summary tab, check your current filter selections.
Details button
Select a row in the table and click this button to display the information in a dialog box instead. This display helps you read the information in the row without having to use the horizontal scroll bar.
Clear Status button
Select a row in the table and click this button to clear an error state. (This button is displayed only when you select the Verification Results tab or Configuration Results tab.)
Diff button
Select a row in the table pertaining to a user action (user-defined macro) and click this button to compare the last known configuration (if available) with the most recent configuration that VFrame deployed.
Logs button
Select a row in the table pertaining to a user action (user-defined macro) and click this button to display the communication between VFrame and the device. The communication includes commands sent to the device and the device prompts and responses.
Perl Routine button
Select a row in the table pertaining to a user action (user-defined macro) and click this button to display the Perl file that was generated before running macro.
Variable File button
Select a row in the table pertaining to a user action (user-defined macro) and click this button to display the variable values that were generated before running the macro.
Show failed results only1
Select this check box to show only configuration operations that resulted in failure.
Status
Status of the action, indicating whether it was successful or not.
Last Update Time
Time the configuration action was completed.
Event Name
Name of the event that triggered the configuration task action.
Action
Name of the action.
Message
Error or informational message after action occurs.
Resource
Resource associated with the target element.
Target SNE Name
Name of the target service network element.
1 Only visible from the Operations tab.
Alarms Tab
Use the Alarms tab to display details about the faults detected by your service network.
How to Get to This TabFrom the Operations Tab, select a service network and click the Alarms tab.
Related Topics•
Field Reference
Logical Element Fault State Machine Reference
These sections describe the fault state machines that are used with logical elements:
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Logical Server Fault State Machines
The logical server fault state machines relate to your virtual application servers. You can configure fault severity, which is the severity level of the fault generated by changes to this state. This configuration affects the severity displayed in the interface, and is what controls when notifications are sent based on your notification settings. For details, see Defining Alarms.
Table 14-25 explains the logical server fault state machines.
Table 14-25 Logical Server Fault State Machines
Fault state machines related to virtual application servers.
Configuration Server
Indicates the state of the server. For a complete description of these states, see Table 14-2.
Health
Indicates the health of a logical server. A logical server is considered unhealthy if it repeatedly fails too frequently (for example, misses heartbeats or repeatedly goes into a Failure While Running state). This might indicate a problem with the image.
By default, if the same logical server misses a heartbeat three times in one hour, it is considered unhealthy, and it goes into a Service Network Element Error state. When this happens, VFrame no longer tries to remap that logical server. When the affected logical server (or the service network) is stopped, the logical server enters a Deployment Blocked state and remain in this state until you acknowledge and clear it.
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Heartbeat
Indicates whether VFrame is receiving regular heartbeats from the server while it is running. The heartbeat interval is specified under Operations > Operations > Policies > ServerGroup > Monitoring/Trend. The default is once per minute.
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Verification
Checks that the device configuration is that which was configured by VFrame and reports the outcome.
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Fault state machines related to virtual application server groups.
Server Count
Indicates how the number of running logical servers compares to the number specified in the Server Count tab (Policies > Server Group > Server Count).
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Verification
Checks that the device configuration is that which was configured by VFrame and reports the outcome.
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Logical Network Fault State Machines
The logical network fault state machines relate to your virtual Ethernet switches. You can configure fault severity, which is the severity level of the fault generated by changes to this state. This configuration affects the severity displayed in the interface, and is what controls when notifications are sent based on your notification settings. For details, see Defining Alarms.
Table 14-26 explains the network fault state machines.
Table 14-26 Logical Network Fault State Machines
Fault state machines related to your virtual Ethernet switches.
Configuration Logical Network
Indicates the state of the logical network. For a complete description of these states, see Table 14-2.
Logical Network Services Fault State Machines
The logical network services fault state machines relate to your virtual Ethernet switch modules, such as Firewall Services Modules (FWSMs). You can configure fault severity, which is the severity level of the fault generated by changes to this state. This configuration affects the severity displayed in the interface, and is what controls when notifications are sent based on your notification settings. For details, see Defining Alarms.
Table 14-27 explains the logical network services fault state machines.
Logical Storage Fault State Machines
The logical storage fault state machines relate to your virtual storage devices, such as storage area network (SAN) equipment and NFS filers.You can configure fault severity, which is the severity level of the fault generated by changes to this state. This configuration affects the severity displayed in the interface, and is what controls when notifications are sent based on your notification settings. For details, see Defining Alarms.
Table 14-28 explains the logical storage fault state machines.
