Working With Threshold Rules

Table Of Contents

Working With Threshold Rules

Information About Threshold Rules

Threshold Rules Overview

Rising Threshold

Falling Threshold

Threshold Rule Properties

Threshold Rule Actions

Threshold Rule Examples

Trigger an Action Each Time a Threshold is Crossed

Trigger an Action Only Once in a Period When a Threshold is Crossed

Trigger an Action Every Fourth Period When a Threshold is Crossed

Configuring Threshold Rules

Creating Threshold Rules

Deleting Threshold Rules

Editing Threshold Rules

Viewing Threshold Rules

Applying a Threshold Rule to a Chart

Working With Threshold Rules

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This chapter describes how to configure threshold rules using Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM).

This chapter includes the following sections:

•Information About Threshold Rules

•Configuring Threshold Rules

Information About Threshold Rules

This section includes the following topics:

•Threshold Rules Overview

•Threshold Rule Examples

Threshold Rules Overview

Cisco DCNM provides a feature that you use to specify rising or falling threshold rules for sample variables in collected statistical data. Depending on the rule definition, a set of actions are performed by Cisco DCNM. You define the threshold rule on the Threshold Rules page, and you apply the threshold rule to the existing chart.

This section includes the following topics:

•Rising Threshold

•Falling Threshold

•Threshold Rule Properties

•Threshold Rule Actions

Rising Threshold

The rising threshold is the upper threshold for a sample variable. When the current sampled variable is greater than or equal to the specified threshold, a set of actions is performed.

Falling Threshold

The falling threshold is the lower threshold for a sample variable. When the current sampled variable is lower than or equal to the specified threshold a set of actions is performed.

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Note You can specify only one rising threshold and one falling threshold for a single sampled variable.

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Threshold Rule Properties

Threshold rule properties are as follows:

•Name—Specifies the threshold rule name.

•Frequency—Specifies the number of times the sampled variable must cross a threshold before triggering any actions.

•Period—Specifies the interval of time the frequency is monitored.

•Repeat—Prevents the timer from resetting after triggering an action within the period.

•Trend—Specifies the rising or falling threshold.

Threshold Rule Actions

Threshold rule actions are as follows:

•Send an email or SMS to a mail server or mail to SMS gateway.

•Run a script on the server.

•Send an event to the current DCNM JMS channel.

Threshold Rule Examples

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Note The granularity of a period is driven by the minimal interval of the collected data. Consequently, the period must be higher than that interval.

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This section includes the following topics:

•Trigger an Action Each Time a Threshold is Crossed

•Trigger an Action Only Once in a Period When a Threshold is Crossed

•Trigger an Action Every Fourth Period When a Threshold is Crossed

Trigger an Action Each Time a Threshold is Crossed

To trigger an action each time a threshold is crossed, set properties as follows:

•Frequency—1

•Repeat—Yes

Figure 13-1 shows the trigger action when you set rule properties to the preceding values.

Figure 13-1 Trigger an Action Each Time a Threshold is Crossed

If the sampled variable crosses the threshold, an action is taken the first time it crosses the threshold. As a result, an action is performed each time the threshold is crossed.

Trigger an Action Only Once in a Period When a Threshold is Crossed

To trigger an action only once in a period when a threshold is crossed, set properties as follows:

•Frequency—1

•Period—300

•Repeat—No

Figure 13-2 shows the trigger action when you set rule properties to the preceding values.

Figure 13-2 Trigger an Action Only Once When a Threshold is Crossed Within a Period

If the sampled variable crosses the threshold, an action is taken the first time it crosses the threshold. For the remaining 5 minutes, an action will not be taken. As a result, an action is performed only once during the specified period.

Trigger an Action Every Fourth Period When a Threshold is Crossed

To trigger an action every fourth period when a threshold is crossed, set properties as follows:

•Frequency—4

•Period—300

•Repeat—No

Figure 13-3 shows the trigger action when you set rule properties to the preceding values.

Figure 13-3 Trigger an Action Every Fourth Period When a Threshold is Crossed

If the sampled variable crosses the threshold, an action is taken the fourth time it crosses the threshold. For the remaining 5 minutes, an action is not taken. As a result, an action is performed only once during the specified period.

Configuring Threshold Rules

This section includes the following topics:

•Creating Threshold Rules

•Deleting Threshold Rules

•Editing Threshold Rules

•Viewing Threshold Rules

•Applying a Threshold Rule to a Chart

Creating Threshold Rules

You can create threshold rules using Cisco DCNM.

DETAILED STEPS

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Step 1 From the Feature Selector pane, choose DCNM Server Administration > Threshold Rules.

Step 2 From the toolbar, choose New, and then choose New Threshold Rule.

The Details and Threshold Bindings tabs appear in the Details pane, with the Details tab open.

Step 3 Create a threshold rule as follows:

a. In the Name field, enter a name.

b. In the Description field, enter a description of the threshold rule.

After you have enter a description, the Rising Threshold check box is automatically checked and the Threshold field in the Settings area is outlined in red.

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Note A field outlined in red indicates that an entry is required. A field outlined in yellow indicates that the entry is satisfactory.

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c. In the Settings area, enter a value in the Threshold field.

Once you have entered a value, the three options in the Action area are outlined in red.

d. In the Action area, provide one of the following:

–Enter email addresses (delimited with commas)

–Select Sent Event to forward events to the DCNM Event Browser

–Enter a script name

The script receives all data regarding the crossed threshold. The script can be written in any programming language and saved in one of the directories of the system PATH.

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Note Ensure that the Cisco DCNM server is configured for an SMTP server. For more information about configuring the Cisco DCNM server, see the Cisco DCNM Installation and Licensing Guide, Release 5.x.

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e. (Optional) In the corresponding Settings and Action areas, configure a Falling Threshold.

f. (Optional) Click the Threshold Bindings tab to view bindings.

g. Click Deploy.

The rule is deployed.

When you exit Cisco DCNM and Save Pending Changes is checked in the Warning dialog box, click Yes to save the rule.

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Deleting Threshold Rules

You can delete rules using Cisco DCNM.

DETAILED STEPS

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Step 1 From the Feature Selector pane, choose DCNM Server Administration > Threshold Rules.

The rules appear in the Summary pane.

Step 2 From the Summary pane, right-click the appropriate rule.

Step 3 From the drop-down list, choose Delete Threshold Rule.

A warning dialog box appears and displays "Are you sure you want to delete?"

Step 4 Click Yes.

The rule is deleted.

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Editing Threshold Rules

You can view threshold rules using Cisco DCNM.

DETAILED STEPS

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Step 1 From the Feature Selector pane, choose DCNM Server Administration > Threshold Rules.

The rules appear in the Summary pane.

Step 2 Edit any appropriate areas.

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Note You cannot edit the Name field.

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Viewing Threshold Rules

You can view threshold rules using Cisco DCNM.

DETAILED STEPS

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Step 1 From the Feature Selector pane, choose DCNM Server Administration > Threshold Rules.

The rules appear in the Summary pane.

Step 2 Click on a rule to view it.

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Applying a Threshold Rule to a Chart

You can apply threshold rules using Cisco DCNM.

DETAILED STEPS

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Step 1 From the Feature Selector pane, choose the appropriate feature. For example, if you wanted to see statistics for an Ethernet port, choose Interfaces > Physical > Ethernet.

The available devices appear in the Summary pane.

Step 2 From the Summary pane, choose the appropriate device.

Step 3 Click the Statistics tab.

Step 4 In the toolbar, click New Chart and then from the drop-down list choose the chart that you want to view. For example, if you wanted to see statistics for traffic, choose Traffic Statistics Chart.

Step 5 In the chart toolbar, click Launch Threshold Setting.

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