SystemView to support open multivendor systems
While expanding SystemView in other areas, IBM’s also took the opportunity to extend the SystemView structure to support distributed open multivendor systems. The set of guidelines and definitions enables programmers to create applications that work together to provide end-to-end management of information systems. The announcement includes the addition of AIX as a managing system, the endorsement of the X/Open Management Protocol as a SystemView application programming interface, and extensions to the SystemView Data Model and Levels of Integration. More than 150 objects have been added to the Data Model, which provides definitions of the resources of an information system. These software definitions of hardware and software can make it faster and easier to run a system. The Data Model will also be upgraded to conform to the final implementation of the International Standards Organisation’s Guidelines for the Definition of Managed Objects. Several extensions to the SystemView Levels of Integration, its guidelines for application conformance, were announced. SystemView Integration Level 1 now includes the OSF/Motif user interface for applications created for AIX Unix. IBM’s Graphics Interface Kit/2 was named an Integration Level 2 screen designer. IBM also announced that Level 2 conformance criteria for NetView automation services have been extended and clarified to increase the options offered to application programmers.
Automation Operations Control/MVS 2, dpAccounting Manager/MVS
Two products designed to automate systems management in a mainframe environment were included in last week’s IBM offering. Automation Operations Control/MVS Release 2 provides several new functions aimed at improving information gathering and decision-making. It runs under NetView and relies on two NetView functions – an object-based OS/2 graphical interface and the Resource Object Data Manager – to help network operators monitor multiple network resources from a single workstation. The Resource Object Data Manager eases the integration of a variety of management products so they can be used from one screen. IBM’s new management application, dpAccounting Manager/MVS, provides a range of forecasting, pricing and billing options for data centre-related costs. The application can be customised for either internal cost centres or external profit centres. Several other SystemView host products are now available: Operations Planning and Control/ESA 1.2 enhances workload and problem management in an MVS environment; Service Level Reporter Version 3 Release 3 which can be used to project system growth requirements. In addition, IBM said that its SystemView VM resource manager, Host Management Facilities, will be available in November in the US.
LANfocus Manage/2, View/2 for building and executing system management applications
The LANfocus announcements include LANfocus Manage/2 for building and executing system management applications and providing common services, such as SNMP and CMIP protocols, to all OS/2 system management applications – Manage/2 determines which workstations, applications and other resources are on the local network, and displays, via View/2, how they are connected, and then indicates any changes in these connections; LANfocus View/2, a common graphical user interface consistent with IBM ScreenView. It uses coloured icons shaped like personal computers and other network elements that enable the administrator to observe the network at any level of detail the entire local network, a discrete segment, or an individual workstation, device or other resource. View/2 is based on the OS/2 2.0 Workplace Shell. Another group of products includes agents that provide information to Manage/2 and its applications, allowing the local network administrator to manage network resources.
Managed systems services for OS/2
LANfocus Enable/2 Version 1.0 provides managed systems services for OS/2 2.0, and MS-DOS, with and without Windows. LANfocus Agents/2 provides additional information for OS/
2, as well as for MS-DOS 5.0, MS-DOS 5.0 with Microsoft Windows 3.1, and the OS/2 LAN Requester. LANfocus Agents Extended/2 provides information for IBM LAN Server, and OS/2 Extended Services’ Database Manager and Communications Manager. IBM also announced a set of LANfocus applications including: LANfocus Monitor/2, which monitors and reports on system performance of disk, RAM and workstation processors and servers, LANfocus Start/2 Version 2.0 for icon-based workstation configuration, LANfocus Fix/2 which acts to monitor network problems discovered by Agents/2 and Agents reporting hardware and software failures and including some automated recovery functions, LANfocus NetView Tie/2 transmits events requiring host involvement to NetView as alerts. Not included in the UK announcement, but announced in the US, are NetWare Services Manager for LANfocus Management/2, which provides full management services for Novell networks and the news that LANfocus will be integrated with IBM’s MASS/2 subsystem of the new IBM PS/2 Server 295 for large, complex client-server networks. These applications support standards, such as CMIP and SNMP, and conform to the SystemView framework. In the US, both IBM and Novell Inc will market a NetWare Services Manager for LANfocus Management/2 products. Third parties that have announced LANfocus support include Novell, Microcom Corp, Computer Associates International Inc and Ungermann-Bass Inc. Early versions of LANfocus products start customer/vendor tests this month while testing for the core systems management applications will begin early in 1993. Prices and availability are as follows: IBM LANfocus Manage/2 1.0 $1,245; second quarter 1993, IBM LANfocus View/2 1.0 – $595; second quarter 1993, IBM LANfocus Enable/2 1.0 – $55; second quarter 1993, IBM LANfocus Agents/2 1.0 – $55; second quarter 1993, IBM
LANfocus Agents Extended/2 1.0 – $75; out second quarter 1993.
In addition to LANfocus, IBM announced Version 2.0 of its other local network management system, LAN Management Utilities, which is similar to LANfocus without DME compatibility. Version 2.0 enhancements include a graphical user interface and Novell Inc NetWare support. Configuration, Installation and Distribution technology products announced are IBM Network Transport Sevices/2 version 1.0 and LANfocus Start/2. These products provide Configuration, Installation and Distribution, CID, facilities for local network-connected OS/2 machines from a code server on the local network. CID-enabled products include OS/2 version 2, OS/2 LAN Server Version 3.0 and OS/2 Extended services. Reinforcing its OS/2 LAN Server as an ‘industrial strength’ client-server system, IBM also announced Version 3.0, the 32-bit version of the company’s OS/2 LAN Server network operating system (CI No 2,028).
