Emerson MONITORING OpenComms- User Manual

iv FIGURES Figure 1 Sample Nform configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 TABLES Table 1 New features in Nform Version 1.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

1 O PEN C OMMS ™ N FORM Version 1.2 Release User Manual Liebert ® Corporation SL-29000 (June 7, 2005) Liebert Corporation Liebert Europe Liebert Asia 1050 Dearborn Drive P.O. Box 29186 Columbus, Ohio 43229 Sales Phone: 1 800 877 9222 FAX: 1 614 841 6022 Technical Support Phone: 1 800 222 5877 FAX: 1...

What Is Nform? 2 1.0 W HAT I S N FORM ? Liebert developed Nform to use Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to monitor and man- age a wide variety of networked equipment, protecting it from costly damage resulting from power failures and mechanical breakdowns. The monitored equipment can includ...

What Is Nform? 3 1.2 What’s New in Version 1.2 Table 1 summarizes the new features available in Nform Version 1.2. Table 1 New features in Nform Version 1.2 Feature Improvement Client Server Architecture Connects multiple Nform Clients to a single Nform Server. Operators can now manage the Nform sys...

How Do You Contact Liebert for Technical Support? 4 2.0 H OW D O Y OU C ONTACT L IEBERT FOR T ECHNICAL S UPPORT ? For help on deciding how to set up Nform or any other Liebert monitoring product, contact Liebert’s Software Technical Applications Support Center at: UNITED STATES Phone: 1 800 222 5877...

Who Can Benefit From Nform? 5 3.0 W HO C AN B ENEFIT F ROM N FORM ? Any industry operating devices utilizing the SNMP protocol can benefit from using Nform to protect valuable equipment, data and other assets in the event of power or mechanical failure. Nform’s protection can be extended beyond equi...

What is Required to Use Nform? 6 4.0 W HAT IS R EQUIRED TO U SE N FORM ? Visit the Liebert Web site at http://nform.liebert.com for the latest product information. The Web site always has the most detailed and up-to-date information on system requirements and Nform’s capa- bilities. 4.1 Connecting h...

Sample Nform Configuration 7 5.0 S AMPLE N FORM C ONFIGURATION Nform is installed on a single workstation and can be configured to monitor and manage up to 30 SNMP devices by default. The user has the option of expanding Nform’s network capabilities with additional licenses. Licenses are available i...

Installing the Software 8 6.0 I NSTALLING THE S OFTWARE This section explains how to install OpenComms Nform. • For a first-time installation, follow the instructions in 6.1 - Initial Installation . • If you are upgrading to a newer version of Nform and want to keep configuration settings, proceed t...

Installing the Software 9 6.3 Upgrading to a Newer Version of Nform When upgrading to a newer version, the user does not need to remove the existing installation. Dur- ing the upgrade, Nform preserves all configuration files—for example, configured devices, floor plans, actions. To install the Nform...

Overview of Nform Net Event Manager 10 7.0 O VERVIEW OF N FORM N ET E VENT M ANAGER This section provides a quick look at the features available with various SNMP devices and the func- tions accessible through Nform’s tabs, menus and toolbar buttons. The Nform Net Event Manager’s two tabs—Navigate a...

Overview of Nform Net Event Manager 11 7.1.1 Configure Menus and Toolbar Buttons When the Configure tab is selected, Nform displays three menus at the top of the window: File , Edit , and Help . Each menu has a drop-down list of options, which appear only when applicable. For example, the Save optio...

Overview of Nform Net Event Manager 12 7.2 Navigate Tab—Overview The main features of the Navigate tab are: • Viewing summary status, alarm history, and parametric data for any device in the navigation tree• Tracking alarms in an event log and in user-specified files• Responding to alarms Access to ...

Overview of Nform Net Event Manager 13 7.2.1 Navigate Menus and Toolbar Buttons When the Navigate tab is selected, Nform displays up to four menus at the top of the window: File , View , Alarms , and Help . Each menu has a drop-down list of options. Menus and options appear only when applicable. For...

Overview of Nform Net Event Manager 14 7.2.2 Informational Icons in the Navigation Tree The navigation tree’s informational icons change to indicate normal operation, active alarms, commu- nications loss and other conditions of SNMP devices. Table 4 summarizes the meaning of icons Nform employs to i...

Overview of Nform Net Event Manager 15 7.3 Nform Features Table 5 lists the features available in Nform. Table 5 Features available in Nform Feature OpenComms Nform 1.2 System Features Centralized Event Logging Yes Multi-User Yes Authenticated Access Yes Auto Logoff (Enhanced Security) Yes SiteScan ...

Getting Started With Nform 16 8.0 G ETTING S TARTED W ITH N FORM After installing the software, you should change the default password for security purposes and enter the license key so you can begin configuring devices for monitoring. Saving Configuration Changes Some changes to Nform’s configurati...

Getting Started With Nform 17 8.4 Change the Administrator Password The software has two users, Administrator and Power User. The Administrator has full access to con- figuration and monitoring; the Power User has viewing privileges only. These user names cannot be changed. The default password for ...

Getting Started With Nform 18 8.5 Enter the Nform License Key You must install the Nform license key from the sticker on the CD case before configuring Nform to manage and monitor devices and inform users of conditions affecting SNMP devices. • If you purchased the Nform-Enterprise pre-bundled packa...

Getting Started With Nform 19 8.6 Install the MultiLink Network Shutdown License (Optional) If you purchased the MultiLink Network Shutdown License—either separately or as part of the Nform-Enterprise pre-bundled package—two steps are needed to activate the MultiLink shutdown features: • First, inst...

Getting Started With Nform 20 8.7 Set Up Security Settings As a security precaution, you may enable a feature that locks the Nform application after a specified amount of idle time following the Administrator logon. When this occurs, the application remains locked until the user enters a password. T...

Configuring Nform Devices 21 9.0 C ONFIGURING N FORM D EVICES This section describes how to configure devices that will be monitored, add floor plans as visual aids, set up the navigation tree and view or change settings for alarm, trap and SNMP services. 9.1 Add a Device To add a device: • Log on a...

Configuring Nform Devices 22 9.2 Set Up the Device The SNMP Devices window has three tabs: • The Device Setup tab allow you to enter a community string and timeout value.• The Views tab lets you determine which informational items appear in the Navigate tab. • The Alarms tab allows you to set up ala...

Configuring Nform Devices 23 9.2.2 Views tab The Views tab displays the types of data that can be retrieved from an SNMP device and displayed in the Navigate tab as the Filtered View—for example, the type of device, model number and device status. Liebert supplies a template for each SNMP device, co...

Configuring Nform Devices 24 9.2.3 Alarms tab The Alarms tab allows you to link actions, such as sending an e-mail, to specific alarms—this is described later in 11.2.4 - Assign Actions to Alarms . Liebert supplies a template for each SNMP device, containing the types of alarms applicable to that de...

Configuring Nform Devices 25 9.3 Add Devices to Navigation Tree The Navigation tree window allows you to designate which managed devices will be monitored and appear on the Navigate tab. You may set up different views for the Administrator and Power User.This window opens if you clicked Yes in the f...

Configuring Nform Devices 26 9.4 Add Floor Plans to Show Device Location Floor plans may be added to Nform’s navigation tree as visual reminders of where devices are located, as in the example shown at right. Users may design these floor plans or contact Liebert for custom-built plans. Floor plans m...

Configuring Nform Devices 27 9.5 Add Floor Plans to Navigation Tree After adding floor plans to Nform, you must also place them in the navigation tree. Managed devices can be placed under the appropriate floor plan to help the System Administrator pinpoint SNMP devices for troubleshooting. • In the ...

Configuring Nform Devices 28 9.6 Services and Applications 9.6.1 Alarm Service - Configuration Nform has seven alarm service options that may be configured, as shown in Table 6 . Liebert recom- mends keeping the default values for Options 1 , 2 and 3 . To view or change any option: • Log on as Admin...

Configuring Nform Devices 29 9.6.2 Alarm Service - Event Alarms The Alarm Service has event alarms, listed in Table 7 , that you may map to any configured action— for example, an e-mail action or a file write action. To view or change the event assignments for any event alarm: • Log on as Administra...

Configuring Nform Devices 31 9.6.4 SNMP Service Nform has SNMP Service features for polling devices and testing Nform’s handling of traps, as listed in Table 8 . • SNMP Agent Polling allows you to set up Nform to poll devices for their status at a specified interval. By default, this feature is disa...

Configuring MultiLink Devices 32 10.0 C ONFIGURING M ULTI L INK D EVICES This section describes how to configure MultiLink 1.5 clients to receive shutdown notifications from Nform. 10.1 Requirements to Use MultiLink Features There are three requirements to use this feature: 1. A MultiLink Network Sh...

Configuring MultiLink Devices 33 10.2 Add a MultiLink Client Before adding and setting up MultiLink clients for notifications, the MultiLink Network Shutdown License must be installed in the OpenComms Nform system and MultiLink 1.5 Client software must be installed on all workstations and servers th...

Configuring MultiLink Devices 34 10.3 Set Up a MultiLink Notify Action After adding MultiLink 1.5 client computers to Nform, you may configure Nform to send notification traps to selected clients when an alarm is received. Three types of traps may be sent: • Warning Shutdown (On Battery)• Critical S...

Local and Server Notification Configuration 35 11.0 L OCAL AND S ERVER N OTIFICATION C ONFIGURATION This section describes how to configure Nform to alert administrators and users when alarms are received. It also details how to set up Nform to respond to alarms with certain actions, such as send- i...

Local and Server Notification Configuration 36 11.2 Server Notifications Certain Nform features may be set up to protect valuable equipment, data and other assets by responding automatically to alarms in SNMP devices affected by such events as power failures, over- heating and mechanical failures.Fo...

Local and Server Notification Configuration 37 11.2.1 Set Up an E-Mail Action To set up an e-mail: • Log on as Administrator and click on the Configure tab. • In the left side of the window, click on Local and Server Notifications . • In the right side of the window, double-click on Server Notificat...

Local and Server Notification Configuration 38 11.2.2 Set Up a File Write Action To set up a File Write Action: • Log on as Administrator and click on the Configure tab. • In the left side of the window, click on Local and Server Notifications . • In the right side of the window, double-click on Ser...

Local and Server Notification Configuration 39 11.2.3 Set Up an External Program to Run To set up an external program to run: • Log on as Administrator and click on the Configure tab. • In the left side of the window, click on Local and Server Notifications . • In the right side of the window, doubl...

Local and Server Notification Configuration 41 11.3 Advanced Notification The Get Request feature allows Nform to collect data on the status of connected devices at the time of an event, such as an alarm, and store the data in a file for later review. With Set Request, Nform can control devices base...

Local and Server Notification Configuration 42 11.3.2 SNMP Set Request To set up an SNMP set request to control a device: • Log on as Administrator and click on the Configure tab. • In the left side of the window, double-click on Local and Server Notifications , then on Advanced Notification and fin...

Nform Monitoring—Navigation Tree 43 12.0 N FORM M ONITORING —N AVIGATION T REE Nform constantly monitors the devices set up using the Configure tab and performs actions as spec- ified in the configuration settings for each device. This section describes how to use the Nform Net Event Manager to chec...

Nform Monitoring—Navigation Tree 44 12.2 Information Available for HTML-Supported Devices Nform’s Navigate window for devices with Web-enabled SNMP cards shows tabs that permit viewing parametric data, altering some device settings and viewing the event log. The number of tabs shown depends on the t...

Nform Monitoring—Navigation Tree 45 12.2.2 HTML control tab (selected devices only) The HTML control tab allows you to take actions such as testing a UPS battery or turning an SNMP device on or off. This tab appears only for certain devices with Web-enabled SNMP cards. To use the HTML control tab: •...

Nform Monitoring—Navigation Tree 47 12.2.4 HTML event log tab (selected devices only) The HTML event log tab allows you to view data from the event log in the device’s SNMP card. This tab appears only for certain devices with Web-enabled SNMP cards. To use the HTML event log tab: • Log on as either ...

Nform Monitoring—Navigation Tree 48 12.2.5 HTML support tab The HTML support tab displays vital information about the SNMP card and the device, along with technical support contact information.To use the HTML support tab: • Log on as either Administrator or Power User.• Click on Nform’s Navigate tab...

Nform Monitoring—Navigation Tree 49 12.3 Information Available for Non-HTML Devices For devices without HTML support (non-HTML devices), Nform’s Navigate window displays data points—you may select or rename these data points in the device setup (see 9.2.2 - Views tab ). This section describes how to...

Nform Monitoring—Navigation Tree 50 12.3.2 Set Values Nform allows you to enter a set value for certain data points—only those with Write permission, noted by “W” in the Variable Permission column, as shown below. A set value determines when Nform performs a particular action, such as displaying an ...

Nform Monitoring—Navigation Tree 51 12.3.3 Download Device After entering set values, as described in 12.3.2 - Set Values , you must download them to the device before Nform can recognize them. You may download all set values at once or download an individual set value. Download All Set Values at On...

Nform Monitoring—Navigation Tree 52 12.3.4 View Data Definition To assist users in entering set values, Nform provides data definitions for some devices. Each defini- tion provides a description of the data point and its valid values.To view a data definition and allowable values: • Log on as either...

Managing Alarms 53 13.0 M ANAGING A LARMS This section describes how to view a listing of alarms, silence the default beep, change the status of alarms, add notes about an alarm, and change the colors that denote alarm status in the listing.Nform assists in managing alarms by displaying their status...

Managing Alarms 54 13.1 View Alarms There are several ways to view alarms in the Net Event Manager. • Alarms are displayed when Nform is started before you log on. • Once you are logged on as either Administrator or Power User, there are two ways to view alarms: • Click on the Navigate tab, then sel...

Managing Alarms 55 13.3 Silence the Default Beep Nform can be configured to play a beeping sound—the default beep—in the monitoring computer when Nform receives an alarm from an SNMP device. This beep can be silenced through the Net Event Manager.To silence the default beep: • Log on as Administrato...

Managing Alarms 56 13.6 Add or View Alarm Comments Nform allows you to add notes to any alarm in the alarm listing. The notes can be viewed and edited at a later time. The notes can perform several functions, including helping you keep track of actions taken to resolve an alarm condition and documen...

Managing Alarms 57 13.7 Change Colors Indicating Alarm Status You may change the default alarm status colors to suit your preferences. To do so: • Log on as either Administrator or Power User.• Click on the Navigate tab and select Options from the View menu. This opens the OpenComms Nform Settings w...

Running Nform 58 14.0 R UNNING N FORM After installation, the Nform services begin running in the background, monitoring and managing all configured devices. Nform continues running constantly unless stopped through the Windows Services feature. The same option allows you to resume Nform services wi...

Uninstalling Nform / Removing License Keys 59 15.0 U NINSTALLING N FORM / R EMOVING L ICENSE K EYS This section describes how to remove the Nform application and how to delete a secondary Nform license key or the MultiLink Network Shutdown License. 15.1 Uninstalling Nform To remove Nform from your c...

Uninstalling Nform / Removing License Keys 60 15.2 Deleting License Keys 15.2.1 Deleting Secondary Nform License Keys Your primary Nform license key cannot be deleted, but you may wish to remove a secondary license key—for example, to move it to another computer to monitor a different group of devic...

Liebert Software Program License Agreement 61 16.0 L IEBERT S OFTWARE P ROGRAM L ICENSE A GREEMENT This section contains the license agreement for Liebert OpenComms™ Nform. LIEBERT OPENCOMMS™ NFORM SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT This OpenComms™ Nform Software License Agreement (“Agreement”) is a legal a...

Liebert Software Program License Agreement 62 LIMITED WARRANTY: Liebert represents that it has the right and authority to grant the license herein. Liebert warrants solely to you for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of Liebert shipment or distribution that the distribution media (if suppli...

Technical Information & Frequently Asked Questions 63 A PPENDIX A - T ECHNICAL I NFORMATION & F REQUENTLY A SKED Q UESTIONS 1. What is a DHCP server? DHCP is the acronym for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. This protocol allows hostnames to be allocated dynamically when computers are con...

Data Monitored by Nform 64 A PPENDIX B - D ATA M ONITORED BY N FORM Liebert supplies a template for each SNMP device, containing data points and alarms applicable to that device. The names of data points and alarms can be changed (see 9.2.2 - Views tab ). • Data points are the information Nform comp...

Data Monitored by Nform 65 B.2 S AMPLE V ALUES F ROM A UPS The information available for monitoring varies by type of unit being monitored—the type of UPS, cooling unit or other SNMP device. Table 15 shows an example of monitoring data points with sam- ple values obtained from a UPS with an SNMP car...

Ordering Parts From Liebert 66 A PPENDIX C - O RDERING P ARTS F ROM L IEBERT The table below lists part numbers for items available from Liebert Global Services. To obtain any item, visit the Liebert Web site at http://nform.liebert.com or contact your local Liebert represen- tative, value-added res...

The Company Behind the Products With over a million installations around the globe,Liebert is the world leader in computer protectionsystems. Since its founding in 1965, Liebert hasdeveloped a complete range of support andprotection systems for sensitive electronics: • Environmental systems—close-co...