Front cover

Certification Guide Series:

IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus
V7.2 Implementation
Detailed architecture and components
discussion

Installation and configuration

processing

Event collection and

automation

Budi Darmawan
Thomas Boiocchi
Andre Ricardo Cavalcanti De Araujo
Mario Schuerewegen
Phillip Stanton

ibm.com/redbooks
International Technical Support Organization

Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli

Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

September 2009

SG24-7753-00
 Note: Before using this information and the product it supports, read the information in
“Notices” on page xv.

First Edition (September 2009)

This edition applies to Version 7, Release 2, Modification 0 of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus

(product number 5724-S44).
© Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 2009. All rights reserved.
Note to U.S. Government Users Restricted Rights -- Use, duplication or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP
Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.
Contents

Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi

Examples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii

Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv
Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvi

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
The team who wrote this book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
Become a published author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix
Comments welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xx

Chapter 1. Certification overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.1 IBM Professional Certification Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.1.1 Benefits of certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1.2 Tivoli Software Professional Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1.3 Growth through skills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.2 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 test objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.2.1 Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.2.2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.2.3 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.2.4 Performance tuning and problem determination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
1.2.5 Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
1.2.6 Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
1.3 Certification achieved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
1.3.1 Tivoli Netcool Core V3.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
1.3.2 Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
1.3.3 Tivoli Fault Management Solutions 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
1.3.4 Tivoli Performance Management Solutions 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
1.3.5 Tivoli Business Application Management Solutions 2008 . . . . . . . . . 32
1.3.6 IBM Service Management Network and Service Assurance 2009 . . 33
1.3.7 IBM Service Management Data Center Management and
Transformation 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
1.4 Recommended study resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
1.4.1 Classroom courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
1.4.2 Online course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. iii

 Chapter 2. Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2.1 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
2.1.1 Architectural components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
2.1.2 Desktop and administrative components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
2.1.3 Groups, roles, and users. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
2.1.4 Insert Delete Update Cycle (IDUC) components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
2.2 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
2.2.1 Without failover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
2.2.2 With failover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
2.2.3 Desktop ObjectServer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
2.2.4 Tiered implementation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
2.2.5 Probe features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
2.3 Configuration planning issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
2.3.1 Naming convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
2.3.2 SSL usage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
2.3.3 Port and firewall considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
2.4 ObjectServer tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Chapter 3. Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
3.1 Installation process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
3.2 Simnet probe installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
3.3 Installing a FixPack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
3.4 Configuration export and import . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
3.5 Post-implementation customization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
3.5.1 Environmental variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
3.5.2 Directory ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
3.5.3 ObjectServer creation and verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
3.5.4 Communication configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
3.5.5 ObjectServer properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Chapter 4. Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
4.1 Components configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
4.1.1 Remote desktop installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
4.1.2 Gateway configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
4.1.3 Process agent configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
4.1.4 Startup script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
4.2 Security configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
4.2.1 Role creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
4.2.2 Group creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
4.2.3 User creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
4.3 ObjectServer customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
4.3.1 View creation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
4.3.2 Filters definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

iv Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 4.3.3 Menu creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
4.3.4 Database field definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
4.3.5 Tool definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
4.3.6 Trigger creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
4.3.7 Class creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
4.4 Probe configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
4.4.1 Probe configuration sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
4.4.2 Probe property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
4.4.3 Probe rule file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
4.5 ObjectServer to ObjectServer communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
4.5.1 Bi-directional gateway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
4.5.2 Uni-directional gateway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
4.6 Accelerated Event Notification client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
4.7 IBM Tivoli Health Monitoring agent for ObjectServer V7.2 . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Chapter 5. Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

5.1 Device definition in simnet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
5.2 Failover operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
5.3 Problem determination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
5.3.1 Startup problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
5.3.2 Probe connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
5.3.3 Desktop startup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
5.3.4 Slow response time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
5.4 Performance tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

Appendix A. Sample test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Sample questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Answer key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Abbreviations and acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Related publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

IBM Redbooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Other publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Online resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
How to get Redbooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Help from IBM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Contents v
vi Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
Figures

2-1 Overall components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

2-2 No failover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
2-3 Failover architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
2-4 Desktop ObjectServer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
2-5 Tiered ObjectServer implementation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
2-6 SSL communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
2-7 Desktop communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
3-1 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus event list login window on UNIX . . . . . . . . . 71
3-2 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus event list window on UNIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
3-3 The nco_xigen window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
3-4 Interface definitions tool for IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus on Windows . . 75
3-5 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus availability test on Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
4-1 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
4-2 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus installation License Agreement . . . . . . . . . . 87
4-3 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus installation home location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
4-4 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus features selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
4-5 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
4-6 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus installation complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
4-7 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Server Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
4-8 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Windows Event List login window . . . . . . . . 90
4-9 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Windows Even list default window . . . . . . . 91
4-10 AEL on both servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
4-11 AEL on NCOMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
4-12 AEL on NCOMS2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
4-13 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator Roles tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
4-14 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator New Role tab . . . . . . . . . . 108
4-15 Permission tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
4-16 Permission Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
4-17 Permissions tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
4-18 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator Groups tab . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
4-19 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator adding groups . . . . . . . . . . 113
4-20 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator Restriction Filter tab . . . . . 114
4-21 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator windows Users tab . . . . . . 115
4-22 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator Add User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
4-23 Event List window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
4-24 View Builder view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
4-25 New view created . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
4-26 Filter builder button window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. vii

 4-27 Filter Builder window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
4-28 Restriction filter definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
4-29 Restriction Filter creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
4-30 Administrator console Menus tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
4-31 Menu definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
4-32 Administrator console Menus tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
4-33 Event list tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
4-34 Administrator console system console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
4-35 New column window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
4-36 Administrator console column added . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
4-37 Event list column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
4-38 Administrator console Menu tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
4-39 Tool creation window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
4-40 Tool creation window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
4-41 Tool creation window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
4-42 Tool creation window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
4-43 Prompt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
4-44 Prompt definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
4-45 Triggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
4-46 Database trigger creation settings tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
4-47 Administrator console Visual window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
4-48 Add Class window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
4-49 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus, Event List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
4-50 Backup trigger enabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
4-51 Primary trigger group disabled on backup server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
4-52 AEN icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
4-53 AEN client property: Application tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
4-54 Messages tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
4-55 AEN Channels tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
4-56 AEN login window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
4-57 Create trigger action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
4-58 Administration console Channels tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
4-59 Channel Details tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
4-60 Channel column details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
4-61 Recipient created . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
4-62 Channel recipient window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
4-63 Test channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
4-64 Test message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
4-65 Health Monitoring agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
5-1 Simnet events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
5-2 NCOMS_P events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
5-3 Disconnect from ObjectServer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
5-4 Failover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

viii Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

5-5 Backup ObjectServer event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
5-6 Reconnect or failback message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
5-7 Desktop connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Figures ix
x Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
Tables

2-1 Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
2-2 Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
2-3 Users. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
2-4 Table name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
2-5 The alerts.status table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
3-1 ObjectServer properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
4-1 Common gateway properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
4-2 Bi-directional gateway properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
4-3 Probe property parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. xi

xii Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
Examples

3-1 Home directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

3-2 License agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
3-3 Installation feature selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
3-4 Installation completed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
3-5 Probe installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
3-6 FixPack installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
3-7 nco_confpack -list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
3-8 nco_confpack -export . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
3-9 nco_confpack -import . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
3-10 Environmental variables for IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus . . . . . . . . . . . 68
3-11 Group creation on UNIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
3-12 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus availability test on UNIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
3-13 Interface definitions file for IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
3-14 Interface definition file for virtual ObjectServer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
4-1 UNI_GATE.props . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
4-2 Additions to the interface definitions file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
4-3 Sample mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
4-4 nco_pa.conf, nco_process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
4-5 nco_pa.conf, nco_routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
4-6 Sample nco_service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
4-7 omni.dat gateway configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
4-8 nco_pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
4-9 nco_pa_status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
4-10 Startup script installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
4-11 The nco startup script variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
4-12 Startup symbolic links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
4-13 nco start and nco_pa_status command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
4-14 SQL statement to define a trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
4-15 simnet.prop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
4-16 simnet.rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
4-17 Verifying the probe is running . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
4-18 Switch example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
4-19 Include sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
4-20 Discard and regmatch example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
4-21 Lookup table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
4-22 rules file table definition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
4-23 Refreshing the probe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
4-24 Installing Probe Rules Syntax Checker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. xiii

 4-25 Syntax check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
4-26 The omni.dat file for two ObjectServers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
4-27 omni.dat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
4-28 Starting the desktop ObjectServer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
4-29 Probe rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
4-30 importing schema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
5-1 simnet.def . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
5-2 simnet.props . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
5-3 Checking $NCHOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
5-4 Checking ObjectServer database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
5-5 Checking the interface file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
5-6 Checking port usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
5-7 Some probes error messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
5-8 Connection refused . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
5-9 Connection working. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
5-10 Setting DISPLAY variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
5-11 Checking number of events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
5-12 Profile log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
5-13 Finding the event rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
5-14 Checking desktop connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

xiv Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Notices

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All of these names are fictitious and any similarity to the names and addresses used by an actual business
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COPYRIGHT LICENSE:

This information contains sample application programs in source language, which illustrate programming
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therefore, cannot guarantee or imply reliability, serviceability, or function of these programs.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. xv

Trademarks
IBM, the IBM logo, and ibm.com are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. These and other IBM trademarked
terms are marked on their first occurrence in this information with the appropriate symbol (® or ™),
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The following terms are trademarks of the International Business Machines Corporation in the United States,
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Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries, or both.

Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

xvi Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Preface

This IBM® Redbooks® publication is a study guide for the IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 implementation certification test. It is aimed at the IT
professional who wants to be an IBM Certified Professional for this product.

The IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 certification test is offered through the IBM
Professional Certification program. It is designed to validate the skills required of
technical professionals who work in the implementation and deployment of IBM
Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2.

This book provides the necessary information for understanding the subject
matter. It includes sample questions, which will help you evaluate your progress.
It familiarizes the readers with the types of questions that may be encountered in
the exam.

This guide does not replace practical experience, and it is not designed to be a
stand-alone guide on this subject. Instead, this guide should be combined with
educational activities and experiences and used as a useful preparation guide for
the exam.

For your convenience, the chapters are based on the certification objectives of
the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 implementation certification test. Those
requirements are planning, prerequisites, installation, configuration,
administration, and problem determination. Studying these chapters helps you
prepare for the objectives of the exam.

The team who wrote this book

This book was produced by a team of specialists from around the world working
at the International Technical Support Organization, Raleigh Center.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. xvii

Figure 1 Mario, Thomas, Andre, and Phillip

Budi Darmawan is a Project Leader at the International Technical Support

Organization, Austin Center. He writes extensively and teaches IBM classes
worldwide on all areas of Tivoli® and systems management. Before joining the
ITSO 10 years ago, Budi worked in Integrated Solution Services, IBM Indonesia
as lead implementer and solution architect.

Thomas Boiocchi an IT Specialist based in Italy, working for Tivoli Services

since 2007. He joined IBM after working for several years as a Netcool®
Specialist for Eirteic Consulting travelling around the world. He has 10 years of IT
experience and previously worked as a system and network administrator in
Telkom and banks in Italy. His area of expertise include Omnibus, IBM Tivoli
Business Services Manager, Network Manager, and Impact.

Andre Ricardo Cavalcanti de Araujo is a System Management Information

Technology Specialist working with Tivoli Management Product in Brazil. He has
12 years of experience in servers and systems support. He hold a degree in
Telecommunication Engineering and has MBA in Network Computer
Management. His areas of expertise include UNIX/Linux® support, Cisco
networking, networking security, and infrastructure and networking management.

xviii Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 Mario Schuerewegen is a Technical Presales specialist based in Belgium that
specializes in Netcool products. He has 10 years of experience in the network
and event management field. His areas of expertise include Cisco networking,
SNMP, and network management.

Phillip Stanton is an L2 software support specialist based in the United States.

He has 12 years of Information Technology experience and holds a Bachelors of
Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Information
Systems. Most of his experience is in supporting and administrating mixed
UNIX® and Microsoft® Windows® platforms for various Business to Business
services and e-commerce Web sites. He joined IBM 2 years ago in L2 support for
the Omnibus, Webtop, System Service monitors, and Internet Service Monitors
software solutions. He currently holds the following certifications: Netcool Core
V2, Netcool Core V3, Tivoli Level 2 Support Tools and Processes, and MCSE
NT4/2000.

Thanks to the following people for their contributions to this project:

Tamikia Barrow and Margaret Ticknor

International Technical Support Organization, Raleigh Center

Wade Wallace
International Technical Support Organization, Austin Center

Jill Kanatzar
IBM Software Group, Worldwide Sales Channel Growth Executive

Become a published author

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Find out more about the residency program, browse the residency index, and
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Preface xix
Comments welcome
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this book or other IBM Redbooks publications in one of the following ways:
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xx Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 1

Chapter 1. Certification overview

This chapter provides an overview of the skills requirements needed to obtain an
IBM Certified Deployment Specialist - IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2
certification. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of topics that are
essential for obtaining the certification:
򐂰 1.1, “IBM Professional Certification Program” on page 2
򐂰 1.3, “Certification achieved” on page 26
򐂰 1.2, “IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 test objectives” on page 8
򐂰 1.4, “Recommended study resources” on page 35

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. 1

1.1 IBM Professional Certification Program
Having the right skills for the job is critical in the growing global marketplace. IBM
Professional Certification is designed to validate skill and proficiency in the latest
IBM solution and product technology. It can help provide that competitive edge.

The Professional Certification Program from IBM offers a business solution for
skilled technical professionals seeking to demonstrate their expertise to the
world.

The program is designed to validate your skills and demonstrate your proficiency
in the latest IBM technology and solutions. In addition, professional certification
may help you excel at your job by giving you and your employer the confidence
that your skills have been tested. You may be able to deliver higher levels of
service and technical expertise than non-certified employees and move on a
faster career track.

The certification requirements are difficult, but are not overwhelming.

Certification is a rigorous process that differentiates you from everyone else. The
mission of IBM Professional Certification is to:
򐂰 Provide a reliable, valid, and fair method of assessing skills and knowledge
򐂰 Provide IBM with a method of building and validating the skills of individuals
and organizations
򐂰 Develop a loyal community of highly skilled certified professionals who
recommend, sell, service, support, and use IBM products and solutions

The Professional Certification Program from IBM has developed certification role
names to guide you in your professional development. The certification role
names include IBM Certified Specialist, IBM Certified Solutions/Systems Expert,
and IBM Certified Advanced Technical Expert. These role names are for
technical professionals who sell, service, and support IBM solutions. For
technical professionals in application development, the certification roles include
IBM Certified Developer Associate and IBM Certified Developer. An IBM Certified
Instructor certifies the professional instructor.

The Professional Certification Program from IBM provides you with a structured
program leading to an internationally recognized qualification. The program is
designed for flexibility by allowing you to select your role, prepare for and take
tests at your own pace, and, in some cases, select from a choice of elective tests
best suited to your abilities and needs. Some roles also offer a shortcut by giving
credit for a certification obtained in other industry certification programs.

2 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 You can be a network administrator, systems integrator, network integrator,
solution architect, solution developer, value-added reseller, technical coordinator,
sales representative, or educational trainer. Regardless of your role, you can
start charting your course through the Professional Certification Program from
IBM today.

You can learn more about the IBM Professional Certification Program by going to
the following address:
http://www.ibm.com/certify/index.shtml

1.1.1 Benefits of certification

Certification is a tool to help objectively measure the performance of a
professional on a given job at a defined skill level. Therefore, it is beneficial for
individuals who want to validate their own skills and performance levels, their
employees, or both. For optimum benefit, the certification tests must reflect the
critical tasks required for a job, the skill levels of each task, and the frequency by
which a task needs to be performed. IBM prides itself in designing
comprehensive, documented processes that ensure that IBM certification tests
remain relevant to the work environment of potential certification candidates.

In addition to assessing job skills and performance levels, professional

certification can also provide such benefits as:
򐂰 For employees:
– Promotes recognition as an IBM certified professional
– Helps create advantages in interviews
– Assists in salary increases, corporate advancement, or both
– Increases self-esteem
– Provides continuing professional benefits
򐂰 For employers:
– Measures the effectiveness of training
– Reduces course redundancy and unnecessary expenses
– Provides objective benchmarks for validating skills
– Makes long-range planning easier
– Helps manage professional development
– Aids as a hiring tool
– Contributes to competitive advantage
– Increases productivity
– Increases morale and loyalty

Chapter 1. Certification overview 3

 Specific benefits can vary by country (region) and role. In general, after you
become certified, you should receive the following benefits:
򐂰 Industry recognition
Certification may accelerate your career potential by validating your
professional competency and increasing your ability to provide solid, capable
technical support.
򐂰 Program credentials
As a certified professional, you receive, by way of e-mail, your certificate of
completion and the certification mark associated with your role for use in
advertisements and business literature. You can also request a hardcopy
certificate, which includes a wallet-size certificate.
The Professional Certification Program from IBM acknowledges the individual
as a technical professional. The certification mark is for the exclusive use of
the certified individual.
򐂰 Ongoing technical vitality
IBM Certified professionals are included in mailings from the Professional
Certification Program from IBM.

1.1.2 Tivoli Software Professional Certification

The IBM Tivoli Professional Certification program offers certification testing that
sets the standard for qualified product consultants, administrators, architects,
and Business Partners.

The program also offers an internationally recognized qualification for technical

professionals seeking to apply their expertise in today's complex business
environment. The program is designed for those who implement, buy, sell,
service, and support IBM Tivoli solutions and want to deliver higher levels of
service and technical expertise.

Benefits of being Tivoli certified

Tivoli certification provides the following benefits:
򐂰 For the individual:
– IBM Certified certificate and use of logos on business cards
– Recognition of your technical skills by your peers and management
– Enhanced career opportunities
– Focus for your professional development

4 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

򐂰 For the IBM Business Partner:
– Confidence in the skills of your employees
– Enhanced partnership benefits from the IBM Business Partner program
– Billing your employees out at higher rates
– Strengthens your proposals to customers
– Demonstrates the depth of technical skills available to prospective
customers
򐂰 For the customer:
– Confidence in the services professionals handling your implementation
– Ease of hiring competent employees to manage your Tivoli environment
– Enhanced return on investment (ROI) through more thorough integration
with Tivoli and third-party products
– Ease of selecting a Tivoli Business Partner that meets your specific needs

Certification checklist
The certification process is as follows:
1. Select the certification that you want to pursue.
2. Determine which test or tests are required by reading the certification role
description.
3. Prepare for the test, using the following provided resources:
– Test objectives (1.2, “IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 test objectives” on
page 8)
– Recommended educational resources (1.4, “Recommended study
resources” on page 35)
– Sample/assessment test (Appendix A, “Sample test” on page 187)
– Other reference materials
– Opportunities for experience

4. Register to take a test by contacting one of our worldwide testing vendors:

– Thomson Prometric
– Pearson Virtual University Enterprises (VUE)

5. Take the test. Be sure to keep the Examination Score Report provided upon
test completion as your record of taking the test.

Chapter 1. Certification overview 5

 6. Repeat steps three through five until all required tests are successfully
completed for the desired certification role. If additional requirements are
needed (such as another vendor certification or exam), follow the instructions
on the certification description page to submit these requirements to IBM.
7. After you complete your certification requirements, you will be sent an e-mail
asking you to accept the terms of the IBM Certification Agreement before
receiving the certificate.
8. Upon acceptance of the terms of the IBM Certification Agreement, an e-mail
will be sent containing the following electronic deliverables:
– A Certification Certificate in PDF format, which can be printed in either
color or black and white
– A set of graphic files of the IBM Professional Certification mark associated
with the certification achieved
– Guidelines for the use of the IBM Professional Certification mark
9. To avoid unnecessary delay in receiving your certificate, ensure that we have
your current e-mail on file by keeping your profile up to date. If you do not
have an e-mail address on file, your certificate will be sent through postal
mail.

After you receive a certificate by e-mail, you can also contact IBM at
mailto:[email protected] to request that a hardcopy certificate be sent by
postal mail.

1.1.3 Growth through skills

Customers want to work with experts who understand their business and can
help them achieve their objectives. IBM Business Partners who have expertise
across the IBM software portfolio are well positioned to deliver high client value.

IBM Software will be announcing the next step in our Business Partner channel
strategy focused on Growth Through Skills. In October 2009, IBM will roll out a
new controlled distribution model to maximize value to our Business Partners
and customers.

A subset of the IBM software portfolio will continue to be offered by way of the
open distribution model or Software ValueNet®. The benefits of the growth
through skills program are:
򐂰 Protects and maximizes your ROI in the technical, sales, and marketing skills
you have developed.
򐂰 Places a premium on your skills and solutions that differentiate your ability to
offer your customers guidance in a tough economy.

6 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

򐂰 Rewards the value you bring throughout the sales cycle by way of the
lucrative IBM Software Value Incentive (SVI).
򐂰 Provides financial rewards for integrating IBM software with your business
solutions by way of the Value Advantage Plus (VAP) incentive.
򐂰 Accelerates your growth with experienced software Value Added Distributors
(VADs).
򐂰 Improves access to IBM resources, including industry-leading sales,
technical, and marketing.

Authorization to resell IBM software products within controlled distribution is

achieved at the product group level. There are 14 products groups across the five
brands:
򐂰 WebSphere®
– SOA Foundation
– Connectivity
– Business Process Management
– Commerce
– SOA Appliances
– Enterprise Solutions (z)
򐂰 Tivoli
– Storage Management
– Security and Compliance Management
– Automation
– Enterprise Asset Management
򐂰 Information Management
– Heritage CM
– Data Management
򐂰 Lotus®
򐂰 Portal
򐂰 Rational®

Chapter 1. Certification overview 7

 The criteria for authorization to resell IBM Software products within controlled
distribution include:
򐂰 Membership in the IBM PartnerWorld® program
򐂰 Approved participation in Software Value Incentive (SVI) or Value Advantage
Plus (VAP)
– For SVI, technical and sales skills in the product group(s) you want to sell
– For VAP, an approved solution containing the product group(s) you want to
sell
򐂰 An approved PartnerPlan
򐂰 Minimum revenue participation levels within SVI and VAP after the first year

IBM provides comprehensive enablement options to support the education,

training, and certifications necessary to qualify for authorization to resell:
򐂰 Leverage the readiness assessment tools and work with your Distributor or
IBM Business Partner Sales Representative to explore enablement
opportunities and support.
򐂰 Visit the Subject Matter Expert (SME) Zone on the Virtual Innovation Center
as a single point of entry to review software education and customized
roadmaps.
򐂰 Learn about the You Pass, We Pay education reimbursement.
򐂰 Participate in readiness events throughout the year and revisit the Web for
updates and the latest support materials.

1.2 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 test objectives

The test has the following objectives:
򐂰 1.2.1, “Planning” on page 9
򐂰 1.2.2, “Installation” on page 9
򐂰 1.2.3, “Configuration” on page 11
򐂰 1.2.4, “Performance tuning and problem determination” on page 23
򐂰 1.2.5, “Administration” on page 25
򐂰 1.2.6, “Training” on page 25

For the most updated objectives of the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2
Implementation test (test #933), refer to the following address:
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/tests/obj933.shtml

8 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

1.2.1 Planning
Given the customer requirements in the Statement of Work, review the solution
details in order to confirm the architecture, with emphasis on performing the
following steps:
1. Review the proposed architecture.
2. Determine the high level architecture.
3. Determine the unique requirements
4. Determine the hardware and OS.
5. Evaluate port availability (firewall and Access Control Lists)
6. Determine the contacts at the customer.
7. Gather users, roles, and physical location.
8. Evaluate the security requirements.
9. Determine the integrations to existing customer applications.

Given the design details, develop an architecture document, with emphasis on

performing the following steps:
1. Verify all the software needed.
2. Determine the product integration probes and gateways.
3. Define the components, locations, and network connectivity.
4. Determine the naming conventions.
5. Determine the directory for the installation.
6. Review the customer compliance requirements (acceptance testing).
7. Determine the configuration of messages on the end nodes.

Given a design document, obtain the required components so that you are ready
to install IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus, with emphasis on performing the following
steps:
1. Determine the appropriate installer (console versus GUI).
2. Obtain network availability.
3. Obtain access to systems and servers.
4. Obtain the authorization for network.
5. Obtain the installation media.

1.2.2 Installation
Given that environment variables have been set and sourced on a supported
UNIX/Linux server, install IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 using the console so
that the selected IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 components are installed,
with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Download the required IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus binaries from the IBM
support site.

Chapter 1. Certification overview 9

 2. Place the binaries on the UNIX/Linux server in an appropriate temporary
location.
3. Un-tar the package and run the installation script ./INSTALL -console.
4. Accept the license agreement.
5. Select the required features:
– Desktop
– Gateways
– Process Control
– Servers
– ConfPack
– Administrator
– AEN Client
– Local Help System
– Install selected features

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus is installed, download the probes patch
from the IBM support site and install the patches using
$NCHOME/omnibus/install/nco_patch so that the probe is installed, with
emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Download the probe patch from the IBM support site.
2. Untar the patch to a tmp directory.
3. Run $NCHOME/omnibus/install/nco_patch install
<path_to_patch_folder>.
4. Type “yes” and press Enter to install the probe.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed on a UNIX host and a
FixPack is downloaded from the IBM support site, install the FixPack, with
emphasis on performing the following step:

Run the FixPack installation command $NCHOME/install/ncisetup install

<path_to_FixPack>. You should receive a notice that the patch has been installed
successfully.

10 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured
on UNIX/Linux, export the configuration of the ObjectServer and import it into
another ObjectServer using nco_confpack, with emphasis on performing the
following steps:
1. Create a list of exportable configuration items by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_confpack -list -server NCOMSI -file
/tmp/NCOMSI_list.
2. Edit the package list /tmp/NCOMSI_list so that it contains only the items to
export.
3. Export the NCOMSI configuration by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_confpack -export -file /tmp/NCOMSI_list -
package /tmp/NCOMSI_package.
4. Import the NCOMSI configuration into NCOMS2 by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_confpack -import package /tmp/NCOMSI_package
-server NCOMS2.

1.2.3 Configuration
Given a supported UNIX/Linux operating system and IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 and a user with proper permissions, configure and verify
the environmental variables, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Start the UNIX text editor.
2. Edit the system home profile /etc/profile.
3. Define Netcool Environment Variables by running $NCHOME;
$LD_LIBRARY_PATH (opt); $PATH (opt.); $LANG (if required).
4. Netcool users must source this file when they log in.

Given a UNIX/Linux OS, and ObjectServer was installed by the root user, the root
user owns the $NCHOME directory. Configure the system so that a non-root user
(netcool) is a member of the netcool group, with emphasis on performing the
following steps:
1. Find an unused group number, for example, 550, by opening /etc/group.
2. Add a new group netcool by running groupadd -g 550 netcool.
3. Add the root user to the netcool group within /etc/group.

Chapter 1. Certification overview 11

 Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed on a IPv4 or IPv6
UNIX/Linux server, configure IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus communications, with
emphasis on performing the following steps (The host name may or may not be
resolvable to the IP address (IPv4 or IPv6)):
1. If the host name is resolvable to an IP address, edit $NCHOME/etc/omni.dat
and replace “omnihost” with the local server’s host name. If the host name is
not resolvable to an IP address, replace “omnihost” with the appropriate IPv4
or IPv6 address.
2. Run $NCHOME/bin/nco_igen.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured
and environmental variables have been set on a supported Windows server,
verify that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus communication is available, with
emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Run the Netcool Server Editor by selecting Run → All Programs → Netcool
OMNIBUS → System Utilities → Server Editor.
2. Highlight the appropriate ObjectServer and select Test in the Servers
Available window.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed on UNIX/Linux, create a

working object server instance using the available Netcool commands and files,
so that an ObjectServer has been created and an instance configured, with
emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Open a command line and run $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_dbinit -server
<name>.
2. Edit the $NCHOME/etc/omni.dat file and set the ObjectServer name and port.
3. Run $NCHOME/bin/nco_igen.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed on UNIX/Linux, start the
ObjectServer and run nco_ping to verify that the ObjectServer is running, with
emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Run $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_objserv -name <ObjectServer name>.
2. Verify the ObjectServer is running by running $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_ping
<ObjectServer name>.

Given an ObjectServer is installed and running on a supported UNIX/Linux OS,

start and verify a local event list so that local event lists can connect to the local
ObjectServer, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Launch the event list by running $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_event.
2. Enter the user name and password.
3. Verify that the event list connects to the ObjectServer.

12 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured
and environmental variables have been set, install the remote desktop so that the
remote desktop is on a supported Windows desktop and can connect to the
ObjectServer, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Locate and unzip the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus binaries on the remote
desktop machine.
2. Run the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus install package (setup.exe).
3. Accept the license agreement.
4. Choose the installation directory.
5. Deselect every program feature except the desktop component.
6. Click the Installation button.
7. Reboot the desktop when the installation completes.
8. Create an entry for the ObjectServer in the Servers Editor on the remote
desktop.
9. Launch the event list by selecting Start → All Programs → Netcool Suite →
Event List and log into the ObjectServer.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed, edit the probe
properties file, set the SERVER property to the name of the ObjectServer, and
configure a probe to connect to an ObjectServer, so that the Probe is configured,
with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Open the probe properties file.
2. Set the server property to the name of the ObjectServer.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
the environmental variables have been set and sourced on a supported
UNIX/Linux server, and the simnet probe package is installed, start and verify the
probes so that the probes are running and tested, with emphasis on performing
the following steps:
1. Modify the simnet.props file and verify the ObjectServer target in
$NCHOME/omnibus/probes/<arch>.
2. Modify the rules file (simnet.rules) to include the host system name in the
manager field.
3. Start the probe by running nco_p_simnet.
4. Check the process list to verify that the probe is running.
5. Launch the event list and verify the probe events in the ObjectServer and
verify that the events parsed correctly.
6. Check for errors in the log file.

Chapter 1. Certification overview 13

 Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed, configure an
uni-directional gateway, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Create a directory for gateway files by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/gates/UNI_GATE.
2. Copy all the files from $NCHOME/omnibus/gates/objserv_uni to
$NCHOME/omnibus/gates/UNI_GATE:
– objserv_uni.props
– objserv_uni.map
– objserv_uni.reader.tblrep.def
– objserv_uni.startup.cmd
3. Rename all the copied files to match the unique name of the uni-directional
gateway, that is, UNI_GATE.*.
4. Edit the UNI_GATE.props file and modify the following properties:
– Name
– PropsFile
– Gate.MapFile
– Gate.StartupCmdFile
– Gate.Reader.Server
– Gate.Reader.TblReplicateDefFile
– Gate.Writer.Server
5. Edit the UNI_GATE.map file and UNI_GATE.reader.tblrep.def file, and modify
the entries to define which objectserver tables and fields are accessed by the
gateway.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed, configure an Oracle®

Remedy Gateway or ODBC gateway so that the uni-directional gateway has
been configured.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed, both ObjectServers

(that will be connected by way of the gateway) are running, start an ObjectServer
gateway. Update an event in an ObjectServer (the source ObjectServer if a
uni-directional gateway is used), confirm that the same event in the other
ObjectServer has similarly changed, so that the gateway has been configured
correctly and initialized, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Start a ObjectServer gateway by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_g_objserv_uni- name uni or
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_g_objserv_bi - name BIGATE.

14 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

2. Verify that the gateway is working by deleting and or modifying an event on
one ObjectServer and checking to see that the modification is made on the
other ObjectServer.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed, add a server entry for
nco_pa in omni.dat, run nco_igen, edit nco_pa.conf, set the host name and
name of ObjectServer in nco_pa.conf, and configure process control, with
emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Open the $NCHOME/omnibus/etc/nco_pa.conf file.
2. Change the name of the ObjectServer from NCOMS (if different).
3. Set the omnihost value to the host name of the local machine under the
nco_routing entry.
4. Set the user and password values under nco_routing if using secure mode;
otherwise, delete the user and password values.
5. Add an entry to $NCHOME/etc/omni.dat for nco_pa and run
$NCHOME/bin/nco_igen.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed on a UNIX/Linux system

and process control is configured, run nco_pad, verify the PA status by running
nco_pa_status to start process control, and verify that process control is
available and running, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Run $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_pad.
2. Run $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_pa_status -server NCO_PA.
3. Manually kill one of the running processes by running kill pid, where pid is
the process ID of the process that was killed.
4. Run $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_pa_status -server NCO_PA to verify that the
killed process is running with a different process ID.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed on UNIX/Linux and root
level access has been granted, configure, run, and verify the startup scripts, with
emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Execute the start-up script $NCHOME/omnibus/install/startup/<arch>install.
2. Verify the creation of symbolic links.
3. Input/verify the process control name.
4. Select secure mode or not.
5. Enter a value for the netcool_license_file variable. Save the file.
6. Start the nco script by running nco start.
7. Verify that the process control has started.
8. Run nco stop. Verify that nco_pad has stopped.

Chapter 1. Certification overview 15

 Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed on UNIX/Linux, copy all
the gateway files from $NCHOME/omnibus/gates/objserv_bi to a new directory,
configure the gateway properties file, configure a server entry for the
bi-directional gateway, and create a bi-directional gateway between two
ObjectServers, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Create a directory for gateway files, for example,
$NCHOME/omnibus/gates/BI_GATE.
2. Copy all files from $NCHOME/omnibus/gates/objserv_bi to
$NCHOME/omnibus/gates/BI_GATE.
3. Edit $NCHOME/omnibus/gates/BI_GATE/objserv_bi.props and set the
following properties:
– Gate.MapFile
– Gate.StartupCmdFile
– Gate.ObjectServerA.Server
– Gate.ObjectServerA.TblReplicateDefFile
– Gate.ObjectServerB.Server
– Gate.ObjectServerB.TblReplicateDefFile
4. Copy $NCHOME/omnibus/gates/BI_GATE/objserv_bi.props to
$NCHOME/omnibus/etc/BI_GATE.props.
5. Edit $NCHOME/etc/omni.dat and add an entry for BI_GATE.
6. Run $NCHOME/bin/nco_igen.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
add a user so that users are created in IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus, with
emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. From the main IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator window, select the
User tab and then select User.
2. Click the Add User icon in the toolbar.
3. Enter a Name and select an unused User ID.
4. Enter a Full Name.
5. Check the Create Conversion check box.
6. From the Groups tab, double-click Administrator to assign the administrator
role. Click OK.

16 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured
and the environmental variables have been set, create a view based on the
statement of work, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Launch View Builder from the Event List.
2. Select Filet → New.
3. Enter the View Name.
4. From Available Field pane, select Node, Severity, and Summary.
5. From the Available Sort Fields pane, select Severity.
6. In the Sorted by pane, double-click the Severity icon to set the sort order to
descending order.
7. Click Apply.
8. Click Close.
9. Select File → Save from Main Event List window.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
use the Event List GUI (nco_event) to create a filter using the Desktop client, with
emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Click the Filter Builder button in Sub-Event List.
2. Click File → New.
3. Provide a Filter Name.
4. Select Severity from the Column drop-down menu.
5. Select Greater than or Equal to from the Operator drop-down menu.
6. Select Minor (#) from the Value drop-down menu.
7. Click Apply.
8. Click File → Save from the Main Event List window.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
use the Administrator GUI (nco_config) to add a restriction filter, with emphasis
on performing the following steps:
1. From the main IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator window, select the
Users tab and then select Restriction Filters.
2. Select Add Restriction Filter from the toolbar.
3. Assign a Name to the filter.
4. Enter the filter criteria.
5. Click OK.

Chapter 1. Certification overview 17

 Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
create a new menu, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. From the Menu tab, select Add New Item within the Configuration Manager
GUI.
2. Select Menu Item Type, Tool, and Title, and then click OK.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
use the Administrator GUI (nco_config) to create a new database field, with
emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Select the System tab from the Administrator GUI.
2. Select Databases.
3. Select Databases Alerts and Table Status.
4. Select the Add Column icon from the menu.
5. Enter Column Name and Data Type.
6. Click OK.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
use the Administrator GUI (nco_config) to add a tool, with emphasis on
performing the following steps:
1. In the Tools menu, click Add Tool.
2. Enter a Name.
3. Select Enter Relevant Tool Instructions.
4. Click OK.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
use the Administrator GUI (nco_config) to create a trigger, with emphasis on
performing the following steps:
1. Select DB Trigger.
2. Select Trigger Group.
3. Enter Trigger Name.
4. Set Trigger Priority.
5. Set Action on Delete.
6. Set the Apply To pane to Statement.
7. Enter the SQL code for the action:
Begin Write into dellogs1 values ('The following row was deleted at;
getdate (), old.Node, old.Summary); End
8. Enable Trigger.
9. Click OK.

18 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured
and the ObjectServer is running, customize the Rules file so that a customized
probe rules file is available, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Open the probe rules file with text editor.
2. Create a temporary element to hold a value extracted from the @Summary
field.
3. Assign a probe property to the @Summary field.
4. Add a “switch” statement to execute a rule based on node name.
5. Use an “include” statement to include a new rule file segment.
6. Make a change so that @AlertGroup is updated on deduplication.
7. Discard events with the word “test” in the @Summary field.
8. Create a lookup table to look up department name based on node name. Turn
on probe details if @Summary=unknown.
9. Test the syntax of the new rules file and debug.
10.Update the probe rules file without stopping the probe.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed and running on

UNIX/Linux, configure the primary ObjectServer (NCOMS_P), create a backup
ObjectServer (NCOMS_B), set the BackupObjectServer property to TRUE,
configure the bi-directional gateway, configure triggers and procedures, and
create a high availability architecture, so that automated failover and failback
architecture is configured, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. On the primary ObjectServer host, create the primary ObjectServer.
2. On the backup ObjectServer host, create the backup ObjectServer.
3. Edit $NCHOME/omnibus/etc/NCOMS_B.props and set the Backup ObjectServer
property to “True”.
4. Configure a bi-directional gateway between the primary and backup
ObjectServers.
5. On the primary ObjectServer host, configure $NCHOME/etc/omni.dat for the
primary and backup ObjectServer entries.
6. On primary ObjectServer host, run $NCHOME/bin/nco_igen. Copy the
$NCHOME/etc/interfaces.<arch> file to the backup ObjectServer host.
7. On the backup ObjectServer, enable “backup_startup,
backup_counterpart_down, backup_counterpart_up” triggers for automation
failover and failback.
8. On the backup ObjectServer, disable the “primary_only” trigger group for
automation failover and failback.

Chapter 1. Certification overview 19

 Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
add entries to omni.dat for the primary and desktop ObjectServers, run the
command $NCHOME/bin/nco-igen, copy the $NCHOME/etc/interfaces.<arch> file
from the primary ObjectServer host to the desktop ObjectServer host, configure
the desktop ObjectServer, and configure a uni-directional gateway between the
primary and desktop ObjectServers to set up the desktop architecture so that the
desktop architecture is configured, with emphasis on performing the following
steps:
1. On the primary ObjectServer host, edit $NCHOME/etc/omni.dat and add
entries for the primary and desktop ObjectServers.
2. Run $NCHOME/bin/nco_igen and copy the $NCHOME/etc/interfaces.<arch>
file from the primary ObjectServer host to the desktop ObjectServer host.
3. Create and configure the primary ObjectServer.
4. Create the desktop ObjectServer by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_dbinit -desktopserver -server DESKOS.
5. Start the desktop ObjectServer.
6. Run $OMNIHOME/bin/nco_sql to insert the following row in to the master
national table or the DESKOS:
(O, MASTEROS, 1)
7. Configure a uni-directional gateway between the primary ObjectServer and
the desktop ObjectServer.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured
on UNIX/Linux, export the configuration of the ObjectServer and import it into
another ObjectServer by running nco_confpack, so that the ObjectServer
configuration can be exported and imported, with emphasis on performing the
following steps:
1. Create a list of exportable configuration items by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_confpack -list -server NCOMSI -file
/tmp/NCOMSI_list.
2. Edit the package list /tmp/NCOMSI_list so that it contains only the items that
will be exported.
3. Export the NCOMSI configuration by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_confpack -export -file /tmp/NCOMSI_list -
package /tmp/NCOMSI_package.
4. Import the NCOMSI configuration in to NCOMS2 by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_confpack -import package /tmp/NCOMSI_package
-server NCOMS2.

20 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Given IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured and
the environmental variables have been set, add a group, with emphasis on
performing the following steps:
1. From the main IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator window, select the
Users tab and then select Groups.
2. Click the Add Group icon.
3. Assign a name to the group.
4. Assign an unused Group ID.
5. Assign a Role.
6. Assign a Restriction Filter.
7. Click OK.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
create a class, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Using the Configuration Manager, select Add Class from the Visual menu.
2. Assign an identifier.
3. Name the class.
4. Click OK.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
create a role, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Within the Configuration Manager, select the Users tab.
2. Select Roles and the Add New Role menu item.
3. Add a Role name.
4. Assign Role Permissions.
5. Click Save.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed and running, configure
the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus probes rules to flag some events for accelerated
event notification, create channels, and configure triggers to send event details
using these channels so that accelerated event notification is configured for
some events, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Modify the probe rules file using the text editor and flag the events that have a
summary, such as “Port failure”.
2. Configure channels to broadcast event data for the flagged events.
3. Using IDUC EVTFT and IDUC SNDMSG, create and configure post-insert or
post-update or post-reinsert triggers to send event notifications to the
Accelerated Event Notification (AEN) client.

Chapter 1. Certification overview 21

 Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured
on a UNIX/Linux system, configure the Accelerated Event Notification (AEN)
client, with emphasis on the following steps:
1. Start the AEN client by running $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_aen.
2. If you are starting the AEN for the first time, right-click the AEN icon and
select Properties.
3. On the Application tab, make the following selections:
a. Notification settings:
b. Server (from drop-down list). If it is unpopulated, or the required server is
not available, add details to the interfaces file.
c. View in either Netcool Event List or Netcool Webtop.
d. Launch in Control Settings.
e. For either Netcool Event List or Netcool Webtop, specify the required
Server and View Browser Settings.
4. Specify the browser to use.
5. Configure the Message and Channels tabs, as required.
6. Select OK.
7. Given that the AEN client has previously been configured, log on to AEN
client by right-clicking the AEN icon and select Sign In.
8. Input a valid ObjectServer user’s details and select Log In.
9. Notice that the icon changes from x to y.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed on a UNIX/Linux
system, configure the ObjectServer system so that Accelerated Event
Notification messages can be sent, with emphasis on the following steps:
1. Determine whether AEN events are to be generated by a probe or by a
trigger.
2. If AEN events are to be generated by a probe:
a. Create a dedicated ObjectServer Flag field.
b. Modify the probe rules file to set the Flag field for AEN events.
c. Create a database trigger to respond to either the Flag field or the
appropriate database action/database condition using the SQL commands
IDUC EVTFT or IDUC SNDMSG to generate the AEN.

22 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 3. Configure a Channel to broadcast AEN event data by performing the following
steps:
a. From with IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator, select Channels
from the System menu.
b. Right-click in the GUI and select Add a new Channel.
c. Within the Channel Details pane, add a name for the Channel.
d. On the Channels tab, select the Channel Columns Detail button in order
to define the ObjectServer Table and Fields to use for notification, and
then select OK.
e. On the Recipients tab, select the Add new Channel Recipient button to
be able to define recipients for the notification, and then select OK.
f. When complete, click the OK button on the Channel Details pane.
g. Test the Channel notification by right-clicking the Channel and selecting
Send Message.

Given that ObjectServer V7.2 is running on a UNIX/Linux platform and the Tivoli
Health Monitoring Agent for ObjectServer V7.2 is installed, configure the agent
so that the agent will monitor the ObjectServer, with emphasis on the following
steps:
1. Run cd <tivoli installdir>/<arch>/no/bin.
2. Import the schema and automations to the ObjectServer by running
$NCHOME/bin/nco_sql -user root -S<server_name> < itm_os.sql.

1.2.4 Performance tuning and problem determination

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 has been installed and configured,
add devices to the simnet.def file and run the simnet probe to generate test
events using the simnet probe, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Edit the $NCHOME/omnibus/probes/ARCH/simnet.def file and add the line
device1 0 50 & device2 3 100.
2. Set the probe definition property in
$NCHOME/omnibus/probes/ARCH/simnet.props to
$NCHOME/omnibus/probes/ARCH/simnet.def.
3. Set the server property in $NCHOME/omnibus/probes/ARCH/simnet.props to the
name of the ObjectServer.
4. Start the simnet probe by running $NCHOME/omnibus/probes/nco_p_simnet.

Chapter 1. Certification overview 23

 Given a failover architecture, verify that the failover architecture is working, with
emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Shut down the Master ObjectServer.
2. Connect the desktop client to the backup ObjectServer by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_event and check that the events are coming into
the backup ObjectServer.
3. Restart the Master ObjectServer.
4. Connect the desktop client to the Master ObjectServer by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_event and check that the client indicates that it is
connected to the Master ObjectServer.

Given that ObjectServer V7.2 is installed on a UNIX/Linux OS but is unable to

start, determine why the ObjectServer does not start, with emphasis on
performing the following steps:
1. Check the environment variable $NCHOME.
2. Check to make sure that the ObjectServer has been created by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_dbinit.
3. Check to make sure that the entry for the ObjectServer exists in
$NCHOME/etc/omni.dat and in the interfaces file.
4. Ensure that the port for the ObjectServer is not already in use.
5. Ensure that the proper user is starting the object server process.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed and the license server
configured, determine why probes do not connect, with emphasis on performing
the following steps:
1. Check the probes log file.
2. Verify that the probe's designated ObjectServer is running.
3. Check whether the interfaces file on the probe server is correctly defined.
4. Verify that the probe server has network connectivity to the ObjectServer
host.
5. Check whether any firewall settings are affecting communications.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed and the license server is
configured, determine why the desktop does not start, with emphasis on
performing the following steps:
1. Ensure that the server settings are set correctly.
2. Ensure that the ObjectServer to which the desktop is connected is running.

24 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed and configured, users
are complaining of slow response time. Determine the reason for slow event list
response, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Check the number of events.
2. Check the OS profiles.
3. Check the event rates.
4. Check the number of desktops.
5. Check the processes on the OS server.
6. Check the resource usage of the OS server, memory, CPU, and disk.
7. Check the network response times.
8. Check the log files.
9. Check the automations.
10.Check the number of journals and details.
11.Determine what other components are connected.

Given that IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 is installed and configured, optimize
system performance so that the ObjectServer performance is optimized, with
emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Check the frequency of triggers.
2. Check the execution scope of triggers (once only for each row).
3. Check the number of details by running details($*).
4. Check the SQL used in the trigger for performance.
5. Check whether “update via” is being used.
6. Check the desktop filters.

1.2.5 Administration
Given a running and verified system, complete the post implementation process,
including system backup, documentation, acceptance testing, so that customer
acceptance can be obtained, with emphasis on performing the following steps:
1. Back up the installed system.
2. Create the system environment documentation.
3. Verify compliance with customer requirements.
4. Transfer knowledge to the staff.
5. Demonstrate the system to the client.
6. Complete acceptance testing.
7. Get customer sign-off.

1.2.6 Training
Given new users, provide training, so that users are educated on the new
system, with emphasis on training users and administrators.

Chapter 1. Certification overview 25

1.3 Certification achieved
The test IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 implementation (#933) is a
prerequisite for achieving the following certifications:
򐂰 1.3.1, “Tivoli Netcool Core V3.0” on page 26
򐂰 1.3.2, “Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0” on page 29
򐂰 1.3.3, “Tivoli Fault Management Solutions 2008” on page 31
򐂰 1.3.4, “Tivoli Performance Management Solutions 2008” on page 32
򐂰 1.3.5, “Tivoli Business Application Management Solutions 2008” on page 32
򐂰 1.3.6, “IBM Service Management Network and Service Assurance 2009” on
page 33
򐂰 1.3.7, “IBM Service Management Data Center Management and
Transformation 2009” on page 34

1.3.1 Tivoli Netcool Core V3.0

Tivoli Netcool Core V3.0 is an IBM Certified Deployment Professional
certification.

Target audience
An IBM Certified Deployment Professional - Tivoli Netcool Core V3.0 is a
technical professional responsible for the planning, installing, configuring
performance tuning, problem determination, and documenting of solutions for
IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 and IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0. This
individual will be expected to perform these tasks with limited assistance from
peers, product documentation, and support resources.

Recommended prerequisite skills

The IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 key areas of competency are:
򐂰 Describe the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 architecture and components.
򐂰 Plan and design an IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 solution based on the
customer’s requirements/environment.
򐂰 Install and configure the prerequisites to IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2.
򐂰 Install and configure IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 infrastructure
components (probes, gateways, desktops, process control, accelerated event
notification (AEN), IPV6 configuration, and automated failover and failback).
򐂰 Use various interfaces to configure and administer the IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 environment.

26 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

򐂰 Perform performance tuning and problem determination for IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2.

The IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 required prerequisite(s) are:

򐂰 Strong working knowledge of the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2
infrastructure components (ObjectServer, probes, gateways, desktop and
process control, accelerated event notification (AEN), IPV6 configuration, and
dual server desktop)
򐂰 Strong working knowledge of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2
administration (triggers, procedures, tools, menus, automated failover and
failback, AEN channels, and so on)
򐂰 Strong working knowledge of network management principles
򐂰 Working knowledge of operating system (UNIX and Windows), networking,
and firewall concepts
򐂰 Knowledge of IBM Tivoli Netcool licensing
򐂰 Working knowledge of security (SSL and system user accounts)
򐂰 Working knowledge of SQL (including procedures)
򐂰 Working knowledge of scripting languages (shell scripting, Rules files, and
regular expressions)
򐂰 Working knowledge of protocols, including TCP/IP and SNMP
򐂰 Working knowledge of operating system utilities (ftp, telnet, sftp, ssh, and text
editor)

The IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 recommended prerequisites are:

򐂰 Basic knowledge of help desk and database systems
򐂰 Knowledge of network management systems

The IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0 key areas of competency are:

򐂰 Describe the IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0 architecture and components.
򐂰 Plan and design an IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0 solution based on the
customer’s requirements/environment.
򐂰 Install and configure the prerequisites to IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0.
򐂰 Install and configure the IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0 infrastructure
components (server, Webtop Administration API, event lists, maplets, and
charts).
򐂰 Use various interfaces to configure and administer the IBM Tivoli
Netcool/Webtop V2.0 environment.

Chapter 1. Certification overview 27

 򐂰 Perform performance tuning and problem determination for IBM Tivoli
Netcool/Webtop V2.0.

The IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0 required prerequisites are:

򐂰 Strong working knowledge of IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0 infrastructure
components
򐂰 Strong working knowledge of IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0 administration
(tools, menus, maplets, entities, resources, users, filters, views, SMARTPage
commands, and so on)
򐂰 Strong working knowledge of HTML, CGI, XML, and SQL
򐂰 Strong working knowledge of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.x, IBM Tivoli
Netcool/Security Manager V1.3, IBM Tivoli Netcool/GUI Foundations™ V1.x,
and associated architectures
򐂰 Working knowledge of IBM Tivoli/Netcool licensing
򐂰 Working knowledge of operating systems (UNIX and Windows), networking,
and firewall concepts
򐂰 Working knowledge of security (SSL and system user accounts)
򐂰 Working knowledge of scripting languages (shell scripting and regular
expressions)
򐂰 Working knowledge of Web browsers and Java™ applications

The IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0 recommended prerequisites are:

򐂰 Basic knowledge of network management systems
򐂰 Knowledge of Web application development techniques (JavaScript™ and
HTML style sheets).
򐂰 Working knowledge of protocols, including TCP/IP.
򐂰 Working knowledge of operating system utilities (ftp, telnet, sftp, ssh, text
editor, and so on)

Requirements
This certification requires two tests:
򐂰 Test 933 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
򐂰 Test 922 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0

28 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

1.3.2 Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0
Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 is an IBM Certified Deployment Professional
certification.

Target audience
An IBM Certified Deployment Professional - Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 is an
individual who has demonstrated the ability to implement and support an IBM
Tivoli Netcool Impact solution. It is expected that this person is able to perform
the following tasks independently a majority of the time, and in some situations,
take leadership and provide mentoring to peers. It is expected that this person
will be able to perform these tasks with limited assistance from peers, product
documentation, and vendor support services.

Recommended prerequisite skills

The key areas of competency are:
򐂰 Describe the IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 architecture and components.
򐂰 Plan and design an IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 solution based on the
customer’s requirements/environment.
򐂰 Install and configure prerequisites to IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0.
򐂰 Install and configure IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 infrastructure
components.
򐂰 Use available interfaces to configure and administer the IBM Tivoli Netcool
Impact V4.0 environment.
򐂰 Perform performance tuning and problem determination for IBM Tivoli Netcool
Impact V4.0.
򐂰 Develop and deploy IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact policies and services.

The required prerequisites are:

򐂰 Experience administering IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 at skill level 4
򐂰 Knowledge of IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 at skill level 4
򐂰 Knowledge of scripting languages (shell scripting, Rules files, regular
expressions, Perl) at skill level 3
򐂰 Knowledge of operating systems (UNIX and Windows) at skill level 3
򐂰 Knowledge of networks and network management at skill level 3
򐂰 Knowledge of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus at skill level 3
򐂰 Knowledge of database structures at skill level 3

Chapter 1. Certification overview 29

 򐂰 Knowledge of operating system utilities (ftp, telnet, sftp, ssh, and text editors)
at skill level 2
򐂰 Knowledge of SQL, POST-GRES, and other ANSI compliant sources at skill
level 2
򐂰 Knowledge of HTML at skill level 2
򐂰 Knowledge of WebSphere Application Server Community Edition at skill level
1
򐂰 Knowledge of Web services (XML, SOAP, and WSDL), if applicable, at skill
level 1
򐂰 Knowledge of Netcool Security Manager at skill level 1
򐂰 Knowledge of CVS at skill level 1

The skill descriptions are:

1 Basic Skill/Knowledge: Familiarity with basic functionality
and concepts. May need to rely on assistance from
documentation or other resources.
2 Working Skill/Knowledge: Working knowledge of
functionality and concepts. Can use products or explain
concepts with little or no assistance.
3 Advanced Skill/Knowledge: Substantial experience with
functionality or concepts. Can teach others how to use
functionality or explain concepts.
4 Expert Skill/Knowledge: Extensive and comprehensive
experience with functionality or concepts. Can create or
customize code, architecture, or processes.

This certification requires the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.x Implementation

or Tivoli Enterprise Console® 3.9 Implementation certification as well as passing
the IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 Implementation exam.

Requirements
This certification requires two tests:
򐂰 Any one of the following tests:
– Test 594 - IBM Tivoli Enterprise Console V3.9 Implementation
– Test 901 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.1 Implementation
– Test 933 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
򐂰 Test 938 - IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 Implementation

30 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

1.3.3 Tivoli Fault Management Solutions 2008
Tivoli Fault Management Solutions 2008 is an IBM Certified Advanced
Deployment Professional certification.

Target audience
An IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional - Tivoli Fault Management
Solutions 2008 is an individual who has demonstrated a higher level of
implementation knowledge and skill both in breadth and in depth in the IBM Tivoli
Fault Management solutions area.

Requirements
This certification requires four tests:
򐂰 Any one of the following tests:
– Test 901 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.1 Implementation
– Test 933 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
򐂰 Test 922 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0
򐂰 Any two of the following tests:
– Test 890 - IBM Tivoli Monitoring V6.1 Implementation
– Test 897 - IBM Tivoli Network Manager IP Edition V3.7 Implementation
– Test 905 - IBM Tivoli Composite Application Manager for WebSphere V6.1
– Test 920 - IBM Tivoli Composite Application Manager for Response Time
V6.2 Implementation
– Test ITIL® - Information Technology Infrastructure Library - Foundations
– Test 436 - IBM Tivoli Business Service Manager V4.1.1 Implementation
– Test 938 - IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 Implementation
– Test 908 - IBM Tivoli Monitoring V6.2 Implementation

Chapter 1. Certification overview 31

1.3.4 Tivoli Performance Management Solutions 2008
Tivoli Performance Management Solutions 2008 is an IBM Certified Advanced
Deployment Professional certification.

Target audience
An IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional - Tivoli Performance
Management Solutions 2008 is an individual who has demonstrated a higher
level of implementation knowledge and skill both in breadth and in depth in the
IBM Tivoli Performance Management solutions area.

Requirements
This certification requires four tests:
򐂰 Any one of the following tests:
– Test 901 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.1 Implementation
– Test 933 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
򐂰 Test 922 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0
򐂰 Any two of the following tests:
– Test ITIL - Information Technology Infrastructure Library - Foundations
– Test 430 - IBM Tivoli Netcool Service Quality Manager V4.1.1
Implementation
– Test 434 - IBM Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager for Wireless V9.1.2
Implementation
– Test 931 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/Proviso V4.4.1 Implementation

1.3.5 Tivoli Business Application Management Solutions 2008

Tivoli Business Application Management Solutions 2008 is an IBM Certified
Advanced Deployment Professional certification.

Target audience
An IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional - Tivoli Business
Application Management Solutions 2008 is an individual who has demonstrated
a higher level of implementation knowledge and skill both in breadth and in depth
in the IBM Tivoli Business Application Management solutions area.

32 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 Requirements
This certification requires three tests:
򐂰 Any one of the following tests:
– Test 594 - IBM Tivoli Enterprise Console V3.9 Implementation
– Test 933 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
򐂰 Test 908 - IBM Tivoli Monitoring V6.2 Implementation
򐂰 Any one of the following tests:
– Test 253 - IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V6.1,
Core Administration
– Test 731 - DB2® 9 DBA for Linux UNIX and Windows
– Test 905 - IBM Tivoli Composite Application Manager for WebSphere V6.1
– Test ITIL - Information Technology Infrastructure Library -- Foundations

1.3.6 IBM Service Management Network and Service Assurance 2009

IBM Service Management Network and Service Assurance 2009 is an IBM
Certified Advanced Deployment Professional certification.

Target audience
An IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional - IBM Service Management
Network and Service Assurance 2009 is an individual who has demonstrated a
higher level of implementation knowledge and skill both in breadth and in depth in
the IBM Tivoli Network and Service Assurance solutions area.

Requirements
This certification requires four tests:
򐂰 Test 000-922 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0
򐂰 Test 000-933 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
򐂰 Test 000-938 - IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact V4.0 Implementation
򐂰 Any one of the following tests:
– Test ITIL - Information Technology Infrastructure Library -- Foundations
– Test 000-430 - IBM Tivoli Netcool Service Quality Manager V4.1.1
Implementation
– Test 000-434 - IBM Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager for Wireless
V9.1.2 Implementation
– Test 000-931 - IBM Tivoli Netcool/Proviso V4.4.1 Implementation

Chapter 1. Certification overview 33

1.3.7 IBM Service Management Data Center Management and
Transformation 2009
IBM Service Management Data Center Management and Transformation 2009 is
an IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional certification.

Target audience
An IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional - IBM Service Management
Data Center Management and Transformation 2009 is an individual who has
demonstrated a higher level of implementation knowledge and skill both in
breadth and in depth in the IBM Tivoli Data Center Management and
Transformation solutions area.

Requirements
This certification requires three or four tests:
򐂰 Test 000-011 IBM Tivoli Application Dependency and Discovery Manager
V7.1 Implementation
򐂰 Test 000-908 IBM Tivoli Monitoring V6.2 Implementation
򐂰 Any one (or two) of the following tests:
– Test ITIL - Information Technology Infrastructure Library - Foundations
– Test 000-012 IBM Tivoli Usage and Accounting Manager V7.1
Implementation
– Test 000-253 IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment
V6.1 Core Administration
– Test 000-435 IBM Tivoli Workload Scheduler V8.4 Implementation
– Test 000-436 IBM Tivoli Business Service Manager V4.1.1 Implementation
– Test 000-731 DB2 9 DBA for Linux UNIX and Windows
– Test 000-905 IBM Tivoli Composite Application Manager for WebSphere
V6.1
– Test 000-920 IBM Tivoli Composite Application Manager for Response
Time V6.2 Implementation
– Test 000-922 IBM Tivoli Netcool/Webtop V2.0 and Test 000-933 IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

34 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

1.4 Recommended study resources
Courses and publications are offered to help you prepare for the certification
tests. The courses are recommended, but not required, before taking a
certification test. If you wish to purchase Web-based training courses or are
unable to locate a Web-based course or classroom course at the time and
location you desire, please feel free to contact one of our delivery management
teams at:
򐂰 Americas: [email protected]
򐂰 EMEA: [email protected]
򐂰 AP: [email protected]

Note that course offerings are continuously being added and updated. If you do
not see a course listed in your geography, please contact the delivery
management team.

1.4.1 Classroom courses

򐂰 Course title: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.1
Course duration: 1 day
Abstract: The IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus User course is designed to provide
a basic understanding of the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Version 7.1 product
and provide practical experience in how it may be used to manage events in a
network computing environment. This User course is a prerequisite for the
IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administration and Configuration course. The
User course focuses on the everyday use of the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus
product from the user perspective. Each major feature will be highlighted and
students will have their own system available to practice the tasks described
and outlined in the course.
򐂰 Course title: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus 7.2 Administration and
Configuration
Course duration: 5 days
Abstract: A five day comprehensive training for operators and administrators
starting with a basic understanding of the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus
Version 7.2 product, how it may be used to manage events in a network
computing environment, followed by installation, administration, and
configuration of the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 solution. Subjects
explored include operator usage training, including basic fault management
techniques using native V7.2 operator interface(s), installation and licensing
procedures, configuring security and component communications, as well as

Chapter 1. Certification overview 35

 architecture and implementation. Examples of ObjectServer SQL syntax and
automations are examined. The main focus is on the deployment,
configuration, and everyday maintenance of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus
V7.2 from the perspective of the administrator. At the outset of the training,
students will learn basic operational characteristics and engage in an
installation of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 on a classroom server,
followed by covering the standard configuration objects through classroom
exercises.

1.4.2 Online course

򐂰 Course title: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus 7.2 User
Course duration: 4 hours
Abstract: The IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus User course provides a basic
understanding of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Version 7.2 product and
practical experience in using it to manage events in a network computing
environment. This course focuses on the everyday use of the IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus product from the user's perspective. Each major feature will
be highlighted.

36 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 2

Chapter 2. Planning
This chapter discusses some planning issues with IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus.
The topics discussed are:
򐂰 2.1, “IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus components” on page 38
򐂰 2.2, “IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus configuration” on page 45
򐂰 2.3, “Configuration planning issues” on page 49
򐂰 2.4, “ObjectServer tables” on page 52

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. 37

2.1 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus components
This section discusses the following topics:
򐂰 2.1.1, “Architectural components” on page 38
򐂰 2.1.2, “Desktop and administrative components” on page 40
򐂰 2.1.3, “Groups, roles, and users” on page 41
򐂰 2.1.4, “Insert Delete Update Cycle (IDUC) components” on page 44

2.1.1 Architectural components

The components of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus are shown in Figure 2-1.

Monitors and probes

send alerts to the local
ObjectServer. Netcool/OMNIbus
Event List Administrator

Helpdesk/
Monitor Gateway CRM

ObjectServer
NCOMS
Gateway
Probe RDBMS
Gateways forward
alerts to other
applications, such as
Gateway a helpdesk system
Probe and an RDBMS.
Alerts are replicated
in an additional
ObjectServer in a
ObjectServer failover configuration.
Probe DENCO

Figure 2-1 Overall components

38 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Where:
򐂰 ObjectServer
The ObjectServer is the database server at the core of IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus. Event information is forwarded to the ObjectServer from
external programs, such as probes, monitors, and gateways. The
ObjectServer stores and manages this information in database tables, and
displays the information in the event list.
򐂰 Probes
Probes connect to an event source, detect and acquire event data, and
forward the data to the ObjectServer as alerts. Probes use the logic specified
in a rules file to manipulate the event elements before converting them into
the fields of an alert in the ObjectServer alerts.status table. Each probe is
uniquely designed to acquire event data from a specific source. Probes can
acquire data from any stable data source, including devices, databases, and
log files.
򐂰 Monitors
Monitors are programs that acquire a resource’s status and forwards the
status to ObjectServer as alerts.
򐂰 Gateway
IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus gateways enable you to exchange alerts
between ObjectServers and other applications, such as databases or help
desk or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. You can use
gateways to replicate alerts or to maintain a backup ObjectServer. Application
gateways enable you to integrate different business functions. For example,
you can configure a gateway to send alert information to a help desk system.
You can also use a gateway to archive alerts to a database. A gateway that
allows forwarding of alerts to external network management systems is the
SNMP gateway.

By default, IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus ObjectServer uses port 4100 to

communicate with other components. Gateway and process controls need a port
to be configured to work correctly. This can be done by adding information inside
the interface file, which contains a list of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus
components and the ports they are using.

Chapter 2. Planning 39
2.1.2 Desktop and administrative components
Apart from the components discussed in 2.1.1, “Architectural components” on
page 38, there are some components that allow administrative and control
functions to be performed. These components are also shown in Figure 2-1 on
page 38. These components are:
򐂰 Administration console
IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator is a graphical tool that you can use
to configure and manage ObjectServers.
– Menu and tools
An administrator can modify a specific menu layout and tools set to any
specific users or group in order to provide a customized working
environment to event list operators.
Tools add the capability to control alert management functions within the
event list. New tools can be created and belong to two categories:
• SQL tools: Tool where update, insert, and delete are executed on the
select events in the database.
• Executable tools: External executables that provide additional functions
to the event list (such as an open browser tool).
Tools can also be associated with a class of alert.
– Database tables and fields
All database tables can be modified by an administrator apart from system
tables. Custom table and fields can be added using the administrative
console or nco_sql interface.
– Database triggers
Automation is used to detect changes in the ObjectServer and execute
automated responses to these changes. This enables the ObjectServer to
process alerts without requiring an operator to take action. There is a set
of default automations, but more can be added by an administrator to
provide more advanced functionality and events management.
– Classes
Alerts in the ObjectServer have a class assigned by the probe. Each class
can be associated with an event list tool menu that contains useful tools for
alerts of that specific class.

40 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 򐂰 Desktop tools (event list)
The desktop is an integrated suite of graphical tools used to view and manage
alerts and to configure how alert information is presented. Desktop tools are
available on both UNIX and Windows platforms. Alert information is delivered
in a format that allows users to quickly determine the availability of services
on a network. When an alert cause has been identified, desktop tools enable
users to resolve problems quickly.
The event list enables you to view and manage alerts. An alert is created
when the ObjectServer receives an event, alarm, message, or data item.
Each alert comprises fields of information held in a row of the ObjectServer
alerts.status table.
Information about alerts is displayed in the event list according to filters and
views:
– Filters enable you to display a subset of alerts based on specific criteria.
– Views enable you to choose which alert fields to display.
򐂰 Command-line SQL interface
The ObjectServer provides a Structured Query Language (SQL) interface for
defining and manipulating relational database objects, such as tables and
views. You can use the SQL interactive interface (called nco_sql on UNIX and
isql on Windows) to connect to an ObjectServer and use SQL commands to
interact with and control the ObjectServer. The SQL interactive interface
enables you to perform tasks, such as creating a new database table or
stopping the ObjectServer.

2.1.3 Groups, roles, and users

IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus security models use roles and allows an
administrator an advanced level of control over user access and privileges:
򐂰 Roles: Roles are sets of permission assigned to a group and are used to
determine the types of action users of that specific group can perform.
Table 2-1 lists the default roles. A normal user would usually has the
CatalogUser, AlertsUser, and DesktopAdmin roles.

Table 2-1 Roles

Role Description

CatalogUser This role includes permissions to view information about system, tools, security, and
desktop database tables. This role provides a basis for IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus
permissions. This role does not provide sufficient permissions to use any IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus applications. All groups should be assigned this role.

Chapter 2. Planning 41
 Role Description

AlertsUser This role includes permissions to view, update, and delete entries in the alerts.status
table, view, insert, and delete entries in the alerts.journal table, and view and delete
entries in the alerts.details table. This role, in combination with the CatalogUser role,
enables you to display and manipulate alerts, create filters and views, and run
standard tools in the event list.

AlertsProbe This role includes permissions to insert and update entries in the alerts.status table
and insert entries in the alerts.details table. This role, in combination with the
CatalogUser role, provides the permissions that a probe needs to generate alerts in
the ObjectServer. These permissions should be granted to any user that runs a probe
application.

AlertsGateway This role includes permissions to insert, update, and delete entries in the alerts.status,
alerts.details, and alerts.journal tables, and the tables in the transfer database. The
transfer database is used internally by the bi-directional ObjectServer Gateway to
synchronize security information between ObjectServers. This role, in combination
with the CatalogUser role, provides the permissions that a gateway needs to generate
alerts in the ObjectServer. These permissions should be granted to any user that runs
a gateway application.

DatabaseAdmin This role includes permissions to create databases and files, and to create tables in
the alerts, tools, and service databases. This role also includes permissions to modify
or drop the alerts.status, alerts.details, and alerts.journal tables. This role, in
combination with the CatalogUser role, provides permissions to create relational data
structures in the ObjectServer.

AutoAdmin This role includes permissions to create trigger groups, files, SQL and external
procedures, and user signals. This role also includes permissions to create, modify,
and drop triggers in the default trigger groups and modify or drop default trigger
groups. This role, in combination with the CatalogUser role, provides permissions to
create automations in the ObjectServer.

ToolsAdmin This role includes permissions to delete, insert, and update all tools tables. This role,
in combination with the CatalogUser role, provides permissions to create and modify
tools that can be run from the desktop and IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator.

DesktopAdmin This role includes permissions to update all desktop catalogs to insert, update, and
delete colors, visuals, menus, classes, resolutions, and conversions. This role, in
combination with the CatalogUser role, provides permissions to customize the
desktop.

SecurityAdmin This role, in combination with the CatalogUser role, includes permissions to
manipulate users, groups, and roles using IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator
or the SQL interactive interface. This role also includes permissions to set properties
and drop user connections.

ISQL This role, in combination with the CatalogUser role, includes permission to view
ObjectServer data using the SQL interactive interface.

42 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 Role Description

ISQLWrite This role, in combination with the CatalogUser role, includes permission to view and
modify ObjectServer data using the SQL interactive interface.

SuperUser This role has all available permissions. You cannot modify the SuperUser role.

Public All users are assigned this role. By default, the Public role is not assigned any
permissions. You can modify, but not drop, the Public role.

򐂰 Groups: Groups are created in order to easily manage users belonging to the
same group. A group is typically assigned one or more role as necessary.
Table 2-2 lists the default groups.

Table 2-2 Groups

Group Description

Probe This group is assigned the CatalogUser, AlertsUser, and AlertsProbe roles.

Gateway This group is assigned the CatalogUser, AlertsUser, and AlertsGateway roles.

ISQL This group is assigned the ISQL role.

ISQLWrite This group is assigned the ISQLWrite role.

Public This group is assigned the Public role. All users are members of this group.

Normal This group is assigned the CatalogUser and AlertsUser roles. This group cannot be
deleted or renamed.

Administrator This group is assigned the CatalogUser, AlertsUser, ToolsAdmin, and DesktopAdmin
roles.

DesktopAdmin This group cannot be deleted or renamed.

System This group is assigned the CatalogUser, AlertsUser, ToolsAdmin, DesktopAdmin,

AlertsProbe, AlertsGateway, DatabaseAdmin, AutoAdmin, SecurityAdmin, ISQL,
ISQLWrite, and SuperUser roles. This group cannot be deleted or renamed.

Chapter 2. Planning 43
 򐂰 Users: A user represents an individual identity that can access IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus. Each user is connected as a member of a group to get
access to the roles. There are some default users defined, as listed in
Table 2-3.

Table 2-3 Users

User name Description

root This user is created with an empty string as a password by default. You can reset the
password by using IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator, or use the ALTER USER
ObjectServer SQL command.

nobody This user is disabled and cannot be used to access the ObjectServer. Ownership of
each alert in the alerts.status table is assigned to a user when the row is inserted. By
default, probes assign rows to the nobody user.

򐂰 Restriction filter: A restriction filter is used to restrict the rows displayed on a

user event list. Restriction filters need to be created and assigned to a user or
group to control the data that can be displayed and modified from client and
SQL commands.

2.1.4 Insert Delete Update Cycle (IDUC) components

IDUC is used to perform activity on the ObjectServer database. A large amount
of data is passed through IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus components, such as:
򐂰 Between an ObjectServer and its client
򐂰 Between an ObjectServer and the gateways

To avoid the object server being overloaded with requests for event list (or
gateway) updates, the ObjectServer sends a prompt to the desktop client and
gateway every time an update is needed and then the desktop requests the
update from the ObjectServer. This information is sent by way of a specific link
named IDUC.

By default, a random port is chosen for the IDUC communications link. This port
must be specified manually when connecting through a firewall in addition to the
port on which the ObjectServer is running.

By default, the update interval is set to 60 seconds using the ObjectServer

property named Granularity. This can be changed, and is usually reduced to
improve the clients’ response time, but keep in mind that it can greatly increase
the network traffic and ObjectServer processing load.

44 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

2.2 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus configuration
There are several configurations that can be used for installing and configuring
IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus. This section discusses the following configurations:
򐂰 2.2.1, “Without failover” on page 45
򐂰 2.2.2, “With failover” on page 46
򐂰 2.2.3, “Desktop ObjectServer” on page 47
򐂰 2.2.4, “Tiered implementation” on page 48
򐂰 2.2.5, “Probe features” on page 49

2.2.1 Without failover

With this simple architecture, probes, desktops, and gateways connect to a
single ObjectServer (no backup server and no failover mode). If the ObjectServer
fails, the desktop component will not work, while probes and gateways will use
the store and forward mode. Figure 2-2 shows this configuration.

Event List

ncdesktop

Primary
ObjectServer
NETCOOLPRI

nchost01

Syslog Probe

targethost

Figure 2-2 No failover

Chapter 2. Planning 45
2.2.2 With failover
In a failover architecture, ObjectServers are configured as a virtual ObjectServer.
In this case, desktops, gateways, and probes are connected to the failover pair
and if the primary object server fails, they will switch to the backup object server
automatically. This configuration also supports fallback. When the primary object
server is available again, the probe and desktop will reconnect automatically to it.
Figure 2-3 shows this configuration.

Event List

ncdesktop

Primary Bidirectional Backup

ObjectServer ObjectServer ObjectServer
NETCOOLPRI Gateway NETCOOLBAK

L L

nchost01 nchost02

Legends:
Syslog Probe
Primary Connections
Backup Connections
L
L License Server
targethost

Figure 2-3 Failover architecture

The virtual ObjectServer is configured as a Primary and Backup pair to a single

ObjectServer definition.

46 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

2.2.3 Desktop ObjectServer
In order to improve overall performance of the system, you can use another
advanced architecture called Desktop ObjectServer. For example, if you have
many distributed ObjectServers sending events to a central ObjectServer using a
uni-directional gateway, and many desktop clients connecting to the central
object server, you can experience frequent high loads on the server based on the
number of clients connected and events inserted from the gateway. Using the
Desktop ObjectServer architecture, you can:
򐂰 Minimize the load on the central Object Server
򐂰 Increase desktop clients’ performance
򐂰 Improve latency
򐂰 Maintain high data integrity and consistency by simultaneously updating the
central ObjectServer

This architecture is composed of one Master ObjectServer and one or more

Desktop ObjectServers. Dual Server Desktops (DSDs) connect to a Master
ObjectServer when performing writes, but connect to a Desktop ObjectServer
when displaying data, as shown in Figure 2-4.

Dual Server Desktop A

Master ObjectServer
SQL Connection

Event List

Desktop ObjectServer IDUC

SQL Connection Connection

Desktop Unidirectional Master

ObjectServerA Gateway ObjectServer

Figure 2-4 Desktop ObjectServer

This architecture is designed to help you avoid performance issues. It is easily

scalable by adding more ObjectServers to accommodate new desktops and is
easier to maintain by having different ObjectServers for different roles (a
Collection ObjectServer collecting events and sending them to Master
ObjectServer, and a Desktop ObjectServer for displaying data to users). It also
reduces network utilization across WAN links.

Chapter 2. Planning 47
2.2.4 Tiered implementation
A complex and large network and enterprise environment requires a more
specialized implementation configuration. This kind of configuration is often
referred as tiered implementation. In a tiered implementation, multiple
ObjectServers are deployed in the environment, as shown in Figure 2-5.

Event List

Desktop
ObjectServer

Primary Bi-directional Backup

ObjectServer Gateway ObjectServer

Event Collector

Figure 2-5 Tiered ObjectServer implementation

The tiers are:

򐂰 Collector ObjectServers: These ObjectServers are located on various
regional locations of the enterprise and typically connected to the probes and
monitors. Their primary function is to collect events. They perform basic
deduplication and automation to ensure that events that are sent to the
central ObjectServers are unique and relevant.
򐂰 Central ObjectServers: These ObjectServers collects events from various
collectors through uni-directional gateway. These ObjectServers typically act
as a redundant (failover) virtual ObjectServer and provide the main
automation and event processing.
򐂰 Desktop ObjectServers: These ObjectServer retrieve events from the central
ObjectServers for display on the individual cluster of users that monitor
events.

48 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

2.2.5 Probe features
A probe has the following features:
򐂰 Store and Forward Mode: Probes can continue to run if the target
ObjectServer is down. When the probe detects that the ObjectServer is not
present (usually because it is unable to forward an alert to the ObjectServer),
it switches to store mode. In this mode, the probe writes all of the messages it
would normally send to the ObjectServer to a file named
$OMNIHOME/var/probename.servername.store.
򐂰 Automatic Store and Forward: By default, store and forward mode is active
only after a connection to the ObjectServer has been established, used, and
then lost. If the ObjectServer is not running when the probe starts, store and
forward mode is not triggered and the probe terminates unless you set the
probe to run in automatic store and forward mode, it will go straight into store
mode if the ObjectServer is not running, as long as the probe has been
connected to the ObjectServer at least once before.
򐂰 Raw Capture Mode: Raw capture mode enables you to save the complete
stream of event data acquired by a probe into a file without any processing by
the rules file. This can be useful for auditing, recording, or debugging the
operation of a probe.
򐂰 Secure Mode: You can run the ObjectServer in secure mode. This makes
ObjectServer authenticate probe, gateway, and proxy server connections by
requiring a user name and encrypted password.
򐂰 Peer-to-Peer Failover: Two instances of a probe can run simultaneously in a
peer-to-peer failover relationship. One instance is designated as the master;
the other acts as a subordinate and is on hot standby. If the master instance
fails, the subordinate instance is activated.

2.3 Configuration planning issues

There are several configuration planning issues that must be resolved before the
implementation to ensure a workable solution and that implementation is a
success. The issues are:
򐂰 2.3.1, “Naming convention” on page 50
򐂰 2.3.2, “SSL usage” on page 50
򐂰 2.3.3, “Port and firewall considerations” on page 52

Chapter 2. Planning 49
2.3.1 Naming convention
While the default names of objects are supplied with the installation, such as
NCOMS for ObjectServer, NCO_PA for process agent, and so on, these names
are not adequate or descriptive enough for a large environment. A naming
convention is necessary to quickly identify a component for quick problem
determination and recovery.

There are several attributes that can be used for naming conventions, such as:
򐂰 Function: ObjectServer, Gateway, Probes, Process agent, and so on
򐂰 Position: Desktop, Collector, and Central
򐂰 Location: Region, country, state, and city
򐂰 Failover status: Primary or backup

2.3.2 SSL usage

SSL communications can be implemented between IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus
components, such as probes and monitors to ObjectServers, and gateways to
ObjectServers. However, configuring SSL communication between probes and
monitors to the subsystem it monitors depend a lot on the subsystem. Some
communication methods to the subsystems do not supporting SSL.

50 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Local monitoring from probes and monitors do not typically use network
communication, so it would not generate an unencrypted network packet. A
typical implementation configuration with SSL is shown in Figure 2-6.

SSL
Event List

ncdesktop

Primary SSL Bidirectional Backup

ObjectServer ObjectServer ObjectServer
NETCOOLPRI Gateway NETCOOLBAK

L L

nchost01 nchost02

SSL
Legends:
Syslog Probe
Primary Connections
Backup Connections
L
L License Server
targethost

Figure 2-6 SSL communication

Chapter 2. Planning 51
2.3.3 Port and firewall considerations
Typically, firewall concerns arise for communications between a gateway and
ObjectServer and an event list client to an ObjectServer. The communication for
a desktop event list is shown in Figure 2-7.

Dual Server Desktop A

Master ObjectServer
SQL Connection

Event List

Desktop ObjectServer IDUC

SQL Connection Connection

Desktop Unidirectional Master

ObjectServerA Gateway ObjectServer

Figure 2-7 Desktop communication

In Figure 2-7, the desktop must open the IDUC port and the ObjectServer port on
the desktop ObjectServer. It also opens a connection to the Master ObjectServer
port.

Gateways communicate with the ObjectServers using the standard ObjectServer

ports defined in the interface files.

2.4 ObjectServer tables

The ObjectServer is based on a relational database structure. Some of the
important tables for the ObjectServer are listed in Table 2-4 on page 53.
Understanding the tables and their usage are important in defining the
procedures, triggers and SQL commands for processing events in ObjectServer.

52 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Table 2-4 Table name
Table name Usage

Master tables

master.stats The master.stats table stores timing information about the

alerts.status, alerts.details, and alerts.journal tables. This timing
information is gathered if the stats_triggers trigger group is enabled.
The stats_triggers trigger group is disabled by default in the
automation.sql file.

master.national The master.national table identifies the master ObjectServer and the
dual-write mode in a desktop ObjectServer architecture.

master.servergroups The master.servergroups table is used to load-balance desktop

connections.

Catalog tables

catalog.memstores The catalog.memstores table stores information about memstores,

including the hard and soft limits of the memstore size, and how many
bytes are currently being used.

catalog.databases The catalog.databases table stores information about each database,

including the number of objects in the database and the type of
database (system or user).

catalog.tables The catalog.tables table stores information about all types of tables,
including system and user tables, views, and transition tables.

catalog.base_tables The catalog.base_tables table stores information about user and

system tables.

catalog.views The catalog.views table stores information about views. The

CreationText column contains the SQL used to create the view.

catalog.files The catalog.files table stores information about ObjectServer files,

including the path to the operating system file associated with each
ObjectServer file.

catalog.restrictions The catalog.restrictions table stores information about restriction

filters. The ConditionText column contains the SQL condition.

catalog.columns The catalog.columns table stores information about table columns,

including their data types.

catalog.primitive_signals The catalog.primitive_signals table stores information about user and

system signals.

catalog.primitive_signal_parame The catalog.primitive_signal_parameters table stores information

ters about the parameters to system and user defined signals.

Chapter 2. Planning 53
 Table name Usage

catalog.trigger_groups The catalog.trigger_groups table stores information about trigger

groups, including whether or not the trigger group is enabled.

catalog.triggers The catalog.triggers table stores information about triggers, including

the type of trigger, the trigger priority, and what trigger group it is in.

catalog.database_triggers These tables store information about triggers, including the type of
operation that causes the trigger to fire.
catalog.signal_triggers

catalog.temporal_triggers

catalog.procedures The catalog.procedures table stores information about procedures,

including whether the procedure is an SQL procedure or an external
procedure.

catalog.sql_procedures The catalog.sql_procedures table stores information about SQL

procedures, including the code for the procedure.

catalog.external_procedures The catalog.external_procedures table stores information about

external procedures, including the name of the procedure executable
and the host on which it runs.

catalog.procedure_parameters The catalog.procedure_parameters table stores information about

procedure parameters, including parameter types.

catalog.connections The catalog.connections table contains information about

connections to the ObjectServer.

catalog.properties The catalog.properties table contains information about ObjectServer

properties.

catalog.security_permissions The catalog.security_permissions table contains permission

information for ObjectServer objects. This table is used only by the
Netcool/OMNIbus administrator.

catalog.profiles The catalog.profiles table contains timing information for the execution
of SQL commands from client connections.

catalog.trigger_stats The catalog.trigger_stats table stores timing information about

triggers, including the number of times the trigger has been raised and
the number of times the trigger has fired. These statistics are gathered
unless the automation system is disabled by setting the -autoenabled
command-line option to FALSE.
Trigger statistics are also logged to the file
$NCHOME/omnibus/log/servername_trigger_stats.logn.

54 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Table name Usage

Alert related tables

alerts.status The alerts.status table contains status information about problems

that have been detected by probes. Resolved entries are
automatically removed by an automation program.

alerts.details The alerts.details table contains the detail attributes of the alerts in the
system. This is sent from the probes with a detail($*) statement.

alerts.journal The alerts.journal table provides a history of work performed on alerts.

alerts.iduc_messages The alerts.iduc_messages table is required to support

internationalization (i18n) and is used to send i18n-safe Insert,
Delete, Update, or Control (IDUC) client messages. This table
ensures that characters transferred across varying encodings are
converted into recognizable formats.

alerts.objclass The alerts.objclass table is used to determine which menu and icons
to use for a particular class of object.

alerts.objmenus The alerts.objmenus table is used to provide the list of menus.

alerts.objmenuitems The alerts.objmenuitems table is used to provide the content of

menus.

alerts.resolutions The alerts.resolutions table is used to maintain the Resolutions option

in the event list.

alerts.conversions The alerts.conversions table is used to provide easy conversion from

a numeric value to a string for any column.

alerts.col_visuals The alerts.col_visuals table is used to provide the default visuals for
columns when displayed in the desktop tools.

alerts.colors The alerts.colors table is used to create the colors required by the
Windows desktop.

Tools related tables

tools.actions The tools.actions table is used to control desktop tools.

tools.action_access The tools.action_access table is used to control access to desktop

tools.

tools.menus The tools.menus table is used to control desktop tool menus.

tools.menu_items The tools.menu_items table is used to control desktop tool menu

items.

tools.prompt_defs The tools.prompt_defs table is used to store all prompt definitions.

Chapter 2. Planning 55
 Table name Usage

tools.menu_defs The tools.menu_defs table is used to control desktop tool menu items.

Service table

service.status The service.status table is used to control the additional features

required to support Netcool Internet Service Monitoring.

The tables can be queried using the nco_sql or isql commands. Some useful
SQL queries are:
򐂰 Finding the number of occurrences:
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM <tables>
򐂰 Finding the latest occurrences:
SELECT MAX(<col-name>) FROM <tables>

The WHERE selection clauses can also be critical for the performance of the
SQL query. The WHERE clauses are used to filter returned rows, evaluate the
conditions, and filter them sequentially. The order of most efficient queries are:
򐂰 Integer field matching
򐂰 Exact character matching
򐂰 Wild card character matching
򐂰 Regular expression character matching

One of the most important tables is the alerts.status table. This table stores all
open alerts in IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus. The alerts.status table structure is
listed in Table 2-5.

Table 2-5 The alerts.status table

Column name Data type Description

Identifier varchar(255) Controls ObjectServer deduplication.

Serial incr The Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus serial number for the row.

Node varchar(64) Identifies the managed entity from which the alarm originated.
This could be a host or device name, service name, or other
entity.

NodeAlias varchar(64) The alias for the node. For network devices or hosts, this
should be the logical (layer-3) address of the entity. For IP
devices or hosts, this should be the IP address.

Manager varchar(64) The descriptive name of the probe that collected and
forwarded the alarm to the ObjectServer. This can also be
used to indicate the host on which the probe is running.

56 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Column name Data type Description

Agent varchar(64) The descriptive name of the sub-manager that generated the
alert.

AlertGroup varchar(255) The descriptive name of the type of failure indicated by the
alert (for example, Interface Status or CPU Utilization).

AlertKey varchar(255) The descriptive key that indicates the managed object
instance referenced by the alert (for example, the disk
partition indicated by a file system full alert or the switch port
indicated by a utilization alert).

Severity integer Indicates the alert severity level, which provides an indication
of how the perceived capability of the managed object has
been affected. The color of the alert in the event list is
controlled by the severity value.

Summary varchar(255) The text summary of the cause of the alert.

StateChange time An automatically maintained ObjectServer time stamp of the

last insertions or update of the alert from any source.

FirstOccurrence time The time in seconds (from midnight 1 Jan, 1970) when this
alert was created or when polling started at the probe.

LastOccurrence time The time when this alert was last updated at the probe.

InternalLast time The time when this alert was last updated at the ObjectServer.

Poll integer The frequency of polling for this alert in seconds.

Type integer The type of alert, that is, 0: not set, 1: problem, 2:resolution,
and so on.

Tally integer Automatically maintained count of the number of insertions

and updates of the alert from any source. This count is
affected by deduplication.

Class integer The alert class used to identify the probe or vendor from which
the alert was generated. Controls the applicability of
context-sensitive event list tools.

Grade integer Indicates the state of escalation for the alert, that is, 0: not
escalated and 1: escalated.

Location varchar(64) Indicates the physical location of the device, host, or service
for which the alert was generated.

OwnerUID integer The user identifier of the user who is assigned to handle this
alert. The default is 65534, which is the identifier for the
nobody user.

Chapter 2. Planning 57
 Column name Data type Description

OwnerGID integer The group identifier of the group that is assigned to handle this
alert.

Acknowledged integer Indicates whether the alert has been acknowledged (0/1)

Flash integer Enables the option to make the event list flash.

EventId varchar(255) The event ID (for example, SNMPTRAP-link down). Multiple

events can have the same event ID. This is populated by the
probe rules file and used by Tivoli Network Manager IP
Edition.

ExpireTime integer The number of seconds until the alert is cleared automatically.
Used by the Expire automation.

ProcessReq integer Indicates whether the alert should be processed by Tivoli

Network Manager IP Edition. This is populated by the probe
rules file and used by Tivoli Network Manager IP Edition.

SuppressEscl integer Used to suppress or escalate the alert.

Customer varchar(64) The name of the customer affected by this alert.

Service varchar(64) The name of the service affected by this alert.

PhysicalSlot integer The slot number indicated by the alert.

PhysicalPort integer The port number indicated by the alert.

PhysicalCard varchar(64) The card name or description indicated by the alert.

TaskList integer Indicates whether a user has added the alert to the Task List.
Operators can add alerts to the Task List from the event list.

NmosSerial varchar(64) The serial number of a suppressed alert. Populated by Tivoli

Network Manager IP Edition.

NmosObjInst integer Populated by Tivoli Network Manager IP Edition during alert

processing.

NmosCauseType integer The alert state, populated by Tivoli Network Manager IP

Edition as an integer value, that is, 0: unknown, 1: root cause,
or 2: symptom.

NmosDomainName varchar(64) The name of the Tivoli Network Manager IP Edition domain
that is managing the event.

NmosEntityId integer A unique numerical ID that identifies the Tivoli Network

Manager IP Edition topology entity with which the event is
associated.

58 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Column name Data type Description

NmosManagedStatus integer The managed status of the network entity for which the event
was raised. Can apply to events from Tivoli Network Manager
IP Edition and from any probe. You can use this column to filter
out events from interfaces that are not considered relevant.

LocalNodeAlias varchar(64) The alias of the network entity indicated by the alert. For
network devices or hosts, this is the logical (layer-3) address
of the entity, or another logical address that enables direct
communication with the device. For use in managed object
instance identification.

LocalPriObj varchar(255) The primary object referenced by the alert. For use in
managed object instance identification.

LocalSecObj varchar(255) The secondary object referenced by the alert. For use in
managed object instance identification.

LocalRootObj varchar(255) An object that is equivalent to the primary object referenced in

the alarm. For use in managed object instance identification.

RemoteNodeAlias varchar(64) The network address of the remote network entity. For use in
managed object instance identification.

RemotePriObj varchar(255) The primary object of a remote network entity referenced by

an alarm. For use in managed object instance identification.

RemoteSecObj varchar(255) The secondary object of a remote network entity referenced

by an alarm. For use in managed object instance
identification.

RemoteRootObj varchar(255) An object that is equivalent to the remote entity's primary

object referenced in the alarm. For use in managed object
instance identification.

X733EventType integer Indicates the alert type 0-10.

X733ProbableCause integer Indicates the probable cause of the alert.

X733SpecificProb varchar(64) Identifies additional information for the probable cause of the
alert. Used by probe rules files to specify a set of identifiers for
use in managed object instance identification.

X733CorrNotif varchar(255) A listing of all notifications with which this notification is

correlated.

ServerName varchar(64) The name of the originating ObjectServer. Used by gateways

to control propagation of alerts between ObjectServers.

Chapter 2. Planning 59
 Column name Data type Description

ServerSerial integer The serial number of the alert on the originating ObjectServer
(if it did not originate on this ObjectServer). Used by gateways
to control the propagation of alerts between ObjectServers.

URL varchar(1024) Optional URL that provides a link to additional information in

the vendor's device or Enterprise Network Management
System (ENMS).

MasterSerial integer Identifies the master ObjectServer if this alert is being

processed in a desktop ObjectServer environment. This
column is added when you run the database initialization utility
nco_dbinit with the -desktopserver option. MasterSerial must
be the last column in the alerts.status table if you are using a
desktop ObjectServer environment.

ExtendedAttr varchar(4096) Holds name-value pairs (of Tivoli Enterprise Console

extended attributes) or any other additional information for
which no dedicated column exists in the alerts.status table.
Use this column only through the nvp_get, nvp_set, and
nvp_exists SQL functions.

60 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 3

Chapter 3. Installation
This chapter discusses the installation of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus. The
topics discussed are:
򐂰 3.1, “Installation process” on page 62
򐂰 3.2, “Simnet probe installation” on page 65
򐂰 3.3, “Installing a FixPack” on page 66
򐂰 3.4, “Configuration export and import” on page 66
򐂰 3.5, “Post-implementation customization” on page 68

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. 61

3.1 Installation process
This section discusses the installation of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 on a
UNIX or Linux server. For a sample of the wizard in Windows, see 4.1.1, “Remote
desktop installation” on page 86.

The installation path defaults are:

򐂰 UNIX: /opt/netcool
򐂰 Windows: C:\Program Files\IBM\Tivoli\Netcool

Perform the following steps:

1. Download the required IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus binaries package
C876RML from the IBM Passport advantage site, found at the following
address:
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/howtobuy/passportadvantage/pao_custom
ers.htm
Additional support and fixes can be downloaded from the IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus support site, found at the following address:
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/sysmgmt/products/support/F495033D9821
9V85-download.html
2. Put the binaries in an appropriate temporary location and extract the
installation package.
3. Run the installation program; in UNIX, it is called INSTALL, and in Windows, it
is called setup. There are some options for invoking the installation, such as:
-console Forcing the installation to use the console mode.
-errorlevel The logging level: debug, info, or warning.
-silent Runs the installation in silent mode. Requires the
-params option, which defines the XML file that is used
as input.
-nchome The Netcool home directory for UNIX installation.
-help Shows the options for the installation command.
4. The following steps describe the console based installation steps in a UNIX
platform. First, invoke the script ./INSTALL -console. If this is the first time
you have done this installation for this platform, supply the Netcool home
directory, as shown in Example 3-1 on page 63.

62 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Example 3-1 Home directory
Please enter installation directory [/opt/netcool]:
1548 blocks
. . .

Product: Netcool/OMNIbus
Welcome to the Netcool text installer for Netcool/OMNIbus

To continue press [Enter]:

5. Accept the license agreement, as shown in Example 3-2.

Example 3-2 License agreement

International Program License Agreement
Part 1 - General Terms
BY DOWNLOADING, INSTALLING, COPYING, ACCESSING, OR USING THE PROGRAM
YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. IF YOU ARE ACCEPTING THESE
TERMS ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON OR A COMPANY OR OTHER LEGAL ENTITY,
YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT YOU HAVE FULL AUTHORITY TO BIND THAT
PERSON, COMPANY, OR LEGAL ENTITY TO THESE TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO
THESE TERMS,
- DO NOT DOWNLOAD, INSTALL, COPY, ACCESS, OR USE THE PROGRAM; AND
- PROMPTLY RETURN THE PROGRAM AND PROOF OF ENTITLEMENT TO THE PARTY
FROM WHOM YOU ACQUIRED IT TO OBTAIN A REFUND OF THE AMOUNT YOU PAID. IF
YOU DOWNLOADED THE PROGRAM, CONTACT THE PARTY FROM WHOM YOU ACQUIRED
IT.
"IBM" is International Business Machines Corporation or one of its
subsidiaries.
"License Information" ("LI") is a document that provides information

Do you agree to be bound by the terms of this license (Yes/No) []: Yes

Chapter 3. Installation 63
 6. Select the required features. Example 3-3 shows that we selected all the
features.

Example 3-3 Installation feature selection

Product: Netcool/OMNIbus

SelectFeature
-------------
[I] 1) Desktop - Desktop GUI Applications
[I] 2) Gateways - ObjectServer Gateways
[I] 3) Process Control - Process control and remote execution
support.
[I] 4) Servers - ObjectServer and Proxy Server
[I] 5) Confpack - Confpack configuration backup and transfer tool
[I] 6) Administrator - Administrator configuration GUI
[I] 7) AEN Client - Accelerated Event Notification Client
[I] 8) Local Help System - Local On-line Help System. To use
Standalone mode on-line help or start an Infocentre server, this
feature must be installed.

Select:
1-8) Toggle feature
s) Select all features
u) Unselect all features
i) Install selected features
n) Next page (properties configuration)
q) Quit
Option [i]: i

7. When the installation process completes correctly, you receive the message
shown in Example 3-4.

Example 3-4 Installation completed

Installing product: Netcool/OMNIbus.

Product Netcool/OMNIbus installed OK.

If there is a problem with the installation, refer to the

$NCHOME/log/install/ncisetup.log file for more information.

64 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

3.2 Simnet probe installation
IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus is now installed, so now you can install probes. The
probes are installed as patches. These probe patches are installed using the
$NCHOME/omnibus/install/nco_patch command. You can download the Simnet
probe from the PassPort Advantage Web site
(http://www.ibm.com/software/passportadvantage) using the part number
C1BY0EN. Perform the following tasks:
1. Unzip the installation image to a temporary directory. The installation of the
probe is performed as a patch. The patch is packaged as a tar.Z file. Do not
extract the tar.Z file.
2. Run the nco_patch command to install the simnet probe from the compressed
patch tar-ball in temporary directory.
3. Enter yes to install the probe.
4. Wait until the installation is completed

Example 3-5 shows the installation process.

Example 3-5 Probe installation

[netcool@omnibus tmp]$ unzip C1BY0EN.zip
Archive: C1BY0EN.zip
inflating: omnibus-3.x-linux2x86-probe-nco-p-simnet-4_0.tar.Z
inflating: omnibus-3.x-linux2x86-probe-nco-p-simnet-4_0.README
[netcool@omnibus tmp]$ $NCHOME/omnibus/install/nco_patch
omnibus-3.x-linux2x86-probe-nco-p-simnet-4_0.tar.Z

-------------------------- End of README ---------------------------

Are you sure you want to install this patch? (y/n)? [default: y]
Patch "probe-nco-p-simnet-4" is successfully installed.

The nco_patch command has some other options, such as:

-remove Removes a patch installation (including a probe).
-print Lists the installed patch IDs.

Chapter 3. Installation 65
3.3 Installing a FixPack
A FixPack for IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 can be downloaded from the IBM
support site at the following address:
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/sysmgmt/products/support/F495033D98219V8
5-download.html

The FixPack is installed by running the ncisetup command under the

$NCHOME/install directory. The FixPack is installed using the -install option,
which points to the FixPack distribution file. A sample installation of FixPack
7.2.0.3 is shown in Example 3-6.

Example 3-6 FixPack installation

[netcool@omnibus]$ /opt/netcool/install/ncisetup -install
7.2.0.3-TIV-NCOMNIBUS-linux2x86-FP0003.jar-silent
Installing product: Netcool/OMNIbus.
Product Netcool/OMNIbus installed OK.

3.4 Configuration export and import

The IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus configuration of an ObjectServer can be
exported and then imported to another ObjectServer. This process is very
efficient for quickly cloning ObjectServer settings. This process is performed by
running the nco_confpack command under $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/.

The nco_confpack command can be run in the following modes:

򐂰 Create a list of exportable configuration items using the -list option, as shown
in Example 3-7 on page 67. You can choose the appropriate configuration
that you want to export from the output file.

66 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Example 3-7 nco_confpack -list
[netcool@omnibus tmp]$ $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_confpack -list -server
NCOMS -file /tmp/NCOMS_list -user root
[netcool@omnibus tmp]$ cat /tmp/NCOMS_list
ObjectServer NCOMS Auto audit_config_create_tool
ObjectServer NCOMS Auto audit_config_drop_class
ObjectServer NCOMS Auto audit_config_drop_col_visual
ObjectServer NCOMS Auto audit_config_drop_conv
ObjectServer NCOMS Auto audit_config_drop_menu
ObjectServer NCOMS Auto audit_config_drop_object
ObjectServer NCOMS Auto audit_config_drop_prompt
ObjectServer NCOMS Auto audit_config_drop_tool

򐂰 Export the configuration using the -export option, as shown in Example 3-8.
The configuration items in the list files are the only configuration items that will
be exported.

Example 3-8 nco_confpack -export

[netcool@omnibus tmp]$ $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_confpack -export -file
/tmp/NCOMS_list -package /tmp/NCOMS_package -user root

򐂰 Import a configuration into another ObjectServer using the -import option, as

shown in Example 3-9.

Example 3-9 nco_confpack -import

[netcool@omnibus ~]$ $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_confpack -import -package
/tmp/NCOMS_package -server NCOMS2 -user root
*********************************************************************
* W A R N I N G *
* *
* This action may overwrite configuration currently in your system. *
* *
* It is recommended that a backup is made of the current data *
* before importing new data. *
* *
*********************************************************************

Do you want to continue (y/n) [N]? y

A related concept to this topic is the backup of an ObjectServer configuration. To

back up an ObjectServer database, you can run the following SQL command
from a nco_sql or isql interface:
alter system backup ‘<backup_path>’;

Chapter 3. Installation 67
3.5 Post-implementation customization
There are several post-implementation customizations that must be performed
for IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus. They are:
򐂰 3.5.1, “Environmental variables” on page 68
򐂰 3.5.2, “Directory ownership” on page 69
򐂰 3.5.4, “Communication configuration” on page 72
򐂰 3.5.5, “ObjectServer properties” on page 76

3.5.1 Environmental variables

The user of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus must have several predefined
environment variables set. These variables are typically set on the user’s profile.
The easiest method is to modify the /etc/profile file so that all users on the
system will have those variables set. A sample modification of /etc/profile is
shown in Example 3-10.

Example 3-10 Environmental variables for IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus

NCHOME=/opt/netcool/
OMNIHOME=/opt/netcool/omnibus/
LANG=C
PATH=$PATH:/opt/netcool/omnibus/bin:/opt/netcool/netcool/install:/opt/n
etcool/bin/
LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/opt/netcool/platform/linux2x86/lib/

export NCHOME OMNIHOME LANG PATH LD_LIBRARY_PATH

The variables to be set are:

NCHOME Home directory of the Netcool installation
OMNIHOME Home directory of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus
LANG Language convention
PATH Executable search path
LD_LIBRARY_PATH Dynamic link library loading path in Linux (LIBPATH is
used in AIX®)

68 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

3.5.2 Directory ownership
On a UNIX/Linux operating system with an ObjectServer installed by the root
user, the root user owns the $NCHOME directory. A non-root user is typically used
to own and run IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus. A typical setup is assigning the
Netcool user as a member of the ncoadmin group, acting as the primary
administrator with full access to the product functionality. The group can be
defined with a specific group ID. Group IDs are defined in /etc/group and user
IDs are defined in /etc/passwd.

If the group and user can be created, then you should add the root user to the
group so it has access to it. Then you should change the file ownership of the
$NCHOME path. The commands to perform this task are shown in Example 3-11.

Example 3-11 Group creation on UNIX

[root@localhost /]# groupadd -g 500 ncoadmin
[root@localhost /]# useradd -g ncoadmin netcool
[root@localhost /]# usermod -g ncoadmin root

3.5.3 ObjectServer creation and verification

Instances of ObjectServer can be created after the installation. To create the
ObjectServer tables and information, use the nco_dbinit command, which
resides in the $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/ directory. To create an ObjectServer called
NCOMS, issue this command:
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_dbinit -server NCOMS

The options for the ObjectServer can be specified as command-line options or in

the property file $NCHOME/omnibus/etc/nco_dbinit.props. The command
executes the following SQL files:
application.sql This file creates the default tables for the alerts and tools
databases.
automation.sql This file creates the default trigger groups and triggers.
desktop.sql This file specifies default values for the desktop tables,
including default colors, conversions, tools, and menus.
system.sql This file specifies the security database and tables, and
system users, groups, roles, and permissions. You must
not edit this file.
security.sql This file specifies additional operator and administrator
roles.

Chapter 3. Installation 69
 For a Windows system, you can set up the ObjectServer to start as a Windows
service using the nco_objserv command from the path %NCHOME%\omnibus\bin.
To install the service, it uses the following options:
/install Install a service.
/remove Remove a service.
/instance Define an optional instance name. The default service
name is NCOObjectServer. The instance name is
appended after a $ sign after NCOObjectServer
/cmdline Define the command line for the service that includes the
name of the ObjectServer.
/noauto When this option is set, the service will not autostart.

To create a service named NCOObjectServer$ABC for an ObjectServer named

MyABC, run this command:
nco_objserv /install /instance ABC /cmdline "-name MyABC"

Starting the ObjectServer manually can be done by running the nco_objserv

-name command:
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_objserv -name <ObjectServer name>

You can then verify that the ObjectServer is running by using the nco_ping
command, as shown in Example 3-12.

Example 3-12 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus availability test on UNIX

[netcool@omnibus ~]$ nco_ping NCOMS
NCO_PING: Server available.

You can then use the event list application locally using the nco_event command
under $NCHOME/omnibus/bin. The initial prompt is for the user name and
password. The default user name is root with a blank password. The login
window is shown in Figure 3-1 on page 71.

70 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 Note: As this is an X Window System application, the DISPLAY environment
variable has to be set properly and access is granted from root using the xhost
command.

Figure 3-1 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus event list login window on UNIX

Chapter 3. Installation 71
 Once the user name and password is verified, you are connected to the
ObjectServer. There is a limit on the number of event lists that can connect to an
ObjectServer. Figure 3-2 shows the event groups.

Figure 3-2 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus event list window on UNIX

Each of the boxes in Figure 3-2 represents different filters of the event list that
are available in IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus. The drop-down menus represent
the view selection for the events that are retrieved from the particular filter.

3.5.4 Communication configuration

Communication between components are set in the interface file. The setting is
different for UNIX or Linux and for Windows systems.

72 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

On UNIX or Linux
The communication configuration for a UNIX or Linux server includes changing
the interface file. If the host name is resolvable to an IP address, edit the interface
definition file $NCHOME/etc/omni.dat and replace omnihost with local servers
host name. If the host name is not resolvable to an IP address, replace omnihost
with the appropriate IPv4 or IPv6 address and port. Ensure that the port you
define is not used from the output of the netstat -an command. Our definition
file is shown in Example 3-13. Once you update the file, you can run the
nco_igen command under $NCHOME/bin to redefine the interface file. The
definition is for two separate ObjectServers.

Example 3-13 Interface definitions file for IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus

[NCOMS]
{
Primary: 9.42.170.132 4100
}
[NCOMS2]
{
Primary: 9.42.170.132 4200
}

To define the above ObjectServers as a failover pair (virtual ObjectServer), define

it as shown in Example 3-14.

Example 3-14 Interface definition file for virtual ObjectServer

[NCOMS]
{
Primary: 9.42.170.132 4100
Backup: 9.42.170.132 4200
}

Chapter 3. Installation 73
 Alternatively you can use the graphical interface (run nco_xigen to open it) to
perform this update, as shown in Figure 3-3.

Figure 3-3 The nco_xigen window

74 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

On Windows
On a Windows platform, you set the communication configuration in the Netcool
Server Editor. Select All Programs → Netcool OMNIBUS → System
Utilities → Server Editor. The window shown in Figure 3-4 opens.

Figure 3-4 Interface definitions tool for IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus on Windows

Chapter 3. Installation 75
 You can define and test the ObjectServer. If you do, you should get the message
“Server available”, as shown in Figure 3-5.

Figure 3-5 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus availability test on Windows

3.5.5 ObjectServer properties

ObjectServer properties are stored in the file
$NCHOME/omnibus/etc/<servername>.props. You can change the settings for the
ObjectServer properties in the SQL interactive interface by running the ALTER
SYSTEM SET SQL command, or by editing the properties file and restarting
ObjectServer.

76 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 You can query the catalog.properties table to view information about the
ObjectServer properties. The available properties are listed in Table 3-1.

Table 3-1 ObjectServer properties

Property Description

AlertSecurityModel integer This property determines whether group row level security
is enforced in the event list. By default, group row level
security is disabled (0). In this case:
A member of the Normal group can modify a row that is
assigned to themselves or the nobody user.
A member of the Administrator group can modify a row that
is assigned to themselves, the nobody user, or a member of
the Normal group.
If the AlertSecurityModel property is enabled (1), only users
in the group that owns the row can modify the row. In this
case, a member of the Normal or Administrator group can
modify a row that is assigned to a group of which they are a
member. A member of the System group can always modify
any row.

AllowConnections TRUE | FALSE Specifies whether non-root users can connect to the
ObjectServer. If FALSE, no new connections to the
ObjectServer are allowed. The default is TRUE.

AllowISQL TRUE | FALSE Specifies whether connections to the ObjectServer are

allowed using the SQL interactive interface. If FALSE, no
user can connect using nco_sql. The default is TRUE. If
TRUE, this can be enabled for each user using the
Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator.

AllowISQLWrite TRUE | FALSE Specifies whether modifications to the ObjectServer are

allowed using the SQL interactive interface. If FALSE, no
user can modify the ObjectServer using nco_sql. The
default is TRUE. If TRUE, this can be enabled for each user
using the Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator.

AllowTimedRefresh TRUE | FALSE This property determines whether the user can enable a
timed refresh in the Refresh tab of the Event List
Preferences window. If TRUE, the event list preferences can
be set to allow alert information to be updated at a specified
interval rather than waiting for notification of updates from
the ObjectServer. The default is FALSE. If FALSE, the timed
refresh check box is grayed out in the Refresh tab of the
Event List Preferences window and timed refresh is
disabled.

Auto.Debug TRUE | FALSE If TRUE, automation debugging is enabled. The default is

FALSE.

Chapter 3. Installation 77
 Property Description

Auto.Enabled TRUE | FALSE If TRUE, automations are enabled. The default is TRUE.

Auto.StatsInterval integer Specifies the interval in seconds at which the automation

system collects statistics. The default is 60. Statistics are
gathered unless the -autoenabled command-line option is
set to FALSE, which disables all automations.

Auto.StatsLogfile string Specifies the log file to which the automation system writes
statistics. By default, the trigger statistics are logged to the
file $NCHOME/omnibus/log/
servername_trigger_stats.logn.

BackupObjectServer TRUE | FALSE Provides failback capability with desktop clients, probes, the
proxy server, and the ObjectServer Gateway. The default is
FALSE; the desktop clients, probes, the proxy server, and
gateways are assumed to be connected to a primary
ObjectServer. When TRUE, the desktop clients, probes, the
proxy server, and gateways are made aware that they are
connected to the backup ObjectServer in a failover pair. If
this is the case, the desktop clients, probes, the proxy
server, and gateways will automatically check for the
recovery of the primary ObjectServer in the failover pair and
switch back (fail back) when it has restarted.

ClientHeartbeatDisable TRUE | FALSE Disables the client heartbeating system if set to TRUE. This
causes a connected client to time out if the ObjectServer is
busy, for example, during a gateway resynchronization or an
automation. The default FALSE setting enables
heartbeating, and prevents invalid and unnecessary client
timeouts. If the ObjectServer is active but busy, this setting
causes the ObjectServer to send a message to a connected
client, with details of the type of processing in progress.

ClientHeartbeatRate integer Sets the rate in seconds of a client heartbeat. This rate
defines how long a client should wait for a response from
the ObjectServer before timing out. The default value is 10.

Connections integer Sets the maximum number of available connections for

desktop clients, probes, and gateways. The default value is
30. Up to two connections may be used by the system.

DeleteLogFile string The path and name of the delete log file, where all delete
commands are recorded if delete logging is enabled. By
default, deletes are logged to the file $NCHOME/omnibus/log/
servername_deletes_file.logn.

DeleteLogging TRUE | FALSE When TRUE, delete logging is enabled. The default is
FALSE.

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Property Description

DeleteLogLevel integer The log level determines how much information is sent to
the delete log file. Possible settings are:
򐂰 <0: No logging.
򐂰 0: Client type (application ID; for example, ctisql for
nco_sql) and SQL executed. This is the default log
level.
򐂰 1: Time, user ID, client type, and SQL executed.

DeleteLogSize integer The maximum size of the delete log file. When the log file
servername_deletes_file.log1 reaches the specified size,
it is renamed servername_deletes_file.log2 and a new
log file, servername_deletes_file.log1, is created. When
the new file reaches its maximum size, the older file is
deleted and the process repeats. The output from a single
delete command is never split between log files. Therefore,
log files may be larger than the specified size. The default
log file size is 1024 KB.

DTMaxTopRows integer The maximum number of rows that an administrator can

specify when using the View Builder to restrict the number
of rows an event list user can view. The default is 100.

GWDeduplication integer This property controls the behavior when there is an

attempt to reinsert an existing event in the ObjectServer.
Possible values are:
򐂰 0: When set to this value (the default):
– If the client is not a gateway, the Tally field is
incremented.
– The LastOccurrence, Summary, and AlertKey fields
are updated with the new values and the
StateChange and InternalLast fields are updated
with the current time.
– If the new Severity is greater than 0 (clear) and the
old Severity was 0, the alert is also updated with the
new Severity value.
򐂰 1: If the client is a gateway, the new event replaces the
old event.
򐂰 2: If the client is a gateway, the new event is ignored.
򐂰 3: When set to this value:
– For all clients, the Tally field is incremented.
– The LastOccurrence, Summary, and AlertKey fields
are updated with the new values and the
StateChange and InternalLast fields are updated
with the current time.
– If the new Severity is greater than 0 (clear) and the
old Severity was 0, the alert is also updated with the
new Severity value.

Chapter 3. Installation 79
 Property Description

Granularity integer Controls the update interval, in seconds, of IDUC

broadcasts to desktops and gateways. Reducing this value
increases the update rate to the clients. The default interval
is 60 seconds.

Iduc.ListeningHostname string Sets a host name for clients to use to locate the
ObjectServer. On systems where DNS is used, the name
returned by a host machine internally may not be the name
by which it is referred to in the network. For example, a
machine named “sfo” may actually be identified in the
network as sfo.bigcorp.org. To allow clients to connect to
the ObjectServer on sfo, set this property to sfo.bigcorp.org.
The default is the name of the local machine, as reported by
the hostname command.

Iduc.ListeningPort integer Sets the port for the IDUC communication connection. This
is the port on which the ObjectServer sends updates to
each event list and gateway. If not specified, the IDUC port
is selected by the ObjectServer at random from the unused
port numbers available. The default is 0, that is, take the
next available port. You can also specify the port in the
/etc/services file on the host machine.

Ipc.SSLCertificate string Specifies the path to the SSL certificate. The default is
$NCHOME/etc/servername.crt. For more information about
setting up a Netcool system using SSL communications,
refer to the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Installation and
Deployment Guide, SC23-6370.

Ipc.SSLEnable TRUE | FALSE Enables SSL communications. For more information about
setting up a Netcool system using SSL communications,
refer to the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Installation and
Deployment Guide, SC23-6370.

Ipc.SSLPrivateKeyPassword string Specifies the SSL private key password. The default is ''.
For more information about setting up a Netcool system
using SSL communications, refer to the IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus Installation and Deployment Guide,
SC23-6370.

MaxLogFileSize integer Specifies the maximum size the log file can grow to, in
kilobytes. The default is 1024 KB. Once it reaches the size
specified, the servername.log file is renamed
servername.log_OLD and a new log file is started. When the
new file reaches the maximum size, it is renamed and the
process starts again.

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Property Description

MessageLevel string Specifies the message logging level. Possible values are
debug, info, warn, error, and fatal. The default level is warn.

MessageLog string Specifies the path to which messages are logged. The
default is $NCHOME/omnibus/log/NCOMS.log. On Windows, if
the system cannot write to the specified log file (for
example, as the result of a fatal error), it writes the error to
a file named %NCHOME%\omnibus\log\err.
The ObjectServer must be running as a service; otherwise,
it cannot write errors to a file.

PA.Name string Sets the process control agent name. This name must
consist of 11 or fewer uppercase letters. When an external
procedure is run from an automation, the ObjectServer can
start an external process. To start the process, the
ObjectServer contacts a process control agent. The default
name for the process control agent is NCO_PA. This option
is supported on both UNIX and Windows platforms.

PA.Password string Specifies the password for the user connecting to a process
control agent to run external procedures in automations.
The default is ''. If running external procedures in
Netcool/OMNIbus V7.x, the process control daemon must
be able to authenticate the user. Therefore, a valid
combination, which can be authenticated by the daemon,
must be specified in the string values for PA.Username and
PA.Password. Otherwise, the connection to the process
control agent, as well as the execution of the external
procedure, will fail. This option is only supported on UNIX
platforms.

PA.Username string Specifies the user name for connecting to a process control
agent to run external procedures in automations. A value
must be specified when the process control agent is running
in secure mode. The default is root. Any user who requires
access to the process control system must be a member of
a UNIX user group (the default is ncoadmin) that you
identify as an administrative group for this purpose. This
option is only supported on UNIX platforms.

ProfileStatsInterval integer Specifies the interval in seconds at which the profiler writes
information to the profile log file. The default is 60 seconds.

Chapter 3. Installation 81
 Property Description

Profile TRUE | FALSE Controls ObjectServer profiling. If TRUE, the amount of

time it takes for clients to execute SQL is logged to the
catalog.profiles table. The default is FALSE. The profile
statistics are also logged to the file
$NCHOME/omnibus/log/ servername_profiler_report.logn
file every profile statistics interval.

Props.CheckNames TRUE | FALSE When TRUE, the ObjectServer does not run if any specified
property is invalid. The default is TRUE.

RegexpLibrary string Defines which regular expression library to use for the
ObjectServer. Possible values are NETCOOL and TRE.
The default value of NETCOOL is useful for single-byte
character processing and is recommended for optimal
system performance. To enable the use of the extended
regular expression syntax on single-byte and multi-byte
character languages, set the value to TRE. Note that this
setting results in decreased system performance.

RestrictionUpdateCheck TRUE | FALSE When FALSE, users with restriction filters applied can
update alerts that will not appear in their view after the
update. The default is TRUE.

RestrictPasswords TRUE | FALSE When TRUE, passwords must conform to the following
restrictions:
򐂰 The password must consist of at least eight characters.
򐂰 The password must contain at least one numeric
character.
򐂰 The password must contain at least one alphabetic
character. The default is FALSE.

RestrictProxySQL TRUE | FALSE When TRUE, connections from a proxy server are restricted
by the ObjectServer SQL commands that can be executed.
The only modifications to ObjectServer data that can be
made are inserts into the alerts.status and alerts.details
tables. The default is FALSE. If FALSE, connections from a
proxy server can execute any ObjectServer SQL
commands.

Sec.AuditLevel string Specifies the level of security auditing performed. Possible

values are debug, info, warn, and error. The default is warn.
The debug and info levels generate messages for
authentication successes and failures, while warn and error
levels generate messages for authentication failures only.

Sec.AuditLog string Specifies the file to which audit information is written. The
default is $NCHOME/omnibus/log/servername/ audit.log.

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Property Description

Sec.UsePam TRUE | FALSE If TRUE and enabled for the user, external authorization can
be used. The default is TRUE. For more information about
PAM, refer to the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Installation
and Deployment Guide, SC23-6370.

SecureMode TRUE | FALSE Sets the security mode of the ObjectServer. If TRUE, the
ObjectServer authenticates probe, gateway, and proxy
server connection requests with a user name and
encrypted password. Other client connection requests are
always authenticated with a user name and password.

Store.LocalizedSort TRUE | FALSE Defines whether localized sorting is enabled or disabled.

The default is FALSE, which disables localized sorting in
favor of standard C library (libc) string comparisons. For
example, Å will be treated as a variant of A and the two
characters will sort near each other. Use this default setting
for optimal system performance. Set the value to TRUE to
enable localized sorting. For example, in a Danish locale, Å
will be treated as a separate letter that sorts just after Z.
Note that specifying this setting results in decreased system
performance.

UniqueLog TRUE | FALSE If TRUE, the log file is uniquely named by appending the
process ID of the ObjectServer to the default log file name.
For example, if the NCOMS ObjectServer is running as
process 1234, the log file is named $NCHOME/omnibus/log/
NCOMS.1234.log. If the MessageLog property is set to
sttderr or stdout, the UniqueLog property is ignored.

Chapter 3. Installation 83
84 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
 4

Chapter 4. Configuration
This chapter discuss the configuration of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus. The topics
discussed are:
򐂰 4.1, “Components configuration” on page 86
򐂰 4.2, “Security configuration” on page 106
򐂰 4.3, “ObjectServer customization” on page 117
򐂰 4.4, “Probe configuration” on page 144
򐂰 4.5, “ObjectServer to ObjectServer communication” on page 154
򐂰 4.6, “Accelerated Event Notification client” on page 159
򐂰 4.7, “IBM Tivoli Health Monitoring agent for ObjectServer V7.2” on page 171

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. 85

4.1 Components configuration
This section discusses the configuration of the following components:
򐂰 4.1.1, “Remote desktop installation” on page 86
򐂰 4.1.2, “Gateway configuration” on page 91
򐂰 4.1.3, “Process agent configuration” on page 100
򐂰 4.1.4, “Startup script” on page 104

4.1.1 Remote desktop installation

When the operators want to have access to an IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus
event list from their workstation, you need to install a remote desktop application
to meet their wishes. This procedure is performed by using the standard IBM
Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus installation image, but you only need to install the
desktop component. The following steps shows the Windows installation wizard
for this installation:
1. Unzip and run the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus install package named
setup.exe. The window shown in Figure 4-1 opens. Click Next.

Figure 4-1 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus installation

2. Accept the license agreement shown in Figure 4-2 on page 87. Click Next.

86 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Figure 4-2 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus installation License Agreement

3. Choose the installation directory, as shown in Figure 4-3. Click Next.

Figure 4-3 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus installation home location

Chapter 4. Configuration 87
 4. Select the necessary components. For a remote desktop, you only select the
Desktop component, as shown in Figure 4-4. Click Next.

Figure 4-4 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus features selection

5. In the installation summary window shown in Figure 4-5 on page 89, click the
Install button.

88 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Figure 4-5 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus installation

6. Reboot the machine at the end of the installation after clicking Finish, as
shown in Figure 4-6.

Figure 4-6 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus installation complete

Chapter 4. Configuration 89
 7. After the reboot, start the Server Editor by selecting All Programs → Netcool
Suite → Server Editor. Create an entry for the ObjectServer in the Server
Editor window on the remote desktop, as shown in Figure 4-7. If failover is
enabled, then you must also specify the backup ObjectServer.

Figure 4-7 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Server Editor

8. Launch the event list by selecting Start → All Programs → Netcool Suite →
Event List and log into the ObjectServer, as shown in Figure 4-8.

Figure 4-8 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Windows Event List login window

9. The desktop is shown in Figure 4-9 on page 91.

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Figure 4-9 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Windows Even list default window

4.1.2 Gateway configuration

Gateways allows communication between IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus and
external components, such as other ObjectServer or third-party applications. The
gateway can operate in one of two modes: audit mode and reporter mode. You
only need to run the gateway in reporter mode if you want the gateway to run
with IBM Tivoli Netcool/Reporter. The mode in which the gateway runs is
determined by the ODBC.ODBCGWType property in the properties file.
Gateways also allow the copying of information besides alerts, such as user and
group lists.

This section discusses the configuration of an uni-directional gateway. Perform

the following steps:
1. Create a directory for the gateway files that indicates the gateway name. This
example assumes that the gateway name would be UNI_GATE, so the
directory is $NCHOME/omnibus/gates/UNI_GATE.

Chapter 4. Configuration 91
 2. Copy all files from the original gateway directory under
$NCHOME/omnibus/gates/. In our scenario, this would be objserv_uni or
objserv_bi to $NCHOME/omnibus/gates/UNI_GATE. The files for an
uni-directional gateway are:
– objserv_uni.props
– objserv_uni.map
– objserv_uni.reader.tblrep.def
– objserv_uni.startup.cmd
3. Rename all the copied files so that they match the unique name of the
gateway UNI_GATE.*. The file list then becomes:
– UNI_GATE.props
– UNI_GATE.map
– UNI_GATE.reader.tblrep.def
– UNI_GATE.startup.cmd
4. Edit the UNI_GATE.props file and modify the properties to what is shown in
Example 4-1.

Example 4-1 UNI_GATE.props

Name : 'UNI_GATE'
PropsFile : '$OMNIHOME/gates/UNI_GATE/UNI_GATE.props'
Gate.MapFile : '$OMNIHOME/gates/UNI_GATE/UNI_GATE.map'
Gate.StartupCmdFile : '$OMNIHOME/gates/UNI_GATE/UNI_GATE.startup.cmd'
Gate.Reader.Server : 'NCOMS'
Gate.Reader.TblReplicateDefFile :
'$OMNIHOME/gates/UNI_GATE/UNI_GATE.reader.tblrep.def'
Gate.Writer.Server : 'NCOMS2'

Some common properties are listed in Table 4-1.

Table 4-1 Common gateway properties

Property name Description

Gate.Java.Arguments string Use this property to specify the Java arguments.

Gate.Java.ClassPath string Use this property to specify the path to the third-party and
user-defined Java classes that create the required JVM™
environment.

Gate.Java.Debug string Use this property to specify whether the debugging option
is enabled for the JVM environment.

Gate.Java.LibraryPath string Use this property to specify the path to the library files for
the required JVM environment.

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Property name Description

Gate.Mapper.Debug string Use this property to specify whether the gateway includes
mapper debug messages in the debug log.

Gate.Mapper.Forward HistoricDetails string Use this property to specify whether the gateway forwards
all historic details after a converted update.

Gate.Mapper.Forward HistoricJournals Use this property to specify whether the gateway forwards
string all historic journals after a converted update.

Gate.Reader.Debug string Use this property to specify whether the gateway includes
gateway reader debug messages in the debug log.

Gate.Reader. Description string Use this property to specify the application description for
the reader connection. This description is used in triggers
and allows you to determine which component of the
gateway attempted to perform an action.

Gate.Reader.Details TableName string Use this property to specify the name of the details table
that the gateway reads. The default is alerts.details.

Gate.Reader.Failback Enabled string Use this property to specify whether failback is enabled for
the ObjectServer.

Gate.Reader.Failback Timeout integer Use this property to specify the time (in seconds) that the
gateway reader waits before entering failback mode.

Gate.Reader.Iduc FlushRate integer Use this property to specify the rate (in seconds) of the
granularity of the reader. If you set this property to 0, the
reader gets its updates at the same granular rate as that of
the ObjectServer to which it is connected.

Gate.Reader.Journal TableName string Use this property to specify the name of the journal table
that the gateway reads.

Gate.Reader.LogOSSql string Use this property to specify whether the gateway logs all
SQL commands sent to the ObjectServer in debug mode.

Gate.Reader.Password string Use this property to specify the password associated with
the user specified by the Gate.Reader.Username property.

Gate.Reader. ReconnectTimeout string Use this property to specify the time (in seconds) between
each reconnection poll attempt that the gateway makes if
the connection to the ObjectServer is lost.

Gate.Reader.Server string Use this property to specify the name of the ObjectServer
from which the gateway reads alerts.

Gate.Reader. StatusTableName string Use this property to specify the name of the status table
that the gateway reads. The default is alerts.status.

Chapter 4. Configuration 93
 Property name Description

Gate.Reader. TblReplicateDefFile string Use this property to specify the path to the table replication
definition file.

Gate.Reader.Username string Use this property to specify the user name that is used to
authenticate the ObjectServer connection.

Gate.XMLGateway. Debug string Use this property to specify whether the debug log includes
the debug messages of the Message Bus Gateway.

Gate.XMLGateway. FailbackEnabled string Use this property to specify whether failback is enabled for
the Message Bus Gateway.

Gate.XMLGateway. FailbackTimeout string Use this property to specify the time (in seconds) that the
Message Bus Gateway awaits before entering failback
mode.

Gate.XML Gateway.MessageID string Use this property to specify the message ID for the
Message Bus Gateway. The message ID determines which
transformation is required; the message ID will either be a
hardcoded value or @col_name, which then uses the
value of the column specified as the ID to decide which
transformation is required.

Gate.XMLGateway. ReconnectTimeout Use this property to specify the time (in seconds) between
string each reconnection poll attempt if the XML gateway loses
the connection to the ObjectServer.

Gate.XMLGateway. TransformerFile string Use this property to specify the path to the transformer file.

Gate.XMLGateway. TransportFile string Use this property to specify the path to the transport file.

Gate.XMLGateway. TransportType Use this property either to specify the transport method to
be used (JMS or file) or to define the name of the transport
module class to use.

Additional bi-directional gateway properties are listed in Table 4-2. These

properties are prefixed by Gate.ObjectServerA or Gate.ObjectServerB. Each
represents the source or target ObjectServer.

Table 4-2 Bi-directional gateway properties

Property name Description

Buffersize integer Use this property to specify the number of entries that the gateway stores in
the buffer for this ObjectServer before flushing, if buffering is enabled. This
property can be used to fine-tune the efficiency of the gateway. The default
is 25.

94 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Property name Description

Debug Boolean Use this property to specify whether the gateway includes debug messages
for this ObjectServer in the gateway debug log. The default is TRUE.

DeleteIfNoDedup Boolean Use this property to specify whether a deletion is applied if the gateway
forwards deletes. The default is FALSE.

Description string Use this property to specify an application description for the connection to
ObjectServer A. This description is used in triggers and allows you to
determine which component of the gateway attempted to perform an action.
The default is " ".

FailbackEnabled Boolean Use this property to enable failback for this ObjectServer. The default is
FALSE.

FailbackTimeout integer Use this property to specify the time (in seconds) that the gateway allows
before checking for the return of the master ObjectServer and failing back.
The default is 30.

LogOSSql Boolean Use this property to specify whether the gateway logs all SQL commands
sent to this ObjectServer in debug mode. The default is FALSE.

Password string Use this property to specify the password associated with the user specified
by the Username property. The default is " ".

ReconnectTimeout integer Use this property to specify the time (in seconds) between each
reconnection poll attempt if the connection to this ObjectServer is lost. The
default is 30.

RefreshCacheOnUpdate Use this property to specify how the hash table cache is refreshed for this
Boolean ObjectServer. The default is FALSE.

SAF Boolean Use this property to specify whether the gateway stores all table entries if
the destination ObjectServer is unavailable and to forward them when the
ObjectServer becomes available again. The default is FALSE.

SAFFile string Use this property to specify the name of the file that the gateway uses to
store table entries while the destination ObjectServer is unavailable. The
default is $OMNIHOME/var/objserv_bi/ NCO_GATE_ObjectServerA.store.

Serverstring Use this property to specify the name of this ObjectServer. The default is
NCOMS.

Username string Use this property to specify the user name that is used to authenticate
connection to this ObjectServer. This user name is used to establish both
the writer’s IDUC connection and the subsidiary SQL command connection.
The default is root.

TblReplicateDefFile string Use this property to specify the path to the table replication definition file.
The default is $OMNIHOME/gates/objserv_bi/
objserv_bi.objectservera.tblrep.def.

Chapter 4. Configuration 95
 Property name Description

StatusTableName string Use this property to specify the name of the status table that the gateway
reads. The default is alerts.status.

JournalTableName string Use this property to specify the name of the journal table that the gateway
reads. The default is alerts.journal.

DetailsTableName string Use this property to specify the name of the details table that the gateway
reads. The default is alerts.details.

IDUCFlushRate integer Use this property to specify the rate (in seconds) of the granularity of the
reader. If you set this property to 0, the reader gets its updates at the same
granular rate as that of the ObjectServer to which it is connected. The default
is 0.

5. Define the actions that are used to specify a command that is run after an
event has been processed by the gateway. This is specified using the
statement AFTER IDUC DO.
6. Edit the interface definition file omni.dat and add the entry for the gateway, as
shown in Example 4-2.

Example 4-2 Additions to the interface definitions file

[UNIGATE]
{
Primary: 9.42.170.132 4300
}

7. Regenerate the interface file by running nco_igen.

8. Edit the UNI_GATE.map file and the UNI_GATE.reader.tblrep.def file, and
modify the entries to define which ObjectServer tables and fields are
accessed by the gateway. Consider the sequence and modification of the
alerts.status tables, as they must match exactly. A special field is defined for a
desktop ObjectServer mapping, which is called MasterSerial, which refers to
the master ObjectServer to which the desktop ObjectServer is pointing. A
sample mapping of the alerts.status table is shown in Example 4-3 on
page 97.

96 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Example 4-3 Sample mapping
CREATE MAPPING StatusMap
(
'Identifier' = '@Identifier' ON INSERT ONLY,
'Node' = '@Node' ON INSERT ONLY,
'NodeAlias' = '@NodeAlias' ON INSERT ONLY,
...
'ServerName' = '@ServerName' ON INSERT ONLY,
'ServerSerial' = '@ServerSerial' ON INSERT ONLY,
'MasterSerial' = '@Serial' ON INSERT ONLY
);

9. Start a ObjectServer gateway. The executable for the uni-directional gateway

is nco_g_objserv_uni, while the executable for the bi-directional gateway is
nco_g_objserv_bi. The gateway executable accept these parameters:
-name For the gateway name (UNI_GATE in our example)
-propsfile The property file UNI_GATE.props in
$NCHOME/omnibus/gates/UNI_GATE/.
10.All gateway and client connections can be queried from the ObjectServer
database. Using nco_sql, all connections are can be queried from the
catalog.connections table.

Chapter 4. Configuration 97
 11.Verify that the gateway is working by deleting and or modifying an event on
the one ObjectServer and checking to see that the modification is made on
the other ObjectServer:
a. Open two separate event lists on both servers, as shown in Figure 4-10.

Figure 4-10 AEL on both servers

98 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 b. Delete an event on the first server, as shown in Figure 4-11.

Figure 4-11 AEL on NCOMS

Chapter 4. Configuration 99
 c. Check that the modification is passed to the other ObjectServer, as shown
in Figure 4-12

Figure 4-12 AEL on NCOMS2

4.1.3 Process agent configuration

If you use the process agent (sometimes called process control), operating IBM
Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus components becomes easier, as the startup and
shutdown of the component is controlled by the process agent. This section
discusses the configuration of the process agent:
1. Open the $NCHOME/omnibus/etc/nco_pa.conf file under the nco_process
stanza, and verify and match the name of the ObjectServer definition, as
shown in Example 4-4 on page 101.

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Example 4-4 nco_pa.conf, nco_process
nco_process 'MasterObjectServer'
{
Command '$OMNIHOME/bin/nco_objserv -name NCOMS -pa NCO_PA' run as 0
Host = 'omnibus'
Managed = True
RestartMsg = '${NAME} running as ${EUID} has been restored on
${HOST}.'
AlertMsg = '${NAME} running as ${EUID} has died on ${HOST}.'
RetryCount = 0
ProcessType = PaPA_AWARE
}

2. Under the nco_routing stanza that defines the communication and

authentication to a process agent (remote and local) (shown in Example 4-5):
– Set the Host value to the host name of the local machine.
– Set the user and password values under nco_routing if using secure
mode; the user must belong to the ncoadmin group.

Note: The password should then be encrypted using the nco_pa_crypt

command.

Example 4-5 nco_pa.conf, nco_routing

nco_routing
{
host 'omnibus' 'NCO_PA' 'user' 'password'
}

Chapter 4. Configuration 101

 3. The nco_service definition specifies the services that the process agent must
manage. A sample nco_service definition is shown in Example 4-6.

Example 4-6 Sample nco_service

nco_service 'Omnibus'
{
ServiceType = Master
ServiceStart = Non-Auto
process 'ObjectServer' NONE
process 'Proxy' 'ObjectServer'
process 'Probe' 'Proxy'
process 'Probe-1' 'ObjectServer'
process 'Sleep' 5
}

Where:
nco_service Defines the name of the service. Each service name
must be unique within the process control network.
ServiceType Defines whether this service should be started before
all other services and handled as the master service
upon which other services depend. This can be set as
either Master or Non-Master.
ServiceStart This can be set to Auto to start the service as soon as
nco_pad has started, and Non-Auto if the service must
be started manually with the nco_pa_start command.
process Each process entry defines a process that must be run
as part of the service. The second and subsequent
entries represents the process dependencies, so a
process cannot start unless another is already
running. You would typically start the ObjectServers,
then gateways and then the probes.
4. Add an entry to the interface file $NCHOME/etc/omni.dat for nco_pa and run
nco_igen. The entry is shown in Example 4-7.

Example 4-7 omni.dat gateway configuration

[NCO_PA]
{
Primary: 9.42.170.132 4400
}

5. Start the process agent by running nco_pad under $NCHOME/omnibus/bin/.

The resulting messages are shown in Example 4-8 on page 103.

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Example 4-8 nco_pad
Netcool/OMNIbus Process Agent Daemon - Version 7.2

Netcool/OMNIbus PA API Library Version 7.2

Sybase Server-Library Release: 15.0

Server Settings :
Name of server : NCO_PA
Path of used log file :
/opt/netcool//omnibus/log/NCO_PA.log
Configuration File :
/opt/netcool//omnibus/etc/nco_pa.conf
Child Output File : /dev/null
Maximum logfile size : 1024
Thread stack size : 69632
Message Pool size : 45568
PID Message Pool size : 50
Rogue Process Timeout : 30
Truncate Log : False
Instantiate server to daemon : True
Internal API Checking : False
No Configuration File : False
Start Auto-start services : True
Authentication System : UNIX
Trace Net library : False
Trace message queues : False
Trace event queues : False
Trace TDS packets : False
Trace mutex locks : False
Host DNS name : omnibus
PID file (from $OMNIHOME) : ./var/nco_pa.pid
Kill Process group : False
Secure Mode : False
Administration Group Name. : ncoadmin

Forking to a Daemon Process.............

6. Verify the status of the process agent. Run nco_pa_status under

$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/; you can qualify the status by selecting the
ObjectServer name by using the -server parameter. You should also identify
yourself with the authority to access the server by using the -user parameter.
The user specified must be a member of ncoadmin and can be authenticated
on the operating system level by process agent (which is usually run by root).

Chapter 4. Configuration 103

 7. Manually kill one of the running ObjectServer processes using the kill
command.
8. Run nco_pa_status again to verify that the killed process is running with a
different process ID, as shown in Example 4-9. This verifies that the process
agent restarts the killed process.

Example 4-9 nco_pa_status

[netcool@omnibus etc]$ nco_pa_status -user netcool
Login Password:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Name Process Name Hostname User Status PID
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Core MasterObjectServer omnibus netcool RUNNING 29487
SecondaryObjectServeromnibus netcool RUNNING 29488
BackupObjectServer omnibus netcool RUNNING 29491
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[netcool@omnibus etc]$ kill -TERM 29487
[netcool@omnibus etc]$ nco_pa_status -user netcool
Login Password:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Name Process Name Hostname User Status PID
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Core MasterObjectServer omnibus netcool RUNNING 29690
SecondaryObjectServer omnibus netcool RUNNING 29488
BackupObjectServer omnibus netcool RUNNING 29491
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Errors in the process agent can be found in the log file in

$NCHOME/omnibus/log/<pa_name>.log.

4.1.4 Startup script

Once the customization of the components are done, we can define the startup
script that allows the processes to be started automatically when the server
starts. Perform the following steps:
1. Execute the start-up script $NCHOME/omnibus/install/startup/<arch>install,
which allows the definition for the process agent to start automatically when
the system starts. This is described in Example 4-10 on page 105. Be sure to:
– Input/verify the process agent name.
– Select secure mode or not.
– Enter a value for the netcool_license_file variable.

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Example 4-10 Startup script installation
[root@omnibus startup]# cd /opt/netcool/omnibus/install/startup
[root@omnibus startup]# ./linux2x86install
This script copies a startup script into the /etc/init.d directory to
enable you to automatically start and stop Netcool/OMNIbus processes.
It does this by:
Copying linux2x86/etc/rc.d/init.d/nco to /etc/init.d/nco
Running "/sbin/chkconfig --add nco"

Do you wish to continue (y/n)? [y] y

Name of the Process Agent Daemon [NCO_PA]:
Should NCO_PA run in secure mode (y/n)? [y] n
Enter value for environment variable NETCOOL_LICENSE_FILE if required
[27000@localhost]:
Scripts installed.

2. Modify some of the environment variables for the startup script nco, as shown
in Example 4-11.

Example 4-11 The nco startup script variables

# Variables that can be changed
START_NCO=Y # Start nco_pad
NCHOME=/opt/netcool/ # Set directory for $NCHOME
OMNIHOME=/opt/netcool/omnibus # Set directory for $OMNIHOME
NCO_PA="NCO_PA" # Set Process Agent's name
SECURE=n # Y/N run Process Agent in secure mode
NETCOOL_LICENSE_FILE=27000@localhost # Points to flex license server

export NCHOME OMNIHOME NCO_PA NETCOOL_LICENSE_FILE

3. The startup script nco must be linked to the different run levels on the system,
as shown in Example 4-12.

Example 4-12 Startup symbolic links

[root@omnibus etc]# cd /etc/
[root@omnibus etc]# ls -l rc?.d/*nco*
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 13 May 28 21:59 rc0.d/K65nco -> ../init.d/nco
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 13 May 28 21:59 rc1.d/K65nco -> ../init.d/nco
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 13 May 28 21:59 rc2.d/K65nco -> ../init.d/nco
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 13 May 28 21:59 rc3.d/S81nco -> ../init.d/nco
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 13 May 28 21:59 rc4.d/K65nco -> ../init.d/nco
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 13 May 28 21:59 rc5.d/S81nco -> ../init.d/nco
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 13 May 28 21:59 rc6.d/K65nco -> ../init.d/nco

Chapter 4. Configuration 105

 4. Verify the operation of the startup script by running the nco script, as shown in
Example 4-13. Be sure to:
– Run the command /etc/init.d/nco start and verify that the process
agent has started.
– Run /etc/init.d/nco stop and verify that process agent (nco_pad) has
stopped.

Example 4-13 nco start and nco_pa_status command

[root@omnibus etc]# /etc/init.d/nco start
Netcool/OMNIbus : Starting Process Control ... [ OK ]
[root@omnibus etc]# /opt/netcool/omnibus/bin/nco_pa_status -server NCO_PA
Login Password:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Name Process Name Hostname User Status PID
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core MasterObjectServer omnibus netcool RUNNING 30044
SecondaryObjectServeromnibus netcool RUNNING 30046
BackupObjectServer omnibus netcool RUNNING 30047
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[root@omnibus etc]# /etc/init.d/nco stop
Netcool/OMNIbus : Stopping Process Control ... [ OK ]
[root@omnibus etc]# /opt/netcool/omnibus/bin/nco_pa_status -server NCO_PA
Login Password:
May 28 22:02:17 2009: Error: Failed to make a connection to NCO_PA.

When all IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus processes are run under the process
agent, you must start and stop them using the nco_pa_start and nco_pa_stop
commands; otherwise, the process agent would always attempt to maintain the
state of execution of the process. Non-OMNIbus processes that are defined
under process agent may fail, as they are not aware of the process agent control
or some environment variables may be missing.

4.2 Security configuration

Security configuration in IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus concerns defining users,
groups and roles. The discussion includes:
򐂰 4.2.1, “Role creation” on page 107
򐂰 4.2.2, “Group creation” on page 112
򐂰 4.2.3, “User creation” on page 115

Note: User, group, and role names can be any text string up to 64 characters
in length and can include spaces.

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4.2.1 Role creation
Roles define the authority that a user or a group is allowed in order to access a
facility in IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus. To create a role, perform the following
steps:
1. Within the Configuration Manager, click the Users tab, as shown in
Figure 4-13.

Figure 4-13 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator Roles tab

Chapter 4. Configuration 107

 2. To create a role, click the Add New Role icon ( ). The New Role tab is
shown in Figure 4-14.

Figure 4-14 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator New Role tab

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3. Assign role permissions, as shown in Figure 4-15.

Figure 4-15 Permission tab

Chapter 4. Configuration 109

 4. Click the new authority icon ( ) and select an existing object, as shown in
Figure 4-16.

Figure 4-16 Permission Objects

5. The new permission object is shown in Figure 4-17 on page 111. You can
then set the appropriate authorization. The authorization are similar to SQL
authorization, such as SELECT, INSERT, DELETE, DROP, ALTER, and so
on.

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Figure 4-17 Permissions tab

6. Click OK and your new role is completed.

Chapter 4. Configuration 111

4.2.2 Group creation
Groups can also be created to provide role mapping for the individual user. In this
case, users do not need to be assigned an individual role, because it would make
administration difficult. To create a group in IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus, perform
the following steps:
1. From the main IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator window, click the
Users tab and then click Groups, as shown in Figure 4-18.

Figure 4-18 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator Groups tab

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2. Click the Add Group icon ( ). The Group Details window opens, as shown in
Figure 4-19. Be sure to:
– Assign a name to the group.
– Assign an unused Group ID.
– Assign a Role.

Figure 4-19 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator adding groups

Chapter 4. Configuration 113

 3. You can assign a Restriction Filter, as shown in Figure 4-20.

Figure 4-20 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator Restriction Filter tab

4. Click OK. The group is now created.

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4.2.3 User creation
User creation is defined within IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus. The procedure for
creating a user is as follows:
1. In the main IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator window, select User →
Users, as shown in Figure 4-21.

Figure 4-21 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator windows Users tab

Chapter 4. Configuration 115

 2. Click the Add User icon ( ) in the toolbar. The Add User window opens, as
shown in Figure 4-22. Be sure to:
– Enter a Username and select an unused User ID.
– Enter a FullName.
– Check the Create Conversion check box

Figure 4-22 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator Add User

3. In the Groups tab, double-click Administrator to assign the administrator

role. Click OK.

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4.3 ObjectServer customization
Once the ObjectServer is created and running, there are several customizations
that can be performed. They are:
򐂰 4.3.1, “View creation” on page 117
򐂰 4.3.2, “Filters definition” on page 120
򐂰 4.3.3, “Menu creation” on page 124
򐂰 4.3.4, “Database field definition” on page 128
򐂰 4.3.5, “Tool definition” on page 133
򐂰 4.3.6, “Trigger creation” on page 140
򐂰 4.3.7, “Class creation” on page 143

4.3.1 View creation

Depending on your requirements, an additional event view may be needed. This
section describes view creation.

Chapter 4. Configuration 117

 Perform the following steps:
1. From the Event list shown in Figure 4-23, launch View Builder by clicking the
button.

Figure 4-23 Event List window

2. In the View Builder window (Figure 4-24 on page 119), select File → New
and:
– Enter a view name.
– In the Display Columns section, select the fields from Available Field. We
choose Node, Severity, and Summary.
– In the Sort Columns section, select the fields from Available Sort Fields
pane and choose the order. We choose to sort by Severity in descending
order.
– The Restrict Row function limits the number of displayed rows.
– The Set from Event List check box, when checked, would prevent the
Restrict Row function from being overridden.

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Figure 4-24 View Builder view

Chapter 4. Configuration 119

 3. Click Apply and click Close. You can now see the new view, as shown in
Figure 4-25.

Figure 4-25 New view created

4. Select File → Save from Main Event List window. Views are saved with the
.elv extension.

4.3.2 Filters definition

There are two types of filter that we can define in IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus:
the event filter and the restriction filter. An event filter allows you to select which
events you wanted to see in a view, while a restriction filter determines which
events you are allowed to see for your user or group assignment.

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 Event filter
To define an event filter, perform these steps busing the desktop client:
1. Click the Filter Builder button on Sub-Event List, as shown in Figure 4-26.

Figure 4-26 Filter builder button window

Chapter 4. Configuration 121

 2. In the Filter Builder window shown in Figure 4-27, select File → New and:
– Provide the filter name.
– Click the add button (+)
– Select Severity from the Column drop-down menu.
– Select Greater than or Equal to from the Operator drop-down menu.
– Select Minor (#) from the Value drop-down menu.

Figure 4-27 Filter Builder window

3. Click Apply and then Close.

4. Select File → Save from the Main Event List window.

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 Restriction filter
To define a restriction filter, perform the following steps:
1. From the main IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator window, select
Users → Restriction Filters, as shown in Figure 4-28.

Figure 4-28 Restriction filter definition

Chapter 4. Configuration 123

 2. Select Add Restriction Filter ( ) from the toolbar. The creation window is
shown in Figure 4-29. Assign a name to the filter and enter the filter criteria.

Figure 4-29 Restriction Filter creation

3. Click OK.

4.3.3 Menu creation

You can also modify, add, and remove menu items from the IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus display. Menu items are defined under the following items:
򐂰 Event context menu
򐂰 Main event list menu bar
򐂰 Sub-event list menu bar
򐂰 Conductor menu bar

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 Perform the following steps:
1. From the Menu tab, select Add New Item ( ) within the Configuration
Manager GUI, as shown in Figure 4-30.

Figure 4-30 Administrator console Menus tab

Chapter 4. Configuration 125

 2. From Figure 4-31, complete the Menu Item Type, Tool, and Title fields, and
then click OK.

Figure 4-31 Menu definition

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 3. Check that the new item has been created in the administrator console, as
shown in Figure 4-32.

Figure 4-32 Administrator console Menus tab

Chapter 4. Configuration 127

 4. Check that the new item has been created in the active event list (AEL), as
shown in Figure 4-33.

Figure 4-33 Event list tools

4.3.4 Database field definition

From IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator GUI (nco_config), you can
create a new database field. Perform the following steps:
1. Select the System tab from the Administrator GUI.
2. Select Databases.
3. Expand Databases → alerts → Status, as shown in Figure 4-34 on
page 129

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Figure 4-34 Administrator console system console

Chapter 4. Configuration 129

 4. Select the Add Column ( ) icon from the menu. The Add Column window is
shown in Figure 4-35. Enter the Column Name and Data Type data and
specify any additional attributes.

Figure 4-35 New column window

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 5. Click OK and check that the column has been created correctly in the
administrator console, as shown in Figure 4-36

Figure 4-36 Administrator console column added

Chapter 4. Configuration 131

 6. Check that the column has been created on the event list with the default
view, as shown in Figure 4-37. The field can then be used in View Builder,
Filter Builder, and probe rules file.

Figure 4-37 Event list column

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4.3.5 Tool definition
Creating a new tool allows you to define an additional program that you can
invoke from the Administration GUI. Perform the following steps:
1. Within the Tools menu in Figure 4-38, click the Add Tool ( ) icon.

Figure 4-38 Administrator console Menu tab

Chapter 4. Configuration 133

 2. In the New Tool window, enter a Name. You can have a tool that executes
SQL statements against the ObjectServer database command, as shown in
Figure 4-39.

Figure 4-39 Tool creation window

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 3. If you want to run an executable, enter the executable name in the Executable
tab, as shown in Figure 4-40.

Figure 4-40 Tool creation window

Chapter 4. Configuration 135

 When you use the executable, the executable has to be in the same path as
all users and resides must be checked on the same platform. You must check
the platform support on the Platform tab, as shown in Figure 4-41.

Figure 4-41 Tool creation window

4. The tools’ access rights can be configured from the Access tab, as shown in
Figure 4-42 on page 137.

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Figure 4-42 Tool creation window

5. Click OK and check that the tool has been created correctly in the menu
window.

Chapter 4. Configuration 137

 6. There is a way to collect operator input from the tools before running the
executable. This is called a prompt. You define the prompt by selecting
Menu → Prompt, as shown in Figure 4-43.

Figure 4-43 Prompt

7. The prompt definition window is shown in Figure 4-44 on page 139.

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 Figure 4-44 Prompt definition

There are several different prompt types:

String Gets a string value.
Integer Gets an integer value.
Float Gets a floating point value.
Time Gets a time stamp information.
Fixed Choice Gets a choice of a predefined selection.
Lookup Gets value from a file.
Password Gets a password field.
Dynamic Choice Gets the choices from a database table entries.
8. The prompt can be included in the tool definition as $prompt.<name> to get
the value from the user input.

Chapter 4. Configuration 139

4.3.6 Trigger creation
Triggers are accessed by selecting Menu → Trigger, as shown in Figure 4-45.

Figure 4-45 Triggers

There are several different types of triggers:

򐂰 A database trigger ( ) allows you to run a program whenever there are
changes on the database. A typical trigger would be run upon the insertion,
update, or deletion of a database row. A trigger on the alerts table would allow
you to monitor whether an event is received or updated.
򐂰 A temporal trigger ( ), which is executed on a predefined frequency.
򐂰 A signal trigger ( ) fires when a system or user-defined signal is raised.
System signals are raised spontaneously by the ObjectServer when it detects
changes to the system. Signals are identified as %signal.<signalname>.

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To define a trigger (Figure 4-46), you need the following definitions:
򐂰 Setting tab: Defines what event that this trigger would be attached to, such as:
– Database trigger: Defines the tables and whether it is a deletion, insertion,
reinsertion, or update.
– Signal trigger: Which signal is defined for this trigger.
– Temporal trigger: Specifies the execution frequency.
򐂰 When tab: Defines the database condition that has to be fulfilled for the trigger
to run.
򐂰 Action tab: Defines the SQL procedure to be executed.

Figure 4-46 Database trigger creation settings tab

Triggers are defined in trigger groups. The group allows triggers to be enabled or
disabled together. To do this in a command line using nco_sql or isql, run:
ALTER TRIGGER GROUP <group> SET ENABLED (TRUE | FALSE)

Chapter 4. Configuration 141

 In addition to using the configuration GUI, the triggers can also be defined using
an SQL command. The SQL command syntax is shown in Example 4-14.

Example 4-14 SQL statement to define a trigger

CREATE [ OR REPLACE ] TRIGGER triggername GROUP trgroup { BEFORE |
AFTER } { INSERT | UPDATE | DELETE | REINSERT } ON
database_name.table_name FOR EACH { ROW | STATEMENT }
BEGIN
-- comments
trigger_action
END;

Some important statements in a trigger are:

򐂰 A procedure can also be called by a trigger by using an EXECUTE SQL
command.
򐂰 You can break the execution in a loop by using a BREAK command.

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4.3.7 Class creation
Alerts in IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus are defined in different classes to ease
processing for a certain class. New classes can be added with reference to an
existing class. Perform the following steps:
1. In the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administration window, select Visual →
Classes, as shown in Figure 4-47. Click the Add Class ( ) icon.

Figure 4-47 Administrator console Visual window

Chapter 4. Configuration 143

 2. In the new class window shown in Figure 4-48, perform the following steps:
a. Assign an identifier.
b. Name the class.
c. Click OK.

Figure 4-48 Add Class window

4.4 Probe configuration

Probes connect to an event source, detect and acquire event data, and forward
the data to the ObjectServer as alerts. Probes use the logic specified in a rules
file to manipulate the event elements before converting them into fields of an
alert in the ObjectServer alerts.status table. Probe configuration includes
modifying the following items:
򐂰 4.4.1, “Probe configuration sample” on page 144
򐂰 4.4.2, “Probe property” on page 146
򐂰 4.4.3, “Probe rule file” on page 150

4.4.1 Probe configuration sample

You must configure each probe configuration to connect to the proper
ObjectServer. The ObjectServer is pointed from the Server property of the probe
property file. The example in this section configures the simnet probe.

Perform the following steps:

1. Open the Probe properties file. For simnet, it is called simnet.props and is
found under $OMNIHOME/probes/<arch>, where arch refers to the machine
architecture, which is linux2x86 for our Linux system.
2. Set the server property to the name of the ObjectServer, as shown in
Example 4-15 on page 145. Other probe properties are discussed in 4.4.2,
“Probe property” on page 146.

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Example 4-15 simnet.prop
[netcool@omnibus linux2x86]$ cat simnet.props | grep Server
Server : 'NCOMS'

3. Modify the rules file, simnet.rules, to include the host system name in the
manager field, as shown in Example 4-16. Rules are discussed at greater
length in 4.4.3, “Probe rule file” on page 150.

Example 4-16 simnet.rules

[netcool@omnibus linux2x86]# cat simnet.rules
{
@Manager = "Simnet Probe" + ":" + $Node
@Class = 3300
@Node = $Node
@Agent = $Agent
@AlertGroup = $Group
@Summary = $Summary
@Severity = $Severity
}

4. Start the probe by using the probe executable. The simnet probe is started by
running the nco_p_simnet command under $OMNIHOME/probes/. Some of the
arguments are:
-server Overrides the props file.
-errorlevel Defines the debugging message level.
5. Check the process list to verify that the probe is running and run ps -ef and
grep with the option simnet, as shown in Example 4-17.

Example 4-17 Verifying the probe is running

[netcool@omnibus linux2x86]$ ps -ef | grep simnet
root 11124 10751 0 19:15 pts/2 00:00:00 ./nco_p_simnet
netcool 11188 10572 0 19:17 pts/1 00:00:00 grep simnet

Chapter 4. Configuration 145

 6. Launch the event list and verify the probe events in the ObjectServer and
verify that the events parsed correctly, as shown in Figure 4-49.

Figure 4-49 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus, Event List

7. Check for errors in the log file $NCHOME/omnibus/log/simnet.log.

4.4.2 Probe property

The probe property file contains some common parameters and also probe
specific parameters. The common parameters are discussed in Table 4-3 on
page 147.

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Table 4-3 Probe property parameters
Property Description

AuthPassword string User name and password to authenticate the probe to ObjectServer for
running the probe in secure mode.
AuthUserName string

AutoSAF 0 | 1 Specifies whether automatic store-and-forward mode is enabled. It is

not enabled by default. It must be enabled for failover to work.

BeatInterval integer Specifies the heartbeat interval for peer-to-peer failover. The default is
2 seconds.

Buffering 0 | 1 Specifies whether buffering is used when sending alerts to the

ObjectServer. Alerts order is preserved for each table, but not across
tables.

BufferSize integer Specifies the number of alerts the probe buffers. The default is 10.

LogFilePoolSize integer Specifies the number of log files to use. The pool size can range from 2
to 99. The default is 10. (Windows only)

LogFileUsePool 0 | 1 Specifies whether to use a pool of log files for logging messages. If set
to 1, the logging system opens the number of files specified for the pool
at startup, and keeps them open for the duration of its run. When set to
0, the default probename.log file is renamed probename.log_OLD and a
new log file is started when the maximum size is reached. The default
is 0. (Windows only)

LogFileUseStdErr 0 | 1 Specifies whether to use stderr as an output stream for logging

messages. The default is 1, which causes messages to be logged to the
console only if the probe was run from the command line.

LookupTableMode integer Specifies how table lookups are performed. It can be set to 1, 2, or 3.
The default is 3 (check the number of column first).

Manager string Specifies the value of the Manager field for the alert. The default value
is determined by the probe.

MaxLogFileSize integer Specifies the maximum size that the log file can grow to, in bytes. The
default is 1 MB.

MaxRawFileSize integer Specifies the maximum size of the raw capture file, in KB. The default
is unlimited (-1).

MaxSAFFileSize integer Specifies the maximum size the store-and-forward file can grow to, in
bytes. The default is 1 MB.

MessageLevel string Specifies the message logging level. Possible values are debug, info,
warn, error, and fatal. The default level is warn.

Chapter 4. Configuration 147

 Property Description

MessageLog string Specifies where messages are logged. MessageLog can also be set to
stdout or stderr. The default is $OMNIHOME/log/probename.log.

Mode string Specifies the role of the instance of the probe in a peer-to-peer failover
relationship. The mode can be master/slave/standard. The default is
standard.

MsgDailyLog 0 | 1 Specifies whether daily logging is enabled. By default, the daily backup
of log files is not enabled (0). Because the time is checked regularly,
when MsgDailyLog is set, there is a slight reduction in performance.

MsgTimeLog string Specifies the time after which the daily log is created. The default is
0000 (midnight). If MsgDailyLog set to 0, this value is ignored.

Name string Specifies the name of the probe. This value determines the names of
the properties file, rules file, message log file, and store-and-forward
file.

NetworkTimeout integer Specifies the length of time (in seconds) that the probe can wait without
a response; after this time, the connection to the ObjectServer times
out. The default is 0, meaning that no timeout occurs. If a timeout
occurs, the probe attempts to connect to the backup ObjectServer,
identified by the ServerBackup property. If a timeout occurs and no
backup ObjectServer is specified, the probe enters store-and-forward
mode.

PeerHost string Specifies the host name of the network element acting as the
counterpart to this probe instance in a peer-to-peer failover relationship.
The default is localhost.

PeerPort integer Specifies the port through which the master and subordinate
communicate in a peer-to-peer failover relationship. The default port is
99.

PidFile string Specifies the name of the file that stores the process ID for the device.
The default is $OMNIHOME/var/name.pid, where name is the name of the
probe and pid is the process ID.

PollServer integer The frequency in seconds at which the probe polls for the return of the
primary ObjectServer. If connected to a backup ObjectServer because
failover occurred, a probe periodically attempts to reconnect to the
primary ObjectServer. The default is 0, meaning that no polling occurs.

Props.CheckNames TRUE | When TRUE, the probe does not run if any specified property is invalid.
FALSE The default is TRUE.

PropsFile string Specifies the name of the properties file. The default is
$OMNIHOME/probes/arch/name.props, where name is the name of the
probe and arch represents the operating system.

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Property Description

RawCapture 0 | 1 Controls the raw capture mode. Raw capture mode is usually used at
the request of IBM Technical Support. By default, raw capture mode is
disabled (0).

RawCaptureFile string Specifies the name of the raw capture file. The default is
$OMNIHOME/var/name.cap, where name is the name of the probe.

RawCaptureFileAppend 0 | 1 Specifies whether new data is appended to the existing raw capture file,
instead of overwriting it. By default, the file is overwritten (0).

RetryConnectionCount integer Specifies the number of events the probe processes in

store-and-forward mode before trying to reconnect to the ObjectServer.
The default is 15.

RetryConnectionTimeOut Specifies the number of seconds that the probe processes events in
integer store-and-forward mode before trying to reconnect to the ObjectServer.
The default is 30.

RulesFile string Specifies the name of the rules file. This can be a file name or Web
address that specifies a rules file located on a remote server that is
accessible using HTTP. The default is
$OMNIHOME/probes/arch/name.rules, where name is the name of the
probe.

SAFFileName string Specifies the name of the store-and-forward file. The default is
$OMNIHOME/var/name.store.server, where name is the name of the
probe and server is the name of the target ObjectServer.

Server string Specifies the name of the primary ObjectServer or the proxy server to
which alerts are sent. The default is NCOMS.

ServerBackup string Specifies the name of a backup ObjectServer to which the probe should
connect if the primary ObjectServer connection fails. If NetworkTimeout
is set, use ServerBackup to identify a backup ObjectServer.

StoreAndForward 0 | 1 Controls the store and forward operations. By default,

store-and-forward mode is enabled (1).

Chapter 4. Configuration 149

4.4.3 Probe rule file
The probe rule file determines how a probe sends events to ObjectServer. A
probe rules file resides in $NCHOME/omnibus/probes/<arch>/, and has the file
type of rules. You can customize the rule with a text editor. This section discusses
some sample constructs that can be used with a rule file:
򐂰 A simple assignment with the = sign can be used to transfer the result of an
expression to another variable. A variable can be one of:
– The column name is prefixed with an @ sign.
– A temporary variable name is prefixed with a $ sign.
– A probe property value is prefixed with a % sign.
– Array and tables must be declared before any processing directives.
򐂰 In a probe rules file, an array is defined with the array directive. Arrays are
one dimensional. An array assignment is written as:
node_arr["myhost"] = "a"
Array values are persistent until a probe is restarted; if you force the probe to
re-read the rules file by issuing a kill -HUP command, the array values are
maintained.
򐂰 The extract statement is used to apply a regular expression to a variable or
field. An example is to extract a machine name from the Summary column
that is prefixed with the word Machine:. Use the expression
extract(@Summary,”^Machine:(.*)”) to parse the Summary column value
and find the word Machine: and extract the remaining characters. That
statement would map:
– Machine:test1 → test1
– Machine:sample content → sample content
򐂰 Regular expression basic constructs:
^ Start of string.
$ End of string.
[] A value list, which can be a list or range of values [0-9],
which is the same as [01-567-9].
. Any characters.
* Zero or more characters of the previous item.
+ One or more characters of the previous item.
? Any single character.
\ Escape character for the next character.
() Section that would represent the returned value.

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򐂰 The switch construct is useful to branch a multiple decision for mapping a
value from one variable to a different action. A sample switch statement is
shown in Example 4-18. It changes the summary field for events coming from
nodes London and Moscow.

Example 4-18 Switch example

switch(@Node)
{
case "London":
@Summary = "Sample " + @Node + " bridge test"
case "Moscow":
@Summary = "Switch rule test for node: " +@Node
default:
@Summary = @Summary
}

򐂰 You can use the include statement to include the content of another rule file
in the current block. In Example 4-19, we process every event which has a
Node value equal to Rome. The entire content of rome.rules would be
substituted for the action block for the if statement. The included rules file
cannot have table or array definitions, as they would make the table or array
defined after a processing directive.

Example 4-19 Include sample

if(match($Node, "Rome"))
{ include "/opt/netcool/omnibus/probes/linux2x86/rome.rules" }

򐂰 For deduplication, so that a field gets updated upon deduplication, you can
use the update function. The syntax of the update function is:
update(field [, TRUE|FALSE]);
TRUE represents that update is enabled, which is the default.
򐂰 The matching of a string is performed using the regmatch function. It has the
format of regmatch(field, regex), which matches the field against the
regular expression. Example 4-20 discards an event when the Summary field
contains the word test.

Example 4-20 Discard and regmatch example

if (regmatch($Summary,".*test.*"))
{ discard }

Chapter 4. Configuration 151

 򐂰 A lookup table is used to look up a value from a lookup file. For example, the
lookup file shown in Example 4-21 is based on a node name.

Example 4-21 Lookup table

London "Finance"
Rome "Finance"
Moscow "Technical"
Berlin "Technical"

You can reference the external lookup table file, which is similar to
Example 4-22. It assigns the department code depending on the content of
the Node field. The London and Rome nodes map to the Finance department
while the Moscow and Berlin nodes map to the Technical department.

Example 4-22 rules file table definition

table dept="/opt/netcool/omnibus/probes/linux2x86/cert"
. . .
@Department=lookup(@Node,dept)

򐂰 To turn on probe detail, use the details($*) statement.

򐂰 The registertarget function registers one or more ObjectServers, and the
corresponding tables, to which you might want to send alerts. You can use the
setdefaulttarget function to change the default ObjectServer to which alerts
are sent when a target is not specified. The format for the registertarget
function is:
registertarget(server_name, backupserver_name, alerts_table [,
details_table ] )
򐂰 If you want to update the probe rules file without stopping the probe, you can
do so by sending a SIGHUP to the probe process ID. This is demonstrated in
Example 4-23.

Example 4-23 Refreshing the probe

[netcool@omnibus probes]$ ps -ef | grep simnet
netcool 2177 29247 0 00:27 pts/2 00:00:02 ./nco_p_simnet
netcool 3701 29247 0 00:53 pts/2 00:00:00 grep simnet
[netcool@omnibus probes]$ kill -HUP 2177

To use the syntax of a custom rules file, install the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus
Probe Rules Syntax Checker (part number C1BX7EN). The installation of the
Probe Rules Syntax Checker is shown in Example 4-24 on page 153.

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Example 4-24 Installing Probe Rules Syntax Checker
[netcool@omnibus tmp]$ unzip C1BX5EN.zip
Archive: C1BX5EN.zip
extracting: omnibus-3.x-linux2x86-probe-nco-p-syntax-3_0.tar.Z
inflating: omnibus-3.x-linux2x86-probe-nco-p-syntax-3_0.README
[netcool@omnibus tmp]$ $OMNIHOME/install/nco_patch -install
omnibus-3.x-linux2x86-probe-nco-p-syntax-3_0.tar.Z
Installing Patch "omnibus-3.x-linux2x86-probe-nco-p-syntax-3_0" ...
Short Description : Netcool Syntax probe
Revision : 0
Requires : <None>
Obsoletes : probe-nco-p-syntax probe-nco-p-syntax-2
Installation Date : Wed May 20 20:32:59 CEST 2009
Creation Info : Thu Feb 28 09:59:21 GMT 2008
------------------------------ README ------------------------------
PATCH omnibus-3.x-linux2x86-probe-nco-p-syntax-3_0 - Netcool Syntax
probe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-------------------------- End of README ---------------------------

Are you sure you want to install this patch? (y/n)? [default: y]
Patch "probe-nco-p-syntax-3" is successfully installed

After installation, you can use nco_p_syntax command to check the syntax of
your custom rules file, as shown in Example 4-25.

Example 4-25 Syntax check

[netcool@omnibus probes]$ ./nco_p_syntax -rulesfile
/opt/netcool/omnibus/probes/linux2x86/simnet.rules -server NCOMS
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Information: Connecting ...
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Information: Checking rules file ...
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Reading
/opt/netcool/omnibus/probes/linux2x86/simnet.rules
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Plain text rules file detected.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Lookup table from
'/opt/netcool/omnibus/probes/linux2x86/cert' has 1 column
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Including
/opt/netcool/omnibus/probes/linux2x86/rome.rules
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Plain text rules file detected.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: End of
/opt/netcool/omnibus/probes/linux2x86/rome.rules
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: End of
/opt/netcool/omnibus/probes/linux2x86/simnet.rules

Chapter 4. Configuration 153

 05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Number of currently connected servers in
list is 0
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Information: Using targets specified by
properties
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Creating target for server NCOMS.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Setting default target server to
'NCOMS'.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Default target backup server is ''.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Primary server is 'NCOMS' backup is ''.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Attempting a connection to server
'NCOMS'.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Checking for backup ObjectServer.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Information: 'NCOMS' is a primary server.
Polling disabled.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Server Verification Starting.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Server Verification Complete.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Checking for svc update support.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Server SUPPORTS services.
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: svc update SUPPORTED
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: SAF: Forwarding SAF file on Initial
startup
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: SAF: Deathtime = 0 : Expire time = 0
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: SAF: Forwarding events from SAF files
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Heartbeat mode is: standard
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Heartbeat mode is standard, probe will
function as normal without heartbeating
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Final number of connected servers in
list is 1
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Information: Rules file syntax OK
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Information: Disconnecting ...
05/29/2009 12:50:46 AM: Debug: Flushing events to object server

4.5 ObjectServer to ObjectServer communication

You can connect an ObjectServer to other ObjectServer using a gateway. You
can use one of two types of gateways:
򐂰 A bi-directional gateway (4.5.1, “Bi-directional gateway” on page 155) allows
resynchronization (if it is enabled by the Gate.Resync.Enable property), which
repopulates the failover ObjectServer on old events that are not updated while
they still exist in the primary ObjectServer. This is defined for a failover
configuration.

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 򐂰 A uni-directional gateway (4.5.2, “Uni-directional gateway” on page 157) is
used to synchronize an ObjectServer with the desktop ObjectServer.

4.5.1 Bi-directional gateway

The bi-directional gateway connects a primary ObjectServer (NCOMS_P) to a
backup ObjectServer (NCOMS_B). This section discusses the necessary
configuration to create a high availability architecture so that automated failover
and a failback architecture is configured. The steps are:
1. On the primary ObjectServer host, create the primary ObjectServer using the
following command:
nco_dbinit -server NCOMS_P
2. On the backup ObjectServer host, create the backup ObjectServer using the
following command:
nco_dbinit -server NCOMS_B
3. Edit $NCHOME/omnibus/etc/NCOMS_B.props and set the Backup ObjectServer
property to True.
4. Configure a bi-directional gateway between the primary and backup
ObjectServer, as shown in 4.1.2, “Gateway configuration” on page 91.
5. On the primary ObjectServer host, configure $NCHOME/etc/omni.dat for the
primary and backup ObjectServer entries, as shown in Example 4-26.

Example 4-26 The omni.dat file for two ObjectServers

[NCOMS_P]
{
Primary: 9.42.170.132 4501
}
[NCOMS_B]
{
Primary: 9.42.170.132 4502
}

6. On the primary ObjectServer host, regenerate the interface file by running

nco_igen. Copy the $NCHOME/etc/interfaces.<arch> file to the backup
ObjectServer host.

Chapter 4. Configuration 155

 7. On the backup ObjectServer, enable the backup_startup,
backup_counterpart_down, and backup_counterpart_up triggers for
automation failover and failback, as shown in Figure 4-50.

Figure 4-50 Backup trigger enabled

8. On the backup ObjectServer, disable the primary_only trigger group for

automation failover and failback, as shown in Figure 4-51 on page 157.

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Figure 4-51 Primary trigger group disabled on backup server

4.5.2 Uni-directional gateway

To configure a uni-directional gateway between the primary and desktop
ObjectServers to set up a desktop architecture, perform the following steps:
1. Create and configure the primary ObjectServer using the following command:
nco_dbinit -server NCOMS_P
2. Create the desktop ObjectServer using the following command:
nco_dbinit -desktopserver -server DESKOS -dsdprimary NCOMS_P
-dsddualwrite

Chapter 4. Configuration 157

 When a desktop ObjectServer is created with the -desktopserver option, the
initialization defines a new table called master.national and a column in the
alerts.status called MasterSerial. The MasterSerial column must be the last
column in the alerts.status table. The master.national contains the following
columns:
– KeyField
– MasterServer
– DualWrite
The master.national MasterServer refers to the master ObjectServer and
DualWrite indicates whether or not an action item is immediately written to
both ObjectServers or not.
3. Create the interface file definition from the omni.dat source, as shown in
Example 4-27.

Example 4-27 omni.dat

[NCOMS_P]
{
Primary: 9.42.170.132 4501
}
[DESKOS]
{
Primary: 9.42.170.132 4503
}

4. Generate the interface file using the command nco_igen. Copy the
$NCHOME/etc/interfaces.<arch> file from the primary ObjectServer host to
the desktop ObjectServer host.
5. Start the desktop ObjectServer, as shown in Example 4-28.

Example 4-28 Starting the desktop ObjectServer

[netcool@omnibus etc]$ nco_objserv -name DESKOS
Netcool/OMNIbus Object Server - Version 7.2
(C) Copyright IBM Corp. 1994, 2007

Server 'DESKOS' initialised - entering RUN state.

6. Configure a uni-directional gateway between the primary ObjectServer and

the desktop ObjectServer, as shown in 4.1.2, “Gateway configuration” on
page 91.

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 7. The event list desktop connects to the desktop ObjectServer and, upon
finding the master.national table, it enters Dual Desktop Mode. Dual Desktop
Mode allows the event list to connect to the desktop ObjectServer and the
primary ObjectServer simultaneously.

4.6 Accelerated Event Notification client

The Accelerated Event Notification (AEN) client provides a means of accelerating
high-priority events to help ensure that systems can continue to run without
interruption. To configure the Accelerated Event Notification client, system
administrators define conditions that identify key events for acceleration, and use
channels to propagate these events to specific recipients for action. A channel
defines which types or columns of event data to broadcast for accelerated
events, and the recipients of this data.

Recipients of the accelerated event data manage the events from the
Accelerated Event Notification client. All events that are identified for acceleration
are directly sent to the client as notifications. These notifications contain event
data that maps to the columns defined for the channel that is currently in use.
Recipients can additionally configure settings for the notifications, and can
access the Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus event list or the Netcool/Webtop Active event
list to obtain full details for the event and manage the event. This section
discusses AEN Client configuration. Perform the following steps:
1. The AEN Client is started by using the command nco_aen under
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin or by selecting Programs → Netcool Suite → Notifier
in a GUI. In UNIX, this provides a floating icon, while in Windows it creates an
icon in the System Tray. The UNIX floating icon is shown in Figure 4-52.

Figure 4-52 AEN icon

Chapter 4. Configuration 159

 2. Before starting the AEN client for the first time, right-click the AEN notifier icon
and select Properties. The Application tab of the properties page is shown in
Figure 4-53.

Figure 4-53 AEN client property: Application tab

3. On the Application tab, make the following selections:

– The server from the Server drop-down list. The accessible servers are
defined in the interfaces file. You can to view the settings in either Netcool
Event List or Netcool Webtop
– In the Browser Settings, select the view to open for the ObjectServer and
provide the Web browser executable.

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4. On the Messages tab, define the History Settings, as shown in Figure 4-54.
The AEN Client is not configured to maintain the details of expired messages.

Figure 4-54 Messages tab

Chapter 4. Configuration 161

 5. On the Channels tabs, modify the settings as shown in Figure 4-55.

Figure 4-55 AEN Channels tab

6. Select OK.
7. After the setting has been saved, you can start the client by right-clicking the
icon and selecting Sign In. Provide the appropriate credential for the sign in
window shown in Figure 4-56 on page 163 and click Log In.

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Figure 4-56 AEN login window

8. Note that the AEN icon changes from a yellow triangle to a green box.
9. AEN events are defined from the probe rules that insert a flag for notification.
This flag is then used by a database trigger to be sent to a channel.
– First, modify the probe rule to add a flag field. We use a Channel field that
varies depending on the content of the Summary field. The probe rules are
shown in Example 4-29.

Example 4-29 Probe rule

if (regmatch($Summary, "^Port Failure.*"))
{
@Channel = 1
}
if (regmatch($Summary, "^Disk.*"))
{
@Channel = 2
}

Chapter 4. Configuration 163

 – Define a database trigger to respond to either the Flag field or the
appropriate database action or condition, using the SQL commands IDUC
EVTFT or IDUC SNDMSG to generate AEN, as shown in Figure 4-57.

Figure 4-57 Create trigger action

10.Configure a Channel to broadcast AEN event data by performing the following

steps:
a. From the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administrator window, select
System → Channels, as shown in Figure 4-58 on page 165.

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Figure 4-58 Administration console Channels tab

b. Right-click within the GUI to select Add a new Channel.

Chapter 4. Configuration 165

 c. Within the Channel Details window, add a name for the channel, as shown
in Figure 4-59.

Figure 4-59 Channel Details tab

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d. On the Columns tab, select the button to be able to define the
ObjectServer Table and Fields to use for the notification, as shown in
Figure 4-60. Click OK.

Figure 4-60 Channel column details

Chapter 4. Configuration 167

 e. On the Recipients tab, select the button to add new recipient, as
shown in Figure 4-61.

Figure 4-61 Recipient created

f. The New Channel Recipients window opens, as shown in Figure 4-62 on

page 169. Define the recipients for the notification in this window and click
OK.

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Figure 4-62 Channel recipient window

g. When complete, click the OK button on the Channel Details window

shown in Figure 4-59 on page 166.

Chapter 4. Configuration 169

 11.Test the Channel notification by right-clicking the channel and selecting Send
Message, as shown in Figure 4-63.

Figure 4-63 Test channel

12.Insert a test message and click OK to send it. You should get a notification
event, as shown in Figure 4-64 on page 171.

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 Figure 4-64 Test message

4.7 IBM Tivoli Health Monitoring agent for ObjectServer

V7.2
Tivoli Health Monitoring Agent for ObjectServer V7.2 can be used to monitor IBM
Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus ObjectServer. The agent is based on IBM Tivoli
Monitoring V6.1. The agent code is called NO. To enable this monitoring, you
must import the schema and automation into the ObjectServer. Use the
commands nco_sql in UNIX or isql in Windows. The source of the update is
itm_os.sql, which resides in $ITMHOME/<arch>/no/bin/ or %ITMHOME%\TMAITM6\.

Example 4-30 shows importing the schema for UNIX.

Example 4-30 importing schema

[netcool@omnibus db]$ /opt/netcool/omnibus/bin/nco_sql -user root
-server NCOMS_P < /opt/IBM/ITM/li6263/no/bin/itm_os.sql
Password:
(0 rows affected)
(0 rows affected)
(0 rows affected)
(0 rows affected)
(0 rows affected)
(0 rows affected)

Chapter 4. Configuration 171

 Figure 4-65 shows the Health Monitoring agent on Tivoli Enterprise Portal.

Figure 4-65 Health Monitoring agent

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 5

Chapter 5. Operation
This chapter discusses the operation, administration, and problem determination
of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus. The topics discussed are:
򐂰 5.1, “Device definition in simnet” on page 174
򐂰 5.2, “Failover operation” on page 176
򐂰 5.3, “Problem determination” on page 178
򐂰 5.4, “Performance tuning” on page 184

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. 173

5.1 Device definition in simnet
In order to generate a test event and send it to an ObjectServer, you need to
configure the simnet probe and add devices to the simnet.def file.

Perform the following steps:

1. Edit the $NCHOME/omnibus/probes/ARCH/simnet.def file and define the
devices. A sample simnet.def file for two devices (device1 and device2) is
shown in Example 5-1.

Example 5-1 simnet.def

[netcool@omnibus db]$ cd /opt/netcool/omnibus/probes/linux2x86/
[netcool@omnibus linux2x86]$ cat simnet.def
device1 0 50
device2 3 100

2. Modify $NCHOME/omnibus/probes/ARCH/simnet.props to set the LogFile and

Server properties, as shown in Example 5-2.

Example 5-2 simnet.props

[netcool@omnibus linux2x86]$ vi simnet.props
LogFile : '$OMNIHOME/probes/linux2x86/simnet.def'
Server : 'NCOMS'

3. Start the simnet probe using the command nco_p_simnet under

$NCHOME/omnibus/probes/.
4. Check that events are being sent correctly to the object server, as shown in
Figure 5-1 on page 175.

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Figure 5-1 Simnet events

Chapter 5. Operation 175

5.2 Failover operation
Given a failover architecture composed of an ObjectServer Failover Pair, a
bi-directional gateway, and probes, verify that the failover architecture is working
by performing these steps:
1. Connect to the primary server and check that events are coming in, as shown
in Figure 5-2.

Figure 5-2 NCOMS_P events

2. Shut down the Master ObjectServer. The message window shown in

Figure 5-3 opens.

Figure 5-3 Disconnect from ObjectServer

3. Wait until the desktop client connects automatically to the backup

ObjectServer, as shown in Figure 5-4 on page 177.

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 Figure 5-4 Failover

4. Check that the events are coming into the backup ObjectServer, as shown in
Figure 5-5.

Figure 5-5 Backup ObjectServer event

5. Restart the Master ObjectServer.

Chapter 5. Operation 177

 6. Wait until the desktop client connects to the Master ObjectServer, as shown in
Figure 5-6.

Figure 5-6 Reconnect or failback message

7. Check that the client indicates that is connected to the Master ObjectServer.

5.3 Problem determination

This section discusses some problem determination issues for the following
issues:
򐂰 5.3.1, “Startup problems” on page 178
򐂰 5.3.2, “Probe connection” on page 180
򐂰 5.3.3, “Desktop startup” on page 181
򐂰 5.3.4, “Slow response time” on page 181

5.3.1 Startup problems

On a UNIX/Linux system, the ObjectServer V7.2 is installed, but will not start.
Determine why the ObjectServer does not start by performing the following
steps:
򐂰 Check the environment variables $NCHOME, as shown in Example 5-3.

Example 5-3 Checking $NCHOME

[netcool@omnibus etc]$ set | grep NC
NCHOME=/opt/netcool/

򐂰 Check to make sure that the ObjectServer has been created by running
$NCHOME/omnibus/bin/nco_dbinit, as shown in Example 5-4 on page 179.

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Example 5-4 Checking ObjectServer database
[netcool@omnibus etc]$ cd /opt/netcool/omnibus/db/
[netcool@omnibus db]$ ls -l NCOMS
total 19072
-rw-r----- 1 netcool root 2887680 May 30 18:05 master_store_0.chk
-rw-r----- 1 netcool root 1332 May 30 18:01 master_store_0.log
-rw-r----- 1 netcool root 2887680 May 30 18:01 master_store_1.chk
-rw-r----- 1 netcool root 1124 May 30 18:05 master_store_1.log
-rw-r----- 1 netcool root 2822144 May 28 22:02 master_store.tab
-rw-r----- 1 netcool root 3674112 May 30 18:07 table_store_0.chk
-rw-r----- 1 netcool root 428 May 30 18:08 table_store_0.log
-rw-r----- 1 netcool root 3674112 May 30 18:06 table_store_1.chk
-rw-r----- 1 netcool root 740 May 30 18:07 table_store_1.log
-rw-r----- 1 netcool root 3543040 May 28 22:02 table_store.tab

򐂰 Check to make sure that the entry for the ObjectServer exists in
$NCHOME/etc/omni.dat, as shown in Example 5-5. Ensure that the interface
file has been generated by running the nco_igen command.

Example 5-5 Checking the interface file

[netcool@omnibus db]$ cd /opt/netcool/etc/
[netcool@omnibus etc]$ more omni.dat
[NCOMS]
{
Primary: 9.42.170.132 4100
}
򐂰 Ensure that the port for the ObjectServer is not already in use by running the
netstat command, as shown in Example 5-6.

Example 5-6 Checking port usage

[netcool@omnibus etc]$ netstat -na | grep 4100

򐂰 Ensure that the proper user is starting the object server process. You can
check if this is the case by running the ps -ef command and checking for the
presence of the nco_objserv process.

Chapter 5. Operation 179

5.3.2 Probe connection
If a specific probe does not start up correctly, it is usually due to some very
specific issues that can be investigated by performing the following steps:
򐂰 Check the probes log file. It is usually found under
/opt/netcool/omnibus/log. Look for any error messages in there.
Example 5-7 shows some sample error messages.

Example 5-7 Some probes error messages

Error: Failed to read rules - aborting
Error: Couldn't parse line
Error: Connection to object server 'NCOMS_P' marked DEAD

򐂰 Verify that the probe's designated ObjectServer is running. Use the nco_ping
command to verify that the object server is up and running and is reachable
from the probe machine.
򐂰 Check whether the interfaces file on the probe server is correctly defined.
Look for any errors inside /opt/netcool/etc/omni.dat. If any error is found,
fix it and run nco_igen.
򐂰 Verify that the probe server has network connectivity to the ObjectServer
host. Check the basic connectivity by running a standard command such as
ping or traceroute.
򐂰 Check whether any firewall settings are affecting communications. Use
telnet to verify that the ObjectServer port is open and reachable from the
probe. Example 5-8 shows that the connection was refused and Example 5-9
shows that the connection is working.

Example 5-8 Connection refused

[netcool@omnibus log]$ telnet 9.42.170.132 4501
Trying 9.42.170.132...
telnet: connect to address 9.42.170.132: Connection refused
telnet: Unable to connect to remote host: Connection refused

Example 5-9 Connection working

[netcool@omnibus log]$ telnet 9.42.170.132 4501
Trying 9.42.170.132...
Connected to omnibus (9.42.170.132).
Escape character is '^]'.

180 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

5.3.3 Desktop startup
On a UNIX server, run the nco_event command to open the desktop client. If it
does not start correctly, determine the cause of the issue by performing the
following steps:
򐂰 Ensure that server’s settings are set correctly. Export the UNIX server’s
DISPLAY variable, as shown in Example 5-10.

Example 5-10 Setting DISPLAY variable

[netcool@omnibus log]$ export DISPLAY=9.44.168.67:0.0
[netcool@omnibus log]$ set | grep DISPLAY
DISPLAY=9.44.168.67:0.0

򐂰 Ensure that the ObjectServer to which the desktop is connected is running.

Run the nco_ping command to check the connection.

5.3.4 Slow response time

If users are complaining of slow response times while using a specific
ObjectServer, determine the reason for the slow event list response by
performing the following steps:
򐂰 Check the number of events by running nco_sql, as shown in Example 5-11.

Example 5-11 Checking number of events

[netcool@omnibus log]$ nco_sql -server NCOMS_P -user root
Password:
1> select count(*) from alerts.status;
2> go
COUNT( * )
-----------
30

(1 row affected)

Chapter 5. Operation 181

 򐂰 Check the ObjectServer profile. If profiling is turned on, you will have profile
logs in your logs directory and you can find execution time information for the
various ObjectServer processes, as shown in Example 5-12. The log shows
the component that consumes the most processing power. By differentiating
the user profiles running a group of processes, you can easily find which
group uses the most resources.

Example 5-12 Profile log

Sat May 30 15:26:16 2009: Profiling enabled at Sat May 30 15:26:16 2009
Sat May 30 15:27:11 2009: Individual user profiles:
Sat May 30 15:27:11 2009: 'isql' (uid = 0) time on omnibus: 0.146961s
Sat May 30 15:27:11 2009: Grouped user profiles:
Sat May 30 15:27:11 2009: Execution time for all connections whose application name
is 'isql': 0.146961s
Sat May 30 15:27:11 2009: Total time in the report period (59.098127s): 0.146961s
Sat May 30 15:28:11 2009: Total time in the report period (59.992863s): 0.000000s
Sat May 30 15:29:11 2009: Total time in the report period (60.001173s): 0.000000s
Sat May 30 15:30:11 2009: Total time in the report period (60.000666s): 0.000000s

Sat May 30 17:52:11 2009: Individual user profiles:

Sat May 30 17:52:11 2009: 'PROBE' (uid = 0) time on omnibus: 0.002685s
Sat May 30 17:52:11 2009: Grouped user profiles:
Sat May 30 17:52:11 2009: Execution time for all connections whose application name
is 'PROBE': 0.002685s
Sat May 30 17:52:11 2009: Total time in the report period (60.000878s): 0.002685s
Sat May 30 17:53:11 2009: Individual user profiles:
Sat May 30 17:53:11 2009: 'PROBE' (uid = 0) time on omnibus: 0.001663s

򐂰 Check the gateway resynchronization. Synchronization can consume a great

deal of processor and I/O capacity, especially in a busy ObjectServer
environment.
򐂰 Check event rates. Profiling information about event rates can be found in the
NCOMS_omniEvtRate.log under $NCHOME/omnibus/log directory. This log
provides all the information needed to discover what the event rate is, as
shown in Example 5-13 on page 183.

182 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 Example 5-13 Finding the event rate
1090531172728000:NCOMS:tbsm.itso.ral.ibm.comGATEWAY:0:0:4:0:0
1090531172728000:NCOMS:tbsm.itso.ral.ibm.comGATEWAYGateway Reader/Writer:0:0:2:0:0
1090531172728000:NCOMS:tbsm.itso.ral.ibm.comPROBEtivoli_eif:2:6:0:86:0
SAMPLE_DELIMITER
1090531172828000:NCOMS:tbsm.itso.ral.ibm.comGATEWAY:0:0:4:0:0
1090531172828000:NCOMS:tbsm.itso.ral.ibm.comGATEWAYGateway Reader/Writer:0:0:2:0:0
1090531172828000:NCOMS:tbsm.itso.ral.ibm.comPROBEtivoli_eif:2:7:0:86:0
SAMPLE_DELIMITER
1090531172928000:NCOMS:tbsm.itso.ral.ibm.comPROBEtivoli_eif:0:4:0:0:0
SAMPLE_DELIMITER
1090531173028000:NCOMS:tbsm.itso.ral.ibm.comGATEWAY:0:0:4:0:0

򐂰 Check the number of desktops. You can easily check the number of desktop
connections by using the administrator console and going to the System →
Connections tab, as shown in Figure 5-7.

Figure 5-7 Desktop connections

Chapter 5. Operation 183

 You can also run a simple nco_sql query on the catalog.connections table, as
shown in Example 5-14.

Example 5-14 Checking desktop connections

1> select count(*) from catalog.connections where AppName like 'Event
List';
2> go
COUNT( * )
-----------
2
(1 row affected)

򐂰 Check the process on the ObjectServer. You can run the top or ps commands
on a UNIX server to discover process information related to the Object
Server.
򐂰 Check the resource usage of the ObjectServer, that is, the memory, CPU, and
disk access by running commands like vmstat, df, du, or sar.
򐂰 Check network response times by running the ping and traceroute
commands.
򐂰 Check automations.
򐂰 Check the number of journals (alerts.journal) and details (alerts.detail).
򐂰 Determine what other components are connected.

5.4 Performance tuning

In order to discover information about performance on IBM Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus and optimize your system, perform the following steps:
򐂰 Check the frequency of triggers. Triggers should not be configured to execute
too frequently. Tune and spread out temporal trigger execution times so that
not too many triggers execute at the same time. This may impact performance
considerably.
򐂰 Check the execution scope of triggers: once only, for each row.
򐂰 Check the number of details by viewing the details($*) entry in the rules
files. Do not use details unless necessary and only for the necessary amount
of time.

184 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

򐂰 Check the SQL used in triggers, desktop filters, and procedures for
performance.
– The ordering of the SQL clause is very important: Integer fields should be
matched first, then the Date field, and then exact string matching followed
by expression string matching.
– Avoid using too many where statements; instead, use the in list
statement.
– Try to build regular expressions to be as specific as possible.
򐂰 Check whether the UPDATE VIA statement is being used.

Chapter 5. Operation 185

186 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
 A

Appendix A. Sample test

This appendix is divided into the following sections:
򐂰 “Sample questions” on page 188
򐂰 “Answer key” on page 191

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. 187

Sample questions
Here are our sample questions:
1. A customer wants to minimize system administration, including ObjectServer
maintenance. The customer is running a highly available pair of
ObjectServers. The customer wants the system configured so that any new
users that are added to the primary ObjectServer will also be added to the
failover server with the least amount of manual intervention and in a timely
manner. What is the best technique that can be used to satisfy the customer’s
requirements?
a. Add entries to the gateway tblrep.def file and map the file to enable
replication of the user tables.
b. Run nco_confpack to extract the user tables from the primary server and
import them into the failover server.
c. Create a script to use the nco_sql command to connect to the gateway
and issue REPLICATE commands to copy the user tables
d. Configure TRANSFER commands in the gateway startup.cmd file to copy
the user tables from the primary server to the failover server.
2. What are the default authorization roles available to a normal user created in
OMNIbus?
a. AlertsUser, Normal, and Public.
b. AlertsUser, CatalogUser, and ISQLWrite.
c. AlertsUser, CatalogUser, and ChannelUser.
d. AlertsUser, ChannelUser, and DesktopAdmin.
e. Every user is assigned the Normal role by default.
3. To set up IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 authorization, security objects
should be configured in a certain order. In which order should security objects
be configured?
a. Users, Groups, and Roles.
b. Roles, Groups, and Users.
c. Groups, Users, and Roles.
d. Groups, Roles, and Users.

188 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

4. IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 provides several default groups. Which
default groups are required by the ObjectServer and cannot be deleted or
renamed?
a. Administrator, Public, and ISQL.
b. ISQL, ISQLWrite, and Public.
c. Normal, Administrator, and System.
d. Public, AlertsUser, and System.
5. During an event storm, 50 events per second were logged in the system log
file. The syslog probe sent 30 events per second to the ObjectServer. What
should be changed to improve probe performance?
a. The syslog probe property StoreAndForward should be set to 1.
b. The syslog probe should be configured to read from a named pipe.
c. The syslog probe property Buffering should be enabled and you should
adjust the BufferSize property.
d. The syslog probe property Mode should be set to Master, and a new
syslog probe should be configured with Mode set to slave.
6. The monitor you are using has to connect to an Element Management
System (EMS) to retrieve events. The host name of the EMS is “emsserver”.
The device listens for connections on port 23. The monitor is not receiving
any events, and the log file tells you that it cannot log into the EMS. How can
you manually check this error?
a. Run the ssh emsserver command.
b. Run the telnet emsserver command.
c. Run the nco_ping emsserver command.
d. Run the nco_sql -u root -server emsserver command.
7. Users connected to native desktops on an ObjectServer running on a UNIX
server are complaining about slow response times. You suspect that a
misconfigured automation has generated too many Journal records. What is
the best technique for quickly verifying the total number of Journal records in
the ObjectServer?
a. Enable ObjectServer profiling and check the ObjectServer log file for the
total number of records.
b. Start a desktop client, highlight an event record, right-click the record, and
select the Journal.
c. Start a desktop client, and modify the Metric setting on the All Events
monitor box to show the total Journal records.

Appendix A. Sample test 189

 d. Use the nco_sql utility to connect to the ObjectServer and issue the select
count(*) from alerts.journal; go command.
8. Which configuration has the greatest effect on ObjectServer response time?
a. Reaper frequency.
b. Granularity frequency.
c. Deduplication frequency.
d. Temporal trigger frequency.
9. What are two properties that need to be set to ensure failover functionality is
enabled for the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Syslog probe? (Choose two.)
a. PeerPort.
b. PeerHost.
c. SlavePort.
d. SlaveHost.
e. MasterHost.
10.Which rules file code segments shows the proper implementation of a
multicolumn lookup table within a rules file?
a. table upsWellKnownAlarms =
{
{"33.1.6.3.1","UPS Battery Status","4","100041"},
{"33.1.6.3.5","UPS Temperature Status","4","100059"},
{"33.1.6.3.6","UPS Input Status","4","4001"}
}
default = {"UPS Status","4","4001"}
b. lookup upsWellKnownAlarms =
{
{"33.1.6.3.1","UPS Battery Status","4","100041"},
{"33.1.6.3.5","UPS Temperature Status","4","100059"},
{"33.1.6.3.6","UPS Input Status","4","4001"}
}
default = {"UPS Status","4","4001"}
c. 33.1.6.3.1<tab>UPS Battery Status<tab>4<tab>100041
33.1.6.3.5<tab>UPS Temperature Status<tab>4<tab>100059
33.1.6.3.6<tab>UPS Input Status<tab>4<tab>4001
d. 33.1.6.3.1,UPS Battery Status,4,100041
33.1.6.3.5,UPS Temperature Status,4,100059
33.1.6.3.6,UPS Input Status,4,4001

190 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Answer key
Here are the answers:
1. A
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. C
6. B
7. D
8. D
9. A and B
10.A

Appendix A. Sample test 191

192 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
Abbreviations and acronyms
AEL Active Event List SME Subject Matter Expert
AEN Accelerated Event Notification SNMP Simple Network Management
AIX Advanced Interactive Protocol
eXecutive SOA Service-Oriented Architecture
API Application Programming SQL Structured Query Language
Interface SSL Secured Socket Layer
CGI Common Gateway Interface SVI Supervisory Instruction
CPU Central Processing Unit TBSM Tivoli Business Service
CRM Customer Relationship Manager
Management TCP/IP Transaction Control
DB2 Database 2 Protocol/Internet Protocol
DBA Database Administrator UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply
DNS Domain Name Service URL Universal Resource Locator
EMS Element Management VAP Value Advantage Plus
System VUE Virtual University Enterprises
ENMS Enterprise Network WAN Wide Area Network
Management System
XML eXtensible Markup Language
GMT Greenwich Meridian Time
GUI Graphical User Interface
HTML Hyper Text Markup Language
HTTP Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
I/O Input/Output
IBM International Business
Machines Corporation
IDUC Insert Delete Update Change
ISQL Interactive SQL
ITIL IT Infrastructure Library®
ITSO International Technical
Support Organization
JMS Java Messaging System
JVM Java Virtual Machine
ODBC Open Database Connectivity
ROI Return on Investment
SAF Security

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. 193

194 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
Related publications

The publications listed in this section are considered particularly suitable for a
more detailed discussion of the topics covered in this book.

IBM Redbooks
For information about ordering these publications, see “How to get Redbooks” on
page 196. Note that some of the documents referenced here may be available in
softcopy only.
򐂰 Best Practices for IBM Tivoli Enterprise Console to Netcool/OMNIbus
Upgrade, SG24-7557
򐂰 Creating EIF Events with Tivoli Directory Integrator for Tivoli
Netcool/OMNIbus and Tivoli Enterprise Console, REDP-4352

Other publications
These publications are also relevant as further information sources:
򐂰 IBM Tivoli Monitoring for Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus User’s Guide, SC23-6375
򐂰 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Administration Guide, SC23-6371
򐂰 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Installation and Deployment Guide, SC23-6370
򐂰 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Probe and Gateway Guide, SC23-6373
򐂰 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Release Notes, GC23-6374
򐂰 IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus User’s Guide, SC23-6372

Online resources
These Web sites are also relevant as further information sources:
򐂰 IBM Certification page:
http://www.ibm.com/certify/index.shtml

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. 195

 򐂰 IBM Test Objectives for Test 933:
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/tests/obj933.shtml
򐂰 OMNIbus FixPack download:
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/sysmgmt/products/support/F495033D9821
9V85-download.html
򐂰 Passport Advantage:
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/howtobuy/passportadvantage/pao_custom
ers.htm

How to get Redbooks

You can search for, view, or download Redbooks, Redpapers, Technotes, draft
publications and Additional materials, as well as order hardcopy Redbooks
publications, at this Web site:
ibm.com/redbooks

Help from IBM

IBM Support and downloads
ibm.com/support

IBM Global Services

ibm.com/services

196 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

Index
nco_igen 96, 102, 155, 158
A nco_objserv 70
Accelerated Event Notification, see AEN
nco_p_simnet 145, 174
administration console 40
nco_p_syntax 153
Administrator 43
nco_pa_start 106
AEN 22
nco_pa_status 103–104
agent code 171
nco_pad 102
AlertsGateway 42
nco_patch 65
AlertsProbe 42
nco_ping 180
AlertsUser 42
nco_sql 40, 56, 67, 97, 141
ALTER command 76
nco_xigen 74
AutoAdmin 42
netstat 73, 179
ps 145, 179
B SNDMSG 164
bi-directional gateway 155 telnet 180
BREAK command 142 top 184
traceroute 180
vmstat 184
C components
CatalogUser 41
administrative 40
certification
architectural 38
achievements 26
desktop 40
benefits 3
IDUC 44
checklist 5
configuration
objectives 8
export and import 66
overview 1
tiered 48
program 2
CRM 39
recommended study resources 35
Customer Relationship Management, see CRM
class creation 143
commands
ALTER 76 D
BREAK 142 database field definition 128
EVTFT 164 database tables 40
EXECUTE 142 database triggers 40
IDUC 164 DatabaseAdmin 42
INSTALL 62 Desktop Object Server 47
isql 41, 171 DesktopAdmin 42–43
kill 150 directory ownership 69
nco 105
nco_aen 159
nco_confpack 66
E
environment variables 68
nco_dbinit 69, 155, 157
event filter 121
nco_event 70, 181
EVTFT command 164
nco_g_objserv_uni 97
EXECUTE command 142

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2009. All rights reserved. 197

F nco_objserv command 70
failover 45 nco_p_simnet command 145, 174
failover operation 176 nco_p_syntax command 153
filters definition 120 nco_pa_start command 106
firewall consideration 52 nco_pa_status command 103–104
nco_pad command 102
nco_patch command 65
G nco_ping command 180
gateway 39, 43
nco_sql command 40, 56, 67, 97, 141
Gateway configuration 91
nco_xigen command 74
group creation 112
netstat command 73, 179
groups 41
NO 171
growth through skills 6
Normal 43

H O
health monitoring 171
objectives 8
Health Monitoring agent 171
ObjectServer 39
communication 72
I creation 69
IBM Professional Certification Program 2 properties 76
IBM Tivoli Monitoring 171 verification 69
IDUC 44 ObjectServer customization 117
IDUC command 164 ObjectServer tables 52
INSTALL command 62 OMNIbus
installation problem determination 178
fixpack 66 tables 52
process 62
ISQL 42–43
isql command 41, 171
P
performance tuning 184
ISQLWrite 43
planning issues 49
port considerations 52
K post implementation customization 68
kill command 150 probe 39, 43
probe configuration 144
probe features 49
M Probe property 146
menu creation 124
Probe rule file 150
monitors 39
problem determination 178
desktop startup 181
N probe connection 180
naming convention 50 slow response time 181
nco command 105 process agent configuration 100
nco_aen command 159 ps command 145, 179
nco_confpack command 66 Public 43
nco_dbinit command 69, 155, 157
nco_event command 70, 181
nco_g_objserv_uni command 97 R
Redbooks Web site 196
nco_igen command 96, 102, 155, 158

198 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation

 Contact us xx view creation 117
remote desktop installation 86 Virtual University Enterprises, see VUE
restriction filter 123 vmstat command 184
return on investment, see ROI VUE 5
ROI 5
role creation 107
roles 41

S
security 41
security configuration 106
SecurityAdmin 42
simnet
device definition 174
simnet probe 65
SME 8
SNDMSG command 164
Software Value Incentive, see SVI
SQL 41
SSL usage 50
startup problems 178
startup script 104
Structured Query Language, see SQL
study resources 35
Subject Matter Expert, see SME
SuperUser 43
SVI 7–8
System 43

T
telnet command 180
tiered implementation 48
Tivoli Software Professional Certification 4
tool definition 133
ToolsAdmin 42
top command 184
traceroute command 180
trigger creation 140

U
uni-directional gateway 157
user creation 115
users 41

V
Value Advantage Plus, see VAP
VAP 7–8

Index 199
200 Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 Implementation
Certification Guide Series: IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2
(0.2”spine)
0.17”<->0.473”
90<->249 pages
 Back cover ®

Certification Guide Series:

IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus
V7.2 Implementation ®

Detailed architecture This IBM Redbooks publication is a study guide for the IBM Tivoli
and components Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 implementation certification test. It is aimed at the IT INTERNATIONAL
discussion professional who wants to be an IBM® Certified Professional for this TECHNICAL
product. SUPPORT
Installation and ORGANIZATION
The IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 certification test is offered through the
configuration IBM Professional Certification program. It is designed to validate the skills
processing required of technical professionals who work in the implementation and
deployment of IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2.
BUILDING TECHNICAL
Event collection and This book provides the necessary information for understanding the subject
INFORMATION BASED ON
automation PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
matter. It includes sample questions, which will help you evaluate your
progress. It familiarizes the readers with the types of questions that may be
encountered in the exam. IBM Redbooks are developed by
the IBM International Technical
This guide does not replace practical experience, and it is not designed to be Support Organization. Experts
a stand-alone guide on this subject. Instead, this guide should be combined from IBM, Customers and
with educational activities and experiences and used as a useful preparation Partners from around the world
guide for the exam. create timely technical
information based on realistic
For your convenience, the chapters are based on the certification objectives scenarios. Specific
recommendations are provided
of the IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus V7.2 implementation certification test.
to help you implement IT
Those requirements are planning, prerequisites, installation, configuration, solutions more effectively in
administration, and problem determination. Studying these chapters helps your environment.
you prepare for the objectives of the exam.

For more information:

ibm.com/redbooks

SG24-7753-00 ISBN 0738433306