CockpitMgr for OpenVMS
A Comprehensive Management Solution for Mission-Critical OpenVMS Environments
Introduction
In a business-critical environment, continuous monitoring of the entire IT infrastructure is essential. System managers require robust tools to ensure optimal availability and performance. Although OpenVMS is considered one of the most reliable operating systems, hardware and software problems cannot be entirely avoided.
CockpitMgr is a proven OpenVMS-based solution for managing mission-critical systems and clusters. It continuously monitors the complete OpenVMS production environment, enabling system managers to proactively detect and address potential issues prior to service disruption. CockpitMgr centralizes management functions and offers comprehensive tools required to develop a fully integrated management system.
CockpitMgr for OpenVMS provides continuous, around-the-clock support for system management. The product systematically records all events generated by monitored systems, as well as associated network and storage devices. CockpitMgr automates routine tasks, alerts the OpenVMS system manager when necessary, and can implement corrective actions independently. Events are detected, analysed, processed, reported, and logged, enabling the early identification and resolution of issues before they impact operations.
What is CockpitMgr?
CockpitMgr is an advanced management solution designed for mission-critical, OpenVMS-centric environments. Drawing upon four decades of experience, it integrates the collective expertise of multiple system managers into a single robust platform, facilitating efficient operations across systems, clusters, networks, and storage.
The Cockpit Concept
The cockpit is an independent OpenVMS system that oversees the entire production environment, including OpenVMS systems and clusters, network, storage, and data center infrastructure. The software aims to provide the system manager with information on all elements affecting the availability of systems, data, and applications.
The cockpit serves as the primary tool for the daily tasks of a system manager. When implementing CockpitMgr, most configuration will be performed on the cockpit itself. Some agents need to be installed on other OpenVMS systems, which require minimal configuration.
Additional devices are monitored primarily via SNMP or REST APIs. As a result, software installation on these devices is not necessary; however, each device must permit read access to the cockpit.
Key Capabilities
Monitoring
System Monitor
Supervise processes, disk space, shadow sets, and queues with time-of-day configurations. Full cluster support with rapid node and cluster setup. It is possible to extend monitoring with custom modules.
Console Management
Connect to system consoles, log outputs, and search for critical messages. Scan profiles enable quick configuration.
SNMPtrap Listener
Analyzes SNMP traps from network and storage devices to provide proactive alerting.
Logfile Browser
Efficiently detect errors in batch jobs and applications to ensure uninterrupted production processes.
Hardware & Network Monitoring
Monitor device error counters, power supplies, temperature sensors, RAID controllers, storage arrays and network port states using SNMP utilities and REST APIs.
Storage Oversight
Track Fibre Channel devices and storage controllers for optimal performance.
Performance Watcher
Identify performance issues such as looping processes, high CPU and memory usage, and quota issues before they impact operations.
Security Audit Listener
Keeps track of OpenVMS security events and provides straightforward, useful alerts.
Cluster Monitor
Checks cluster communication and connection performance.
Notification
Central Event Engine & Event Console
Correlate, notify, and report events in a customisable console or web interface.
Pager Engine
Send critical alerts to mobile devices or e-mail.
Automatic Pilot
Trigger automated repair actions without manual intervention.
Graphical User Interface
Visualise systems, clusters, and interconnections in an intuitive dashboard.
Enterprise Manager
Events can be integrated into other IT platforms, such as Zabbix and ServiceNow.
Utilities
Job Scheduler
Application designed to automate and manage repetitive computer jobs, such as system maintenance tasks and user applications.
NETDCL
A cockpit utility designed to execute single or multiple commands on a managed system, providing output directly to the local display.
Backup Utility
This utility enables backups to be made directly to an OpenVMS, Windows, or Linux system using TCP/IP. The resulting file stored on the remote system is a genuine OpenVMS save set. Additionally, the utility provides functionality to restore individual files from a remote save set.
Census
Collects and analyzes configuration snapshots from systems, storage and networks devices. These snapshots are stored in XML format to facilitate browser-based reporting.
Minimum System Requirements
Cockpit
- OpenVMS V8.4-2L1 (Alpha)
- OpenVMS V8.4-2L3 (Integrity)
- OpenVMS V9.2-3 (x86)
- VSI TCP/IP V6.0, SSL V3, OpenSSH
Managed Systems
- OpenVMS V5.5 (VAX)
- OpenVMS V6.2 (Alpha)
- OpenVMS V8.3 (Integrity)
- OpenVMS V9.2 (x86)
The Bottom Line
Managing complex OpenVMS environments shouldn't be a challenge. CockpitMgr transforms system management into a streamlined, proactive process. It helps you saving time, reducing risk, and boosting efficiency.
Particularly in times where OpenVMS resources are scarce, the product is essential for efficient OpenVMS system management.
Rapid Deployment
Configure nodes and clusters in minutes.
Complete Visibility
One dashboard for systems, clusters, storage, and networks.
Proactive Monitoring
Detect issues before they impact operations.
Automation & Alerts
Reduce manual intervention and improve uptime.
Scalable & Secure
Designed for small to global infrastructures.
CockpitMgr has been successfully deployed in: rail transport, stock exchanges and financial services, retail, automobile industry, police departments, healthcare, military, telecommunication, food industry, energy production and transport, travel industry and managed services.
Reach out to us to schedule a complimentary introductory workshop and discover how CockpitMgr could benefit your production environment.
CockpitMgr: The leading OpenVMS system management solution