SolutionPack for Transaction Summary Sheet – Service Assurance Suite 9.4

Table of Contents

Overview

Learn how to install and configure the SolutionPack for Transaction. This SolutionPack helps you measure the performance of your network by providing transactions that return key performance indicators.

You can execute and report on these transactions using the SolutionPack for Transaction:
  • HTTP head - implements an HTTP head request over a specific URL
  • HTTP - implements an HTTP request over a specific URL
  • SQL-based query - executes a query against an SQL server
  • TCP connect - connects to a port on a server and executes a command
  • DNS query - executes a query that retrieves DNS records from a specific resolver
  • FTP commands - executes the retrieve, store and delete commands
  • SFTP - executes the retrieve, store and delete commands over the SSH file transfer protocol
  • LDAP - performs a search query against an LDAP server
  • RADIUS - performs an authentication request against a RADIUS server
  • SCRIPT - executes a custom command on a local machine
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Technical specifications

SolutionPack version

1.0

Compatible EMC M&R versions

6.4u1 and later

Data collection method

Transaction Collector

Main reports

Transactions List by Type

Transactions List by Group

Transactions List by Destination (Target)

Transactions List by Source

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Where to find the latest SolutionPack software

Install the latest core software update for your product suite. SolutionPacks distributed with core software have a 30-day free evaluation period. If you plan to use the software longer than 30 days, you must install a SolutionPack license before the trial period ends.

This 30-day free evaluation only applies to new installations and is not available for upgraded installations. If you upgrade the core software and want to try a new SolutionPack, you must request a license for that SolutionPack by completing a Support Request (SR) form, which is available on the EMC Online Support website at http://support.emc.com.

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Installing the SolutionPack

After you log in as an administrator, you can install a SolutionPack from Centralized Management.

Before you begin

  • Determine whether you need a SolutionPack license file by checking the feature names and expiration dates listed in Centralized Management > License Management. If not listed, obtain a license by completing a Support Request (SR) form, which is available on the EMC Online Support website at http://support.emc.com. This SolutionPack requires a license for the SolutionPack for Transaction and the Transaction Collector.

  • Make sure the core modules, such as the Module-Manager, are up-to-date on all servers since not all module dependencies are validated during the SolutionPack installation. The EMC M&R (Watch4net) Installation and Configuration Guide provides for more information.

Procedure

  1. Log in to the EMC M&R platform with your user name and password.
  2. Select Administration.
  3. Select Centralized Management.
  4. Select SOLUTIONPACK CENTER.
  5. Select the SolutionPack in the Browse and Install SolutionPacks screen.
  6. Read the summary information and click Install.
  7. Select the components to install:
    1. Type the instance name.
    2. Select the server in one or more list boxes. For example, select the server in the Collector and Reports list boxes.
    3. Click Next.
      For each list box you select, a screen appears.
    4. Click Next after you complete each screen.
  8. When the Transaction Collector screen appears, set these values:
    • Transaction Collector Host or IP: The IP address of the host where the Transaction Collector is running.
    • Transaction Collector port: The port used for communication by the Transaction Collector.
    • Transaction Collector username: The EMC M&R login name where you installed the Transaction Collector. (This field displays admin by default.)
    • Transaction Collector password: The EMC M&R password where you installed the Transaction Collector.
    • Transaction Collector instance: The instance name of the Transaction Collector, such as generic-transaction.
    If using more than one Transaction Collector instance, click + to add more credentials.
  9. Click Install after you complete the last screen.
    The installation process begins.
  10. Select the maximize arrow next to each component to view the installation process.
    When the installation successfully completes, green checkmarks appear.
  11. Select Centralized Management > SolutionPack to verify the installed SolutionPack.
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Configuring the SolutionPack

For the SolutionPack for Transaction to retrieve and process transactions, you must restart the Tomcat service after installation. You can also add new transaction types and edit default transaction types.

The Administration > Modules > Transaction Collector > Configuration Management > interface provides an automated way for you to add and edit transaction types. You can also use the transaction-collector.xml file to manually add and edit transactions, as explained in the Configuration chapter of the Transaction Collector Administration Guide. This guide is in the /APG/Doc folder of your installation path.

Note Image
Do not follow the instructions in the Installation chapter of the Transaction Collector Administration Guide since the Transaction Collector and the authentication.xml file are automatically configured during the SolutionPack for Transaction installation.

Procedure

  1. To use the Transaction Collector, restart the Tomcat service by executing /opt/APG/bin/manage-modules.sh service restart tomcat Default
  2. To add or edit a transaction, navigate to Administration > Collecting > Transaction Collector.
    The Configuration Management screen appears.
  3. Click Retrieve to edit the running Transaction Collector.
  4. You may, optionally, set up default entries that will populate fields in the transaction setup by editing the Collector Properties or Default Attributes entries in the Configuration Management navigation tree.
  5. To add a new transaction, expand Transactions > Add a Transaction and select a transaction type or group.
  6. Edit the parameters and attributes. Click Save.
  7. Click List to return to the Configuration Management screen, and click Push to restart the collector with the new transaction.
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Confirming report creation

After you install a SolutionPack, you can view its reports.

To view the reports:

Procedure

  1. Go to User Interface > Report Library.
  2. Click the SolutionPack to view its reports.

Results

It may take up to an hour to display all relevant information in these reports.

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Troubleshooting

Report display problems

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What to do if data does not appear in any reports

Procedure

  1. After the completion of at least three collection cycles, verify if data is populating into the reports. If there is still no data in the reports, continue to the next step.
  2. Run the scheduled task to import data into reports. If there is still no data in the reports, continue to the next step.
  3. To view the log files for errors, go to Centralized Management and click Collecting > Collector-Manager::<instance name> > Log Files.
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Running a scheduled task to import data into reports

After you push a new configuration into a collector, a scheduled task runs and populates the reports with new data. You can manually run the scheduled task to import the data more quickly.

Before you begin

Allow at least three polling cycles to pass before manually running the scheduled task.

Procedure

  1. Click Administration.
  2. Click Centralized Management.
  3. Expand Scheduled Tasks.
  4. Click Database.
  5. Select the import-properties-Default task.
  6. Click Run Now.
  7. Confirm success in running the task in the Last Result and Last Result Time columns.
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What to do if data does not appear in some reports

Procedure

  1. Run the scheduled task to import data into reports. If there is still no data in the reports, continue to step 2.
  2. Search for the metric in the database.
  3. To view the log files for errors, go to Centralized Management and click Collecting > Collector-Manager::<instance name> > Log Files.
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Searching for metrics in the database

You can verify that a metric is being collected and used for reporting when you search and find the metric in the database.

Procedure

  1. Go to the Administration page.
  2. Under Modules, click Management of Database Modules.
  3. On the Metric Selection page, create the filter, type the number of results, and select the properties to display for the metric.
    For example, to list up to 100 results of the SignalWait Time metric with the properties of device and IP, type name=='SignalWaitTime' in the Filter field, 100 in the Maximum results field, and select device and IP for the Properties to show.
  4. Click Query.
    A list of the metric results appears. If nothing displays, the metric is not being collected.
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Troubleshooting collector errors with Collector-Manager log files

Review the Collector-Manager log files to troubleshoot problems with data collection.

Procedure

  1. Click Administration.
  2. Click Centralized Management.
  3. Expand Collecting.
  4. Click the Collector-Manager for your collector instance.
    Collector-Manager::<Collector-Manager instance> - <physical_host_ID>
  5. Expand Log Files and click the View File icon to review the configuration error messages.
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