Conference azur::mcc

> 
>    - How do we manage them with DECmcc MSU? 
>     

    You can't.  At least not yet.   Vitalink is currently working on an
    SNMP agent for their Translan line.   It will be co-resident with the
    current RBMS agent so you'll be able to use either WANmanager, SNMP or
    the Translan AM to manage the bridges.   The downside is (in my
    opinion) that the SNMP agent doesn't do much.  [No SETs, cryptic
    variable names, etc.]  Further, due to platform resource problems (i.e.
    memory/CPU) the SNMP agent for the Translan IIIs probably won't
    implement much of anything...

    Actually, if you're desperate, you could rig up ultrix 'tip'
    connections to the serial port on each Translan and manage them that
    way.  Not pretty, but it works..

>    - Will there be an access module come v2.0 of DECmcc ULTRIX for the
>      Translan bridges?

    Nope. Not in the cards. Vitalink has no plans to port the AM.

>    The other question I have regarding the current AM for the bridges, is
>    that I cannot see any way of going in and zeroing line counters for
>    example. This particular customer will want to look at traffic stats on
>    the line. Am I missing something?.

    If you mean TRANSLAN bridges (and I *think* the same model holds true
    for DEC LANbridges), then the only way to reset the counters from the
    AM is to reboot the bridge.   (e.g MCC> RESET TRANSLAN .FOO DEFAULTS=TRUE)

    EXCEPTION: if you use the local interface on the TransLAN (i.e. the
    management port) you can issue a RS (reset statistics command) to zero
    counters.   Note that the reason for this limitation  (& workaround) is
    that there is no RBMS parameter or corresponding agent code to allow
    "zeroing" counters.  The local management interface on Translans "sneaks
    around" the RBMS agent on the bridge to do its dirty work.  Actually,
    almost *all* of the local management functions on the Translan work
    independently of the RBMS interfaces to the agent (makes for some
    pretty nasty work for the guys trying to debug translan microcode
    bugs... )



    regards, 
    /doug

    
    Thanks for the fast response. I rang the Vitalink rep in Europe and he
    indicated that the SNMP agent would be available by end of FEb. From
    the info he had the functionality  of the agent allowed you to do SET's
    and Show commands. He informed me that we have a copy of it on test in
    Europe. I will try and get more info.
    
    Setting up the serial port as an Ultrix 'tip' connection is useful if
    you do not have DECmcc. In trying to sell DECmcc to a customer, it is
    obviously of great benefit if we can show that we can manage these
    Bridges from DECmcc (VMS or ULTRIX). In fact it can be the winning point 
    when in presales mode,  our ability to manage the enterprise. It gives us 
    the competitive advantage over other vendors. I know I am speaking to
    the converted, but I get feeling that something has fallen down between
    the cracks between Digital and Vitalink. Maybe I am picking up wrong
    vibes. 
    
    In this particular presale bid our ability to manage the
    Vitalink bridges from DECmcc ULTRIX, would definitely give us the
    competitive advantage and probably the DECmcc sale.
    
    many thanks Peter.
    
    
    Reading between the lines, I get the feeling that all is not well   

    
    my last line was not meant to be in there, as I was being sensitive and
    reworded it -)
    
    What I was going to say was:
    
    Reading between the lines, I get the feeling that all is not well
    with the SVP program with Vitalink.
    
    TGIF -)
    
    regards peter.

>    
>    Reading between the lines, I get the feeling that all is not well
>    with the SVP program with Vitalink.
>    

    Peter, 

    Vitalink (and the SVP,too) is going through some strange times...
    Vitalink's trying as hard as they can to 
    	1) continue to honor their commitments to Digital/DECmcc
    	2) move away from WANmanager to their new 'Open Management System'
    	   (SNMP-based)
    	3) define their identity within their new owner: Network Systems

    Add to that the fact that they have resource constraints and must be
    able to not only develop, but test and support 
    	- three different management interfaces (SNMP AM, TransLAN AM,
    	  SunNet Manager SNMP) 
    	- on three different operating systems (VMS, Ultrix, SunOs) 
    	- from three different vendors (Vitalink, Digital and  Sun).

    So sure it's a little difficult to make sure we have their *undivided*
    attention at any point in time... They've got a hard row to hoe (as my
    dad would say).

    
    Hi Doug,
    
    I understand the problems, Digital face the same type of issue on a
    daily basis, as I am sure you are only too well aware.
    
    From the customers view, he does not want to hear of problems. They
    expect that the network management system will manage their bridges.
    
    I am sure things will progress, and that the SNMP agent will do the
    business, I HOPE. 
    
    REGARDS PETER.