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Conference csc32::consolemanager

Title:POLYCENTER Console Manager
Notice:Kits, Scans, Docs on CSC32:: as PCM$KITS:,PCM$DOCS:, PCM$SCANS:
Moderator:CSC32::BUTTERWORTH
Created:Thu Aug 06 1992
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1541
Total number of notes:6564

1282.0. "PCM opportunity for 170 Nodes, future of PCM ?" by GENIE::TANNER () Mon Apr 29 1996 15:47

Hi all

does anybody know more about the future of Polycenter Console Manager on
OpenVMS AXP and VAX since DEC has decided to sell it with other
Polycenter Products to CA (Computer Associates) ?
Do you know the present Product Manager for PCM ?

We have the opportunity to offer PCM for the Country wide centralized
System Management access for the  Swiss PTT Telecom Computer System Network
(mainly used for Console access during none working hours for standby
System Managers via the DCL VCS CONNECT 'Node' interface.

Questions:
 - Sizing of PCM System (Cluster for availability) for 170 Nodes
   (Systems and Storage Controllers HSC,HSJ,HSZ, etc.) ?
 - Support for Console connection via TCP/IP Telnet (routed WAN) ?
 - Growth, any limitation in PCM for managing remote Systems (Console) ?
 - Network trafic to the central System ?
 - Disk space requierment on the PCM System for console logs ?
 - Any hints or ideas for better solution then PCM ?


regards Peter Tanner SI Switzerland Bern


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1282.1CSC32::BUTTERWORTHGun Control is a steady hand.Mon Apr 29 1996 17:1963
>Hi all

>does anybody know more about the future of Polycenter Console Manager on
>OpenVMS AXP and VAX since DEC has decided to sell it with other
>Polycenter Products to CA (Computer Associates) ?
>Do you know the present Product Manager for PCM ?
    
    PCM is alive and well. Planning and scheduling for enhancements
    continues just as it would if Digital still owned the product.

>We have the opportunity to offer PCM for the Country wide centralized
>System Management access for the  Swiss PTT Telecom Computer System Network
>(mainly used for Console access during none working hours for standby
>System Managers via the DCL VCS CONNECT 'Node' interface.

    Before I start answering these questions I must ask if you have read
    the SPD as several of these questions are answered there plus you may
    share it with your customer!
    
>Questions:
> - Sizing of PCM System (Cluster for availability) for 170 Nodes
    
    Be cautious with clustering your console management platform.  If the
    cluster that runs PCM loses quorum you have access to *all* consoles
    that were managed by PCM on that cluster. 
    
    If you want to cluster things then I would suggest Alpha 2100's. I
    Don't skimp on memory not disk space. Decide on a a common storage
    interconnect DSSI/SCSI so that both systems have a direct hardware
    path to all storage units.
    
>> - Support for Console connection via TCP/IP Telnet (routed WAN) ?
    
    Absolutely! The target Terminal server must be TELNET capable. I
    suggest DS900M's or DS700's.
    
> - Growth, any limitation in PCM for managing remote Systems (Console) ?
    
    As of this writing PCM supports up to 200 consoles per PCM engine.
    
> - Network trafic to the central System ?
    
    I do not understand the question.
    
> - Disk space requierment on the PCM System for console logs ?
    
    That is highly dependent on what your monitoring and how much console
    traffic it produces. There is no canned answer to this question. I
    can't tell you to expect 10 megabytes a day as your customer may need
    a fraction of that or twice that depending on the environment. Bear in
    mind that PCM allows logging to multiple disks. The bet thing you can
    do is spreads the logging load over multiple disks. Try to spread the
    busiest nodes evenly.
    
 - Any hints or ideas for better solution then PCM ?
    
    Nope. I am aware of no other product that truly has the same
    capabilities but then I'm a technoid and not a marketeer.



    Regs,
       Dan
1282.2ICEKRM::RCOLLIERMon Apr 29 1996 18:541
    Product manager = John Gaucher (GLRMAI::GAUCHER)