topic Re: Creating sub-collections (or sub-containers) in HP SIM 5.0 in Server Management - Systems Insight Manager

Creating sub-collections (or sub-containers) in HP SIM 5.0

NewKidd2 — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 09:22:39 GMT

Folks,

I would like to know if there is a way to create sub-collections (or sub-containers) within HP SIM. I work for a global firm, with hundreds of locations, so it would be easier if we could create sub-containers, in order to easily segregate server groups.

I know I could still create containers for each of the offices supported by HP SIM. However, this would end up bein a huge list of groups, and would look too cluttered.

Any ideas?

Re: Creating sub-collections (or sub-containers) in HP SIM 5.0

CA1499584 — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 20:38:57 GMT

Yes, I;m currently doing this as my company too have global presence and we have sites that will manage their own entryes on SIM 5. Shut me a e-mail and I can help you seting this out this out...

Re: Creating sub-collections (or sub-containers) in HP SIM 5.0

NewKidd2 — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 20:45:16 GMT

Raymond, I definitely look forward to how you're handling this issue. However, I checked your HP profile and didn't find your email account.

Sorry, first time doing this, man. Thanks very much...

Re: Creating sub-collections (or sub-containers) in HP SIM 5.0

Ferry Steenvoorde — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 07:53:00 GMT

Creating empty collections:
-Systems and Events, Customize
-New Collection
-Choose members individually
(select no members)
-Save as
-Enter name, and select at 'Place in' the correct collection. This way you can also nest collections if required.

I do not know how deep nesting can go. At the datacenter I am working now (200-300 servers and counting) I nest up to four levels deep.

Example:
Shared
-All customer servers
--Customer 1
---Cust1 Citrix Servers
----Cust1 Citrix Datacollector
----Cust1 Citrix Desktop servers
----Cust1 Citrix SpecApp Silo
---Cust1 Fileservers
--Customer2
---Cust2 Citrix Servers
---Cust2 File and Printservers

etc.

Keep in mind that all Collection names must be unique! 'Cust1 Citrix Servers' is something completely different from 'Cust2 Citrix Servers'. Nesting does not help to make names unique.

All of the Collections above are empty, except for the lowest level. The Collections where the actual servers are shown, are created by selecting:
-System and Events, All systems
-Select the required servers
-Click 'Save Selection as'
-Enter unique name
-'Place in', select the correct Collection as created above.
-OK

Go again to Systems and Events, Customize
-Select a Collection that is marked with a grey +.
-Click 'Set Properties'
-Click 'Yes, show status in Systems and Events panel'
-Default view 'Table'
-Click OK

This way you just have to examine the general 'Systems and Events'-window for machine statuses instead of walking down the entire tree.

Sorting the tree is NOT done automatically (sigh). Sort the tree:
-Systems and Events, Customize
-Select collection, indicated by a blue '-'
-Click 'Edit'
-Select a member of the collection, and use the up- and down markers to move the Collection to the required position.
-Click OK.

That would be a major requirement for a next version of HPSIM: automatic alphabetic sorting of Collections.

You would prefer to create your server-tree below 'Shared' instead of 'Private'. The difference is that the tree below 'Private' is only visible four yourself, while 'Shared' is visible to anyone connecting to the HPSIM console.

Create your tree wisely. You cannot create queries against the collection 'Private' or 'Shared'. So if you would require to run reports against (example) ALL customers, you would need a Collection called something like 'All Customers'. All customer Collections are then nested below this (empty) collection.

Creating a tree like this will take some time. I have not found any tools yet that allow you to create it in a textfile or Excel-sheet and import it from there.

Re: Creating sub-collections (or sub-containers) in HP SIM 5.0

NewKidd2 — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:30:09 GMT

Your suggestion worked perfectly!!! I can't believe how easy it was... U da man!!!

Thanks very, very much!

Re: Creating sub-collections (or sub-containers) in HP SIM 5.0

NewKidd2 — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:34:24 GMT

Raymond, thanks as well for offering to assist via email. As you can tell, Ferry's instructions already told me what I needed to know.

I only hope I can become proficient enough in HP SIM, so I can pay it forward one day.

Re: Creating sub-collections (or sub-containers) in HP SIM 5.0

Paul Adams_6 — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 12:58:01 GMT

Thank you for sharing this is great info!

Re: Creating sub-collections (or sub-containers) in HP SIM 5.0

Fredrik Trotzig — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 04:08:04 GMT

Thanks a bunch.

This request has been made to HP-Sweden, with no response yet...

//Matte E