HP SIM 5 managing NT servers

[Server Support]

We are installing the new version of SIM to manage our server estate. We have had version 7 of CIM running for a few years now.

Can someone tell me if the new version will manage NT servers as we have around 50 in our estate.

Also, is there a specific version of the insight agents and IE that needs to be running.

Many thanks in advance.

[David Claypool]

Visit http://www.hp.com/servers/swdrivers and use 'Locate by Category' and select 'Windows NT 4.0' and 'Software - Support Pack' and you'll find the last and final version of the ProLiant Support Pack for Windows NT, version 6.31.

[Server Support]

Thanks for the reply.

Most of the 50 NT4 servers we have are running agents lower than 6.10 (one on version 4.61!).

Is 6.10 the minimum it will work with?

Also does IE on the servers need to be IE 6 and above or is this just for monitoring managed storage systems?

Much appreciated.

[David Claypool]

HP SIM has very few requirements as far as the version of agents it is able to work with. Features have been added over the years that are not present in down-rev versions, so of course HP SIM can't use that specific feature. There also are bug fixes and security vulnerabilities that are dealt with in new releases.

The general rule of thumb is that just because we publish a new ProLiant Support Pack doesn't mean you have to roll it out. Check the release notes and see if it affects you. However, it is a good idea not to get more than 2-3 versions behind because you may be missing functionality and upgrades might become a hassle.

The theoretical minimum agent also is based on support for the server itself. The earliest agent that a DL360G3 can use is 6.1 where DL360G4 needs 7.1. This can be viewed at http://www.hp.com/servers/manage --> SmartStart --> Support Matrices --> SmartStart CD Server Support Matrix.

Even if you have an old server that supports it, don't use any agent earlier than 4.23b, because that was the first Y2K-compliant version of the agents.

IE versions are only important at the system the browser is used on.