Oracle SNMP Support Fact Sheet
Oracle SNMP Support Fact Sheet
Easing the Management of Distributed Oracle Products
Faced with managing increasingly complex, distributed applications, DBAs
require ever increasing functionality from their management tool set. Oracle's
SNMP Support extends the power of several widely used network management
systems to provide instant information about any Oracle server in an
enterprise at the touch of a button.
Oracle SNMP Support allows an Oracle server to be discovered and queried by
any SNMP-based network management system. SNMP (the Simple Network Management
Protocol) is the de facto standard underlying many popular network management
systems such as:
- Hewlett Packard's OpenView
- Digital's POLYCENTER Manager on NetView
- IBM's NetView/6000
- Novell's NetWare Management System
- SunSoft's SunNet Manager
Typically very powerful and graphical, these systems display various views of
a network, using standard icons. On request they will zoom in to provide
more detail about an individual service or device. Oracle SNMP Support enables
an Oracle DBA to benefit, for the first time, from these feature-rich
products and assimilates the monitoring of Oracle servers and products into
an enterprise's ongoing network management processes.
Oracle SNMP Support allows DBAs to:
- monitor current status of Oracle servers
- receive alerts when exceptional events occur
- integrate more closely database, network, and system management procedures
- spot and react instantly to potential problems
all using the network management tool of choice.
Consolidates Administration of Multiple Oracle Servers
DBAs administering multiple databases must repeat basic tasks for every database
instance. For example, they must sequentially log into multiple machines in
order to check the status of each Oracle database. Now, one tool can be used
to monitor current activity for all databases on a network and to request more
detail whenever desired. Oracle SNMP Support helps DBAs verify normal activity
and spot abnormal situations faster and easier, allowing more time for other,
less automatic tasks.
While Oracle SNMP Support clearly benefits DBAs who are responsible for multiple
databases, it also aligns database management tasks with those of system or
network managers. For example, a database file running out of space in the
middle of the night can be given the same prompt attention as a network link going
down, because it is detected using the same tools.
Displays Status for Oracle Servers and Applications
DBAs can monitor a number of variables about Oracle servers; every variable is
defined in a MIB (Management Information Base). By monitoring key variables
such as the current number of transactions, and the amount of space allocated
and used, DBAs can spot potential problems far more readily. Most systems
support the ability to call another program, such as Oracle Server Manager, to
allow the DBA to respond to an event such as an abnormal shutdown or out-of-control
query.
Supports the Proposed Standard Relational Database MIB
Oracle Corporation is leading the effort to define a standard MIB for relational
databases, independent of vendor. This MIB contains a set of common variables, such
as database identifiers (vendor, version, name, location), limiters (space, sessions,
users), activity (reads, writes, transactions in progress), and alarms. The IETF
recently approved the MIB as a "proposed standard" and it is available on the
Internet as RFC 1697. Trial use of the MIB is encouraged to allow refinement and
evaluation through implementation. Oracle will first support this MIB in Oracle7
Server Release 7.1.5.
...As Well as Customized MIBs for Oracle Servers and Other Oracle Products
Because the standard MIB is confined to a set of variables common to all RDBMS
vendors, Oracle also supports a MIB, specific to Oracle databases, that can be
used in conjunction with the proposed standard MIB. MIBs are avaialable for other
Oracle products, including initially:
- Oracle Names
- Oracle MultiProtocol Interchange
- Oracle Network Listner
- Oracle Media Server
Built into the corresponding Oracle product or component, each MIB is published
and easily incorporated by any SNMP-based tool.
Transparently Supported in Oracle Products
Most operating systems include an SNMP master agent (master agents are required
for SNMP communications). For these systems, all that is required to implement
Oracle SNMP Support is to install the version of the Oracle product that contains
an SNMP sugagent. The subagent includes the MIB for that particular component.
For example, Release 7.1.5 of the Oracle7 Server supports both the standard and
private database MIBs.
For operating systems that do not provide a master agent, Oracle Corporation may
provide one at separate cost.
Compatible with Any SNMP-Based Management System or Tool
Any SNMP-based network management system or product will readily incorporate
Oracle SNMP data. Oracle is working closely with management platforms such as
those listed on the previous page, as well as more specialized vendors. All of these
systems offer DBAs a wide choice of tools and graphical options, such as graphs, gauges,
timelines, piecharts, and dials, and the ability to define customized maps, reports,
menus, and displays.
The potential benefit does not stop there. Since many independent software vendors
use SNMP as the basis for their products, management options for DBAs will further
expand as ISVs begin to provide or enhance specific Oracle management tools. This
will result in a variety of new management tools, specializing in various areas to
meet the needs of DBAs trying to optimize large scale distributed database applications.
Availability
Oracle SNMP Support will initially be available for the Oracle7 Server Release 7.1.5 and
for Oracle networking components (the network listener, Oracle MultiProtocol Interchange,
and Oracle Names) with SQL*Net V2.2. Initial platforms will include HP, Sun, RS/6000,
OSF/1, and NetWare, and additional platforms will phase in support during 1994 and 1995.
Note that Oracle SNMP Support is not intended to replace Oracle tools such
as SQL*DBA or Oracle Server Manager. These tools are designed to offer a different
set of functions for managing and controlling individual Oracle servers and
applications.
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