Distributed systems management software

The Distributed Systems Group (DSG) of the High Performance Systems (HPS) section of SCD has brought in and evaluated distributed system management (DSM) software to help reduce the resource requirements of administering SCD/NCAR systems. To date, we have found that DSM packages which allow centralized administration of desktop systems result in a reduction in administrative overhead and may result in an overall reduction in desktop administrative costs. The applicability of such DSM packages to administration and maintenance of server systems is still being evaluated.

Currently, Sun's Solstice Autoclient management software is used to help install, monitor, and upgrade the software of SCD's Sun desktop workstations. A similar Silicon Graphics, Inc. product was evaluated during FY1998 to help control and automate the administration of Silicon Graphics desktop workstations.

The focus has now turned to bringing in software packages such as IBM's TME or CA-Unicenter for the DSG-administered server systems. Sun Soltice Enterprise management was tested on a few Sun servers as a possible solution, as well. These products are designed and intended to:

Monitor servers for hardware and software problems
Centralize the installation of software upgrades
Add, modify, or remove users and groups to and from servers
Centralize control of booting and shutting down servers
Assist in the generation of reports to better analyze system activity

In addition, the Office Systems Group (OSG) of HPS is investigating the use of distributed management tools to help in administering "Wintel" (Microsoft Windows-based software, Intel-based hardware systems) desktop and server systems. Most of the current products on the market (e.g., CA-Unicenter, Tivoli TME) have expanded their system management tool line to support Wintel-based systems in addition to UNIX.

Though the overall goal is to have all the desktop systems and services running under one comprehensive administration package, the additional costs of such centralized administration and system monitoring tools (both in terms of purchase price and maintenance fees, but also in the additional administrative and staff time) need to be weighed against the potential savings supplied by such tools. Evaluation of these tools in the NCAR/SCD environment is necessary to determine not only their viability and utility, but also those potential savings. DSG and OSG will continue in the upcoming year to evaluate DSM packages and their applicability in our environment.

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