A minicomputer network management monitoring and analysis system using APL

ABSTRACT

This article describes an integrated group of utilities distributed about an eleven super-minicomputer network for such purposes as mediating network-wide file backup without user intervention, centralized verification of all archival processes, centralized monitoring and analysis of network and individual node statistics, general system housekeeping, and notification of systems staff of trouble spots (particularly security and system use growth behavior). This facility uses APL (the Data General APL Interpreter AOS/VS APL™) for network control and file transfer, use of remote network node peripherals, interpretation of native files and file structures, native system logging processes, and for the creation and manipulation of APL and non-APL processes.

REFERENCES

• 1: In nferrlng here to a "primary node", we are describing the network node (processor) used by the NRD systems staff. H is at this processor from which network mangement functions are directed.
• 2: Data General's APL has several facllitles through whkh APL applkations interlace with the AOS/VS operating environment. These include interfaces to simple natlve files, DG's data base management file system (INFOSW), the operating system (AOS/VS), the use of non-APL programs directly within APL functiins by means of OUSER, and auxiliary processors. These features are described in greater detail in APL Quote Quad Vol. 17 NO. 1.
• 3: A batch APL process. For further informatbn, see: Data General APL Reference Manual (AOS/VS) Additional Documentation for ReVlSiOnS 1.40 and 1.506, Data General Cotporatbn, 1981-6.
• 4: A macro in this context refers to a command program wrlten using Command Line Interpreter (CLI), the Data General command language for interactive communication with the operating system.

INDEX TERMS

Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.0 General
          Subjects: Data communications

  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications

          Nouns: APL

General Terms:
Design, Languages, Management