Dirk A. D. Smith

1

• Dirk A. D. Smith
• Alexander LAN, Inc.
• David L. Powell
• KIS Computer Center

2
Agenda

• Introduction
• Overview
• Deployment
• Features
• Configuration
• Demo, QA, and Raffle

3
Introduction
4
Introduction

• Alexander LAN, Inc. Nashua, New Hampshire
• Developer of IT Software since 1991
• Introduced worlds only automated crash
  management utilitiesnot that systems ever
  crash
  
• Alexander SPK for NetWare (1993)
• Alexander SPK for Windows (2000)
• Introduced
• Alexander SMK for Windows (2004)
• Alexander SMK for Linux (2005)
• Partner with Cyber SPK, LLC USAF Research
  Laboratory

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Introduction

• Keep IT Simple Computer Center (KIS)
  Fremont, California and Kansas City, Missouri
  
• Network solutions and consulting since 1988
• Microsoft Gold
• Novell Platinum
• West Coast center for Alexander SMK Sales,
  Training Support
  
• Exclusive classroom training for Laura Chappell
  Presents

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Overview
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Overview

• Alexander SMK
• SMK System Management Kit
• Supports Windows and Linux
• Pro-active Monitoring to Prevents Unplanned
  Downtime
  
• Know when conditions begin to degrade
• Know when software has been added or removed
• Know when a case has been opened or a processor
  removed

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Overview

• SMK Provides Data Other Management Utilities
  Cant
  
• Most management utilities report system state
  only (Configuration info on hardware and OS)
  
• SMK provides system state as well as real-time
  variable data(Operating metrics including CPU or
  memory overload, fan spin rates, is drive
  failing, etc.)

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Overview

• Single Interface Simplifies Management Across
  Systems
  
• IE or Mozilla
• Screens auto-adjust for high end server or simple
  desktop/notebook
  
• Simple Installation
• Auto-discovers system sensors
• Auto-defines alert levels
• Typical install 4 min.
• Provide alert address and SMK begins reporting
  1 min.

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Overview

• Manage Systems Remotely
• Take over KVM for remote systems
• Start/Stop systems or services
• Update drivers
• Multi-Vendor Support
• Most utilities are hard coded to support
  particular vendors hardware
  
• SMK supports all tier-one hardware vendors and
  many domestic and international independent
  hardware vendors (IHV)
  
• Change-Event Monitoring Warns of Asset
  Alterations
  
• At reboot or 24 hrs.
• Checks all hardware and software assets for
  discrepancies

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Overview

• Event Log Provides Complete History
• Stores all hardware and software events
• Export to CSV, Excel, or XML
• Generate complete asset reports instantly
• Full International Support
• Supports all languages supported by Microsoft
• Auto-detects language in use on target system
• Defaults UI to that language (can select
  others)
  
• Alert Notification
• Dynamically discovers environment and applies
  default settings
  
• User can change all alerts in seconds from a
  single screen
  
• Send alerts to different admins based upon their
  category

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Deployment
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Quick Start Guides

• Quick Start Guides simplify installation
• Central Manager
• Local Agent

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Deployment Sequence

• Install Central Manager
• Validate License Key
• Deploy Local Agents

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Components

• Central Manager
• Management Console
• Web Server
• Local Agent (Automatically installed with
  manager)

Central Mgmt
Web Server
Monitoring Agent
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Components

• Local Agents
• Server, Desktop, or Notebook Agent

Monitoring Agent
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Central ManagerInstall on 1 System

• Intel Architecture platform x86/x64
• Compatible Operating System
• 160MB disk space
• Typically uses 40MB
• SMK installs all required software
• Each manager supports up to 500 Agents
• Only additional requirement is Java run-time for
  the web browser to utilize Remote Console

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Local AgentsInstall on each system to be managed

• Intel Architecture platform x86/x64
• Compatible Operating System
• 60MB disk space
• Typically uses 20MB RAM
• SMK installs all required software for operation
• Only additional requirement is Java run-time for
  the web browser to utilize Remote Console

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Installation Notes

• Path name for software installation can not
  contain a SPACE
  
• Only change RMI Port Number from default 1099 if
  another RMI application is using it
  
• SSL encryption is used for the encryption between
  the browser and web server
  
• The communication between the central manager and
  the agents is a secure proprietary protocol that
  stops replay attacks

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Central System Management
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Features
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Features

• A single user interface
• Manage all systems Servers, Desktops, Notebooks,
  Windows, Linux
  
• Reporting
• Report on your system assets, from location,
  owner, function down to the hardware
  configuration and the software and versions
  installed
• Event Logging
• Filter events to identify trends across your
  systems
  
• Centralized Hierarchal Alerting
• Send different categories of alerts to different
  administrators

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Features

• Remote Power Management
• Power on and off systems
• Out of Band Management
• Control non-responding IPMI based systems
• Remote Console
• Control keyboard, video and mouse through your
  browser

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Features

• Configurable monitoring
• Thresholds, Sample periods, Reset periods
• Enterprise Integration
• Alerting and remote resolution (Openview,
  Unicenter, Netview, and other SNMP MIB compliant
  applications)
  
• Microsoft Operations Manager integration (MOM)
• System Event Logging

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Features

• RAID Controller configuration
• Single UI configures RAID controllers from 3ware,
  Adaptec, Intel, LSI, and others
  
• Power Policy management
• Configure system power policies and schedule
  system restarts and shutdowns to conserve power
  costs
  
• Remote service and process management
• Start / stop a service or process remotely

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Features

• Real-time Management of Assets
• Be alerted when someone removes hardware
  components or installs software
  
• Centralized Management Simplifies Asset
  Management
  
• Precise, automated reporting reduces time and
  increases accuracy
  
• Extend Useful Life of Systems
• Monitor for repair or optimization instead of
  replacing before needed
  
• Simplify Planning and Budgeting
• Reduce effort needed to plan for technology
  refreshes
  

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Configuration
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Configuring Local Alerts
Alert configuration
Notification information
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Configuring Central Alerts
Alert configuration
Notification information
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Adding Systems to the Tree
IP Address Range
Used for the Central Tree
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Generating a License Key
Evaluation end date
Generates License Key
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Uploading a License Key
Support Information
License Key Management Limits
Upload License Key
Choose Key file to upload
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• Demo, QA and Raffle