Visara Master Console Center Consultants Manual - Manual

Master Console Center
MCC
March 2007
Introduction
The Master Console Center (MCC) automates and enhances data center operations by:
• Providing a high degree of operational consolidation, allowing multiple data centers
and/or hosts to be monitored and controlled from a single location.
• Providing monitoring of mainframes, mid-range (IBM I Series/ AS400) and open systems
hosts.
• Monitoring host operations, including scanning of messages and signals, and responding
to operational processing.
• A command scripting language, GCL (Global Command Language), commonly used by
operations personnel to customize automation.
• Issuing alerts associated with all processes performed or observed.
• Initiating recovery responses.
• Starting and stopping processes, including system startup and boot activity (for example,
IML, IPL), and system shutdown (for example, OS shutdown).
• Complete AAA security and optional integration with RACF or other LDAP servers.
• Complete auditing and console history to help pass the most stringent Sarbanes-Oxley
requirements.
• 100% remote maintenance capabilities accessible via a dial-up modem or via ssh or
telnet.
• All MCC features are available via a character console allowing access to consoles over
slow speed communications lines.
The MCC is delivered in one of the following configurations:
• As a hardware/software package, comprising both a server and the MCC software. If
access is required to systems such as those that cannot be reached from the network,
Visara can supply other hardware kits to provide the necessary interfaces as part of the
package.
• As a complete turnkey solution. In this scenario, Visara is responsible for providing and
installing all hardware and software and bringing the system on-line. The customer is
responsible for site preparation and certain other prerequisites such as assigning IP
addresses for the equipment.
Note: All MCC formats have the same general capabilities, and can use the MCC software to
monitor mainframes and server systems. The main advantage of the turnkey solution is that much
of the preparation and installation tasks are completed by Visara personnel, thus easing the
additional workload on the customer’s personnel.
MCC Consultant's Manual
Page 1