Getting a Quick Start with NerveCenter - Working with Behavior Models - Enabling the IfData_LogToFile Behavior Model -
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Enabling the IfData_LogToFile Behavior Model

The IfData_LogToFile behavior model repeatedly logs interface attribute values that help you track bandwidth and data-flow levels over a period of time. You can use these values to establish baselines, identify user patterns, determine network utilization, and anticipate potential problems. Because you can change the attributes that are logged, you can use this behavior model to identify and log a variety of information about your network.

Viewing the IfData_LogToFile Alarm

The IfData_LogToFile alarm -- a key element of the behavior model -- is instantiated when a node returns values for all the attributes that are polled. To see how the alarm accomplishes this, open the alarm's definition window.

 
  To open the IfData_LogToFile Alarm Definition window:

1. From the client's Admin menu, choose Alarm Definition List.

   The Alarm Definition List window is displayed. All alarms are turned off by default when you install NerveCenter.

   The Alarm Definition List Window

   

   Click the thumbnail above to view full-sized image.

2. Select the IfData_LogToFile alarm and select Open.

   The Alarm Definition window is displayed. Below is a picture of the alarm's finite state diagram.

   IfData_LogToFile Alarm State Diagram

   

   Click the thumbnail above to view full-sized image.

As you can see from the diagram, the alarm contains two states:

• Ground -- NerveCenter has not received any of the specified interface values from a node.
• Logging -- NerveCenter has received the specified interface values and has logged these values in a file.

The alarm also contains two ifData transitions. The name assigned to a transition is based on the name of the trigger that causes the transition to occur.

In this alarm, the first ifData trigger instantiates the alarm, which transitions to the Logging state and automatically writes alarm data to a file. Subsequent ifData triggers continue the logging action.

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Tip    To see where either logging action is stored, double-click on the respective ifData transition. From the Transition Definition dialog box that is displayed, double-click the Log to File action to see its properties.

Click Cancel when you're done viewing the action and transition. Later, when you work with behavior models, you'll learn how to change, delete, and add actions.

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Both states in the diagram have green icons. The color of a state icon indicates the severity level associated with that state. In this case, both states have a severity of Normal.

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Note    To find out what severity is associated with an alarm state, double-click the state.

Severities help you quickly identify alarm instances that are urgent. If you will be working with a network management platform, NerveCenter's severities can be mapped to those of your platform. The Designing and Managing Behavior Models book provides a more detailed discussion of severities. See Viewing the Online Documentation for information about NerveCenter's online books.

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Select Notes to see a description of the alarm, including its severities, any polls or masks that trigger the alarm, any actions associated with a transition, and other useful information.

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Tip    Notes provide an easy way to obtain information about NerveCenter objects. In addition to using the Notes button here, you can access notes about an alarm from the Alarm Definition List window. Notes are available for most NerveCenter objects.

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