Designing and Managing Behavior Models - Using Polls - Defining a Poll -
Previous: Listing Polls     Next: Writing a Poll Condition

Defining a Poll

This section explains the steps required to create a new poll.

 
  To define a new poll:

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

   NerveCenter displays the Poll List window.

   Poll List Window

   

   Click the thumbnail above to view full-sized image.

2. Select the New button.

   The Poll Definition window is displayed.

   The Poll Definition Window

   

   Click the thumbnail above to view full-sized image.

3. Make sure that the Off radio button is selected in the Enabled frame.

   The poll must remain off until you've completed defining the poll and saved your definition. You must then turn the poll on for it to become part of a functioning behavior model.

4. In the Name text field, type a unique name for the poll.

   ---

   Note    The maximum length for poll names is 255 characters.

   ---

5. From the Property list box, select a property, or leave the Property set to NO_PROP.

   The property you choose limits which nodes NerveCenter can retrieve data from using this poll definition. The poll will contact only those nodes whose property group contains this property. (Note that the property can be a member of multiple property groups.)

   If you don't want to restrict the poll to any subset of nodes, leave the field set at NO_PROP. The poll will target all managed nodes.

6. Usually, you'll leave the Port text field blank. However, if you want this poll to communicate with nodes on a port other than that specified in the nodes' definitions, enter that port number here.
7. Define the poll rate by entering a number in the Poll Rate text field and selecting either the Hours, Minutes, or Seconds radio button.

   ---

   Note    When defining the poll rate, the interval should be equal to or greater than (numberOf Retries + 1) * retryInterval. Otherwise, NerveCenter can issue a second poll before the first one times out. The number of retries and the retry interval are defined on the SNMP tab in the NerveCenter Administrator.

   ---

   ---

   Caution    Choosing a frequent poll rate can have a serious impact on network traffic, especially if the poll applies to numerous nodes.

   ---

8. Uncheck the Suppressible checkbox if you want to send this poll to a node even when the node is suppressed.

   A suppressible poll does not poll a node whose state is suppressed. This feature prevents repeated polling of devices that are not capable of responding. The default value for a poll is suppressible.

   There might be specific polls that you want to send to a node even when it is suppressed. For example, if you want to check on the status of a suppressed node to determine whether it has returned to normal, use an insuppressible poll.

9. Select the Poll Condition tab to display the Poll Condition page, and enter your poll condition. For details on how to construct this poll condition, see Writing a Poll Condition.
10. Select the Save button to save your poll.
11. If you want to enable you poll now, set the poll's Enabled status to On, and then select the Save button again.