Alert information reported by a client can be output to a CSV history file. This file is called the alert information file.

To output an alert information file, in the setup of JP1/Software Distribution Manager or Client (relay system), select the check box for Output to CSV file on the Client Alert page and specify a file size. By default, the check box is cleared.

When the Output to CSV file option is selected, the alert information reported from a client is output to a file named ALERT.CSV, which is located in the Software-Distribution-installation-directory\DMPRM. The system administrator can use this ALERT.CSV file for managing alert information by checking the alert information in this file and editing it.

The format of the alert information file, an output example, and related notes follow.

(a) Format of the alert information file

The alert information file (ALERT.CSV) contains the information for one alert per line. Individual items are enclosed in double quotation marks (") and are separated by the comma (,). The format of the alert information file is described below.

Format

"alert-reception-date/time","host-name","IP-address","alert-code",

"alert-occurrence-date/time","alert-message"

Explanation

alert-reception-date/time

Date and time at which the central manager, relay manager, or relay system received the alert

host-name

Host name of the client that issued the alert information

IP-address

IP address of the client that issued the alert information

alert-code

Alert code

alert-occurrence-date/time

Date and time at which the alert occurred at the client that issued the alert information

alert-message

Alert details

If the size of the alert information file exceeds the preset size while alert information is being received, existing alert information is deleted beginning with the oldest information. The default size for the alert information file is 512 KB (which can store alert information for approximately 2,000 cases). You can change the file size to any value in the range 100-2,500 KB. Alert information for approximately 400 cases can be stored in each 100 KB.

(b) Output example of the alert information file

An output example of the alert information file follows:

"Alert reception date/time","Host name","IP address","Alert code","Alert occurrence date/time","Alert message" "07/04/2003 10:23:40","dmp229","10.XXX.XXX.229","1010","07/04/2003 10:22:49","The C:\ hard disk has very little free space." "07/04/2003 10:24:20","dmp229","10.XXX.XXX.229","0010","07/04/2003 10:23:03","The C:\ hard disk has no available space." "07/04/2003 10:24:21","dmp229","10.XXX.XXX.229","2010","07/04/2003 10:23:14","The C:\ hard disk space became sufficient." "07/04/2003 10:24:22","dmp229","10.XXX.XXX.229","1000","07/04/2003 10:23:24","Virtual memory is becoming insufficient." "07/04/2003 10:24:23","dmp229","10.XXX.XXX.229","0000","07/04/2003 10:23:33","Due to the execution of an application, the virtual memory became insufficient." "07/04/2003 10:24:59","dmp229","10.XXX.XXX.229","2000","07/04/2003 10:23:49","There is sufficient virtual memory."

(c) Notes on using the alert information file

When you perform alert information file editing, do not edit directly the ALERT.CSV file, which is located in the Software-Distribution-installation-directory\DMPRM. Instead, make a copy of this file and edit the copy.

To clear the alert information history, stop the Remote Install Server service and delete the ALERT.CSV file which is located in the Software-Distribution-installation-directory\DMPRM For JP1/Software Distribution Manager, stop Remote Install Server and then delete the ALERT.CSV file. For JP1/Software Distribution Client (relay system), use Client Manager to stop the client, and then delete the ALERT.CSV file.

When alert information is issued subsequently, a new ALERT.CSV file will be created.

Alert information issued by a client can be output to Windows NT Event Viewer. The system administrator can use Event Viewer to monitor for alerts at clients.

To output alert information to Event Viewer, in the setup of JP1/Software Distribution Manager or Client (relay system), select the check box for Output to Event Viewer on the Client Alert page and specify a file size. By default, the check box is cleared.

If you set the alert information to be output to Event Viewer, all alert information is output to Event Viewer regardless of the setting in Type of Event Viewer message on the Error Handling page in the Client Setup dialog box. The message type to be displayed in Event Viewer is warning message if the alert event type is critical or warning, and information message if the alert event is normal.

Alert information issued by a client can be reported to JP1/IM as a JP1 event. The system administrator can monitor for alert issuances at clients by using JP1/IM - View's Event Console window to check the alert information reported from JP1/Software Distribution.

To report alert information to JP1/IM, in the setup of JP1/Software Distribution Manager or Client (relay system), select the check boxes for both Enable the event service and Client alert event on the Event Service page. By default, both check boxes are cleared.

The report issued to JP1/IM can be used by JP1/Software Distribution Manager and Client (relay system). For details about JP1 event reporting, see 2.2 Reporting JP1 events to JP1/IM in the manual Administrator's Guide Volume 2.