2.2.6 Configuring node groups

By defining node groups, you can configure monitoring settings and perform filtering for each node group. You can also display any of the defined node groups as the initial screen of the NNMi console.

Organization of this subsection

(1) About node groups
(2) Configuring a node group
(3) Configuring a node group map

(1) About node groups

A node group is a collection of discovered network devices that are put into a group in a hierarchy, based on conditions such as IP address or device type. NNMi provides, as standard, node groups for which appropriate settings are configured for each of basic categories, such as Windows or routers. You can classify a node group into six hierarchies by defining child node groups.

You can also create a map (a node group map) that displays discovered network devices by dividing them into categories. By creating and using a node group map, you can understand the network configuration from a more focused viewpoint than by using a topology map. You can find the location in which a problem occurred more easily, and check the details immediately.

[Figure]

You can freely configure the background image of a node group map by using an image file. By customizing the display method to suit your purpose by, for example, setting the floor layout image, you can manage networks more effectively.

How to use the Important Nodes node group

In NNMi, the Important Nodes node group is configured as standard. You can register important servers and network devices to the Important Nodes node group.

If no reply is received from a registered important node, a NodeDown incident is issued for the device. If you have particular nodes for which you want incidents reported whenever those nodes do not respond, even when they are not the root cause of a failure, register the nodes as Important Nodes.

An incident is also issued when child node groups are put into a hierarchy and configured in the Important Nodes node group or a node that is included in another node group is added to the Important Nodes group.

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(2) Configuring a node group

By configuring a node group, you can freely group discovered nodes regardless of the network configuration. The following procedure describes how to specify the attribute values to configure a node group.

Procedure

In the Configuration workspace, click Object Groups and then Node Groups.
Click (New).
Specify the name of the node group in Name.
Example: Name: System division

If you select the Add to View Filter List check box, the name of the node group to be created is displayed in the Nodes view, and in the Empty Group filter of the Incidents view.
In the Additional Filters tab, specify the conditions for nodes to be added to the node group.
Select the values in the Attribute and Operator fields, and enter a value in Value, and then click Append.

Example: Attribute: hostedIPAddress, Operator: between, Value: 10.208.102.2 to 10.208.102.254
The specified conditional expression is added to Filter String. To delete a conditional expression, select it, and then click Delete.
Tip
You can specify the range of IP addresses, device category, and installation location as grouping conditions. You can also specify flexible conditions by using SQL operators (such as between, in, and like). A node group can have a maximum of six hierarchical levels. You can use a node group as follows:
- To define a node group map: Select Node Group Maps.
- To adjust the monitoring method for each node group: Select Monitoring Configuration and then Node Settings.
- To monitor performance for each node group: Select Monitoring, Custom Poller Configuration, and Custom Poller Policy.
Click (Save and Close).
The Node Groups view closes, and the node group is created.
Select and right-click the row of the created node group, and then click Node Group Details and Show Members (Include Child Groups).
Make sure that the nodes that you specified as targets are included in the node group.

Right-click the desired node group, and select Maps and then Node Group Maps.

The node group is displayed in a map format.

Note

NNMi provides various grouping conditions other than those that are set by using operators. The following table describes the tabs used to set grouping conditions, and provides examples of operations.

Tab for configuring the settings	Setup item	Example of operation
Device Filters	Device Category Device Vendor and others	Perform monitoring according to the importance of devices. Set an appropriate monitoring method for each model. Understand the situation immediately by reducing conditions so that, for example, only routers are displayed.
Additional Filters	hostedIPAddress (IP address) sysLocation (location) and others	Set monitoring conditions and filter the displayed items for each installation location or organization.
Additional Nodes	Node Hostname	Set particularly important nodes individually. Set the nodes for which it is difficult to specify conditions.
Child Node Groups	Child Node Group (Set in the hierarchy order)	Put node groups into a hierarchy for each workplace or region

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(3) Configuring a node group map

By configuring a node group map, you can specify an image for the background image. You can also display the created node group map in the list of map names under the Topology Maps workspace.

Procedure

In the Configuration workspace, click Object Groups and then Node Groups.
Select the node group whose map you want to configure, right-click it to display the menu, and then click Maps and Node Group Maps.
From the File menu, click Open Node Group Map Settings.
From the Node Group pull-down menu, select the node group whose map you want to configure.
In the Background Image tab, specify the background image for the map in Background Image.
Enter the value in Background Image as follows:

Example: /nnmdocs/images/image-file-name

You can specify a .gif, .png, or .jpg file that can be displayed in the Web browser. Store the image file in the following folder for the Monitoring Manager:
- For Windows
  
  installation-data-folder\shared\nnm\www\htdocs\images
- For Linux
  
  /var/opt/OV/shared/nnm/www/htdocs/images
Specify a value in Topology Maps Ordering.
By specifying the value, you can configure the created node group to be displayed in Quick Access Maps under the Topology Maps workspace. The created node group is displayed after you complete the setting and sign in to NNMi again.
Select the Indicate Key Incidents check box.
If you select the check box, the icons in the map are enlarged if a key incident occurs, and you can easily find the location where the problem occurred.
After you complete the setting, click (Save and Close).
Adjust the icon positions, and then click (Save Map).
The icon positions are saved.

Next steps

You have now successfully configured the node group map. In the next section, configure monitoring definitions.