VISUAL Message Center:
iSeries Server Agent

The iSeries Server Agent takes the load off your system operators by continuously monitoring the operating health of your iSeries systems, day and night. Now the IT department can concentrate on more productive work, safe in the knowledge that no important message or event goes unnoticed.

The Server Agent running on each iSeries server forwards messages and events to the VISUAL Message Center Console, so they can be managed automatically, including message replies or system command actions. The more tasks you automate, the more time you can save. We can advise you on automation strategies.

If an event cannot be resolved automatically, then an operator can be alerted immediately with full diagnostic information so they can take corrective action — before your business is affected.

Check iSeries system health by monitoring:

Message queues
Job activity
Job status
System history log (QHST)
Job queue status
Device status

Technical Details

The iSeries Server Agent can be configured to monitor any number of system message queues, as well as operating status and specific events.

Message Monitoring

OS/400 and most iSeries applications use message queues to notify operators to important events. The iSeries Server Agent can monitor any number of message queues, including system message queues (e.g. QSYSOPR) and specific third-party application messages. You can even choose generic or *ALL message queue monitoring within a specific library, useful if message queues can be created dynamically. Resource impact is minimal.

Examples of critical messages include:

application errors, such as data errors, missing objects, object locks, full files
configuration changes, such as disabled user profiles or devices
hardware and device issues, such as printers, communication lines, disk usage
third-party application operation messages, such as licensing issues, configuration; and much more

Job Activity

If critical jobs do not start or finish on time, your company may not get access to critical data. For example, nighttime batch processes must finish before users can work in the morning. The iSeries Server Agent can monitor the activity of specific jobs at any time, so you can get alerted to any potential problem before it's too late.

Job Status

The iSeries Server Agent detects jobs that are in an erroneous state, e.g. MSGW, INEL, LCKW. For example, unattended jobs will not process if they are waiting for a message reply, or if they are trying to access a locked object.

System History Log (QHST)

The system history log contains valuable information, including hardware error warnings; security messages; IPL information; job start, end and CPU time; PTF information; changes to system values; pool sizes; and much more. The iSeries Server Agent simplifies the monitoring and analysis of information logged to QHST on all your servers.

Job Queue Status

If a job queue has an overflow, or is inoperative, then jobs cannot be processed normally. The iSeries Server Agent can provide detailed information on critical job queues at all times, including the number of jobs in release status, and the status of the queue itself.

Device Status

Specific devices, controllers and lines (e.g., Ethernet lines, printers, fax servers and so on) can be monitored to detect erroneous situations. Full error code and diagnostic information is retrieved.

VISUAL Message Center Agents/Modules
Smart Console	Centralizes the collection and management of information from all networked servers and agents
Notifier	Ensure high system availability with two-way SMS messaging and escalation lists
iSeries Server Agent	Collects and manages batch messages from any iSeries message queue (e.g., QSYSOPR). Monitors job activity and status, job queues, devices, history log (QHST)
Server Agent for Windows^®	Collects and manages application, system and security events from any Windows server (NT, 2000, XP)
iSeries Interactive Agent	Collects and manages all interactive iSeries user error messages
iSeries Performance Agent	Collects and manages critical performance parameters from iSeries servers. Includes powerful graphical console
iSeries Security Agent	Detects and audits possible threats to system and data integrity
iSeries Support Agent	Remote problem diagnosis tool for operators. Provides unique capabilities for resolving problems in production processes
TCP/IP Services Agent	Monitors availability and performance of any networked TCP/IP service, including POP3 email, SMTP, FTP more. Includes graphical Java console
Reporting System	Create over 40 graphical historical reports of your systems direct from the Smart Console. Reports on performance, events, systems usage, security, errors, users, and more.