Systems Management

Section Objectives

• Define Systems Management.
• Define a Managed Node.
• Define a Management Station.
• Identify common functions that can be accomplished with Systems Management tools.
• Describe a typical deployment of Systems Management tools.

Overview

Defining Systems Management

Systems Management is the process of proactively managing an installed base of networked computer systems. The systems to be managed are called managed nodes. Any of the following can be a managed node:

• Servers
• Desktop clients
• Notebook clients
• Workstation clients

In a network, a node is a connection point — either a redistribution point, or an endpoint for data transmissions. In general, a node has a programmed or engineered capability to recognize and then process or forward transmissions to other nodes.

Systems management tools allow a node to manage, monitor, install and configure other nodes. The system on which such capabilities are installed and configured is known as a management station. It is possible to use a notebook computer as a management station, but the use of a server, workstation, or desktop is far more common.

Components that can be managed include many aspects of hardware, networks, operating systems, middleware, and applications. Systems management can be applied to a client and/or a server, but it is most useful when applied collectively to all systems in a network.

The Objective of Systems Management

The ultimate goal of systems management is to help reduce the overall cost of operating a network of computers. One key way this is accomplished is by enabling the systems administrator to install, configure, and manage a large number of computers without leaving his or her desk. It is much more productive for the administrator to perform an operation once from a central location and have the operation applied to many systems.

Let's take a look at how systems management can ease the process of monitoring and maintaining network resources.

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Some Examples

Here are just a few of the functions that can be accomplished with a robust systems management package:

• Run diagnostics, remotely or locally, on a problem server without bringing it down for a reboot.
  
  
• Configure a RAID remotely.
  
  
• Flash a BIOS or upgrade firmware.
  
  
• Remotely monitor or control running software.
  
  
• Remotely reboot a server.
  
  
• Inventory managed systems.
  
  
• Remotely force a system shutdown.
  
  
• Remotely wake client systems.
  
  
• Automatically send pages or email alerts to administrators when problems are detected on a managed server.
  
  
• Monitor key indicators of system health such as CPU temperature, hard drive SMART status, and others.