| Observant typically runs on the same server as the net management
platform. The core software is an "object matrix," which models the
relationship between each business process and the systems and
networks that support it. "Collectors" handle input from net
management systems, and "dispatchers" shunt output to such external
programs as trouble ticketing systems. The model itself forms the
display, which can be viewed via a Web browser (
see the figure
).
Building the model means creating a tree-like structure that
represents the dependency of one object on another, in successive
levels of detail. An object is anything that requires
monitoring—from the complete line of business to a system
comprising various hardware and software components to individual
devices
and applications. And Observant comes with templates for many
of these configurations: Users simply modify the templates and drag
them into their models.
As users view the model, Observant notes the condition of various
objects, using specific colors to indicate status (up, down,
vulnerable, impaired).
Observant also lets users attach special SLA compliance monitors to
objects, which change color according to user-specified performance
levels. Any parameter can be monitored, as long as it's being measured
by the underlying management system.
What's more, colors can be changed according behavior templates
that are attached to objects. These templates can be created with a
special editor, and they help administrators define combinations of
events that spell trouble. For instance, a net manager could create a
behavior template that changes an object to an "under threat" color if
a backup circuit has been activated more than five times in a
week.
Finally, Observant can be configur
ed so that different users see
different levels of detail. Help desk personnel, for instance, might
simply be able to view the specific line of business and whether the
network is to blame for any problems. But net managers could see the
entire model displayed—so they could stay on top of potential
problems.
No Need for Experts
Although Observant has to be customized for each type of business,
systems integration is minimal, according to Alan Greenberg, a
director at Tertio (London). That's because it's designed for
nonexperts who have just a few days of training. "A complex business
process should take no more than 20 man-days to model," Greenberg
says.
Reuters PLC (London) is using a beta version of Observant as an
early-warning security tool for its extranet. David Jacobs, who until
recently was in charge of planning Reuters' IP network, says he likes
the package's object-oriented model, which frees users from having to
rewrite apps from scratch when the network is modified o
r requirements
change. He says that would have been necessary with Netcool Omnibus
from Micromuse Inc. (San Francisco), the other package he
considered.
Observant also is less expensive than traditional
manager-of-manager platforms, configuration of which often requires
outside expertise. A typical Observant system for 10 users monitoring
six lines of business costs about $130,000.
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