Grouping and Priority

[Gavin]

Hello

We're currently looking at upgrading to the version 9 host monitor but I have a few questions about configuration first.

The biggest issues we've had with Hostmonitor is rolling out tests to a group of agents that have a common denominator or rolling out a test out to all agents quickly. I've tried doing to all agents using the replication but the functionality is poor, I have to export a list of all agents, re-import it and insert it into the tests which is a pain in the ass.

Having played about with Nagios I have to say I much preferred their method of test inheritance (it's not suitable for us for other reasons) but I can easily make the equivalent of an agent inherit tests by adding one line to it.

Say I have a selection of template tests, some for Server 2003, some for Server 2008, some for DHCP Servers, etc. is there any way that I can setup an easy way to get an agent to inherit these tests without copying and pasting tests? From reading the release notes for setting an agent on a folder it appears that is a step in the right direction.

Is there any improved way of deploying a test to all agents within RCC (or any way of grouping those agents by common traits (Server2003, Server2008 etc). At the moment if I identify a new test that I could do with running against our Server2003 servers for example it is almost logistically impossible to do it quickly.

The only other question I have is regarding priorities. As a managed service provider we are struggling to come up with a way to prioritise failed tests in the "View bad test items" view. We have some companies who are more important than others, and we'd always like them to come first.

Any suggestions from any MSP using hostmonitor would be much appreciated as to how you have it setup or if there are any other suggestions as to how I can achieve the above I am open to it!

[KS-Soft Europe]

Is there any improved way of deploying a test to all agents within RCC (or any way of grouping those agents by common traits (Server2003, Server2008 etc). At the moment if I identify a new test that I could do with running against our Server2003 servers for example it is almost logistically impossible to do it quickly.

You can't deploy test to "all agents", you may copy test to several different folders with folder-level RMA.
E.g.
You may copy one test item to several folders using one HMS command.
If you have 5 folders with folder-level variable (e.g. %fvar_servertype%) values like "Windows Server 2003", "Windows Server 2003R2", e.t.c., you may copy one template test to 5 folders at once using HMS command like the following:
CopyIntoSelectedFolders "TemplateTestName" Below "Root\" When "2003" in "%fvar_servertype%"
The problem is you can't execure HMS script directly from RCC.

[KS-Soft Europe]

The only other question I have is regarding priorities. As a managed service provider we are struggling to come up with a way to prioritise failed tests in the "View bad test items" view. We have some companies who are more important than others, and we'd always like them to come first.

You may use one of 5 test item Comment fields (%CommentLine1%, %CommentLine2%,...) to store priority information and then sort Views (that show Bad test items) using this comment field.

[KS-Soft]

What exactly parameters of the test have to be changed when you are making copy?

If you just need to change target host and/or RMA agent, you may setup test using template variables, then simply copy test(s) into different folder and that copy will inherit host or agent automatically using folder properties and variables.
http://ks-soft.net/hostmon.eng/mframe.h ... #templates

There are folder-level variables.
Please check the manual or visit our web site for details
http://ks-soft.net/hostmon.eng/mframe.h ... FolderTree

Folder-level "Use folder specific agent" option allows to assign agent automatically when you copy a test.
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This option allows you to select Remote Monitoring Agent (RMA) on per-folder basis.
If you set "Test by: folder-specific agent" option for test item, HostMonitor will use agent specified for the folder where test item is located. If you move or copy test item from one folder to another, HostMonitor will use agent selected for new parent folder.
Also, there is SetFolderAgent command supported by HM Script. You may use script to copy folders and subfolders, change some variables (e.g. target host name or IP address), change agent and copy test items that will inherit new settings automatically.
-----------------------

Plus there are CopyAllTests, CopyIntoSelectedFolders, CopyFolder, etc HM Script commands.
Please check the manual or visit our web site for details
http://ks-soft.net/hostmon.eng/mframe.h ... #actScript

Regards
Alex

[KS-Soft]

The only other question I have is regarding priorities. As a managed service provider we are struggling to come up with a way to prioritise failed tests in the "View bad test items" view. We have some companies who are more important than others, and we'd always like them to come first.

What's wrong with Folders and Views?
You may group tests by folder. Then you may create different Views for different parent folders...

If this does not work for you for some reason, then yes, you may use comment fields for various marks and then check marks using expressions (Select items using expressions)

Regards
Alex