COSmanager/User Guide

This page was last modified 00:08, 10 July 2006.

From Documentation

1 Introduction
- 1.1 Who should use this guide
2 What COSmanager Can Do
- 2.1 For More Information
3 Where to from here

Introduction

This guide is the primary reference for installing and setting up COSmanager products and is designed to help you use COSmanager quickly and efficiently. It describes:

COSmanager products and how they work together
installing and licensing the COSmanager framework and COSmanager products
configuring the COSmanager framework and COSmanager products
controlling security access for COSmanager users and super users
the COSmanager user interface.

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Who should use this guide

This guide is aimed at:

managers who need an overview of what the COSmanager family of products can do
administrators who need to install COSmanager software or understand how COSmanager will affect their network
new COSmanager users, who need to understand the basics of using the COSmanager interface
auditors who need to understand how COSmanager fits in with the organization’s policies and procedures.

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What COSmanager Can Do

COSmanager provides systems and operations management for distributed open systems data centers. COSmanager includes a management framework, a suite of system management applications, and an enabling technology that allows you to automate key system administration functions.

The user interface to COSmanager applications is provided through a set of software tools called The Functional Toolset. This means that the screens look similar and work in a similar way, on both character-based and X Windows terminals. Appendix A explains how to use the interface tools.

For Data Center Managers: COSmanager ensures a secure, efficient, and reliable computing service to end-users. COSmanager provides a management overview of the current state of your data center operations in terms of service levels. Through automation and delegation of routine tasks it retains expert knowledge, reduces the burden on experienced staff and provides a learning path for junior staff.
For Administrators: COSmanager automates routine and repetitive administration tasks, freeing experienced staff for higher-value work. It allows centralized control over distributed networks. Because tasks can be safely delegated, it reduces the number of staff who need to know the root password.
For Operations Staff: COSmanager handles many tedious housekeeping tasks automatically. COSmanager presents operators with a view of their daily workload, and provides a consistent interface across different versions of UNIX.
For Auditors: COSmanager promotes a ‘policy and procedures’ approach to system management. It documents the procedures that are meant to be performed and provides audit trails that record what duties are actually performed, so that agreed policy can be compared with actual practice.

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For More Information

This guide describes how to install COSmanager applications. Each application has its own manual explaining in detail how to configure and use it — for example backup3G User Guide.

Technical information about COSmanager commands can be found in the COSmanager Reference Guide. This contains manual pages for the Functional Toolset and application - specific commands.

COSmanager promotes a ‘policies and procedures’ approach to system management. How to Implement Policy Based Management and a Sample Policy and Procedures Manual are available without charge from your COSmanager distributor.

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