Cisco Active Network Abstraction User Manual

Cisco Active Network Abstraction Administrator’s Guide, 3.5

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Cisco Active Network Abstraction Administrator’s Gu ide, 3.5

Important Notice

Cisco ANA 3.5 is a carrier-class, multi-vendor network and service management platform which builds a real-time virtual model of the network, serving as a live information base for value-added tools and applications for integration into an existing OSS environment.

Cisco ANA 3.5 is a limited release by Cisco Systems of the existing features and functions of the Sheer DNA 4.0.1 software.

As this is a limited release, the naming of the product in the software and the user documentation remains as Sheer DNA.

Obtaining Documentation

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available on Cisco.com. Cisco also provides several ways to obtain technical assistance and other technical resources. These sections explain how to obtain technical information from Cisco Systems.

Cisco.com

You can access the most current Cisco documentation at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

You can access the Cisco website at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com

You can access international Cisco websites at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/public/countries_languages.shtml

Product Documentation DVD

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in the Product Documentation DVD package, which may have shipped with your product. The Product Documentation DVD is updated regularly and may be more current than printed documentation.

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The Product Documentation DVD is a comprehensive library of technical product documentation on portable media. The DVD enables you to access multiple versions of hardware and software installation, configuration, and command guides for Cisco products and to view technical documentation in HTML. With the DVD, you have access to the same documentation that is found on the Cisco website without being connected to the Internet. Certain products also have .pdf versions of the documentation available.

The Product Documentation DVD is available as a single unit or as a subscription. Registered Cisco.com users (Cisco direct customers) can order a Product Documentation DVD (product number DOC-DOCDVD=) from Cisco Marketplace at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/go/marketplace/

Ordering Documentation

Beginning June 30, 2005, registered Cisco.com users may order Cisco documentation at the Product Documentation Store in the Cisco Marketplace at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/go/marketplace/

Nonregistered Cisco.com users can order technical documentation from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (0800 to 1700) PDT by calling 1 866 463-3487 in the United States and Canada, or elsewhere by calling 011 408 519-5055. You can also order documentation by e-mail at tech-doc-storemkpl@external.cisco.com or by fax at 1 408 519-5001 in the United States and Canada, or elsewhere at 011 408 519-5001.

Documentation Feedback

You can rate and provide feedback about Cisco technical documents by completing the online feedback form that appears with the technical documents on Cisco.com.

You can send comments about Cisco documentation to bug-doc@cisco.com. You can submit comments by using the response card (if present) behind the

front cover of your document or by writing to the following address: Cisco Systems

Attn: Customer Document Ordering 170 West Tasman Drive San Jose, CA 95134-9883

We appreciate your comments.

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Important Notice

Cisco Product Security Overview

Cisco provides a free online Security Vulnerability Policy portal at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/products_security_vulnerability_policy.h tml

From this site, you can perform these tasks:

• Report security vulnerabilities in Cisco products.

• Obtain assistance with security incidents that involve Cisco products.

• Register to receive security information from Cisco.

A current list of security advisories and notices for Cisco products is available at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/go/psirt

If you prefer to see advisories and notices as they are updated in real time, you can access a Product Security Incident Response Team Really Simple Syndication (PSIRT RSS) feed from this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/products_psirt_rss_feed.html

Reporting Security Problems in Cisco Products

Cisco is committed to delivering secure products. We test our products internally before we release them, and we strive to correct all vulnerabilities quickly. If you think that you might have identified a vulnerability in a Cisco product, contact PSIRT:

Emergencies — security-alert@cisco.com An emergency is either a condition in which a system is under active attack

or a condition for which a severe and urgent security vulnerability should be reported. All other conditions are considered nonemergencies.

Nonemergencies — psirt@cisco.com In an emergency, you can also reach PSIRT by telephone: 1 877 228-7302 1 408 525-6532 We encourage you to use Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) or a compatible product

to encrypt any sensitive information that you send to Cisco. PSIRT can work from encrypted information that is compatible with PGP versions 2.x through

8.x.

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Never use a revoked or an expired encryption key. The correct public key to use in your correspondence with PSIRT is the one linked in the Contact Summary section of the Security Vulnerability Policy page at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/products_security_vulnerability_policy.h tml

The link on this page has the current PGP key ID in use.

Obtaining Technical Assistance

Cisco Technical Support provides 24-hour-a-day award-winning technical assistance. The Cisco Technical Support & Documentation website on Cisco.com features extensive online support resources. In addition, if you have a valid Cisco service contract, Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) engineers provide telephone support. If you do not have a valid Cisco service contract, contact your reseller.

Cisco Technical Support & Documentation Website

The Cisco Technical Support & Documentation website provides online documents and tools for troubleshooting and resolving technical issues with Cisco products and technologies. The website is available 24 hours a day, at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

Access to all tools on the Cisco Technical Support & Documentation website requires a Cisco.com user ID and password. If you have a valid service contract but do not have a user ID or password, you can register at this URL:

http://tools.cisco.com/RPF/register/register.do

Use the Cisco Product Identification (CPI) tool to locate your product serial number before submitting a web or phone request for service. You can access the CPI tool from the Cisco Technical Support & Documentation website by clicking the Tools & Resources link under Documentation & Tools. Choose Cisco Product Identification Tool from the Alphabetical Index drop-down list, or click the Cisco Product Identification Tool link under Alerts & RMAs. The CPI tool offers three search options: by product ID or model name; by tree view; or for certain products, by copying and pasting show command output. Search results show an illustration of your product with the serial number label location highlighted. Locate the serial number label on your product and record the information before placing a service call.

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Important Notice

Submitting a Service Request

Using the online TAC Service Request Tool is the fastest way to open S3 and S4 service requests. (S3 and S4 service requests are those in which your network is minimally impaired or for which you require product information.) After you describe your situation, the TAC Service Request Tool provides recommended solutions. If your issue is not resolved using the recommended resources, your service request is assigned to a Cisco engineer. The TAC Service Request Tool is located at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/techsupport/servicerequest

For S1 or S2 service requests or if you do not have Internet access, contact the Cisco TAC by telephone. (S1 or S2 service requests are those in which your production network is down or severely degraded.) Cisco engineers are assigned immediately to S1 and S2 service requests to help keep your business operations running smoothly.

To open a service request by telephone, use one of the following numbers:

• Asia-Pacific: +61 2 8446 7411 (Australia: 1 800 805 227)

• EMEA: +32 2 704 55 55

• USA: 1 800 553-2447

For a complete list of Cisco TAC contacts, go to this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/techsupport/contacts

Definitions of Service Request Severity

To ensure that all service requests are reported in a standard format, Cisco has established severity definitions.

• Severity 1 (S1)—Your network is “down,” or there is a critical impact to

your business operations. You and Cisco will commit all necessary resources around the clock to resolve the situation.

• Severity 2 (S2)—Operation of an existing network is severely degraded,

or significant aspects of your business operation are negatively affected by inadequate performance of Cisco products. You and Cisco will commit full-time resources during normal business hours to resolve the situation.

• Severity 3 (S3)—Operational performance of your network is impaired,

but most business operations remain functional. You and Cisco will commit resources during normal business hours to restore service to satisfactory levels.

• Severity 4 (S4)—You require information or assistance with Cisco

product capabilities, installation, or configuration. There is little or no effect on your business operations.

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Obtaining Additional Publications and Information

Information about Cisco products, technologies, and network solutions is available from various online and printed sources.

Cisco Marketplace provides a variety of Cisco books, reference guides, documentation, and logo merchandise. Visit Cisco Marketplace, the company store, at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/go/marketplace/

Cisco Press publishes a wide range of general networking, training and certification titles. Both new and experienced users will benefit from these publications. For current Cisco Press titles and other information, go to Cisco Press at this URL:

http://www.ciscopress.com

Packet magazine is the Cisco Systems technical user magazine for maximizing Internet and networking investments. Each quarter, Packet delivers coverage of the latest industry trends, technology breakthroughs, and Cisco products and solutions, as well as network deployment and troubleshooting tips, configuration examples, customer case studies, certification and training information, and links to scores of in-depth online resources. You can access Packet magazine at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/packet

iQ Magazine is the quarterly publication from Cisco Systems designed to help growing companies learn how they can use technology to increase revenue, streamline their business, and expand services. The publication identifies the challenges facing these companies and the technologies to help solve them, using real-world case studies and business strategies to help readers make sound technology investment decisions. You can access iQ Magazine at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/go/iqmagazine

or view the digital edition at this URL:

http://ciscoiq.texterity.com/ciscoiq/sample/

Page viii Cisco Syste ms, Inc .

Important Notice

Internet Protocol Journal is a quarterly journal published by Cisco Systems for engineering professionals involved in designing, developing, and operating public and private internets and intranets. You can access the Internet Protocol Journal at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/ipj

Networking products offered by Cisco Systems, as well as customer support services, can be obtained at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/index.html

Networking Professionals Connection is an interactive website for networking professionals to share questions, suggestions, and information about networking products and technologies with Cisco experts and other networking professionals. Join a discussion at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/discuss/networking

World-class networking training is available from Cisco. You can view current offerings at this URL:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/index.html

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About This Guide

This Administrator’s Guide describes the structure and features of the Sheer™ Dynamic Network Abstraction (DNA) system. Sheer DNA Manage is the GUI client application designed to simplify and facilitate Sheer DNA administration. Sheer DNA Manage enables the System Administrator to configure and control the DNA system. Sheer DNA Manage interacts with the Sheer DNA Registry (“Golden Source”) to query and modify configuration information. This guide is intended for use by trained System Administrators.

It includes the following chapters: Chapter 1, Introducing Sheer DNA, page 1, describes the Sheer™ DNA

platform and architecture. In addition, it provides a brief explanation of the terms used throughout this guide.

Chapter 2, Getting Started with Sheer DNA Manage, page 13, describes the Sheer DNA Manage working environment and how to open and operate the Sheer DNA Manage application.

Chapter 3, Deploying Sheer DNA, page 57, describes the steps that must be performed to deploy the Sheer DNA.

Chapter 4, General DNA Manage Tables, page 61, describes how to perform general Sheer DNA Manage functions when working with tables.

Chapter 5, Managing Sheer DNA Units, page 69, describes how to manage Sheer DNA Units. This includes adding and removing Sheer DNA Units.

Chapter 6, Managing AVMs and VNEs, page 79, describes how to define and manage AVMs and VNEs.

Chapter 7,

Managing Global Settings, page 107, describes how to define

and manage the Sheer DNA Manage global settings, including client licenses, DNA database segments, customizing a message of the day (service disclaimer), polling groups, and protection groups.

Chapter 8,

Managing Links, page 127, describes how to add and remove a

topological link between two ports of two Network Elements in the network.

Chapter 9, Managing Workflows, page 133, briefly describes the Workflow Engine branch in the Sheer DNA Manage application.

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Chapter 10, Managing Sheer DNA Security, page 135, describes how Sheer DNA implements a three-dimensional security engine combining a role-based security mechanism with scopes that are granted to users. In addition, it describes managing users in the Sheer DNA platform, including, defining users and passwords.

Appendix A, Utility Scripts, page 155, describes the Sheer DNA utility scripts including how to restart the Sheer DNA Platform.

Appendix B, Golden Source Registry, page 157, provides details of the Golden Source Registry.

Appendix C, Ports Used by Sheer DNA, page 159, provides a list of the ports used by the various Sheer DNA Server and Client applications.

Appendix D, Drools Rules Engine, page 161, introduces and describes Drools.

Note: Changes to the Registry should only be carried out with the support of Cisco Professional Services.

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Introducing Sheer DNA

Table of Contents

1 Introducing Sheer DNA ..................................................................1

1.1 The Sheer Solution...................................................................................................1

1.2 Sheer DNA Components..........................................................................................4

1.2.1 Autonomous VNE................................................................................................4

1.2.2 The Sheer DNA Servers......................................................................................4

1.2.3 Sheer DNA Clients...............................................................................................5

1.3 Sheer DNA Manage Control Functionality.............................................................6

1.4 Additional Concepts and Terms.............................................................................7

1.5 Terminology and Conventions..............................................................................11

2 Getting Started with Sheer DNA Manage.................................... 13

2.1 Starting Sheer DNA Manage..................................................................................13

2.2 The Sheer DNA Manage Window..........................................................................15

2.2.1 Sheer DNA Manage Tree Pane.........................................................................15

2.2.2 Sheer DNA Manage Window Workspace .........................................................18

2.3 Sheer DNA Manage Window, Menus and Toolbar..............................................19

2.3.1 DNA Servers Branch .........................................................................................20

2.3.2 DNA Server Entities Branch..............................................................................24

2.3.3 AVM Branch.......................................................................................................29

2.3.4 Global Settings Branch......................................................................................33

2.3.5 Scopes Branch ..................................................................................................44

2.3.6 Topology Branch................................................................................................47

2.3.7 Users Branch.....................................................................................................49

2.3.8 Workflow Engine Branch...................................................................................52

2.4 Logging Out............................................................................................................56

3 Deploying Sheer DNA................................................................... 57

3.1 System Setup Flow ................................................................................................57

3.2 User and View Setup Flow.....................................................................................60

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4 General DNA Manage Tables....................................................... 61

4.1 Working with DNA Manage Tables.......................................................................61

4.2 Finding Text in a Table ..........................................................................................63

4.3 Filtering Information ..............................................................................................63

4.4 Setting Selection Filters ........................................................................................65

4.5 Sorting a Table .......................................................................................................67

4.6 Exporting the Table to a File.................................................................................68

5 Managing Sheer DNA Units .........................................................69

5.1 What is a DNA Unit?...............................................................................................70

5.2 Adding New Sheer DNA Units...............................................................................71

5.3 Editing Sheer DNA Unit Properties ......................................................................73

5.4 Removing a Sheer DNA Unit.................................................................................75

5.5 Finding a Unit/AVM/VNE........................................................................................76

6 Managing AVMs and VNEs ..........................................................79

6.1 Creating AVMs........................................................................................................80

6.2 AVM Status..............................................................................................................82

6.2.1 Admin and Oper Mode AVM Status ..................................................................83

6.3 Viewing and Editing an AVM’s Properties...........................................................83

6.4 Deleting an AVM.....................................................................................................84

6.5 Starting and Stopping AVMs.................................................................................85

6.6 Moving AVMs..........................................................................................................86

6.7 VNEs Overview.......................................................................................................87

6.7.1 VNE Status........................................................................................................88

6.7.2 Admin and Oper Mode VNE Status...................................................................89

6.8 Defining VNEs.........................................................................................................89

6.8.1 General Tab.......................................................................................................92

6.8.2 SNMP Tab.........................................................................................................94

6.8.3 Telnet / SSH Tab...............................................................................................96

6.8.4 ICMP Tab...........................................................................................................98

6.8.5 Polling Tab.........................................................................................................99

6.9 Viewing and Editing a VNE’s Properties............................................................101

6.10 Deleting a VNE......................................................................................................103

6.11 Changing the VNE’s State ...................................................................................104

6.12 Moving Multiple and Single VNEs ......................................................................105

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Introducing Sheer DNA

7 Managing Global Settings.......................................................... 107

7.1 Managing Client Licenses...................................................................................107

7.1.1 Viewing Client License Properties...................................................................109

7.2 Viewing DB Segments .........................................................................................112

7.3 Customizing a Message of the Day....................................................................113

7.4 Managing Polling Groups....................................................................................114

7.4.1 Polling Groups Overview.................................................................................114

7.4.2 Customizing a Polling Group...........................................................................116

7.4.3 Modifying a Polling Group ...............................................................................118

7.4.4 Deleting a Polling Group..................................................................................119

7.4.5 Adaptive Polling...............................................................................................119

7.5 Managing Protection Groups..............................................................................121

7.5.1 Chec k in g A s si g n me n t o f Pr ot e ct i o n G r ou p s t o DN A U n it s ..................................123

7.5.2 Changing Protection Groups for DNA Units.......................................................123

7.5.3 Vi e wi n g a n d E d i t i n g Prot e ct i o n G r o u p Prop e rt i e s...............................................125

7.5.4 De le t in g a P r ot e ct i on G r ou p..............................................................................126

8 Managing Links........................................................................... 127

8.1 Creating a Static Link...........................................................................................127

8.2 Removing a Static Link........................................................................................131

9 Managing Workflows.................................................................. 133

9.1 About the Sheer Workflow Editor.......................................................................133

9.2 Workflow Engine Branch.....................................................................................134

10 Managing Sheer DNA Security..................................................135

10.1 Security Overview................................................................................................135

10.1.1 Scopes.............................................................................................................135

10.1.2 Default Permissions.........................................................................................136

10.1.3 Security Access Roles.....................................................................................136

10.2 Customizing Security Flow .................................................................................139

10.3 Creating Scopes ...................................................................................................140

10.3.1 Editing a Scope and Viewing a Scope Properties...........................................142

10.3.2 Deleting Scopes...............................................................................................142

10.4 Creating New Sheer DNA User Accounts..........................................................143

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10.5 Granting or Editing a User’s Rights ...................................................................146

10.5.1 General User’s Rights......................................................................................146

10.5.2 User’s Security Rights.....................................................................................148

10.5.3 Map User Permissions ....................................................................................151

10.6 Deleting a Sheer DNA User Account..................................................................152

10.7 Changing a User’s Password..............................................................................152

A Utility Scripts............................................................................... 155

A.1 Restarting Sheer DNA Gateway..........................................................................155

A.2 Restarting a Sheer DNA Unit...............................................................................155

A.3 Executing a Command on all Sheer DNA Units................................................156

B Golden Source Registry............................................................. 157

C Ports Used by Sheer DNA.......................................................... 159

D Drools Rules Engine................................................................... 161

D.1 Drools Rules Engine Overview...........................................................................161

D.1.1 Drools Components and Terminology.............................................................161

D.2 Drools and ANA Integration................................................................................162

D.3 Drools Definitions in ANA...................................................................................162

D.4 Upgrading Rule Files ...........................................................................................163

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Introducing Sheer DNA

1 Introducing Sheer DNA

About this chapter:

This chapter describes the Sheer™ Dynamic Network Abstraction (DNA) platform and architecture. In addition, it provides a brief explanation of the terms used throughout this guide. The Sheer DNA Manage maintenance application is part of an overall Sheer solution; therefore, in order to better understand the Sheer DNA Manage environment, a brief overview of Sheer DNA is required.

The Sheer Solution, page 1, provides an overview of the Sheer DNA, its platform architecture and functional blocks.

Sheer DNA Components, page 4, describes the Sheer DNA system’s key components.

Sheer DNA Manage Control Functionality, page 6, describes how Sheer DNA Manage serves as a tool to manage the Sheer DNA, which enables the addition, removal and modification of Sheer DNA information.

Additional Concepts and Terms, page 7, explains any additional terms used within the Sheer DNA Manage application and this guide.

Terminology and Conventions, page 11, describes the conventions used in the Sheer DNA Administrator’s Guide. In addition, it provides a guide to related documentation.

1.1 The Sheer Solution

Sheer Dynamic Network Abstraction (DNA) is a carrier class network management platform, designed to serve as an active mediation layer between the operation and the network layers. Sheer DNA provides a rich set of GUI easy to use applications as well as well-defined, APIs for Operation Support Systems, enabling carriers and service providers to efficiently respond to the constant market demand for new, reliable and more sophisticated services, while hiding the complexity of large, multi-vendor, multi-technology networks.

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Sheer DNA provides solutions for diverse network environments and applications. It offers an integrated network and service auto- discovery for network modeling, intelligent fault analysis and a highly flexible network configuration and activation engine. This enables fully correlated management of global scale networks supporting millions of subscribers and customers.

Sheer DNA is a network management solution that provides a fully integrated service-oriented solution offering:

• Multi-vendor, hybrid device support

• Multi-Technology (IP, VPN, MPLS, Ethernet, ATM, DSL)

• Multi-function (Network discovery, Fault, Activation and Configuration)

• Vertical integration with multiple OSS/BSS applications

Based on a patented innovative architecture of Distributed Autonomous VNEs, Sheer DNA was designed from day one to enable integrated management, for hybrid network environments, while being extremely scalable in supporting network growth and evolution.

The Sheer DNA introduces key functional highlights such as:

• Network (Horizontal) Integration: supporting NEs from multiple

vendors, across multiple technologies, forming a unified, end-to-end synthesis of the network

• Network and Service Discovery, Real-time Inventory and Topology:

discovery of network inventory, services and multi-layer connectivity to form an accurate, up-to-date network information model

• Network Fault Intelligence: using the auto-discovered network model

for fault correlation and root cause analysis

• Service Impact: the service impact analysis of various network faults

showing affected VPNs and sites

• Activation and Configuration: a flexible, high-performance activation

engine that supports virtually any device configuration required

• Service Verification: real-time verification of configuration health and

consistency

• Service Path Analysis: dynamic isolation and tracing of service paths,

end-to-end across technologies and network layers

• GUI Client Applications: a powerful set of user applications for

Assurance, Fulfillment and Performance management

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Introducing Sheer DNA

• OSS/BSS (Vertical) Integration: open, flexible northbound adaptation

framework to OSS/BSS applications, in a wide variety of APIs, protocols and information models

• Scalability: a fully distributed solution implementing parallel processing

that inherits the scaling properties of the network by creating a virtual model of it. Adding more Autonomous VNEs and/or more DNA Units easily supports network growth.

The Sheer™ DNA platform architectural diagram and functional blocks are displayed below.

Figure 1: Sheer DNA Architecture

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1.2 Sheer DNA Components

The Sheer DNA system is comprised of several key components, as described in the sections that follow.

1.2.1 Autonomous VNE

The Autonomous VNEs (Virtual Network Elements) are software entities that run as a completely autonomous process within the Sheer DNA Units. Each VNE is assigned to manage a single Network Element (NE) instance using whatever southbound management interfaces the NE implements (e.g. SNMP or Telnet). The Autonomous VNEs are the entities that maintain a live model of each NE and of the entire network.

As the VNE loads, it starts investigating the NE and automatically builds a live model of the NE, including its physical and logical inventory, its configuration and its status. Following the device investigation, the VNEs begin to negotiate with peering VNEs, which represent the peering NEs determining the connectivity and topology at different layers. This model of the network topology, device state and device inventory is constantly being updated by the VNEs, which track every change that occurs in the NE or in the network.

Messaging between VNEs is used for running different end-to-end flows, in order to provide information for root cause and impact analysis, service path tracing and more.

1.2.2 The Sheer DNA Servers

Sheer DNA uses two distinct server types, each performing different activities:

• Sheer DNA Gateway

• Sheer DNA Unit

Sheer DNA Gateway

The Sheer DNA Gateway serves as the gateway through which all clients, including any OSS/BSS applications as well as the Sheer DNA clients can access the system. The gateway is an extended Sheer DNA Unit. It enforces access control and security for all connections and manages client sessions. In addition it functions as a repository for storing configuration, network and system events and alarms.

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Introducing Sheer DNA

Another important function of the Sheer DNA Gateway is to map network resources to the business context. This enables Sheer DNA to contain information that is not directly contained in the network (such as VPNs and Subscribers) and display it to northbound applications.

Sheer DNA Unit

The main purpose of the Sheer DNA Units is to host the Autonomous VNEs. The Sheer DNA Units are interconnected to form a fabric of VNEs that can inter-communicate with other VNEs regardless of which unit they are running on. Each Sheer DNA Unit can host thousands of Autonomous VNE processes (depending on the server system size). The Sheer DNA Units also allow for optimal VNE distribution, ensuring geographic proximity between the VNE and its managed NE.

The clustered N+m high availability mechanism within the Sheer DNA Fabric is designed to handle the failure of a Sheer DNA Unit. Sheer DNA Unit availability is established in the Gateway, running a Protection Manager process, which continuously monitors all the Sheer DNA Units in the network. Once the Protection Manager detects a Sheer DNA Unit that is malfunctioning, it automatically signals one of the m servers in its cluster to load the configuration of the faulty unit (from the system Registry), taking over all its managed Network Elements. The switchover to the redundant standby Sheer DNA Unit does not result in any loss of information in the system, as all of the information is auto-discovered from the network, and no persistent storage synchronization is required. When a Sheer DNA Unit is configured it can be designated as being an active or standby unit.

For more information about high availability, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction High Availability User’s Guide.

1.2.3 Sheer DNA Clients

Sheer provides a comprehensive suite of GUI applications to manage the network using the Sheer DNA platform.

• Sheer NetworkVision: The main GUI application of Sheer DNA, used to

visualize every management function supported by the system. For more information, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction NetworkVision User’s Guide.

• Sheer EventVision: A tool for viewing all historical events detected by

the Sheer DNA system. For more information, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction EventVision User’s Guide.

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• Sheer DNA Manage: A system administration and configuration tool for

managing the entire Sheer DNA platform, as described below.

• Sheer Registry Editor: A tool used for viewing and configuring the

Sheer Registry.

The Sheer DNA Clients support automatic client updates from the Sheer DNA Gateway using Web Start. When connecting with a Sheer DNA Gateway application, the system verifies that the client version is the latest available and if an upgrade is required, the system automatically updates the Sheer Clients from the Sheer DNA Gateway.

1.3 Sheer DNA Manage Control Functionality

Sheer DNA includes extensive system administration functions for simple system control. Sheer DNA Manage is the GUI tool used for performing various system administration activities. It provides an interface to perform the following:

• Sheer DNA Units: Adding and removing Units.

• Autonomous Virtual Machines (AVMs) and Virtual Network

Elements (VNEs): Adding and removing AVMs and VNEs for the different Sheer DNA Units. Starting and stopping VNEs, and setting polling information per VNE.

• Global Settings:

• Clients Licenses: Installing and managing Sheer DNA Client

licenses

• DB Segments: Viewing the storage allocated for all of the database

segments

• Messages of the Day: Generating a message of the day (service

disclaimer)

• Polling Groups: Customizing protection groups

• Protection Groups: Setting up scopes of devices and system users

• Topology: Managing static and persistent topology links.

• Workflow Engine: Enables the administrator to manage workflow

templates and running workflows in runtime.

• Scopes: Enables the administrator to group a collection of managed

Network Elements together in order to enable the user to view and/or manage the Network Elements based on the user’s role.

• Users: Enables the administrator to define and manage user accounts.

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1.4 Additional Concepts and Terms

The sections below include additional concepts and terms used in the Sheer DNA Manage application and throughout this guide.

AVM

The Sheer DNA Units are divided into AVMs (Autonomous Virtual Machines). These AVMs are Java processes that provide the necessary distribution support platform for executing and monitoring multiple VNEs. AVMs and VNEs should reside on a Sheer DNA Unit (as a common configuration) but they can also reside on a Sheer DNA Gateway.

There are some types of AVMs that run on the server which do not run VNEs. These AVMs have reserved ID numbers, namely, AVM 0-100 and these cannot be used. In addition, there are other reserved AVM ID numbers. The following AVMs have special roles assigned to them, namely:

• AVM 0 (the switch AVM)

• AVM 11 (the Gateway)

• AVM 66 (the workflows AVM)

• AVM 99 (the management AVM)

• AVM 100 (the trap management AVM)

Device/Network Element

A network component existing in the network, for example, the devices displayed in Sheer DNA and in Sheer NetworkVision.

Element Management

The base configuration for the creation of the managed element. Sheer DNA Manage enables the user to create VNEs, for example, by entering the IP address, SNMP and polling rate information and so on. This is called Element Management.

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License

Sheer DNA Client applications and BQL connectivity is based on installed license files. Sheer DNA Manage enables the administrator to control and monitor the number of Sheer DNA Client and BQL connections over a limited or unlimited period of time based on the client licenses installed. Two types of licenses are supported, namely, fixed (the number of installed users are identified by user names or IP addresses or both) or floating (the number of installed users operating concurrently).

Managed Element

After Sheer DNA Manage installs and runs the process, samples the device and collects the data a VNE (Managed Element) is created. The VNE includes logical inventory (tables, for example, forwarding tables) and physical inventory (for example, modules and ports), and this Managed Element can be accessed using Sheer NetworkVision.

Network Element Components

Component(s) of a Network Element (NE), such as port(s), blade(s), context(s) and so on.

Permission

The user’s ability to perform certain tasks. There are two types of permissions, namely, default and NE related.

• Default: The default permission only applies to the activities that are

related to GUI functionality, not the activities related to Network Elements. For example, a user with the default permission Viewer can view maps and the Device List. For more information, refer to page 136.

• Network Element: The NE related permission enables the administrator

to group a collection of managed Network Elements together (in Sheer DNA Manage) in order to enable the user to view and/or manage the NEs based on the user’s role or permission. After the user is allocated a scope (list of Network Elements) and a role, the user can then perform various activities on the Network Elements, for example, manage alarms in Sheer NetworkVision. For more information, refer to page 135.

Polling Group

A polling group is defined as a group of polling rates that can be specified for a device. For more information, refer to page 114.

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Protection Group

A Protection Group is a cluster to which Units and Standby Units are related. In case of Unit failover then the Redundant Unit will be taken from the same Protection Group.

Redundant Unit

The Sheer DNA Unit comes with built-in redundancy for maximum up time and automatic switching. A threshold configurable watchdog constantly monitors the Sheer DNA Units and Sheer DNA Gateway and can make an automatic or manual (operator approved) switch over when there is no response from the monitored entity. The system is always up-to-date via real time investigation of the network. The redundancy mechanism ensures synchronization of the active and backup Sheer DNA units. Once activated, the standby Sheer DNA node is immediately synchronized with the network.

Roles

Sheer DNA implements a security engine that combines a role-based security mechanism that is applied on scopes of Network Elements granted per user. The system supports user accounts creation, multiple Network Element scope definition and a set of five pre-defined roles for security and access control to allow different system functions:

• Administrator: Manage the system configuration and security.

• Configurator: Activate services, and configure the network.

• Operator Plus: Able to fully control alarm life cycle and create maps.

• Operator: Configure business tags and perform most day-to-day

operations.

• Viewer: Read only access to the network and to non-privileged system

functions.

Roles can be granted per scope or at an application level (default permission), namely, all the activities that are related to GUI functionality, not the activities related to devices. The default permission includes:

• Application login.

• Manage alarms in Sheer NetworkVision.

• Manage maps: Creating, deleting, and opening.

• Map manipulation: Arrange map, including, aggregations, adding NEs,

NEs placement in map, map background and so on.

• Business tag management.

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Scopes

A scope is a named collection of managed Network Elements that have been grouped together in order to allow a user to view and/or manage the Network Elements provided a given role. Grouping can be based on geographical location, Network Element type (such as DSLAM, router, SW, etc.), Network Element category (such as access, core, etc.) or any other division according to the network administrator’s requirements.

Using NetworkVision, a user that has been assigned a scope can view and/or manage the NEs within this scope according to the role assigned to the user as per the scope. The user cannot view any information regarding NEs that are outside the user’s scope, including basic properties, inventory, and alarms.

Static Link

A static link is a physical link that is not automatically discovered by the system. The user manually creates the static link between Network Elements by selecting the two end ports from the NE’s physical inventory.

Transport Link

A transport link is a logical link used for communication between the units and for transferring information.

Users

In order for a user to work with Sheer DNA the following requirements must be met:

• The user must have a valid license installed.

• The user must have a defined Sheer DNA user account.

• The user must have an assigned permission.

For more information about users, refer to Chapter 10, Managing Sheer DNA Security.

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Workflow

A workflow consists of several tasks grouped together and arranged in a flowchart. All workflows are stored on the Sheer DNA Gateway. After a workflow is deployed, it is accessible using Sheer DNA Manage in order to view properties and status. Deployed workflow templates can be invoked via the Sheer DNA API using BQL. In addition, the user can view a history of the invoked workflows using Sheer EventVision. For more information, refer to this guide and the Cisco Active Network Abstraction Workflow User’s Guide.

1.5 Terminology and Conventions

This Sheer DNA Administrator’s Guide uses the following conventions:

Convention Description

^ or Ctrl

The ^ and Ctrl symbols represent the Control key. For example, the key combination ^D or Ctrl-D means hold down the Control key while pressing the D key. Keys are indicated in capital letters but are not case sensitive.

Command syntax descriptions use the following conventions:

Convention Description

boldface

Boldface text indicates commands and keywords that the user enters literally as shown.

italics

Italic text indicates arguments for which the user supplies values.

[x]

Square brackets enclose an optional element (keyword or argument).

A vertical line indicates a choice within an optional or required set of keywords or arguments.

[x | y]

Square brackets enclosing keywords or arguments separated by a vertical line indicate an optional choice.

{x | y}

Braces enclosing keywords or arguments separated by a vertical line indicate a required choice.

Nested sets of square brackets or braces indicate optional or required choices within optional or required elements. For example:

Convention Description

[x {y | z}]

Braces and a vertical line within square brackets indicate a required choice within an optional element.

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Examples use the following conventions:

Convention Description

screen

Examples of information displayed on the screen are set in Courier New font.

Boldface screen

< >

Examples of text that the user must enter are set in Courier New bold font.

Angle brackets enclose text that is not printed to the screen, such as passwords.

[ ]

Square brackets enclose default responses to system prompts.

{ }

Curly brackets group mandatory parameters together where there are options.

Getting Started with Sheer DNA Manage

2 Getting Started with Sheer DNA

Manage

About this chapter:

This chapter describes the Sheer DNA Manage working environment and how to access Sheer DNA Manage tools and commands. It also provides instructions for launching and overviews operating the Sheer DNA Manage application-using menu and toolbar options.

The Sheer DNA Manage window provides access to all of Sheer DNA Manage’s functionality.

Starting Sheer DNA Manage, below, describes how to open the Sheer DNA Manage window.

The Sheer DNA Manage Window, page 15, briefly describes the Sheer DNA Manage window, including the Tree pane and Workspace.

Sheer DNA Manage Window, Menus and Toolbar, page 19, provides a detailed description of the Sheer DNA information displayed in the Sheer DNA Manage window, the menus, and toolbars.

Logging Out, page 56, describes how to log out of Sheer DNA Manage.

2.1 Starting Sheer DNA Manage

Sheer DNA Manage is password protected to ensure security, and is only available to users with Administrator privileges. Before you start working with Sheer DNA Manage, make sure you know the user name, password and the Sheer DNA Gateway IP address or host name that you require.

Note: If a user does not login to the Sheer DNA Manage, NetworkVision or EventVision applications during a specified period of time (the default is one month) the user’s account will be locked automatically. The default period can be changed in the Sheer DNA Registry. The period of time is measured from the time the user last logged out of any of the Sheer DNA Client applications. For information about unlocking a user, refer to page 147.

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To start Sheer DNA Manage

1. From the Start menu, select the Programs folder, then Sheer

DNA/Sheer DNA Manage. The Sheer DNA Manage - Login dialog box

is displayed.

Note: It is recommended that the administrator change the user name and login password after logging in for the first time.

The last four Sheer DNA Gateways to which the user logged in successfully are displayed in the Host dropdown list. The list is displayed in chronological order with the most recent Sheer DNA Gateway displayed at the top of the list.

2. Enter the required Sheer DNA Gateway’s information in the Host field,

as an IP address or host name, or

Select a Sheer DNA Gateway from the Host dropdown list. Note: The Sheer DNA Gateway IP address or host name that was used

when you last logged in is automatically displayed at the top of the Host dropdown list.

Note: Make sure that you use the leading IP address (the IP on which the Sheer DNA Gateway was configured) when logging in to the system.

3. Click OK. The Sheer DNA Manage window is displayed. The user name

and host information is displayed in the Sheer DNA Manage window heading.

Note: Some of the Workspaces in the Sheer DNA Manage window may appear empty when the application is opened for the first time.

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2.2 The Sheer DNA Manage Window

The Sheer DNA Manage window is displayed below.

Menu bar Toolbar

Tree pane

Shortcut menu

Status bar Workspace

The Sheer DNA Manage window is divided into areas or panes, as follows:

• The Tree pane, as described on page 15.

• The Workspace, as described on page 18.

• The Status Bar, displays the memory usage of the application process

and connection status.

Dragging the borders of the Sheer DNA Manage window adjusts the size of each area. The two areas are correlated; this means that selecting an option in the Tree pane affects the information displayed in the Workspace.

2.2.1 Sheer DNA Manage Tree Pane

The Tree pane displays a tree-and-branch representation of the Sheer DNA Manage folders. The branches can be expanded and collapsed in order to display and hide information as needed. An example of the Tree pane is displayed above.

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Sheer DNA Manage enables the user to manage and maintain information in the Sheer DNA using the following branches in the Sheer DNA Manage window:

• DNA Servers: Enables the administrator to manage information relating

to the Sheer DNA Gateway, and Sheer DNA Units, including the AVMs and the VNEs in the Sheer DNA. This includes viewing a list of Sheer DNA Units, adding, editing and removing AVMs and VNEs, viewing VNE and AVM properties, starting and stopping AVMs and VNEs, and moving VNEs to maintenance mode. The DNA Servers branch includes the DNA Gateway and AVM sub-branches. For more information about the DNA Servers branch, refer to page 20.

• Global Settings: The Global Settings branch includes the Client

Licenses, DB segments, Message of the Day, Polling Groups and Protection Groups sub-branches. The Global Settings branch enables the

administrator to:

• Install and manage Sheer DNA Client licenses.

• Enables the administrator to view a table describing the storage

allocated for all the database segments. For more information about the DB Segments branch, refer to page 37.

• Manage the service disclaimer (message of the day). For more

information about the Service Disclaimer Message of the Day, refer to page 113.

• Manage the polling groups to be used by a group of devices. The

administrator can define a few polling groups, and the devices will then be polled according to the polling group. Every polling group has a different set of polling intervals. For more information about the Polling Groups branch, refer to page 114.

• Manage and change the default setup of the Sheer DNA Units by

customizing protection groups (clusters) and then assigning Sheer DNA Units to these protection groups. For more information about the Protection Groups branch, refer to page 121.

For more information about the Global Settings branch, refer to page 33.

• Scopes: Enables the administrator to group a collection of managed

Network Elements together in order to enable the user to view and/or manage the Network Elements based on the user’s role. For more information about the Scopes branch, refer to page 44.

• Topology: Enables the administrator to manage topology-related

parameters, namely, the static links between the devices. For more information about the Topology branch, refer to page 47.

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• Users: Enables the administrator to define and manage user accounts.

For more information about the Users branch, refer to page 49.

• Workflow Engine: Enables the administrator to manage workflow

templates and running workflows in runtime. For more information about the Workflow Engine branch, refer to page 52.

Clicking on a branch in the Tree pane enables the user to view information relating to the selected branch in the Workspace. Right-clicking on a branch in the Tree pane, opens a shortcut menu enabling the user to perform various functions.

The following icons are displayed in the Sheer DNA Manage window:

Icon Description

DNA Servers branch Sheer DNA Gateway Sheer DNA Units Sheer DNA Redundant Unit AVMs (VNE) Global Settings branch DB Segments Client Licenses Message of the Day Polling Groups Protection Groups Scopes Topology Users Workflow Engine Templates Workflows

Note: The menus and toolbar displayed in the Sheer DNA Manage window are context sensitive; the options vary depending on your selection in the Tree pane and the Workspace.

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2.2.2 Sheer DNA Manage Window Workspace

The Workspace is displayed on the right side of the Sheer DNA Manage window and enables the user to view Sheer DNA Manage information according to the branch selected in the Tree pane. The information displayed varies according to the branch selected in the Tree pane.

Note: Multiple rows can be selected using the standard Microsoft® Windows selection keys when a table is displayed in the Workspace.

The Selection field displayed at the bottom of the Workspace displays the number of selected rows and the total number of rows in the table, for example, 6/6 Selected (refer to page 17).

In addition, it displays the location of the selected row(s) in the table, for example, Line 2.

Table Toolbar

Whenever a table forms part of the Workspace, the same toolbar is displayed, no matter which branch is selected in the Tree pane.

The table toolbar contains the following tools:

Export to CSV: Enables the user to save the current Sheer DNA Manage working environment as a file in the Sheer DNA. For more information, refer to page 68.

Sort Table Values: Enables you to sort the information displayed in the table, for example, according to status or IP address.

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Filter: Enables the user to define a filter on the information displayed in the table of the Workspace using the Filter dialog box. For more information, refer to page 63.

Note: When a filter is applied the Set Selection Filter button and the Rewind All option under the Previous Selection Filter buttons is

activated.

Set Selection Filter: Applies filters to the selected line or lines. Note: When the user selects one or multiple lines in a table, the

Previous Selection Filter button is activated. Previous Selection Filter: Enables the user to undo the last applied

filter selection. Rewind All option: Enables the user to undo all previous applied

filter selections, and returns all the originally displayed data to the table displayed in the Workspace.

Opens the online Sheer DNA Manage Help.

For operating instructions on selecting lines and applying filters, refer to the sections Filtering Information and Setting Selection Filters in Chapter 4, General DNA Manage Tables.

The Find field enables the user to search for information relating to the branch selected in the Tree pane. For more information about searching for information, refer to page 63.

2.3 Sheer DNA Manage Window, Menus and Toolbar

This section provides a detailed description of the Sheer DNA information displayed in the Sheer DNA Manage window depending on the branch selected, the menus, and toolbars.

For specific information about each branch, refer to:

• DNA Servers, page

• DNA Server Entities, including the DNA Gateway and DNA Units,

page 24.

20.

• AVMs, page 29.

• Global Settings, page

• Scopes, page

44.

33.

• Topology, page 47.

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• Users, page 49.

• Workflow Engine, page 52.

2.3.1 DNA Servers Branch

Sheer DNA Manage maintains a list of all of the DNA Servers defined in the system. The DNA Servers branch enables the user to add and remove DNA Unit Servers.

The user can expand this branch to view a list of the Sheer DNA Units, Sheer DNA Gateway and AVMs. Each Sheer DNA Gateway, Sheer DNA Unit and AVM has its own sub-branch. The DNA Servers branch (and associated subbranches) enables the user to manage information relating to the AVMs and VNEs contained in the Sheer DNA Units.

Note: AVMs and VNEs should reside on a Sheer DNA Unit (as a common configuration) but they can also reside on a Sheer DNA Gateway.

The DNA Servers branch is displayed below.

The DNA Servers branch contains the following sub-branches:

• DNA Gateway and DNA Unit, namely, DNA Server Entities, refer to

page

24.

• AVMs, refer to page 29.

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For more information about DNA Server menu and toolbar options:

• Menu options, refer to page 21.

• Toolbar options, refer to page 23.

The Workspace area of the DNA Servers branch enables the user to view a list of all of the Sheer DNA Gateways and Sheer DNA Units and their status. Clicking on a column heading in the table in the Workspace sorts the Sheer DNA Units in ascending or descending order according to the selected column.

Note: Any changes that are made to the DNA Servers branch are saved automatically and registered immediately in the Sheer DNA.

The following columns are displayed in the table in the Workspace:

• IP Address: The IP address of the Sheer DNA Units, and Sheer DNA

Gateways as defined in Sheer DNA Manage.

• Status: The status of the Sheer DNA Unit, as follows:

• Up: The Sheer DNA Unit is up.

• Down: The Sheer DNA Unit is down.

• Unreachable: The Sheer DNA Unit cannot be reached.

• Up Since: The date and time when the DNA Unit was last loaded.

• Physical Memory: The physical memory of the Sheer DNA Unit.

• Used Memory: The memory being used by the Sheer DNA Unit.

• Allocated Memory: The amount of memory allocated to the Sheer DNA

Unit. Allocated memory is the sum of all of the memory settings for all of the AVMs.

• Protection Group: The protection group to which the Sheer DNA Unit

has been allocated.

• AVM HA: The Sheer DNA Unit is enabled for high availability (true)

or disabled (false). By default this option is enabled for high availability.

For more information about the DNA Servers branch, refer to Chapter 5, Managing Sheer DNA Units.

Menus

This section provides a description of each option available in the menus when the DNA Servers branch is selected. The following menus are available:

• File menu, as described in the next section.

• Tools menu, as described on page 22.

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• Help menu, as described on page 22.

• Tree Pane shortcut menu, as described on page 23.

• Workspace shortcut menu, as described on page 23.

File Menu – DNA Servers Branch

The File menu is displayed below.

New DNA Unit

Creates a new DNA Unit.

Exit

Exits Sheer DNA Manage. For more information, refer to page 56.

Tools Menu – DNA Servers Branch

The Tools menu is displayed below.

Change User Password

Enables the user to change the password used, when logging in to the Sheer DNA Client application suite. The change will take effect the next time that the user logs in to the application. The Tools menu option is the same throughout the application.

Help Menu

The Help menu is displayed below.

The Help menu enables the user to display application information, for example, the version number. The Help menu options are the same throughout the application.

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Tree Pane Menu – DNA Servers Branch

When the user right-clicks on the DNA Servers branch the following menu is displayed:

New DNA Unit

The user can add a new Sheer DNA Unit to the Sheer DNA Servers.

Workspace Shortcut Menu – DNA Servers Branch

When the user right-clicks on a Sheer DNA Unit or DNA Gateway in the table in the Workspace the following menu is displayed:

New AVM

Adds an AVM to the selected Sheer DNA Unit. For more information, refer to page 80.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected Sheer DNA Unit in a Properties dialog box. For more information, refer to page 73.

Switch

This option is available when high availability is enabled and is only available for Sheer DNA Units. Manually switch to the standby Sheer DNA Unit. For more information, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction High Availability User’s Guide.

Delete

Deletes the selected Sheer DNA Unit. For more information, refer to page 75.

DNA Manage Toolbar – DNA Servers Branch

The DNA Servers branch contains the following tools (available tool bar options):

Adds a new Sheer DNA Unit to the Sheer DNA Server.

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Search for a Sheer DNA Unit/AVM/VNE amongst all the Sheer DNA Servers.

When a Sheer DNA Unit is selected in the table of the Workspace the following tools are displayed in the toolbar:

Creates a new AVM in the selected Sheer DNA Unit or Gateway.

Displays the properties of the selected Sheer DNA Unit. Deletes the selected Sheer DNA Unit. Search for a Sheer DNA Unit/AVM/VNE amongst all the Sheer

DNA Servers.

For more information about the DNA Servers branch, refer to Chapter 5, Managing Sheer DNA Units.

2.3.2 DNA Server Entities Branch

The DNA Server Entities sub-branch includes the DNA Gateway and DNA Unit sub-branches. All the options described here refer to both sub-branches.

The DNA Server Entities sub-branch enables the user to manage information relating to the AVMs and VNEs on a selected Sheer DNA Unit. These include:

• Adding, editing and removing an AVM

• Switching manually to the standby Sheer DNA Unit

• Viewing AVM properties

• Moving AVMs

• Starting and stopping AVMs and VNEs

• Adding VNEs

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An example of the Sheer DNA Manage window when a DNA Servers Entity sub-branch is selected is displayed below.

Each row in the table in the Workspace enables the user to view the status of an AVM. The AVMs can be sorted in ascending or descending order by clicking on the column heading in the table.

Note: Any changes that are made to the DNA Servers Entity sub-branch are saved automatically and registered immediately in the Sheer DNA.

The following columns are displayed in the Workspace table for the AVMs that are listed or running under the server entity:

• ID: The name of the AVM as defined in Sheer DNA and unique to the

AVM, for example, AVM 18.

• Status: The status of the AVM, as follows:

• Starting Up: When an AVM is started.

• Up: The AVM is up.

• Shutting Down When an AVM is stopped.

• Down: The AVM is down.

• Unreachable: The AVM cannot be reached.

• Up Since: The date and time that the Sheer DNA Unit was last started.

• Max Memory: The maximum allocated memory size as defined when

the AVM was created in Sheer DNA Manage. The default value is 256 MB.

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• Key: The key of the AVM, which is unique to the system. By default the

key is displayed as “AVM + ID + timestamp”.

For more information about DNA Server specific menu and toolbar options:

• Menu options, refer to page 26.

• Toolbar options, refer to page 28.

DNA Server Entities Menus

This section provides a description of each option available in the menus when the DNA Server sub-branch is selected. The following menus are available:

• File menu, as described on page 26.

• Tools menu, as described on page 22.

• Help menu, as described on page 22.

• Tree Pane shortcut menu, as described on page 27.

• Workspace menu, as described on page 27.

File Menu – DNA Servers Entities Branch

The File menu is displayed below.

New AVM

Adds an AVM to the selected Sheer DNA Unit. For more information, refer to page 80.

Properties

Displays the DNA Unit Properties dialog box. This dialog box lists the properties of the selected Sheer DNA Unit and indicates its status. For more information, refer to page 73.

Exit

Exits Sheer DNA Manage.

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Tree Pane Shortcut Menu – DNA Server Entities Branch

When the user right-clicks on the DNA Server Entities sub-branch in the Tree pane the following shortcut menu is displayed:

New AVM

Adds an AVM to the selected Sheer DNA Unit.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected Sheer DNA Unit.

Switch

Delete

Deletes the selected Sheer DNA Unit.

Workspace Shortcut Menu – DNA Servers Entity Branch

When the user right-clicks an AVM in the Tree pane or in the table in the Workspace the following menu is displayed:

New VNE

Adds a New VNE to the chosen AVM. Note: A new VNE cannot be added to the reserved AVMs 0-100.

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Actions

Enables the user to start or stop an AVM.

Delete

Deletes an AVM.

Move AVM

Move an entire AVM between DNA Units.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected AVM and its status in the General tab of a dialog box.

DNA Manage Toolbar – DNA Server Entities Branch

When the DNA Server Entities sub-branch is selected in the Tree pane the following tools are displayed in the toolbar:

Creates a new AVM in the selected Sheer DNA Unit or Gateway.

Displays the Sheer DNA Server properties and status. Deletes the selected Sheer DNA Unit. Search for a Sheer DNA Unit/AVM/VNE amongst all the

Sheer DNA Servers.

When an AVM is selected in the table in the Workspace the following tools are displayed in the toolbar:

Creates a new VNE in the selected AVM. Displays the AVM properties and status. For more

information, refer to page Deletes the selected AVM.

82.

Starts the selected AVM. For more information, refer to page 85.

Stops the selected AVM. For more information, refer to page 85.

Search for a Sheer DNA Unit/AVM/VNE amongst all the Sheer

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DNA Servers.

Getting Started with Sheer DNA Manage

For more information on the DNA Servers Entity sub-branch, refer to

Chapter 6, Managing AVMs and VNEs.

2.3.3 AVM Branch

The AVM sub-branch enables the user to manage information relating to the VNEs in a selected AVM. This includes:

• Adding, editing and removing a VNE

• Viewing VNE or AVM properties

• Deleting an AVM

• Moving AVMs and/or VNEs

• Starting and stopping VNEs or AVMs

• Moving VNEs to maintenance mode

An example of the Sheer DNA Manage window when the AVM sub-branch is selected is displayed below.

When the user selects the AVM sub-branch the workspace displays the properties of the AVM and a table with the list of VNEs.

Note: No VNEs are displayed when a special AVM (for example, AVM 66) that belongs to the Gateway is selected.

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The following columns are displayed in the Workspace table:

• Key: The unique key of the VNE.

• IP Address: The IP address of the device as defined in Sheer DNA

Manage.

• Status: The status of the VNE, as follows:

• Starting Up: When a VNE is started.

• Up: The VNE is up.

• Shutting Down When a VNE is stopped.

• Down: The VNE is down.

• Unreachable: Sheer DNA failed to access the VNE.

• Maintenance: Indicates whether the VNE is or is not in maintenance

mode, namely, true or false.

• Up Since: The date and time that the VNE was last started.

• SNMP: Indicates whether this option is enabled or disabled on the VNE,

namely, true or false.

• Telnet: Indicates whether this option is enabled or disabled on the VNE,

namely, true or false.

• Element Class: Detects the VNE category, namely, Auto Detect, Generic

SNMP, Cloud or ICMP.

• Element Type: The device type (manufacturer name), for example,

Cisco 7204.

• Polling Group: The name of the customized polling group or it is blank

if it is an instance.

For more information about VNEs, refer to Chapter 6, Managing AVMs and VNEs the section on VNEs Overview.

For more information about AVM menu and toolbar options:

• Menu options, refer to page 30.

• Toolbar options, refer to page 33.

AVM Menus

This section provides a description of each option available in the menus when the AVM sub-branch is selected. The following menus are available:

• File menu, as described below.

• Tools menu, as described on page 22.

• Help menu, as described on page 22.

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• Tree Pane shortcut menu, as described on page 31.

• Workspace shortcut menu, as described on page 32.

File Menu – AVM Branch

The File menu is displayed below.

New VNE

Adds a VNE to the selected AVM. Note: A new VNE cannot be added to the reserved AVMs 0-100.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected AVM and its status.

Exit

Exits Sheer DNA Manage.

Tree Pane Shortcut Menu – AVM Branch

When the user right-clicks on the AVM sub-branch in the Tree pane the following menu is displayed:

New VNE

Creates a VNE for the selected AVM. For more information, refer to page 80 Note: A new VNE cannot be added to the reserved AVMs 0-100.

Actions

Starts or stops an AVM. For more information, refer to page 85.

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Delete

Deletes an AVM from the Sheer DNA Server. Note: Reserved AVMs 0-100 cannot be deleted.

Move AVM

Move an entire AVM between DNA Units. For more information, refer to page 86.

Note: Reserved AVMs 0-100 cannot be moved.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected AVM.

Workspace Shortcut Menu – AVM Branch

When the user right-clicks on a selected VNE in the table the following shortcut menu (and sub-menu, when required) options are displayed:

Actions

Enables the user to start, stop or delete a VNE. In addition, the VNE can be moved to maintenance mode.

Delete

Deletes the selected VNE from an AVM.

Move VNEs

Move a single VNE between AVMs.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected VNE.

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DNA Manage Toolbar – AVM Branch

When the AVM sub-branch is selected in the Tree pane the following tools are displayed in the toolbar:

Creates a new VNE in the selected AVM. Displays the properties of the selected AVM.

Deletes the selected AVM. Starts the selected AVM. Stops the selected AVM.

Search for a Sheer DNA Unit/AVM/VNE amongst all the Sheer DNA Servers.

When a VNE is selected in the table in the Workspace the following tools are displayed in the toolbar:

Creates a new VNE in the selected AVM. Displays the properties of the selected VNE.

Deletes the selected VNE from an AVM. Starts the selected VNE. Moves the selected VNE to maintenance mode. Stops the selected VNE.

Search for a Sheer DNA Unit/AVM/VNE amongst all the Sheer DNA Servers.

For more information on the AVM sub-branch, refer to Chapter 6, Managing

AVMs and VNEs.

2.3.4 Global Settings Branch

The Global Settings branch maintains system-wide settings, for example, polling and protection groups. Any changes that are made to the settings affect the configuration throughout the entire system.

The Global Settings branch includes the following sub-branches:

• Client Licenses, refer to page 34

• DB Segments, refer to page 37

• Message of the Day, refer to page 38

• Polling Groups, refer to page 39

• Protection Groups, refer to page

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Client Licenses

The Client Licenses sub-branch enables control and monitoring of the number of Sheer DNA Client connections over a limited or unlimited period of time as defined in terms of the client license. The Sheer DNA Manage window with the Client Licenses sub-branch selected is displayed below.

The following columns are displayed in the Workspace table when the Client Licenses sub-branch is selected:

• Expiration Date: Date of the expiration of the license. The license can

be for a limited or unlimited period of time.

• License Type: The license type, namely:

• Fixed: The number of installed users are identified by user names or

IP addresses or both. For example, 5 users with the user names a, b, c, d and e.

• Floating: The number of installed users operating concurrently

(unspecified). For example, 5 users.

• License Users: The user names and/or IP addresses of the users.

• Priority: Available in a future version.

• User Count: The number of users allowed to operate the Sheer DNA

Client applications, as defined in terms of the license. The exact number of users is displayed if the number is limited or 0 indicates an unlimited number of users.

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• Creation Date: The date when the license was implemented.

• Client Type: The applications to which the user is authorized to connect,

namely, BQL and/or Sheer DNA Client applications.

For more information about:

• Menus options, refer to page 35.

• Toolbar options, refer to page 36.

Client Licenses Menus

This section provides a description of each option available in the menus when the Client Licenses sub-branch is selected. The following menus are available:

• File menu, as described below.

• Tools menu, as described on page 22.

• Help menu, as described on page 22.

• Tree Pane shortcut menu, as described on page 36.

• Workspace shortcut menu, as described on page 36.

File Menu – Client Licenses Branch

The File menu is displayed below.

New License

Install a new license.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected license.

Exit

Exits Sheer DNA Manage.

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Tree Pane Menu – Client Licenses Branch

Right clicking on the Client Licenses sub-branch displays the following menu:

New License

Install a new license.

Workspace Shortcut Menu – Client Licenses Branch

When the user right-clicks in the table in the Workspace the following shortcut menu is displayed:

Delete

Deletes the selected license.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected license.

Toolbar – Client Licenses Branch

When the Client Licenses sub-branch is selected in the Tree pane the toolbar contains the following tools:

Install a new license. Displays the properties of the selected license.

For more information about client licenses, refer to page

Deletes the selected license.

107.

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DB Segments Branch

The DB segments branch in Sheer DNA Manage displays a table describing the storage allocated for all database segments. An example of the Sheer DNA Manage window when the DB Segments branch is selected is displayed below.

The following columns are displayed in the Workspace table when the DB Segments branch is selected:

• Name: Name of the segment.

• Type: Type of segment, namely, INDEX PARTITION, TABLE

PARTITION, TABLE, CLUSTER, INDEX, ROLLBACK, DEFERRED ROLLBACK, TEMPORARY, CACHE, LOBSEGMENT and LOBINDEX

• Tablespace Name: Name of the table space containing the segment.

• Partition Count: Number of partitions.

• Extent Count: Number of extents allocated to the segment where the

data is stored.

• Next Extent Size: Size in bytes of the next extent to be allocated to the

segment.

• Bytes: Size in bytes, of the segment.

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Service Disclaimer Message of the Day

The Message of the Day sub-branch enables the user to define a message (service disclaimer) that will be displayed when a user logs in to the Sheer Client applications. An example of the Sheer DNA Manage window when the Message of the Day sub-branch is selected is displayed below.

The following areas are displayed in the Workspace:

• Title: The title of the message, which is displayed as the title of the

dialog box. By default the title “Terms of Use” is displayed.

• Message: A free text message for the user. The message supports HTML

format. Note: The Abort and Continue buttons are displayed in the message

dialog box by default, so the message must relate to these actions. The user must accept (Continue) the service disclaimer otherwise the user will be unable to login.

The following button is displayed in the Workspace:

• Save: Saves the message so that it is displayed when the user logs in to a

Sheer Client application.

For more information about the Message of the Day branch, refer to page 113.

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Polling Groups

The Polling Groups sub-branch enables the user to manage polling groups, by categorizing a group of devices to be polled according to pre-set intervals. The Polling Groups sub-branch is displayed below.

The following columns are displayed in the Workspace table when the Polling Groups sub-branch is selected:

• Polling Group: The polling group name defined by the user

• Description: A description of the polling group.

Note: Any changes that are made to the Polling Groups sub-branch are saved automatically and registered immediately in the Sheer DNA.

For more information about:

• Menu options, refer to page 39.

• Toolbar options, refer to page 41.

Polling Group Menus

This section provides a description of each option available in the menus when the Polling Groups sub-branch is selected. The following menus are available:

• File menu, as described on page 40.

• Tools menu, as described on page 22.

• Help menu, as described on page 22.

• Tree Pane shortcut menu, as described on page 40.

• Workspace shortcut menu, as described on page 40.

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File Menu – Polling Groups Branch

The File menu is displayed below.

New Polling Group

Creates a new polling group.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected polling group.

Exit

Exits Sheer DNA Manage.

Tree Pane Menu – Polling Groups Branch

Right-clicking on the Polling Groups sub-branch displays the following menu:

New Polling Group

Creates a new polling group.

Workspace Shortcut Menu – Polling Groups Branch

When the user right-clicks in the table in the Workspace the following shortcut menu, is displayed:

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected polling group.

Delete

Deletes the selected polling group.

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Toolbar – Polling Groups Branch

When the Polling Groups sub-branch is selected in the Tree pane the toolbar contains the following tools:

Creates a new polling group. Displays the properties of the selected polling group. Deletes the selected polling group.

When a polling group is selected in the table in the Workspace, clicking Properties in the toolbar displays the properties of the polling group in a Properties dialog box.

For more information about polling groups, refer to page 114.

Protection Groups

By default all the Sheer DNA Units in the Sheer DNA Fabric belong to one big cluster. The Protection Groups sub-branch enables the administrator to change the default setup of the Sheer DNA Units by customizing protection groups (clusters) and then assigning Sheer DNA Units to these protection groups.

For more information, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction High Availability User’s Guide.

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The Sheer DNA Manage window with the Protection Groups sub-branch selected is displayed below.

The following columns are displayed in the Workspace table when the Protection Groups sub-branch is selected:

• Name: The protection group name defined by the administrator.

• Description: A description of the protection group.

For more information about:

• Menu options, refer to page 43.

• Toolbar options, refer to page 44.

Protection Group Menus

This section provides a description of each option available in the menus when the Protection Groups sub-branch is selected. The following menus are available:

• File menu, as described on page 43.

• Tools menu, as described on page 22.

• Help menu, as described on page 22.

• Tree Pane shortcut menu, as described on page 43.

• Workspace shortcut menu, as described on page 43.

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File Menu – Protection Groups Branch

The File menu is displayed below.

New Protection Group

Creates a new protection group.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected protection group.

Exit

Exits Sheer DNA Manage.

Tree Pane Menu – Protection Groups Branch

Right clicking on the Protection Groups sub-branch displays the following shortcut menu:

New Protection Group

Creates a new protection group.

Workspace Shortcut Menu – Protection Group Branch

When the user right-clicks in the table in the Workspace the following shortcut menu is displayed:

Delete

Deletes the selected protection group.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected protection group in a Properties dialog box.

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Toolbar – Protection Groups Branch

When the Protection Groups sub-branch is selected in the Tree pane the toolbar contains the following tools:

Creates a new protection group. Displays the properties of the selected protection group. Deletes the selected protection group.

For more information about protection groups, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction High Availability User’s Guide.

2.3.5 Scopes Branch

The Scopes branch enables the administrator to group a collection of managed Network Elements together in order to enable the user to view and/or manage the Network Elements based on the role granted to the user for the scope. For more information on the Scopes branch, refer to Chapter 9, Managing DNA Security.

The Scopes branch is displayed below.

Each row in the table in the Workspace displays the name of a scope as defined in Sheer DNA Manage.

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For more information about:

• Menu options, refer to following section.

• Toolbar, refer to page 46.

Note: The menus and toolbar displayed in the Sheer DNA Manage window are context sensitive; the options vary depending on your selection in the Tree pane and Workspace.

Scopes Menus

This section provides a description of each option available in the menus when the Scopes branch is selected. The following menus are available:

• File menu, as described in the following section.

• Tools menu, as described on page 22.

• Help menu, as described on page 22.

• Tree Pane shortcut menu, as described on page 45.

• Workspace shortcut menu, as described on page 46.

File Menu – Scopes Branch

The File menu for the Scopes branch is displayed below.

New Scope

Creates a new scope.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected scope.

Exit

Exits Sheer DNA Manage. For more information, refer to page 56.

Tree Pane Shortcut Menu – Scopes Branch

When the user right-clicks on the Scopes branch in the Tree pane the following menu is displayed:

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New Scope

Creates a new scope.

Workspace Shortcut Menu – Scopes Branch

When the user right-clicks in the table in the Workspace the following shortcut menu is displayed:

Delete

Deletes the selected scope.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected scope. Note: The user cannot delete or edit the All Managed Elements scope in the

table in the Workspace. For more information, refer to the Scopes section on page 140.

Toolbar – Scopes Branch

When the Scopes branch is selected in the Tree pane the toolbar contains the following tools:

Creates a new scope. For more information, refer to page 140. Displays the properties of the selected scope.

Deletes the selected scope.

When a scope is selected in the table in the Workspace, clicking Properties in the toolbar displays the properties of the selected scope in a Properties dialog box.

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2.3.6 Topology Branch

The Topology branch enables the user to define static links between the Network Elements in order to supplement or override existing autodiscovered topology. The Sheer DNA Manage window with the Topology branch selected is displayed below.

The Topology branch displays all of the static links defined in the system including the A Side and Z Side of the link.

For more information about:

• Menu options, refer to page 47.

• Toolbar options, refer to page 49.

Topology Menus

This section provides a description of each option available in the menus when the Topology branch is selected. The following menus are available:

• File menu, as described in the following section.

• Tools menu, as described on page 22.

• Help menu, as described on page 22.

• Tree Pane shortcut menu, as described on page 48.

• Workspace shortcut menu, as described on page 48.

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File Menu – Topology Branch

The File menu is displayed below.

New Static Link

Creates a new static link.

Properties

This option is unavailable.

Exit

Exits Sheer DNA Manage. For more information, refer to page 56.

Tree Pane Shortcut Menu – Topology Branch

When the user right-clicks on the Topology branch in the Tree pane the following menu is displayed:

New Static Link

Creates a new static link.

Workspace Shortcut Menu – Topology Branch

When the user right-clicks in the table in the Workspace the following menu is displayed:

Delete

Deletes the selected static link.

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Toolbar – Topology Branch

The Topology branch contains the following tools:

Opens the New Link dialog box enabling the user to create a link between two devices. For more information, refer to page 127.

Deletes the selected static link.

For more information about the Topology branch, refer to Chapter 8, Managing Links.

2.3.7 Users Branch

The Users branch enables the administrator to define and manage user accounts. For more information about the Users branch, refer to Chapter Managing Sheer DNA Security.

The Sheer DNA Manage window with the Users branch selected is displayed below.

10,

Each row in the table in the Workspace displays the user name and a description of the user.

The following columns are displayed in the Workspace table:

• User Name: The user name (unique) defined for the current client

station.

• Description: A description of the user.

• Default Permission: The default permission of the user, namely, Viewer

to Administrator. For example, a user with the default permission Viewer can view maps and the Device List.

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Note: The default permission only applies at an application level, namely, all the activities that are related to GUI functionality, not the activities related to devices. For more information, refer to Chapter 10, Managing Sheer DNA Security.

• Last Login: The date and time that the user last logged in.

For more information about:

• Menu options, refer to the following section.

• Toolbar options, refer to page 51.

Note: The menus and toolbar displayed in the Sheer DNA Manage window are context sensitive; the options vary depending on your selection in the Tree pane and Workspace.

Users Menus

This section provides a description of each option available in the menus when the Users branch is selected. The following menus are available:

• File menu, as described in the following section.

• Tools menu, as described on page 22.

• Help menu, as described on page 22.

• Tree Pane shortcut menu, as described on page 51.

• Workspace shortcut menu, as described on page 51.

File Menu – Users Branch

The File menu is displayed below.

New User

Creates a new user for the current client station.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected user.

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Exit

Exits Sheer DNA Manage. For more information, refer to page 56.

Tree Pane Menu – Users Branch

When the user right-clicks on the Users branch in the Tree pane the following menu is displayed:

New User

Creates a new user for the current client station.

Workspace Shortcut Menu – Users Branch

When the user right-clicks in the table in the Workspace the following menu is displayed:

Change Password

Displays the Set Password dialog box that enables the administrator to edit a user’s password.

Delete

Deletes the selected user name from the system. Note: The user name root cannot be deleted.

Properties

Displays the properties of the selected user.

Toolbar – Users Branch

The Users branch contains the following tools:

Opens the New User dialog box enabling the user to define a new user for the current client station.

Displays the properties of the selected user.

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Deletes the selected user name from the system.

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2.3.8 Workflow Engine Branch

The Workflow Engine branch enables the user to manage workflow templates and running workflows in runtime. The Workflow Engine branch includes the following sub-branches:

• Templates: Displays a list of the deployed workflow templates and

enables the user to view the properties of the workflow template. For more information, refer to the section below.

• Workflows: Displays a list of the running or completed workflows and

enables the user to view and alter their current status. For more information, refer to page 54.

Templates

The Templates sub-branch enables the user to:

• View a list of the deployed workflow templates

• View the properties (attributes) of a workflow template

• Delete a workflow template

The Sheer DNA Manage window with the Templates sub-branch selected is displayed below.

The table displays the names of the workflow templates (in the Workspace), as defined using the Sheer Workflow Editor.

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For more information about:

• Menu options, refer to the following section.

• Toolbar options, refer to page 54.

Templates Menus

This section provides a description of each option available in the menus when the Templates sub-branch is selected. The following menus are available:

• Tools menu, as described on page

• Help menu, as described on page

22.

• Tree Pane shortcut menu, as described the following section.

• Workspace shortcut menu, as described on page 53.

Tree Pane Shortcut Menu – Templates Branch

Right clicking on the Templates sub-branch displays the following shortcut menu:

Properties

Displays a list of the workflow templates available on the Sheer DNA Gateway.

Workspace Shortcut Menu – Templates Branch

When the user right-clicks in the table in the Workspace the following shortcut menu is displayed:

Properties

Displays the properties (attributes) of the selected workflow template.

Delete

Deletes the selected workflow template.

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Toolbar – Templates Branch

When the Templates sub-branch is selected in the Tree pane the toolbar contains the following tools:

Deletes the selected workflow template.

For more information about workflows, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction Workflow User’s Guide.

Workflows

The Workflows sub-branch enables the user to:

• View the list of running or completed workflows and the status of each

• View the output of a workflow

• Abort a workflow that is being processed or that has been completed, and

initiate rollback

• Delete a workflow

• View the properties of a workflow

The Sheer DNA Manage window with the Workflows sub-branch selected is displayed below.

The following columns are displayed in the Workspace table when the Workflows sub-branch is selected:

• ID: A unique sequential number given to the workflow.

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• Name: The name of the workflow, as defined using the Sheer Workflow

Editor.

• State: The current status of the workflow, namely, Ready, Running,

Done, or Aborted.

For more information about:

• Menu options, refer to the following section.

• Toolbar options, refer to page 56.

Workflows Menus

This section provides a description of each option available in the menus when the Workflows sub-branch is selected. The following menus are available:

• Tools menu, as described on page 22.

• Help menu, as described on page 22.

• Tree Pane shortcut menu, as described on page 55.

• Workspace shortcut menu, as described on page 55.

Tree Pane Menu – Workflows Branch

Right clicking on the Workflows sub-branch displays the following shortcut menu:

Properties

Displays a list of the scripts and their current status.

Workspace Shortcut Menu – Workflows Branch

When the user right-clicks in the table in the Workspace the following shortcut menu is displayed:

Show Output

View the output of the workflow.

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Abort/Rollback

Aborts the workflow and performs rollback if the workflow is running, or if the workflow has already been completed it performs rollback.

Delete

Deletes the workflow from the database.

Note: A workflow can only be deleted from the database when it is Done or Aborted. It cannot be deleted while the process is still running.

Properties

Displays the properties (attributes) of the selected workflow, including its status.

Toolbar – Workflows Branch

When the Workflows sub-branch is selected in the Tree pane the toolbar contains the following tools:

Deletes the workflow from the database.

For more information about workflows, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction Workflow User’s Guide.

2.4 Logging Out

When the user has finished working with Sheer DNA Manage the user can log out of the application. Any changes that were made are automatically saved when logging out.

To log out of Sheer DNA Manage

1. From the File menu, select Exit,

or Click to close the Sheer DNA Manage window.

The following message is displayed:

2. Click Yes. The Sheer DNA Manage window is closed.

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3 Deploying Sheer DNA

About this chapter:

This chapter describes the steps that must be performed to deploy Sheer DNA and provides cross-references to the relevant sections in this Administrator’s Guide.

3.1 System Setup Flow

The flow below describes the steps required to deploy Sheer DNA using Sheer DNA Manage and the order in which they must be performed.

Step 1: Prepare a deployment plan

Step 4: Customize polling gr oups

Step 1: Prepare a deployment plan: The user must decide the following:

• How many Sheer DNA Unit servers are going to be deployed and

allocate AVMs (Autonomous Virtual Machines) to each server.

• How many and what types of Network Elements will be managed by

each AVM.

Step 2: Set up and manage DNA Servers

Step 2.1: Add Sheer DNA Units

Step 2.2: Create and launch AVMs

Step 2.3: Create and assign VNEs

Step 5: Define static links

(optional)

Step 3: Customize protection groups

Step 6: Manage and run workflows

(optional)

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• How many protection groups there are going to be and how Sheer DNA

Units are going to be grouped together in protection groups (clusters), based on the following considerations:

• Device type

• Geographical location

• Importance of device

• Number of devices

Note: The planning of Protection Groups in the deployment plan is only applicable when high availability is enabled. For more information, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction High Availability User’s Guide.

• How many standby Sheer DNA Units are going to be deployed.

• How Sheer DNA Units, standby Sheer DNA Units and protection groups

are going to be deployed and allocated.

• How many network scopes are required and according to what policy.

• How many users will be defined.

Step 2: Set up and manage DNA Servers: This includes the following:

• Step 2.1: Add Sheer DNA Units: Enables the administrator to add a

Sheer DNA Unit. Transport links are created automatically between the Sheer DNA Unit and its associated Sheer DNA Gateway in a star topology or between two Sheer DNA Units. For more information, refer to the section Adding New Sheer DNA Units on page 71.

In addition, the administrator can configure Sheer DNA Units for high availability and assign the Sheer DNA Units to protection groups. The standby Sheer DNA Units can be configured and assigned to protection groups (optional). For more information, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction High Availability User’s Guide.

• Step 2.2: Create and launch AVMs: Enables the administrator to add

AVMs to managed Network Elements. For more information, refer to the section Creating AVMs on page 80.

• Step 2.3: Create and assign VNEs: Enables the administrator to create

a Virtual Network Element (VNE) that corresponds to a Network Element. For more information, refer to the section Defining VNEs on page 89.

Note: Additional Units, AVMs, VNEs, Scopes and Users can be added or edited at any time.

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Step 3: Customize protection groups: Enables the administrator to change the default setup of Sheer DNA Units by customizing protection groups (clusters) and then assigning Sheer DNA Units to these groups. For more information, refer to Cisco Active Network Abstraction High Availability

User’s Guide.

Important Note: You must assign a DNA Unit and/or Redundant Unit to a specific Protection Group.

Step 4: Customize polling groups: Enables the administrator to customize new polling groups and rates. For more information, refer to the section Customizing a Polling Group on page 116.

Note: This step can be performed at any time after Step 1. Step 5: Define static links: Enables the administrator to add a static link

between two ports of two Network Elements in the network (optional). For more information, refer to the section Creating a Static Link on page 127.

Step 6: Manage and run workflows: Enables the administrator to manage workflow templates and running workflows in runtime using the Workflow

Engine branch (optional). For more information, refer to Chapter 9, Managing Workflows.

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3.2 User and View Setup Flow

The flow below describes the steps required to setup Sheer DNA users and the view using Sheer DNA Manage and the order in which they should be performed.

Step 1: Insta ll client lice n se(s)

Step 2: Def ine scope(s)

Step 3: Define Sheer DNA user accounts

Step 4: Customize a message of the day

(optional)

Step 1: Install client license(s): Enables the administrator to install and uninstall the client license provided by Sheer. For more information, refer to the section Managing Client Licenses on page 107.

Step 2: Define scope(s): Enables the administrator to define and manage scopes. For more information, refer to the section

Creating Scopes on

page 140. Step 3: Define Sheer DNA user accounts: Enables the administrator to

define and manage Sheer DNA user accounts. For more information, refer to section

Creating New Sheer DNA User Accounts on page 143.

Step 4: Customize a message of the day: Enables the administrator to define a message (service disclaimer) that will be displayed when the user logs in to the Sheer Client applications. For more information, refer to section Customizing a Message of the Day on page 113.

For a detailed description about how Sheer DNA implements a role-based security mechanism with scopes (groups of Network Elements) that are granted to users and managing users in the Sheer DNA platform, refer to

Chapter

10, Managing Sheer DNA Security.

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General DNA Manage Tables

4 General DNA Manage Tables

About this chapter:

This chapter describes how to perform general Sheer DNA Manage functions when working with tables:

Working with DNA Manage Tables, page 61, describes how to work with Sheer DNA Manage tables, including finding information, opening filters and exporting table information.

Finding Text in a Table, page 63, describes how to sort a table by defining specific criterion.

Filtering Information, page 63, describes how to define a filter for the data displayed in the Workspace. In addition, it describes how to select lines and set specific selection filters.

Setting Selection Filters, page 65, describes how to choose a line or specific set of lines, and display them in the table.

Sorting a Table, page 67, describes how to sort tables by defining specific criteria.

Exporting the Table to a File, page 68, describes how to export all the currently displayed data from the Workspace to a CSV file.

All these functions are performed using the Sheer DNA Manage table toolbar above the displayed table.

4.1 Working with DNA Manage Tables

Various tables are used throughout the application to display different types of information. Sheer DNA Manage enables the user to perform the following functions using the toolbar displayed above the table in the Workspace:

• Find text in a table.

• Define a filter in a table.

• Clear a defined filter from a table.

• Choose lines and set a selection filter in a table

• Undo the previous selection filter in a table

• Undo all selection filters

• Sort the table according to a column

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• Export table information.

• Finding specific information in DNA Manage tables

You can also find specific DNA Manage information, such as DNA Units, AVM/VNE details using the toolbar button and entering criteria into the

Find dialog box. For more information, refer to section Finding a Unit/AVM/VNE on page 76.

For more information about the Table toolbar, refer to page 18.

The user can open the Filter dialog box by clicking the button and sorting criteria by table field, operator, and text.

The user can also (multiple) select specific lines and display them in the table using the

using the

button, and undo the last applied filter, or rewind all filters

buttons.

Sheer DNA Manage enables the user to sort a table in one or more of the following ways:

• According to a column by clicking on the required column heading. The

icon is displayed next to the selected column heading.

• In ascending or descending order by clicking on the column heading.

• By clicking the button in the toolbar of the table and specifying the

criterion by which the table will be sorted. For more information about sorting a table using the button, refer to page 67.

A triangle is displayed next to the column heading to indicate the column according to which the table is sorted.

Clicking on a red triangle displayed in a cell expands the cell to display all of the information in the cell.

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4.2 Finding Text in a Table

Sheer DNA Manage enables the user to search for information in the Workspace by entering the search criteria, for example, by entering a partial user name.

Note: The tools displayed in the table are a generic component of Sheer DNA applications.

To find text in a table

1. In the table toolbar, in the Find field enter the search criteria.

2. Press Enter. The row matching the search criteria is highlighted in the

table. Note: Click F3 to continue searching the table.

4.3 Filtering Information

Sheer DNA Manage enables the user to define a filter for the data displayed in the Workspace according to a selected column. For example, in the Users branch information can be filtered according to user name.

To define a filter

1. In the table toolbar, click Filter . An example of the Filter dialog box

with defined field and operator criteria displayed.

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The following dropdown lists are displayed in the Filter dialog box:

• Field: Displays a dropdown list of all the columns displayed in the

current table.

• Operator: Displays a dropdown list of the values included in the

filter operation.

The following checkbox is displayed in the Filter dialog box:

• Not: Select this checkbox to filter the negative of the value in the

Operator field. For example, if the Not checkbox was selected in

the Filter dialog box, the filter operator would be the equivalent of “does not contain”.

The following free text area is displayed in the Filter dialog box:

• Search for: Enter the required filter value.

2. Select an option from the Field and Operator dropdown lists.

3. Enter th e required filter values in the Search for field.

4. Click OK. The information is displayed in the Workspace using the

defined filter. Note: The Filter button toggles to indicate that a filter has been

applied.

The filter can be cleared in order to display all the data in the table again.

To clear a filter

1. In the toolbar, click Filter

. The Filter dialog box is displayed.

2. Click Clear. The Workspace displays all of the data.

Important Note: Use the Clear filter option to clear ALL of the filter settings (refer to the note in the Setting Selection Filters section on page 65).

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General DNA Manage Tables

4.4 Setting Selection Filters

The user can choose a line or specific set of lines, and display them in the table (all un-selected lines are hidden). The user may make continuous multiple line selections, setting the table content after each selection, using

the Set Selection Filter button. The user can undo the last line selections (one step back), one at a time, using

the Previous Selection Filter button, or undo (rewind) all multiple line selections, using the Rewind All dropdown menu option.

This powerful Sheer DNA filtering mechanism enables the user sort though several hundred lines and pinpoint the appropriate line(s) that contain the required information.

For example, to filter and display seven lines in a 129 line Database Segment table:

• Select the appropriate lines in the table using standard Windows mouse

and/or keystroke operations

• Apply the filter to the selected line(s) using the button.

To choose multiple lines and apply the set selection filter

1. Select the line(s) in a DNA Manage table using the mouse and standard

Microsoft® Windows selection keys. The Set Selection Filter button is activated.

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2. Click the button. Only the selected line(s) remain in the table.

To undo the previous filter selection

1. Select one or several lines and filter them out using the appropriate table

toolbar buttons.

2. To undo the last filtering out selection, select the Previous Selection

Filter button. The table will display all lines that appeared before your last filter selection.

To undo all previous selected filter out options

1. Select, filter out and sort lines as required in the table using the

appropriate table toolbar buttons, such as Previous Selection Filter button.

2. Click the Previous Selection

button. The Rewind All dropdown

menu option is displayed:

3. Select Rewind All. All the lines in the table are displayed.

Important Note: To clear all manually selected and defined filter options, use the Clear command button in the Filter dialog box (refer to page 64 for operating instruction to clear filters).

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4.5 Sorting a Table

The tables displayed in Sheer DNA Manage can be sorted by defining specific criterion on a one-time only basis or continuously.

To sort a table

1. In the toolbar, click . The Sort dialog box is displayed.

The following dropdown lists are displayed in the Sort By area:

• Sort By: A dropdown list of all of the columns displayed in the

currently displayed table. The table is sorted firstly according to the selection made here. Select ascending or descending order.

• Then By: Dropdown lists of all of the columns displayed in the table.

The table is sorted secondly and then lastly according to the selections made here. Select ascending or descending order.

The following radio buttons are displayed in the Sort Operation area:

• Once Only: Sorts the information displayed in the table according to

the specified criterion once only. When this option is selected a triangle is displayed in the table heading for the selected column.

• Continuously/Repeatedly: Sorts the information displayed in the

table according to the specified criterion continuously. When this option is selected the icon is displayed next to the selected column heading.

2. Select an option from the Sort By dropdown list and Ascending or

Descending order.

3. Select an option from the Then By dropdown lists and Ascending or

Descending order (optional).

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4. Select Once Only or Continuously/Repeatedly.

5. Click OK. The table information is sorted according to the filter defined.

4.6 Exporting the Table to a File

Sheer DNA Manage enables the user to export all the currently displayed data from the Workspace to a CSV file. Either the selected rows are exported or when nothing is selected the entire table is exported. The data can then be imported and viewed at a later stage.

Note: This tool occurs throughout the application with the same functionality.

To export the table to a file

1. In the table toolbar, click the Export to CSV button. The Export

Table To File dialog box is displayed.

2. Browse to the directory where you want to save the table.

3. In the File name field, enter a name for the table.

4. Click Save. The table or selected row(s) is saved in the selected

directory.

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Managing Sheer DNA Units

5 Managing Sheer DNA Units

About this chapter:

This chapter describes how to manage Sheer DNA Units. This includes adding and removing Sheer DNA Units, and viewing Sheer DNA Unit properties.

What is a DNA Unit?, page 70, provides a description of a DNA Unit. Adding New Sheer DNA Units, page 71, describes how to add a new Sheer

DNA Unit to the Sheer DNA fabric. Editing Sheer DNA Unit Properties, page 73, describes how to view the

properties of a Sheer DNA Unit. Removing a Sheer DNA Unit, page 75, describes how to remove a Sheer

DNA Unit. Finding a Unit/AVM/VNE, page 76, describes how to locate Sheer DNA

Units, AVMs and VNEs among all Sheer DNA Servers.

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5.1 What is a DNA Unit?

For more information about adding Sheer DNA Units, refer to the section Adding New Sheer DNA Units on page 71.

The Sheer DNA Units also allow for optimal VNE distribution, ensuring geographic proximity between the VNE and its managed NE.

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The clustered N+m High Availability mechanism within the Sheer DNA Fabric is designed to handle the failure of a Sheer DNA Unit. Sheer DNA Unit availability is established in the Gateway, running a Protection Manager process, which continuously monitors all the Sheer DNA Units in the network. Once the Protection Manager detects a Sheer DNA Unit that is malfunctioning, it automatically signals one of the m servers in its cluster to load the configuration of the faulty unit (from the system Registry), taking over all its managed Network Elements. The switchover to the redundant standby Sheer DNA Unit does not result in any loss of information in the system, as all of the information is auto-discovered from the network, and no persistent storage synchronization is required. When a Sheer DNA Unit is configured it can be designated as being an active or standby unit.

Note: The Sheer DNA system is usually configured with Sheer’s High Availability mechanism enabled.

For more information about high availability, standby units, and defining a redundant unit, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction High Availability User’s Guide.

5.2 Adding New Sheer DNA Units

Sheer DNA Manage enables the user to add a Sheer DNA Unit to the Sheer DNA Fabric. Sheer DNA Manage automatically registers the Sheer DNA Unit in the registry and creates a transport uplink between the Sheer DNA Unit and the Sheer DNA Gateway. The Sheer DNA Units are linked to the Sheer DNA Gateway in a star topology.

In addition, the administrator can enable or disable high availability for a Sheer DNA Unit. These settings enable the administrator to define to which protection group a Sheer DNA Unit is assigned and whether it is enabled for high availability.(For more information on high availability, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction High Availability User’s Guide.)

Note: By default all Sheer DNA Units in the Sheer DNA Fabric belong to one big cluster, namely, the default-pg protection group.

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To add a new DNA Unit

1. Select the DNA Servers branch in the DNA Manage window Tree pane.

The DNA Servers branch is displayed.

2. Right-click on the DNA Servers branch to display the shortcut menu and

select New DNA Unit or in the toolbar click New Unit or from the File menu select New DNA Unit. The New DNA Unit dialog box is displayed.

The following field is displayed in the New DNA Unit dialog box:

• IP Address: The unique IP address of the Sheer DNA Unit.

Note: If a Sheer DNA Unit is already configured with the same IP

address an error message is displayed.

The following checkboxes are displayed in the New DNA Unit dialog box:

• Enable Unit Protection: Define whether a Sheer DNA Unit is

enabled (checkbox is selected) for high availability. This option is selected by default.

Note: It is highly recommended that the user does not disable this option. When you define the DNA Unit as the “new” Standby Unit, this option is automatically disabled. For more information about configuring standby Sheer DNA Units, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction High Availability User’s Guide.

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• Standby Unit: Define whether a Sheer DNA Unit is defined

(checkbox is selected) as a standby unit.

• The Protection Group dropdown list displays the currently defined

list of customized protection groups

3. Enter the IP Address of the new Sheer DNA Unit in the IP Address

field.

4. Select the required protection group from the Protection Group

dropdown list.

5. Click OK. The new Sheer DNA Unit is displayed in the Tree pane and

the Workspace of the Sheer DNA Manage window.

If the new Sheer DNA Unit is installed and reachable it will start automatically. The Sheer DNA Unit is registered with the Sheer DNA Gateway. Specifically, the command creates the configuration registry for the new Sheer DNA Unit in the Golden Source. For more information about the Golden Source Registry, refer to page 157.

In addition, Sheer DNA Manage automatically creates the transport uplinks between the Sheer DNA Unit and the Sheer DNA Gateway.

5.3 Editing Sheer DNA Unit Properties

The user can view the properties of a Sheer DNA Server, for example, physical and allocated memory.

To edit a Sheer DNA Unit’s properties

1. Select the DNA Servers branch in the Sheer DNA Manage window Tree

pane. The DNA Servers branch is displayed.

2. Select the Sheer DNA Unit or Sheer DNA Gateway in the Workspace or

expand the DNA Servers branch and select the required Sheer DNA Unit or Sheer DNA Gateway in the Tree pane.

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3. Right-click on the required Sheer DNA Unit or DNA Gateway branch to

display the shortcut menu and select Properties, or in the toolbar click

Properties or from the File menu, select Properties. The DNA Unit Properties dialog box is displayed.

The following fields are displayed in the DNA Unit Properties dialog box:

• IP Address: The IP Address of the Sheer DNA Unit or Sheer DNA

Gateway.

• Status: The status of the Sheer DNA Unit or Gateway, namely, Up or

Down.

• Up Since: The date and time that the Sheer DNA Unit or Sheer DNA

Gateway was started.

• Physical Memory: The physical memory of the Sheer DNA Unit or

Sheer DNA Gateway.

• Allocated Memory: The amount of memory allocated to the Sheer

DNA Unit or Sheer DNA Gateway. Allocated memory is the sum of all of the memory settings for all of the AVMs.

• Used Memory: The maximum memory used by the Sheer DNA Unit

or Sheer DNA Gateway. (Used memory is the sum total of the memory used by all the AVMs that are Up.)

The Protection Group dropdown list displays the currently defined list of customized protection groups.

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4. You can change the assigned DNA Unit protection group, as required, by

selecting an option from the dropdown list. The Enable Unit Protection checkbox defines whether a Sheer DNA

Unit is enabled (the checkbox is selected) for high availability. This option is selected by default when high availability is enabled.

Note: If and when you change (disable/enable) the Enable Unit Protection option (high availability), changes will only become effective

after a delay of about 15 minutes.

5. Click OK. The DNA Unit Properties dialog box is closed.

5.4 Removing a Sheer DNA Unit

The user can remove a Sheer DNA Unit. Note: The user must first delete all of the VNEs and non-reserved AVMs

before deleting a Sheer DNA Unit. The reserved AVMs cannot be deleted. For more information about reserved AVMs, refer to page 80.

Note: The Sheer DNA Gateway cannot be deleted. Note: The Sheer DNA Unit cannot be deleted if it is the Sheer DNA Gateway

to which the user is connected.

To remove a Sheer DNA Unit

1. In the Sheer DNA Manage window Tree pane, select the DNA Servers

branch. The DNA Servers branch is displayed.

2. Expand the DNA Servers branch and select the Sheer DNA Unit you

want to remove in the Tree pane or Workspace.

3. Right-click on the Sheer DNA Unit that you want to remove to display

the shortcut menu, and select Delete. A warning message is displayed.

4. Click Yes to proceed or No to cancel the operation. A confirmation

message is displayed.

5. Click OK. The Sheer DNA Unit is deleted and is no longer displayed in

the Tree pane and Workspace.

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5.5 Finding a Unit/AVM/VNE

A single search in Sheer DNA Manage can locate Sheer DNA Units, AVMs and VNEs among all Sheer DNA Servers according to specifically defined search criteria.

To find a Unit/AVM/VNE

1. In the Sheer DNA Manage window Tree pane, select the DNA Servers

branch or any sub-branch. The selected branch or sub-branch is displayed.

2. In the toolbar, click Find. The Find dialog box is displayed.

The Find field enables the user to enter specific search criteria in order to find the required DNA Unit/AVM/VNE. For example, the user can search for an AVM using the ID number or search for a Unit using an IP address.

The Types dropdown list enables the user to specify whether the user is searching for a Unit/AVM/VNE by selecting an option from the list. When an option is selected from the list, then the Property area is enabled, displaying the properties for the selected option. For example, if AVM is selected from the Types dropdown list, then the AVM’s properties are displayed in the Property area and the user can select a specific property according to which the user wants to conduct the search.

The Up and Down radio buttons enable the user to search up and down (you can also use the F3 key).

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The following buttons are displayed in the Find dialog box:

• Find: Searches for the DNA Unit/AVM/VNE from the selected

point in the Tree pane, either up or down.

• Cancel: Cancels the search and clears the Find dialog box.

3. Enter the search criteria in the Find field.

4. From the Types dropdown list select DNA Unit/AVM/VNE (optional).

5. From the Property area select a specific property (optional).

6. Select a direction, namely, Up or Down.

7. Click Find. The DNA Unit/AVM/VNE matching the search criteria is

highlighted in Sheer DNA Manage. Note: Click F3 to view the next DNA Unit/AVM/VNE matching the

search criteria.

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Managing AVMs and VNEs

6 Managing AVMs and VNEs

About this chapter:

This chapter describes defining and managing AVMs and VNEs. Creating AVMs, page 80, describes how to define an AVM for a Sheer

DNA Unit Server. AVM Status, page 82, describes the status of AVMs when they are created

and loaded. Viewing and Editing an AVM’s Properties, page 83, describes how to

view and edit an AVM’s properties.

Deleting an AVM, page 84, describes how to delete AVMs. Starting and Stopping AVMs, page 85, describes how to stop and start

AVMs, and the respective changes in AVM status. Moving AVMs, page 86, describes how to manage AVM before you move

them, and their status after a move. VNEs Overview, page 87, provides an overview of assigning VNE IP

addresses, the VNE relationship to an AVM, and how to add a VNE to an AVM.

Defining VNEs, page 89 describes how to open the New VNE dialog box and provides a description of property options you may define in each tab.

Viewing and Editing a VNE’s Properties, page 101, describes how to view and edit the properties of a VNE.

Deleting a VNE, page 103, describes how to delete a VNE from an AVM. Changing the VNE’s State, page 104, describes how to start or stop a VNE

or move a VNE to maintenance mode. Moving Multiple and Single VNEs, page 105, describes how to move

VNEs between AVMs.

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6.1 Creating AVMs

Sheer DNA Manage enables the user to define AVMs for DNA Unit Servers. Every AVM (Autonomous Virtual Machine) in the Sheer DNA Fabric is by default managed by the watchdog protocol. Sheer DNA Manage enables the administrator to define AVMs for Sheer DNA Units and enable or disable the watchdog protocol on the AVM.

In order to define an AVM:

• The Sheer DNA Unit must be installed.

• The Sheer DNA Unit must be connected to the transport network.

• The default AVMs, namely, AVM 0 (the switch AVM), AVM 99 (the

management AVM) and AVM 100 (the trap management AVM) must be running.

Note: For more information on the status of AVMs, for example, status Up when the AVM is running, refer to the AVM Status section on

page 82.

• The new AVM must have a unique ID within the Sheer DNA Unit.

Note: There are certain AVM ID numbers that are reserved, namely, AVM 0100 and these cannot be used. In addition, there may be other reserved AVM ID numbers. The user will be unable to enter a reserved number.

To create an AVM

1. Select the DNA Servers branch in the Sheer DNA Manage window’s

Tree pane. The DNA Servers branch is displayed.

2. Expand the DNA Servers branch and select the required DNA Servers

Entity sub-branch.

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3. Right-click on the required Sheer DNA Unit to display the menu and

select New AVM or in the toolbar click New AVM or from the File menu select New AVM. The New AVM dialog box is displayed.

The following fields are displayed in the New AVM dialog box:

• DNA Unit: The IP address of the selected Sheer DNA Unit.

Note: The Sheer DNA Unit does not have to be Up to create a new

AVM.

• ID: The name of the AVM as defined in Sheer DNA Manage, and

unique to the Sheer DNA Unit, for example, AVM 18. Note: The AVM numbers 0-100 are reserved and cannot be used.

The user will be unable to enter a reserved number. A message is displayed in the New AVM dialog box advising the user that the number is reserved.

• Key: The key is a string that uniquely identifies an AVM in the

system (across all DNA Units) thus enabling a transparent failover scenario in the system. If the user does not enter a key the default key is used, namely, “ID + timestamp”.

• Allocated Memory: The maximum memory allocated to the AVM. The following checkboxes are displayed in the New AVM dialog box:

• Activate on creation: Select this option to load the AVM into the

bootstrap of the Sheer DNA Unit. This changes the administrative status of the AVM to Up and ensures that the AVM is loaded on subsequent restarts of the Sheer DNA Unit. By default this option is unchecked and the newly created AVM has an administrative status of Down.

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• Enable AVM Protection: By default this option is selected

enabling the watchdog protocol on the AVM when high availability is enabled. For more information, refer to the Cisco Active Network Abstraction High Availability User’s Guide.

Note: It is highly recommended that the user does not disable this option if high availability is enabled.

Note: If this option is selected or unchecked when the AVM is up then you will need to restart the AVM in order for this change to take affect.

4. Define the properties of the AVM.

5. Click OK. The new AVM is added to the selected Sheer DNA Unit, is

displayed in the Workspace, and is activated.

Creating the new AVM results in Sheer DNA providing the registry information of the new AVM in the specified Sheer DNA Unit, and the AVM can now host VNEs. For more information, refer to the section Defining VNEs on page 89.

6.2 AVM Status

The status of AVMs (and VNEs) is affected by Admin and Oper mode. Admin mode is the administrative instructions that are sent to the AVM. Oper mode is the actual status of the AVM, for example, Up. For more information about Admin and Oper modes, refer to page 83.

When moving an AVM (file), its status, for example, Up or Down, has a bearing on whether the file is reloaded (Up) or not (Down). For more information about moving AVMs, refer to page about starting and stopping AVMs, refer to page 85.

An AVM can have only one of the following statuses at a time:

• Up: The file (process) is reachable and was loaded and started. When a

Start (command) option is issued, and no problems are encountered, such

as an overloaded server, the AVM is running (has been loaded and started), and its status is Up.

• Down: The file (process) is reachable and was stopped. When a Stop

(command) option is issued, Sheer DNA issues instructions to shutdown all of the processes. When all of the processes have been stopped, the status of the AVM is Down.

86. For more information

• Starting Up: When a Start or upload (command) option is issued, and

for example, the Server cannot execute it due to the fact that it is busy or overloaded, the status of the AVM is Starting Up.

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• Shutting Down: When a Stop (command) option is issued, and while the

command is being executed (some processes may still be running), the status of the AVM is Shutting Down.

6.2.1 Admin and Oper Mode AVM Status

The table below describes the status of an AVM depending on the Admin and Oper modes, as displayed in the Status column of the AVMs table. The Admin mode is the administrative instructions that are sent to the VNE. The Oper mode is the actual status of the VNE, for example, Up.

Status Admin Mode Oper Mode

Up Shutting Down Down Starting Up Up Down

Up Up Down Up Down Down

6.3 Viewing and Editing an AVM’s Properties

Sheer DNA Manage enables the user to view and edit the properties of an AVM, for example, the key and the allocated memory.

To view and edit an AVM’s properties

1. Select the DNA Servers branch in the Sheer DNA Manage window’s

Tree pane. The DNA Servers branch is displayed.

2. Expand the DNA Servers branch and select the required AVM sub-branch

in the Tree pane.

3. Right-click to display the shortcut menu and select Properties, or from

File menu, select Properties or in the toolbar click Properties.

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The AVM Properties dialog box is displayed with the details of the selected AVM, including, the IP address/key of the Sheer DNA Unit.

The following field is displayed in the AVM Properties dialog box:

• Status: The status of the AVM, namely, Up, Down or Unreachable.

For more information, refer to the section AVM Status on page 82.

4. Edit the details of the AVM, as required.

Note: For more information on the other fields displayed in the AVM Properties dialog box, refer to page 81.

5. Click OK. The AVM’s new properties are displayed in the Workspace.

6.4 Deleting an AVM

The user can remove an AVM. If the AVM is running it will be stopped before removal. This procedure deletes the registry information of the AVM in the specified Sheer DNA Unit. If there are VNEs running in the AVM then an error message will be displayed and the user will be unable to delete the AVM.

Important Note: You must remove all of the VNEs before removing their hosting AVM.

For more information, refer to Deleting a VNE on page 103. Note: Reserved AVMs 0-100 cannot be deleted.

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Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

1 Introducing Sheer DNA

1.1 The Sheer Solution

1.2 Sheer DNA Components

1.2.1 Autonomous VNE

1.2.2 The Sheer DNA Servers

Sheer DNA Gateway

Sheer DNA Unit

1.2.3 Sheer DNA Clients

1.3 Sheer DNA Manage Control Functionality

1.4 Additional Concepts and Terms

Device/Network Element

Element Management

License

Managed Element

Network Element Components

Permission

Polling Group

Protection Group

Redundant Unit

Roles

Scopes

Static Link

Transport Link

Users

Workflow

1.5 Terminology and Conventions

Related Documentation

Getting Started with Sheer DNA Manage

2.1 Starting Sheer DNA Manage

2.2 The Sheer DNA Manage Window

2.2.1 Sheer DNA Manage Tree Pane

2.2.2 Sheer DNA Manage Window Workspace

Table Toolbar

2.3 Sheer DNA Manage Window, Menus and Toolbar

2.3.1 DNA Servers Branch

Menus

File Menu – DNA Servers Branch

New DNA Unit

Exit

Tools Menu – DNA Servers Branch

Change User Password

Help Menu

Tree Pane Menu – DNA Servers Branch

New DNA Unit

Workspace Shortcut Menu – DNA Servers Branch

New AVM

Properties

Switch

Delete

DNA Manage Toolbar – DNA Servers Branch

2.3.2 DNA Server Entities Branch

DNA Server Entities Menus

File Menu – DNA Servers Entities Branch

New AVM

Properties

Exit

Tree Pane Shortcut Menu – DNA Server Entities Branch

New AVM

Properties

Switch

Delete

Workspace Shortcut Menu – DNA Servers Entity Branch

New VNE

Actions

Delete

Move AVM

Properties

DNA Manage Toolbar – DNA Server Entities Branch

2.3.3 AVM Branch

AVM Menus

File Menu – AVM Branch

New VNE

Properties

Exit

Tree Pane Shortcut Menu – AVM Branch

New VNE