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Robot/CONSOLE: iSeries Message Management Software

iSeries message management (Power Systems, System i, AS/400) and monitoring can be a daunting manual task. Robot/CONSOLE message management software automates iSeries message management, resource monitoring, and system log monitoring. It monitors system console messages and responds to, redirects, or suppresses them automatically. Robot/CONSOLE is also iSeries monitoring software for resources such as subsystems, devices, and queues, as well as critical system logs.

  • Message management
  • Resource monitoring
  • System log monitoring
  • Message notification
  • Message history
  • OPAL procedures

Automated Message, Resource, and Log Management
When your System i sends a message, who sees it? When a resource is unavailable, how long before someone notices? Is there a way to find out who changed a security value or made an FTP request? You need a smart, tireless assistant to manage incoming messages and monitor resources and system logs. An assistant that notifies a human only when it can’t handle a situation.

 
iSeries Message Management
 

You need Robot/CONSOLE message management software to help you with systems management.

  • Automated message management and notification.
    Just instruct Robot/CONSOLE how to handle a type of message and it manages those messages automatically for you, night after night and week after week.
  • Tailored message notifications.
    Robot/CONSOLE message management software lets you design message notification options to your requirements—funnel messages to one person, or broadcast them to many. And, when a message isn’t answered quickly, Robot/CONSOLE can route it elsewhere, even to a different System i.
  • No more manual monitoring.
    Robot/CONSOLE monitors System i resources such as job queues, subsystems, printers, devices, objects, and TCP/IP services. You specify which resources to monitor and how often to check. If Robot/CONSOLE finds a problem, it can react by executing a procedure or by notifying an expert.
  • Manage critical system logs easily.
    Robot/CONSOLE helps you manage FTP requests, the security audit journal (QAUDJRN), and the system history log (QHST) and can automatically handle your log monitoring messages. You can see at a glance who executed an FTP transaction, or modified a system value.

 

Manage System i Messages Automatically
You tell Robot/CONSOLE message management software how to handle each type of message and it does it automatically. As you work with Robot/CONSOLE message management, it becomes more experienced and can handle more and more of your messages automatically. You indicate which messages:

  • Robot/CONSOLE should ignore.
  • Robot/CONSOLE should reply to the same way every time, or based on the contents of the message.
  • You must see because they indicate a serious problem.
  • Require your response so the System i can keep working (such as tape-mount or paper-out messages).
 
Monitor System i Resources Effectively
Robot/CONSOLE message management software monitors your resources so you never need to worry that you’ll be caught off-guard if a critical resource such as a line, device, or server becomes unavailable. Robot/CONSOLE checks the status of defined resources at regular intervals, and takes immediate action if it finds a problem. A resource whose status is unexpected triggers a message and Robot/CONSOLE uses its message-management capabilities to react to the situation by executing a procedure, or by sending a message to an expert.
 
iSeries Message Management
 
The Robot/CONSOLE Resource Monitor lets you see whether monitored resources are in their expected status, display and edit the monitoring properties of a resource (such as priority and interval), and hold or release resources. You’ll never have to monitor resources manually, or write your own monitoring programs.
 
Use Detailed History Records
Robot/CONSOLE’s automatic message management keeps a detailed message and reply history for your analysis. It also creates detail and summary reports, including a concise Good Morning report that summarizes all of the messages handled during the night.
 
iSeries Message Management
 
Monitor System Logs Effortlessly
Robot/CONSOLE message management software monitors system logs to help you manage FTP requests, the security audit journal (QAUDJRN), and the system history log (QHST). When you actively monitor these system logs, you see who requested an FTP transaction, who modified a system value, or the number of objects not saved in the most recent backup. Robot/CONSOLE creates a complete audit trail that is useful for SOX audits, Service Level Agreements, and general system management.
 
Take Advantage of a Powerful Interface
The Robot/CONSOLE Explorer is an easy-to-use interface that makes message management, resource monitoring, and log monitoring quick and simple. It displays your message and resource management setup in a tree structure, including information about message centers, groups, sets, monitored resources, notification lists, tables (message and OPAL), system setup, and reports. It’s easy to configure and set up Robot/CONSOLE message management and its components, such as message sets, using System Setup options, the Tools menu, and the Message Set Creation Wizard.
 
iSeries Message Management
 
Use OPAL For Real Message Control Muscle
When you need real message management muscle, you can use Robot/CONSOLE’s OPerator Assistance Language (OPAL) to create sophisticated message processing procedures. OPAL can check the contents of message variables and decide what actions to take. It can execute commands, call programs, cancel jobs, or call an expert for help.

Robot/SCHEDULE Plus Robot/CONSOLE For Automated Message Management
Robot/CONSOLE message management software includes a seamless interface to Robot/SCHEDULE, the automatic computer operator and job scheduler, to help you organize your message management process and respond to any operational crises. You can use Robot/SCHEDULE’s work calendars and system-wide reserved command variables (such as operator on duty or job date) in your message handling procedures to maintain continuity, stability, and consistency within your operating environment.

Robot/SCHEDULE can execute or schedule a batch job in reaction to a Robot/CONSOLE message, so you can initiate all the jobs that run in reaction to system or application events—automatically. Robot/CONSOLE and Robot/SCHEDULE can streamline your operational processes and really reduce your issues.

Robot/CONSOLE Plus Robot/ALERT Means You Always Get The Message
Robot/CONSOLE doesn’t let you miss an important message—it makes sure you see the messages you need to see right away. Robot/CONSOLE’s automatic message notification process helps you track and respond to critical messages directly from your desktop. If you’re unavailable, Robot/CONSOLE can send the message to another expert, even an expert on a different system. Robot/CONSOLE works with Robot/ALERT to send important pager, text, or e-mail messages quickly.

Use Robot/CONSOLE With Robot/NETWORK To Manage Messages And Resources Across Your Network
Robot/CONSOLE message management software works with Robot/NETWORK, the network management software, to centralize message and resource management; distribute product instructions and objects (such as message sets); and monitor resources and system logs—throughout your System i network.

The Robot/CONSOLE Explorer makes it easy to define your instructions in one place, then distribute them using Robot/NETWORK to maintain consistency across the systems in your network. Use Robot/NETWORK to redirect messages from Robot/CONSOLE on one system to another system and answer the message from the other system. Or, redirect unanswered messages from remote systems to the Host system. Either way, you enjoy complete, centralized, automated control of your messages and resources.

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