Integrating NetPing Devices in Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM)

One of the tools of Microsoft System Center Operations Manager product is using an SNMP protocol for receiving the information from devices in the network. Accordingly, SCOM allows implementing monitoring of sensors, connected to NetPing devices, and on this basis, it allows building different graphs for a specified period of time. Therefore, SCOM is one more product, using which it is possible to implement a convenient microclimate monitoring, simplest security features indoors for IT and other necessary equipment at the basis of NetPing monitoring devices and control power supply sockets.

In this article, an example of configuring Microsoft System Center Operations Manager for monitoring temperature sensors, connected to UniPing server solution v4/SMS devices, will be examined.

Requirements

To implement temperature monitoring using SCOM, there is a need to have:

• NetPing monitoring devices (in the example UniPing server solution v4/SMS devices are used);
• 1-Wire temperature sensors, (THS), 2m, connected to a UniPing server solution v4/SMS device;
• a wide-scale product in IT infrastructure Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2012 R2;
• a corporate network for transmitting data

Configuring UniPing server solution v4/SMS Monitoring Unit

To organize temperature monitoring, there is a need to implement basic configurations (configure network parameters to access a network and parameters of an SNMP protocol) of a UniPing server solution v4/SMS device, and connect and configure the operation of temperature sensors in a device web interface. You are welcome to read information on a basic configuration of a device, as well as on connecting and configuring temperature sensors in a corresponding documentation via the links:

• Firmware description;
• User guide

Deployment of Microsoft System Center 2012

You are welcome to read a detailed description of deploying an integrated management platform Microsoft System Center 2012 in the articles on the next links:

• Step by step installing System Center 2012 R2 Operation Manager;
• Deploying System Center 2012 - Operations Manager

Configuring Microsoft System Center Operations Manager

Firstly, it is necessary to add UniPing server solution v4/SMS devices  in SCOM as network devices. To do this, there is a need to choose the section «Network Devices» from the tree «Administration» and run «Discovery Wizard...»:

In the window «Computer and Devices Management Wizard» that appears, there is a need to choose the item «Network devices» at the stage «Discovery Type». Then click the button «Next >»:

At the stage «General Properties», fill in the dialog for searching devices:

At the stage «Discovery Method», choose a precise method for searching devices:

At the stage «Default Accounts» create an SNMP account, which will be used for authorization at UniPing server solution v4/SMS devices:

At the stage «Devices», add UniPing server solution v4/SMS devices, using the button «Add...»:

At the stage «Schedule Discovery», it is necessary to indicate time for searching devices in the network.

When the search is completed, UniPing server solution v4/SMS devices will appear in the list of network devices «Network Devices»:

Now, there is a need to go to the tree «Authoring» to create a rule for a graphic representation of temperature sensors. In the section «Rules», there is a need to choose the item «Create a new rule...»:

In a window for creating a new rule «Create Rule Wizard», choose an SNMP Performance rule and Management pack (create it at your own discretion):

At the stage «General», enter a name and a description of a rule, indicate the object «Node» and make sure to disable this rule:

At the stage «SNMP Probe», enter OID of a temperature sensor, connected to a UniPing server solution v4/SMS device, its polling frequency and save the settings of a rule by the button «Create».

Now, there is a need to redefine a created rule at UniPing server solution v4/SMS devices. To do this, choose a parameter «For a specific object of class: Node»:

In a window «Select Object», choose a necessary device and click «OK»:

In a window «Override Properties», there is a need to configure parameters necessary for a task, for example, as shown in the screenshot:

Now, it is possible to create a representation («Performance View») to display the information from rules. In the tree «Monitoring», there is a need to create a new folder and create a necessary representation in it, as shown in the screenshot:

Then, in a window «Properties» indicate a name of a representation and choose criteria from specific rules that were already created before:

Result

A Microsoft System Center Operations Manager configuration described in the example shows how to implement gathering, storing and representing of data from NetPing devices in a convenient graphic appearance:

Such integration allows operators in big corporate networks to analyze and control parameters from many network devices in a single monitoring console. This significantly simplifies controlling important parameters and helps to react at the situation in a timely manner if any problems arise.