New test method: RMA "Alive" test

[rc]

Hi Aleks,

we use Windows passive RMA for many Performance Counter tests. Sometimes servers dosen't answer on RMA requests and the status goes to "Unknown" for all these tests. We want to have wherever applicable only one alert for this situation so we want to use one RMA master test.

In RMA Manager there is already an button "Get info" respectively "Refresh info" which checks status of RMA.

Can you integrate this function as test method or you have another recommendation to test RAM "Alive" status.

Kind regards
Enrico

[KS-Soft]

I think you don't need any new test for this purpose. Simply setup Ping test for localhost using agent.

Quote from the manual
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How to check status of the agent

When you use single agent to perform various tests, you may want to setup Master test to check agent status. In such case HostMonitor may send single alert informing you about disconnected agent and hold dependant test items (so you will receive single alert instead of hundred warnings for all tests performed by this agent).

What test can you use as Master test?
- Passive RMA: It's pretty easy to check Passive RMA status. You may use TCP test to check is RMA receives connections on specified TCP port or use Ping test performed by the agent to check localhost (127.0.0.1). Such Ping test will always return "Host is alive" status when successfully authenticated connection to the agent can be established.

- Active RMA: Things a little more tricky when you need to check Active RMA status. Yes, you may setup the same "Ping localhost" test to check agent status. However this may lead to some delay in reaction as HostMonitor will not perform test if agent was connected but lost connection just a moment ago. HostMonitor may wait up to several minutes for new connection before changing test status to "Unknown". Dependant test items will be delayed as well so such delay is not a big problem, you will not receive a lot of alerts. However if for some reason you need to receive alert immediately, there is solution: setup Ping test using Active RMA and type rma itself string instead of localhost or target host name. In such case HostMonitor will display agent status immediately. HostMonitor will not use backup agent (if any) when specified agent is not connected; also HostMonitor will not wait for agent re-connection.
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Regards
Alex