Sun Management Center Architecture and Base Components

The Sun Management Center software management framework is based on a three-tier architecture consisting of the Sun Management Center console, server, and agent components, which provide the core Sun Management Center functions.

Figure 1–1 Sun Management Center Basic Architecture

• The Sun Management Center Server executes management tasks, and sends requests to Sun Management Center agents to perform management tasks. The server stores network hardware and software information as well as network and Sun Management Center configuration in a database. The Sun Management Center server is normally installed on a single dedicated machine, and only one Sun Management Center server is required on a network.

• The Sun Management Center Agent responds to the Sun Management Center Server directives, accesses management information on the local machine, provides alarm determination, and monitors local resources. The agent is automatically installed on the Sun Management Center server machine, and is optional for all other machines on your network. Installing the Sun Management Center agent on each machine provides thorough management and reporting capabilities that are otherwise not available.

• The Sun Management Center Java Console is the graphical user interface that you use to monitor your network and run network management tasks.

• The Sun Management Center Web server is installed with the server layer on the same host as the server layer.

  The Web Server enables you to access the Sun Management Center Web server console from any system that supports either one of the following Web browsers.

  • Netscape Navigator^TM 4.5.1 or higher

  • Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher

Sun Management Center initiates operations by sending requests to the Sun Management Center agents installed on each system. Based on SNMP technology, the agents process server requests. The agents also act autonomously, collecting and processing data locally. Agents can act on observed conditions to send SNMP traps or execute management operations. The agents can raise alarms or initiate specific actions through customized rules and thresholds even when connection to the manager is severed. For further information about SNMP, see Security Keys and SNMP Community String and SNMP Daemons and Legacy Agents.

Management and monitoring functions of the Sun Management Center agent are structured into loadable modules. The agent modules provide flexibility, enabling you to establish as little or as much monitoring and management as required on a per system basis. Additional modules can be dynamically loaded into Sun Management Center agents from the Sun Management Center console without disruption of the management or agent systems. For further information about Sun Management Center modules, see “Sun Management Center Software Modules” in Sun Management Center 3.5 User's Guide