Choosing RSC Communication Setup

Although you can change the way you use RSC at any time, after you install the software you can run a configuration script that prompts you for initial setup information. The basic decisions you need to make are:

• Which RSC communication ports to enable

• Whether to enable alert messages, and what types

Choosing RSC Communication Ports

RSC has two dedicated communication ports on the rear panel of the Sun Enterprise 250 server: an Ethernet port and a serial port. RSC can use either or both of these ports to communicate with users.

RSC Ethernet Port

The RSC Ethernet port, when connected to your local Ethernet, is most useful for accessing RSC from within your company network. Since RSC uses standard TCP/IP protocols, you can connect to RSC remotely using any standard technology that allows remote TCP/IP connections to your network, such as a pool of modems attached to a PPP server.

Although only four RSC user accounts are available, Solaris users on the company Ethernet can connect to any node on the network that has RSC client software installed, set the DISPLAY environment variable to their display, log in to RSC, and use the RSC GUI. In addition, any user who has superuser privileges on the server can log in and use the rscadm utility to change RSC configuration. Clients running the Windows operating system require client software to run the RSC GUI.

RSC Serial Port

You can connect a dedicated RSC modem to the RSC serial port. Use of a modem with dialback support is a secure option for allowing remote access to RSC.

Use of a modem on the RSC serial port is required for sending alerts to pagers. If you are concerned about dial-in security over the serial port, you can use a modem or phone line that supports dial-out only.

To use the RSC GUI, users must have RSC client software installed on their machines. If the modem uses a dialback option, users must dial in to the modem from a designated phone number.

You can set RSC to disconnect sessions on the serial port after 10 minutes of inactivity. If point-to-point protocol (PPP) is not enabled on the serial port, only one user at a time can connect to the RSC serial port.

Choosing Alert Message Types

When a server problem occurs, RSC sends an alert message. RSC always sends alert messages to any users that are logged in to RSC accounts.

You can also configure RSC to send alerts to people who are not necessarily logged in to RSC accounts. These additional alerts can be sent to an email address, to alphanumeric pagers, or to both. After receiving an alert, an RSC user can connect to their RSC account for that server and address the alert condition.

Email Alerts

If the RSC Ethernet port is enabled, you can set an email address to use for alerts. Although only a single mail address is permitted, you can notify several people that a problem has occurred by using an email alias.

Pager Alerts

If the RSC serial port is enabled and connected to a modem, you can page one or two alphanumeric pagers when an alert occurs. This alert mechanism may work best for you if your system administrators typically carry pagers.