Any experience/info with 3.0 feature: Package buffer?

[pmcdaid]

I am interested in monitoring and analyzing data for network elements that are sporadically connected, yet I would like to do monitoring and analysis after the fact as if there were no interruption. With that, I am interested in understanding the new "package buffer" capability available in 3.0. The only documentation I could find (in What's New) states:

"Packages buffer. If the main server where the agent has to send the data to is unavailable, it will "save" the packages and as soon as it becomes available send them back."

Does this mean that when a monitored element is not connected to the server for some reason the agent will cache information until the connection is reestablished. At that time will the cached information then be communicated and stored for analysis? Will the previously cached module data be time-tagged, stored and available in the server as if there were no connection loss?

Is this automatically enabled in 3.0? Where is this configured?

Any information on this feature would be greatly appreciated.

-Pat

[pmcdaid]

When looking in the pandora_agent.conf file I find:
----
# Enable or disable XML buffer.
xml_buffer 0
----

This seems like it may be related to my original question, but I am just guessing. And more importantly, as I already asked, is there the capability to cache at the agent multiple values for a module at defined interval times such that the server is updated with a continuous data set of module values over time in the event server communication is lost for a significant length of time?

Or is this new feature about sending the latest set of module values once communication is re-established?

Any feedback welcome.

-Pat

[pmcdaid]

After digging around, I found that, in fact, the new 3.0 package buffer feature does provide the capability of caching modules at the agent until the communication is reestablished with the server. If communication to the server is reestablished when performing a subsequent agent polling of module values, the cached modules will also be forwarded with their respective timestamps. As I suggested in the earlier message, setting the xml_buffer value in the pandora_agent.conf file  establishes the buffering behavior in the agent.

After working with this capability,  I have come to find out it does not work quite right yet. I will submit a defect that provides the details. It seems the agent code is not properly recognizing that the xml files sent to the server are failing to arrive. The agent is assuming success and deleting the buffered xml files. I suspect his may have to do with the error handling with the Tentacle calls.

-Pat

[randy_srs]

Hey Pat

thanks for the info // it really seems like Pandora is a figure it out on your own system ..

you would think that the forum would be a great place to ask questions or issues that the community or enterprise staff would love to see us as IT guys recommend their products and services .

i really like pandora and have been in my spare time lOL learning it . but it would be nice to hear or get  questions atleast some what answered ..

best of luck to you
Randy