Conference azur::mcc

1738.0. "Idea - Generic AM" by TAVIS::PERETZ () Wed Oct 30 1991 08:50

Hi,

Currently we need to code an Access Module for each type of entity we want 
to monitor.

Why not build a GENERIC AM which will be customized by the OPERATOR
for each type of entity? This will make DECmcc very attractive for many 
applications!

One type of such generic AM is for monitoring devices that are printing their
status, alarms, counters etc on a printer via RS232 ports. There are countless
such devices. The AM will be connected instead of (or in parallel with)
the printer and will "look" at the printed messages. There may be a lot of
garbage printed, so the AM will filter the printout and will convert only the
relevant information into EVENTS. 

It is the OPERATOR who defines what are the relevant events and which printed
message will be regarded as an event. 

One big advantage is that when the device manufacturer decides to change the
format of the printed messages it will be very easy to adapt DECmcc to the
change.

The same idea may be applied not only to MONITORING (only listening to) devices.
It should also be possible for the OPERATOR to set a command sequence, so that
when the operator do "SHOW COUNTERS" the AM will use this command sequence 
in order to access the device and get the required information. The same holds
for SET operations.

I think there is a huge potencial for such AM, as there are so many devices
that can be controlled this way very easy. A customer can develop an AM,
but I think most will prefer this type of customization.

What do you think?

Peretz Gur-El

	Good idea,  this  is what we refer to as the "ASCII AM".  It is
	in our discussions  for post V1.2 planning, don't know if it'll
	make it or not, but we're thinking about it.

	JCE

Please think positively about it. We have a project in hand that would
require exacly this type of ASCII AM. 

Anna-Lena M