Hello -

The Centera SDK does have an interface for cluster statistics; Check out the "Monitoring Functions" chapter in the API reference manual (FPMonitor_Open etc.). This interface allows you to get highly detailed information about cluster status. However, it can be somewhat difficult to use generically because the XML data returned to your application varies with different versions of CentrsStar.

Going forward, the upcoming 2.0 version of the free Centera Console package will support application queries of the cluster status database via ODBC. This will become the preferred method of interfacing monitoring software to the Centera.

EMC has a set of forums specifically devoted to developer issues such as these at http://developer.emc.com; the Centera SDK Developer forum can be found at http://lighthouse.developer.emc.com/developer/devcenters/CAS-Centera.

Best Regards,
Mike Horgan
EMC Centera Corporate Systems Engineering

Do you have any kind of a timeline for the release of the 2.0 software? Monitoring Centera has been a huge thorn in my side.

Also, will we be able to monitor Centera's that are in CE+ mode with the 2.0 software?

Thanks,
Steve

Hi Steve -

I made a mistake - the next version is Console 2.2 (not 2.0). 2.2 is scheduled to go GA on 2/29/2008.

And yes, monitoring of CE+ clusters is supported in 2.2.

Best Regards,
Mike Horgan
EMC Centera Corporate Systems Engineering

I have a question about using Console on CE+ mode clusters.

Everything that I have read regarding Centera leads me to believe that I can't get anything out of the CE+ mode cluster unless I am directly plugged into a storage node. I don't mean to seem like a dolt on this, but I have been getting conflicting information from various sources.

So my question is: Will Console 2.2 allow me to gather capacity and pool information from a CE+ mode cluster over the network connections that are used for data transfer into the cluster (i.e., Access nodes)?

Thanks,
Steve

Hi Steve -

You've changed the question

No, Console 2.2 cannot retrieve statistics over the locked management ports on a CE+ Centera's access nodes - the ports are simply not open for external access.

However, it does support an upcoming CentraStar feature called "network segmentation" which will allow you to publish management data through a Centera storage node's eth2 port on a CE+ cluster. In order to do this, you will need to provide network connectivity between the Console host machine and the storage node (obviously).

Best Regards,
Mike Horgan
EMC Centera Corporate Systems Engineering