About This Manual

This section describes the objectives, audience, organization, and conventions of the CiscoWorks Getting Started Guide. It also lists related Cisco, Sybase, and Sun publications.

Document Objectives

This guide shows you how to plan, install, and configure CiscoWorks 1.0.(x), and explains how to set up the CiscoWorks environment for your system. In addition, it describes how you can prepare to use CiscoWorks and includes exercises on how to learn to use some basic CiscoWorks applications.

For detailed information on using CiscoWorks, refer to the CiscoWorks User Guide.

Audience

The CiscoWorks Getting Started Guide is for the Cisco Systems customer who is responsible for installing, configuring, and verifying CiscoWorks software.This includes network managers, operators, and system administrators.

To install and configure CiscoWorks you should have prior networking experience, be familiar with the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), and be aware of your own network topology. In addition, you should be familiar with at least one window manager on the Sun platform (for example, OPEN LOOK) and the basic network management tools of SunNet Manager (SNM). Familiarity with database programs, a UNIX text editor (for example, textedit), and the basic commands used in the UNIX environment (for example, the cd command used to change directories) is helpful.

Document Organization

The organization of this guide reflects the order in which the tasks should be performed. Worksheets are included as planning and information gathering tools.

The following list describes the major sections of this guide:

Chapter 1, "Product Overview," provides an overview of applications provided by CiscoWorks.
Chapter 2, "Preparing to Install CiscoWorks," describes the system requirements for CiscoWorks and information you should obtain before proceeding to install and configure the CiscoWorks software. It provides installation and configuration worksheets that you can use to obtain the information.
Chapter 3, "Installing and Configuring CiscoWorks," provides the steps to install and configure CiscoWorks for the first time or to upgrade from NetCentral 1.3 to CiscoWorks 1.0.
Chapter 4, "Validating CiscoWorks Installation," shows you how to edit the .cshrc file to include CiscoWorks-related information, start the SNM Console, and view CiscoWorks processes.
Chapter 5, "Learning to Use CiscoWorks," explains how to run the Discover tool, change generic devices to Cisco devices, and synchronize the SNM database with the Sybase database. In addition, it provides instructions on how to view or use some simple CiscoWorks applications.
Appendix A, "Error Messages," provides error messages encountered during installation and configuration. It explains the context of error message and provides solutions.
Appendix B, "Porting NetCentral 1.3 Maps," provides instructions on how to translate NetCentral 1.3 maps and use them with SNM.
Appendix C, "Blank Worksheets," provides blank worksheets that help you plan for CiscoWorks installation and configuration.

Document Conventions

The command descriptions use the following conventions:

Commands and keywords are in boldface.
Variables for which you supply values are in italics.
Elements in square brackets ([ ]) are optional.
Alternative but required keywords are grouped in braces ({ }) and are separated by a vertical bar (|).

The examples use these conventions:

Terminal sessions are printed in a screen font.
Information you enter is in a boldface screen font.
Nonprinting characters such as passwords are shown in angle brackets (<>).
Information the system displays is in screen font, with default responses in square brackets ([ ]).

This publication also uses the following conventions:

A string is defined as a nonquoted set of characters. For example, when setting up a community string for SNMP to "public", do not use quotes around the string or the string will be set to "public".

Note Means reader take note. Notes contain helpful suggestions or references to materials not contained in the manual.

Time Saver Means the described action saves time. You can save time by performing the action described in the paragraph.

Caution Means reader be careful. You are capable of doing something that might result in equipment damage or loss of data.

Online UNIX Manual Pages

In this guide, references are made to the online UNIX manual (man) pages in the format: command (manual section). For example, for the manual page reference df, enter the following command at the UNIX system prompt:

hostname% man df

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