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Table of Contents

Introduction

Introduction

StrataView Plus maintains a database that contains information about the StrataCom elements within networks to which it is attached. Users gain access to the StrataView Plus database through a graphical user interface front end using a mouse and keyboard.

This manual is intended for those users who need to access the StrataView Plus database (Release 8.2) for specific pieces of information or to a lower level of detail than is provided by the StrataView Plus program. This manual describes the structure and coding conventions of the StrataView Plus database and describes the use of third party programs that may be used to provide custom access to the database.

System Overview

Figure 1-1 shows the software and database modules involved in StrataView Plus.


Figure 1-1: StrataView Plus Software Modules and Database

The StrataView Plus database is created and maintained by the INFORMIX-OnLine database engine. INFORMIX-On-Line is a product of Informix Software Inc. and is shipped as a part of the standard StrataCom StrataView Plus package.

The INFORMIX-OnLine program operates in conjunction with the StrataView Plus front end program. The front end program maintains information about network status and statistics through its connection to the IPX or BPX node and updates the database accordingly through Structured Query Language (SQL) commands to the INFORMIX-OnLine program. Likewise, the user can request database information through the StrataView Plus front end. These requests cause StrataView Plus to generate the appropriate SQL commands to INFORMIX-OnLine resulting in database information being passed back to the user.

StrataView Plus permits a finite set of database access types. These access types provide the user with the most useful and most commonly used information about the monitored StrataCom networks. StrataView Plus does not, however, provide a low level access to every field in every record in the database. In situations where the user needs database information that cannot be obtained through the StrataView Plus program, low level access can be obtained by providing an alternative front end program which operates along side the StrataView Plus program as shown in Figure 1-2 (INFORMIX-OnLine is capable of supporting multiple front end programs concurrently).


Figure 1-2: StrataView Plus Database with Multiple Front Ends

The approaches for accessing the database that are described in this manual can result in the user having custom access to the StrataView and down to any level the user desires.

You should be aware of two warnings.


  1. The installation and operation of the alternative front ends require considerable knowledge of UNIX, the Informix tools and the SQL.

  2. Under some circumstances the user may not only access the database but may also be in a position to modify the contents or the structure of the database. StrataCom has configured the contents and the structure of the database for optimum performance and functionality with StrataView Plus. If you modify the contents or the structure of the database, the results are unpredictable, the usefulness of StrataView Plus may be destroyed and it may be necessary to re-install StrataView Plus from the beginning. Take all precautions to see that the alternative front end program is limited to a 'Read Only' status.

About this Manual

Chapter 2 describes the three approaches to providing custom front end programs. Because the software tools involved are provided through a third party (Informix Software Inc.), no step-by-step details are included in this manual. Details at this level are provided in the appropriate Informix documents.

Chapter 3 provides details of the structure and coding conventions of the StrataView Plus database. The database is that for StrataView Plus release 8.2.

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