Glossary

admin file

An ASCII administration file that defines default installation actions for Solaris packages.

boot

To load the system software into memory and start it. In the Sun N1^TM System Manager, you can use the start command to power on and boot a managed server if needed. See also reset.

bootip

Also known as the provisioning IP. IP addresses that are used during the installation process for Linux based managed servers. This IP address may be temporary just for the duration of the installation process. Some sites may reuse the same range of bootip addresses for subsequent provisioning operations.

browser interface

A web-based user interface for the N1 System Manager that provides a subset of the command line features.

command line

The N1 System Manager n1sh shell that enables you to run N1 System Manager commands. The n1sh shell is available from the browser interface or through the n1sh command on the management server. The n1sh shell run time environment is signified by the N1-ok> prompt.

data network

The network that is used to access managed server from other machines in the data center or enterprise. This network might not be visible to the management network.

data network interface

This interface provides access from the managed server to the data center network. Multiple data network interfaces might exist.

data network switch

One or more switches used for data transfers outside the horizontally scaled system (HSS). Both GigE and Infiniband switches are supported.

distribution group

A collection of software clusters and packages that is to be installed on a managed server.

event

A change in the N1 System Manager system or a managed server, which is tracked in the N1 System Manager event log and may initiate a notification message to external systems.

fault

An identified problem with a component, usually at the field replaceable unit (FRU) level.

firmware

Software stored in read-only memory (ROM) or programmable ROM (PROM). Firmware is usually used to help with the initial booting stage.

FRU

Field Replaceable Unit. An assembly that a manufacturer replaces on failure of an assembly component.

job

A user-defined task to be completed by a computer system. In the N1 System Manager, an asynchronous action initiated and tracked by a user to perform a task.

in use profile

An OS profile that is currently being installed on a managed server. An in-use profile cannot be deleted.

installation script

A script used to provide a customized installation of Solaris packages or patches.

load

Installing software to a managed server, such as the operating system, firmware updates, and software updates.

log

A single logical location of events in the N1 System Manager network.

managed server

A physical server that has been successfully discovered by the N1 System Manager and is subsequently monitored and managed by the N1 System Manager. Also known as a provisionable server in earlier N1 System Manager releases. For a list of supported servers, see Manageable Server Requirements.

manageable server

A physical server that has not been discovered by the N1 System Manager and is not currently monitored or managed by the N1 System Manager. Also known as a provisionable server in earlier N1 System Manager releases. For a list of supported servers, see Manageable Server Requirements.

management agents

Management software that must be added to a managed server to provide remote command functionality, OS resource monitoring, package deployment, and inventory management. Also known as management features.

The N1 System Manager provides two management features: base management and OS monitoring.

management feature

See management agents.

management IP address

The IP address of a managed server that the N1 System Manager uses to manage the server. This IP address depends on how the managed server is discovered.

management name

A unique name used to denote a managed server within the N1 System Manager environment. By default, the name is set to the server's management IP address determined during discovery. However, a user-defined name can be assigned.

management network interface

The interface that provides access to the management information and functions primarily for managed server hardware and firmware. This interface is the interface to the managed server's service processor or ALOM processor.

management network switch

An Ethernet switch used for sending management signal data within the horizontally scaled system (HSS).

manual netboot

A feature within N1 System Manager that enables the user to manually control the netboot process to provision a managed server. This feature is required to provision servers that are discovered using the manual or OS discovery process.

management server

The server on which the N1 System Manager software is installed. For a list of supported management server, see Management Server Requirements in Sun N1 System Manager 1.3 Site Preparation Guide.

N1 System Manager

Software running on the management server that acts as the entry and control point for provisioning and managing servers. A browser interface and a command-line interface are provided.

notification message

A message sent using email or SNMP traps to notify an external entity of managed server events.

notification rule

A user-specified configuration for when, where, and how to send a class of notification messages.

operating system

A collection of programs that monitor the use of the system and supervise the other programs executed by the operating system. The N1 System Manager enables you to install a operating system such as RedHat Linux and Solaris x86 to a managed server or server group.

OS

See operating system.

OS distribution

A installable image of an operating system. In the N1 System Manager, you must copy an OS distribution from a CD or DVD or ISO file before it can be installed on a managed server or group of managed servers. See also OS profile.

OS profile

Specifies how to install an operating distribution, including which operating system components to install, which additional files and programs to install with the operating system, and configuration information such as root password and disk partitioning specifications. See also OS distribution.

privilege

A predefined set of permissions enabling a user to perform certain operations within the N1 System Manager. A privilege is granted to a user by assigning to a role and then assigning the role to the user.

provision

The process of using the N1 System Manager to install a preconfigured operating system on a server managed by the N1 System Manager.

provisioning network

The network used to provision managed servers from the N1 System Manager management server. This network must be visible to the management server.

provisioning network interface

This interface provides access to the managed server's OS management functions. This interface is used to provision an operating system and OS updates to a managed server, monitor managed server OS resources, and for remote command execution on each managed server. Typically only one provisionable network interface exists.

reboot

See reset.

reset

Power off and power on a hardware device. In the N1 System Manager, you can use the reset command to reboot a managed server (power off, power on, and boot a server).

response file

A file that provides the interaction responses that would be requested during a Solaris package installation in interactive mode onto a managed server. A response file enables a package to be installed without user intervention.

role

A set of permissions and privileges regarding what a user may do to the system.

server

See management server, manageable server, managed server.

server group

A user-defined group of servers for the purpose of creating a logical target for management operations. For example, server groups enable operations such as reboot and OS install to be performed on multiple managed servers with a single command.

shutdown

The process of taking a system from a multiuser OS state to a single user state and a complete halt and power down. In the N1 System Manager, you can use the stop command to shut down and power off a managed server.

start

See boot.

terminal server

A network device that provides a serial connection to the switches, management server, and servers.

update

A software update for an OS. In the N1 System Manager, a RedHat Linux RPM or a Solaris package or patch.

user

A person who is authorized to log in to and use the N1 System Manager.