I was recently asked to review an article that an enterprising WebSphere user had written. The article told folks how to write some programs that monitor WebSphere on iSeries jobs and send out alerts via e-mail or a pager if any of the WebSphere jobs experienced a problem. At first glance this looked like a great idea. But when I looked more deeply, the developer had written his code to read the WebSphere Administrative Database and had used the WebSphere Control Program (WSCP) command line interface -- things you definitely don't want to do.
I discussed those facilities with some of my IBM contacts. Below is what they said, as well as how you should -- or should not -- use them.
Administrative Database
Do NOT write programs over the Administrative Database. IBM reserves the right to change its structure and content, and there is some indication that it may disappear in Version 5, which is currently in various stages of development for various platforms in favor of XML files. No one at IBM will say for sure that the database will disappear, but they consistently tell me DO NOT USE THE DATABASE.
XML CONFIG
This great utility was provided back at V3.5 of WebSphere. At V4.0, we saw IBM withdraw much of its function in favor of the WSCP. I'm told that IBM is not committed to XML CONFIG and may drop support for this facility in Version 5. (Unfortunately, details aren't available at this time.)
WebSphere Control Program (WSCP)
Once again, here is a facility that appears to have been one of those good ideas that didn't quite make it. Again, use it with caution and with the awareness that it may not be supported in a future release.
With all this bad news, what's the good news? Well, IBM finally understands that we customers need to automate administrative tasks using a solid interface that will exist across releases and that they need to provide one. Will we see this in Version 5 of WebSphere? I am told that it's likely.
Oh, and that guy who wrote the WebSphere monitor application? It turns out he should have looked a Management Central Pervasive (free and included) bundled with Operations Navigator. It monitors jobs, sends e-mail, calls your pager or your cell phone or other pervasive device, and its free for about an hour's worth of set-up.
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About the author: Bob Cancilla is managing director of IGNITe/400, an electronic iSeries 400 Internet users group. He is also author of the book Getting Down to e-business with AS/400.
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