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Hosts with multiple names - separate page for all names?

4 messages in this thread

list John Horne · Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:34:59 +0000 ·
Hello,

The subject line isn't quite accurate, but I couldn't quite think how to to
describe the issue in a few words. From a long time ago I have given our Linux
servers colloquial names, but the servers also have more strict names from when
they are created. As an example, our 'bb' server (so called because it ran the
Big Brother software) is more correctly known as 'cent-8-023'.

I cannot remember the strict names for servers, but can the colloquial ones. So
our Xymon (4.3.30) hosts.cfg file lists the hosts with their colloquial name,
and a CLIENT: option with the strict name and a DESCR: option with the server
strict name and its IP address. E.g:
10.11.12.13 bb # CLIENT:cent-8-023 DESCR:"Server: cent-8-023 - 10.11.12.13"

All this means that on the Main view page I see the colloquial name, but if I
hold the mouse over the host name I then see the description. Great :-)

However, other people are always using the servers strict names when reporting
things to me, and that means I have to perform some form of lookup of what
strict name corresponds to what colloquial name. I could do that simply by
running the mouse over all the host names on the Main view page - not very
good; takes too long. I could simply keep a text list of server names - a bit
too old school even for me!

So the question is, is there some way to configure Xymon such that perhaps
there is a sub-page of all the same hosts but with their strict and colloquial
names being shown?
The host entry for the sub-page might then be:
10.11.12.13 bb-cent-8-023 # CLIENT:cent-8-023...

The sub-page would only really be used to see both of the servers names
(colloquial and strict). I would rather that the host entries did not appear on
the Main view status page since that in effect would double the number of hosts
being shown.

I could do this for the Main view status page as it is at the moment, but it
contains enough information already and expanding the host names further I
think would make it look a bit cluttered and not what I really want to do.


Thanks,

John.

--
John Horne | Senior Operations Analyst | Technology and Information Services
University of Plymouth | Drake Circus | Plymouth | Devon | PL4 8AA | UK
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This email and any files with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the recipient to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient then copying, distribution or other use of the information contained is strictly prohibited and you should not rely on it. If you have received this email in error please let the sender know immediately and delete it from your system(s). Internet emails are not necessarily secure. While we take every care, University of Plymouth accepts no responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan emails and their attachments. University of Plymouth does not accept responsibility for any changes made after it was sent. Nothing in this email or its attachments constitutes an order for goods or services unless accompanied by an official order form.
list Andy Smith · Fri, 25 Jun 2021 18:36:00 +0100 ·
Hi John,

Try Administration -> FInd Host, this field searches host entry name as 
well as the NAME: tag.? I always uncheck jump to page so I get a list, 
even if only one host matches.
-- 
Andy
quoted from John Horne

On 25/06/2021 17:34, John Horne wrote:
Hello,

The subject line isn't quite accurate, but I couldn't quite think how to to
describe the issue in a few words. From a long time ago I have given our Linux
servers colloquial names, but the servers also have more strict names from when
they are created. As an example, our 'bb' server (so called because it ran the
Big Brother software) is more correctly known as 'cent-8-023'.

I cannot remember the strict names for servers, but can the colloquial ones. So
our Xymon (4.3.30) hosts.cfg file lists the hosts with their colloquial name,
and a CLIENT: option with the strict name and a DESCR: option with the server
strict name and its IP address. E.g:
10.11.12.13 bb # CLIENT:cent-8-023 DESCR:"Server: cent-8-023 - 10.11.12.13"

All this means that on the Main view page I see the colloquial name, but if I
hold the mouse over the host name I then see the description. Great :-)

However, other people are always using the servers strict names when reporting
things to me, and that means I have to perform some form of lookup of what
strict name corresponds to what colloquial name. I could do that simply by
running the mouse over all the host names on the Main view page - not very
good; takes too long. I could simply keep a text list of server names - a bit
too old school even for me!

So the question is, is there some way to configure Xymon such that perhaps
there is a sub-page of all the same hosts but with their strict and colloquial
names being shown?
The host entry for the sub-page might then be:
10.11.12.13 bb-cent-8-023 # CLIENT:cent-8-023...

The sub-page would only really be used to see both of the servers names
(colloquial and strict). I would rather that the host entries did not appear on
the Main view status page since that in effect would double the number of hosts
being shown.

I could do this for the Main view status page as it is at the moment, but it
contains enough information already and expanding the host names further I
think would make it look a bit cluttered and not what I really want to do.


Thanks,

John.

--
John Horne | Senior Operations Analyst | Technology and Information Services
University of Plymouth | Drake Circus | Plymouth | Devon | PL4 8AA | UK
[http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/images/email_footer.gif]<http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/worldclass>;

This email and any files with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the recipient to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient then copying, distribution or other use of the information contained is strictly prohibited and you should not rely on it. If you have received this email in error please let the sender know immediately and delete it from your system(s). Internet emails are not necessarily secure. While we take every care, University of Plymouth accepts no responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan emails and their attachments. University of Plymouth does not accept responsibility for any changes made after it was sent. Nothing in this email or its attachments constitutes an order for goods or services unless accompanied by an official order form.
list John Horne · Fri, 25 Jun 2021 21:02:03 +0000 ·
On Fri, 2021-06-25 at 18:51 +0100, Andy Smith wrote:
Hi John, (reply to list being held until the list moderator can review
it for approval.)
quoted from Andy Smith

Try Administration -> FInd Host, this field searches host entry name as
well as the NAME: tag.  I always uncheck jump to page so I get a list,
even if only one host matches.
Thanks for that.

Unfortunately it shows a list but only their colloquial name. We don't use the
NAME tag, but would have to use the strict name in the tag. The problem then
is that the status pages then show the strict name and not the colloquial one.
Also it seems that the findhost option shows the tag (srict) name, and not the
colloquial one as well.

I need something that will show both names at the same time.
quoted from Andy Smith


John.

--
John Horne | Senior Operations Analyst | Technology and Information Services
University of Plymouth | Drake Circus | Plymouth | Devon | PL4 8AA | UK
[http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/images/email_footer.gif]<http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/worldclass>;

This email and any files with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the recipient to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient then copying, distribution or other use of the information contained is strictly prohibited and you should not rely on it. If you have received this email in error please let the sender know immediately and delete it from your system(s). Internet emails are not necessarily secure. While we take every care, University of Plymouth accepts no responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan emails and their attachments. University of Plymouth does not accept responsibility for any changes made after it was sent. Nothing in this email or its attachments constitutes an order for goods or services unless accompanied by an official order form.
list Adam Thorn · Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:08:04 +0100 ·
quoted from John Horne
On 25/06/2021 22:02, John Horne wrote:
On Fri, 2021-06-25 at 18:51 +0100, Andy Smith wrote:
Hi John, (reply to list being held until the list moderator can review
it for approval.)

Try Administration -> FInd Host, this field searches host entry name as
well as the NAME: tag.  I always uncheck jump to page so I get a list,
even if only one host matches.
Thanks for that.

Unfortunately it shows a list but only their colloquial name. We don't use the
NAME tag, but would have to use the strict name in the tag. The problem then
is that the status pages then show the strict name and not the colloquial one.
Also it seems that the findhost option shows the tag (srict) name, and not the
colloquial one as well.
 From man hosts.cfg,

COMMENT:Host comment

Adds a small text after the hostname on the web page. This can be used
to describe the host, without completely changing its display-name as 
the NAME: tag does. If the comment includes whitespace, it must be in
double-quotes, e.g. COMMENT:"Sun web server"

...might do what you want.

Or, you might be able to:

1. define two separate pages in hosts.cfg called "strict name list" and 
"colloquial name list" or whatever
2. have the identical list of hosts in both, but set NAME on the copy of 
the hosts on the second page to override how they get displayed on the web.

You might also want to set the 'prefer' tag on the hosts in one or the 
other page (again, see man hosts.cfg) though I've not used that tag myself.

Adam