Administering the Software
Data Collection

	Introduction

Data Collection gathers information about discovered systems and adds new or modified information about the system to the database.

Data Collection uses SNMP, DMI, WBEM, or a combination of the three protocols to gather information, which ensures you a comprehensive dossier on a system. Typically, DMI is instrumented on Windows-based desktop computers and laptops, and on HP-UX systems. SNMP is instrumented on Windows-based servers, Linux systems, and other networking systems, and can be used to interrogate Windows-based desktops. WBEM is expected to be instrumented on Windows (in the form of WMI, except for Windows NT), HP-UX, and Linux systems.

After HP Systems Insight Manager collects data initially, you can schedule a Data Collection task to specific systems and run the task with different schedules. In addition to the default Initial and Bi-Weekly Data Collection tasks built into HP Systems Insight Manager, you can set up new Data Collection tasks targeting specific managed systems. If you are scheduling to Overwrite existing data set (for detailed analysis), formerly known as Single Instance Data Collection task in Insight Manager 7, having it run once per week (smaller networks) to once per month (larger networks) should be adequate. If you are scheduling to Append new data set (for historical trend analysis), formerly known as Historical Data Collection task in Insight Manager 7, it might be beneficial to run it more frequently, perhaps once per hour for your most important systems, realizing is consumes database storage space.

To create a Data Collection task from the toolbar, select OptionsData Collection.

Note
	To enable Data Collection to collect data from any of the aforementioned instrumentation protocols, the corresponding protocol must be enabled, and the appropriate protocol settings must be specified, either globally or for the specific target system. Refer to Protocols - Setting Global Protocols for more information on setting global protocol settings and Protocols - Setting Protocols for a System or Groups of Systems for more information on setting single system protocol settings.

Note
	To enable collection of DMI data from a DMI-instrumented HPUX system, be sure that the name of the server that the HP Systems Insight Manager runs on is added to the /VAR/DMI/DMIMACHINES file of the target system.

Note
	To enable collection of WMI data from WMI-instrumented systems, a WMI Mapper Proxy must have been set up and specified through OptionsProtocol SettingsWMI Mapper Proxy. Refer to WMI Mapper Proxy - Adding for information on setting up a WMI Mapper Proxy.

	Append new data set (for historical trend analysis)

The Append new data set (for historical trend analysis) option maintains trend information in separate historical entries. You can use the historical perspective for trend and usage analysis because records change over time. Information gathered by Data Collection is used in Snapshot Comparison and Reports and can be used as criteria in system lists. With Append new data set (for historical trend analysis), data detailing the system history is collected. Use Append new data set (for historical trend analysis) conservatively and sparingly to track problem systems or problem usage times. Do not overuse this task because it can create considerable amounts of data to be stored.

Caution
	Do not delete the standard Data Collection task without replacing it with a substitute task that achieves a similar result. For example, removing the Data Collection task removes the capability for historical analysis and updating any information shown in reporting tables. You must refresh the page to see new data in reports.

	Overwrite existing data set (for detailed analysis)

The Overwrite existing data set (for detailed analysis) option overwrites any previous information collected. The Overwrite existing data set (for detailed analysis) is useful as a snapshot at the current time, because it overwrites old information with the current value.

You can view the current data set report from the System Page, which you can reach by selecting a system from the system list page. Refer to Using Default Tools - System Page.

Note that running data collection consumes noticeable network resources. Proper scheduling might be appropriate.

Important
	Multiple instances of the same Status Polling or Data Collection tasks do not run simultaneously.

	Initial Data Collection

The Initial Data Collection task is used to collect information from many systems that have DMI, SNMP, or WBEM running, for example: serial numbers and model numbers. This task is set to run by default when a new system or event meets the search criteria. You can view the Data Collection Report for a system after data has been collected by selecting it from the system list page. This action displays the System Page, where you can select the Data Collection Report link from the Links tab. Other report formats are available from the Reporting tool.

	Bi-Weekly Data Collection

The Bi-Weekly Data Collection task runs the Overwrite existing data set (for detailed analysis) option on all of the systems in the system default list. The default schedule is to run every two weeks on Saturday at 12:00 am. You can view the Data Collection Report for a system after data has been collected by selecting it from the system list page. This action displays the System Page, where you can select the Links tab and then click Data Collection.

	Related Procedure

	Related Topics