Operations automation, duty scheduling and runbook support
The element of COSduty-SSA functionality which
demonstrates most extensively the value of its OSM Toolset
foundations is that of operations automation and duty
scheduling. This is the area where operations' processes are
captured and delegated for subsequent re-use. A collection of
such processes can for the basis of an automated runbook. A
good example is Sun Microsystems' i-Runbook Automated Edition,
although many organizations create their own.
Procedures and delegation
As soon as processes have been captured, refined and equipped
with a simple user interface, they may be delegated for use, under
the supervision of the COSduty-SSA operations workflow engine.
Each procedure is delegated, typically to a group of individuals,
by associating it with a 'role'. A procedure, once delegated,
is known as a 'duty'. Duties may be delegated on a scheduled,
automatic or 'at request' basis. Those that require no interaction
are run by COSduty-SSA in the background, with COSduty-SSA acting
as a simple job scheduler.
Duties requiring interaction with staff are delegated either
as 'scheduled' or 'at request' types. Scheduled duties are those
intended to be performed regularly, according to a calendar. 'At
request' duties may be performed at any time by staff authorised
to run them, namely those who are members of the designated 'role'.
Important characteristics of the delegation and
execution mechanisms are:
Duties may be given any meaningful name which helps their
identification and selection from an on-screen list
The procedure contained in a duty may operate on one or more
systems
Duties containing procedures which require privileged
user rights may be delegated to roles whose members do not
have those rights
When a duty is executed, the user never logs in to a shell.
Instead he/she interacts with one by means of the usual GUI objects
— windows, menus, dialog boxes and forms.
Checking that procedures have been performed
All duties performed under the control of COSduty-SSA are logged
for future review and audit.
For every execution, a record is kept of the date and time
when the duty was performed and who performed it The system(s)
affected are recorded, along with the exit status of the duty
and any comments made by the operator. Later, reporting tools
may be applied to the log file data so as to run any query.
Knowledge bases already available
COSduty-SSA makes it easy for site-specific routines can be
captured by local administrators and built into the local knowledge
base. Much of the work carried out by administrators, however,
is generic so OSM has developed standard knowledge bases for the
convenience of customers.
Other organisations have undertaken similar developments. For
example, Sun Microsystems has enhanced its online runbook — the
Sun i-Runbook Service — with an Automated Edition containing some
150 Solaris 10 operations procedures which may be run from the
i-Runbook list with a single button-click. The AE is largely based
on COSduty-SSA.
Benefits of procedures and delegation
Knowledge management Routines normally carried out by technicians
— systems administrators, DBAs, application administrators etc.
— can be captured for unlimited re-use within a common menu and
forms structure. The knowledge is retained and survives the departure
of the original author
Common standards Differences between managed operating systems,
for example Solaris and Linux, are hidden by the user interface
so that performing the same task on any system appears the same
Policy enforcement Policy is enforced and best practice can
be introduced in a controlled manner
Error control Errors are reduced as the technical knowledge
required to work with a difficult command-line interface is retained
in duties and administrators work with a far more intuitive interface
SLA compliance Service levels are
improved as many more staff can perform procedures which were
previously dependent on particular, skilled individuals
Reduced costs Costs are reduced through
automation and delegation
Full accountability Accountability is ensured
through monitoring of all tasks and security is improved
through a reduction in privileged access events
Personnel retention Skilled technicians
are released from mundane, routine housekeeping tasks and made
free for more productive and rewarding work
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