Simple object access protocol (soap), Protocol functionality – HP Systems Insight Manager User Manual

Page 146

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Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)

SOAP is used by partner applications to communicate with Systems Insight Manager. It is primarily XML
over HTTPS.

Protocol functionality

The following table displays descriptions of management protocols displayed under Management Protocols
on the System Page which displays protocols that have responded when attempting to identify the system.

NOTE:

The CMS initiates the requests for all protocols except events.

Functionality when enabled

Description

Management standard

System identification, inventory, events

A common definition of management
information for systems, networks,
applications, and services.

CIM

System identification

A protocol using XML over HTTP to
exchange CIM information; part of the
WBEM suite of standards.

CIM-XML

System identification, management tool
launch, agent configuration

HTTP is another primary protocol used to
acquire data about managed systems

HTTP and HTTPS

during identification. HTTP is not a secure
protocol and can be easily viewed on the
network. The secure version of HTTP is
called HTTPS and is described later.

Provides system reachability (ping) check
during system discovery and before other
operations

ICMP is a required protocol tightly
integrated with IP. ICMP messages are
delivered in IP packets and are used for

ICMP

out-of-band messages related to network
operation.

Systems Insight Manager can use ICMP
messages to ping a managed system.
However, some routers block ICMP
messages so Systems Insight Manager
provides an alternative ping using TCP.

System identification, inventory and events

Part of the SNMP specification, the MIB is
a model of the information to be managed

MIB

through SNMP. It is equivalent to the CIM
defined by WBEM.

System identification, Inventory and events

SNMP is widely used for management but
the widely implemented versions 1 and 2

SNMP

have weak security. While no “set”
operations are used by Systems Insight
Manager, read access to system data might
be visible on the network. SNMP is
UDP-based. In many environments it is not
considered a suitable protocol to pass
through the firewall. Because SNMPv1 has
a simple, clear-text “community,” it
provides a low level of security. However,
SNMP can be suitable for some
environments in which the network used
for managing systems is relatively
controlled.

Remote tool execution

SSH is used for remote command
execution. Systems Insight Manager uses

SSH

SSH to run commands on managed
systems.

Consistent server management across
vendors

A DMTF initiative for common server
management which enables

SMASH

vendor-independent management
applications.

System identification

An SNIA standard for storage management
using WBEM.

SMI-S

Identification, inventory, and events

A DMTF program with widespread industry
support with a set of standards including

WBEM

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Protocols used by Systems Insight Manager

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