MP Authoring – Quick & Dirty – 05 – Q&A

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Advice to the reader
This posting is part of a series of articles. In order to get a full grasp of it, I strongly advise you to start at the beginning of it.

Other postings in the same series:
00 – Introduction
01 – Overview
02 – Authoring the Template MP XML Code
03 - Example Using The Template MP XML Code
04 - Testing The Example MP

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In the last posting of this series I’ll do an Q&A in order to answer questions and respond to feedback I’ve got while working on this series. Whenever you’re missing your questions/feedback, don’t hesitate and reach out to me, whether directly or by comment to this post.

Q01: Is the ‘Quick & Dirty’ approach only doable for ONE Class and a ‘single’ layered application/service?
A01: No, you can add as many Classes as you require. However, there are some things to reckon with:

1. When monitoring a multi-layered application the ‘Quick & Dirty’ approach may be a way to address it.
2. However, when there are more than 3 layers, it’s better to look for alternatives.
3. When adding a new Class to the MP, don’t forget to add the Reverse Discovery and Group as well. The Group is required as the target for enabling the Discovery (which is disabled by default, hence REVERSE Discovery)

 

Q02: I see what you’re trying to achieve. None the less, I rather prefer to target my Discoveries at registry keys which are more specific to the application/service I author my MP for. Why use your method instead?
A02: For many IT shops authoring MPs is quite a challenge. Whether based on their current workload, available time, budget, resources and knowledge.

For environments like those custom MP authoring isn’t a fun thing at all. None the less, sometimes they have to deliver custom MPs of their own.

In situations like these many challenges of MP authoring need to be addressed. In my line of work I notice that many times buggy MPs are delivered, resulting in a bad SCOM experience. Many times the bugs in the MPs are based on badly designed Discoveries and poorly defined Classes.

By introducing a template for their MP XML code containing a predefined Class with a REVERSE Discovery these two main challenges are properly addressed. On top of it all, it enables IT shops to deliver quickly a custom monitoring solution with proper Classes, Discoveries and monitoring. And it’s far more easier to learn them this approach instead of taking the deep dive into the world of MP Authoring.

Sure, it’s always better to work with registry based Discoveries targeted at registry keys unique to the workload to be monitored. But for IT shops like that it’s better all together to stay away from the ‘Quick & Dirty’ approach.

 

Q03: Do I need to pay for Silect MP Studio in order to use your ‘Quick & Dirty’ approach?
A03: No you don’t. However, there is a small caveat to it. As long as your custom MP can cover the requirements with basic Monitors and Rules, the free version of MP Author will suffice. The FREE version of MP Author allows you to build these Monitors and Rules:

1. Windows Database Monitor;
2. Windows Event Monitor;
3. Windows Performance Monitor;
4. Windows Script Monitor;
5. Windows Service Monitor;
6. Windows Website Monitor;
7. Windows Event/Alert Rule;
8. Windows Performance Rule;
9. Windows Script Performance Rule.

As you can see, an impressive list. The paid version (MP Author Professional) offers on top of the previous list these additional Monitors and Rules:

1. Windows Process Monitor;
2. SNMP Probe/Trap Monitor;
3. Dependency Rollup Monitor;
4. Aggregate Rollup Monitor;
5. SNMP Probe Event Rule;
6. SNMP Probe Performance Rule;
7. SNMP Trap Event/Alert Rule.

So when requiring SNMP monitoring, you have to buy the Professional version.

 

Q04: I rather stick to the MP authoring tool released for SCOM 2007x. It’s still available and FREE as well. And it allows me to build any Monitor/Rule I need. Why change?
A04: With the introduction of SCOM 2012x, the MP Schema is changed as well. For multiple reasons, among them the extended monitoring capabilities of SCOM 2012x and later SCOM 2016.

In the MP authoring tools for SCOM 2007x, the new MP Schema isn’t supported. Nor are the new SCOM 2012x/2016 monitoring features. Sure, any SCOM 2007x MP using the old XML Schema will be converted to the new one. However, the SCOM 2007x MP Authoring tool can’t work with it.

As such, your MP development will suffer, sooner or later when using this outdated tool. Also has this tool a steep learning curve. In cases like this it’s better to master MP Author and move on to the paid version when required, or (when the proper licenses are in place) to move to VSAE.

 

Q05: I find it much of a coincidence that you post a whole series of MP Authoring using Silect MP Author and that a new  version of it is launched soon after that. And now you’re also presenting at MP University 2017!
A05: I wish I am part of such a scheme. Would make me earn loads of more money (duh!) . But let’s put the joke behind us and give a serious answer.

At the moment I started to write this series I had no connections what so ever with Silect. None. So having them bringing out a new version of MP Author is pure coincidence. And also a pain because I had to screenshot many steps all over again…

None the less, because of this series of postings I got on the radar of Silect. As such they asked me whether I wanted to present a session at their MP University event. That’s all there is to it. Nothing more, nothing less.

And no, I have nothing to do with chemtrails, or other conspiracy theories. How much I would love to, I simply don’t have the time for it  

 

Q06: Do you recommend VSAE over MP Author or vice versa?
A06: There is no one size fits all when it comes down to MP Authoring. Sure with MP Fragments VSAE enables you to author MPs in a very fast manner. But your company requires licenses for VS. When not in place, don’t use VSAE in a commercial setting since you’re in breach of the license agreement.

On top of it all, MP Author is very accessible tooling for non-developers. And with the latest update, MP Author Professional supports the usage of MP fragments as well!

Therefore, the choice is yours, based on your liking, background, requirements and available budget.