User goals and features

The BMC PATROL Knowledge Module for UNIX (PATROL KM for UNIX) component of the PATROL for UNIX and Linux product is a set of files that contains knowledge in the form of command descriptions, applications, parameters, and recovery actions that analyze and manage BMC PATROL events. 

The product has application classes and its associated parameters that report the information and enable you to monitor the PATROL KM. The supported parameters provide a detailed view of all system activity over time so that you can detect problems, optimize systems, analyze trends, plan capacity, and manage multiple hosts simultaneously. These parameters provide statistical information about resources, operating status, and performance.  For information about the PATROL for UNIX and Linux application classes and parameters, see Monitor types or application classes.

Recovery actions are corrective actions taken by PATROL when a parameter reaches a set value. You can configure the following recovery action to run automatically or only with operator intervention: FilesystemCleanup. For more information, see BMC PATROL for Log Management online documentation portal. For more information about specific recovery actions, see Configuring Recovery Actions

BMC PATROL for UNIX and Linux provides current and historical information through a centralized console so you can easily view and manage your entire UNIX and Linux environments. You can drill down to view detailed system metrics for all parts of your environment. PATROL also can take corrective action when things go wrong or are about to go wrong--preventing downtime and its cost to your business.

The BMC PATROL for UNIX and Linux provides the following features:

1. Monitors a complete range of UNIX and Linux operating system parameters including:
   • System-wide CPU usage
   • Disk and I/O usage - Tracks usage to locate overused disks
   • Filesystem resources - Determines disks that are heavily used or running out of space
   • Kernel resource usage - Monitors use of the kernel i-node table, file table, and process table
   • Log files - Monitors the size and content of specified log files
   • Memory activity - Monitors paging, I/O caching, and swapping
   • Network activity - Monitors TCP/IP traffic level
   • Network traffic - Tracks network traffic related to Remote Procedure Call and Network File System
   • SMP application - Monitors the use of individual CPUs in an SMP system
   • System swap files - Monitors the percentage of used and free swap space
   • User sessions and processes - Tracks users on the system
   • Process presence - Monitors the process table and alerts based on the presence or absence of user-defined command text
   • Composites - CPU > 90 and Page-Outs > 1 can be used to warn of a physical memory deficit
2. Provides annotated data points for drilling down into problems
3. Provides time-of-day scheduling for executing system commands, PSL commands, and PATROL reconfiguration
4. Allows scheduling of blackouts (periods of time in which PATROL stops monitoring)
5. Provides base event management capabilities at the server level
6. PATROL for UNIX and Linux provides automated, built-in recovery actions.