Using the BMC Remedy AR System API for integration
Typically, the BMC Remedy AR System API is not linked directly into a third-party application. Instead, a separate program is created that interfaces with the BMC Remedy AR System server using the BMC Remedy AR System API on one side and with the third-party application using its native interface on the other side. This interface program acts as a proxy between the two applications, functioning as a client to both sides.
Using APIs to link applications
The proxy client that links BMC Remedy AR System with another application does not need to provide all of the features seen in BMC Remedy AR System clients such as BMC Remedy Mid Tier. Only the functions necessary for useful integration need be implemented. A proxy client could run as a background process with no user interfaces. For example, a proxy client could be created to monitor a log file that a third-party application updates. Whenever new entries appear in the log file, the proxy client application could automatically submit new records into the BMC Remedy AR System server database, with no user interaction. Similarly, a proxy client could monitor the BMC Remedy AR System server database and periodically extract records and use them to create graphical reports or charts.
In addition to providing a means for custom clients to access the BMC Remedy AR System server, the API can be used to integrate with existing BMC Remedy AR System or legacy applications.
Network management platform integration accessories use case
BMC Remedy makes available a set of accessories that provide integration with network management platforms such as HP OpenView Network Node Manager, IBM NetView for AIX, and Oracle Solstice Domain Manager. The major portion of the integration consists of a set of proxy client applications that take selected events (such as alarms) identified by the management platforms and create trouble ticket records in a BMC Remedy AR System server. There is a unique proxy client application for each management platform.
The management platform applications run on UNIX hosts. The proxy clients run as background processes on these hosts. Each proxy client implements the management platform API to get the event messages (on one side) and the BMC Remedy AR System API (on the other side) to send the information to a BMC Remedy AR System server and create a trouble ticket. Usually, a proxy client communicates with a management platform locally within the host system and communicates with a BMC Remedy AR System server remotely across a network. However, if BMC Remedy AR System and the management platform are running on the same host, everything can be implemented locally.
For example, for HP OpenView Network Node Manager, the proxy client is called arovd (BMC Remedy AR System OpenView daemon). It was built using the HP OpenView Event API, so that it could register itself with the HP OpenView system and receive events. It was also built with the BMC Remedy AR System API so that events of interest could be translated and stored as records in the BMC Remedy AR System server database.
Integration of BMC Remedy AR System with HP OpenView Network Node Manager
