Adding/Modifying Tests Using the Integration Console

Before attempting to add a new test using the Integration Console plugin, consider the following:

  1. What is the purpose of the test? – should it monitor the performance of the target component or pull out configuration information from it?
  2. Does the test take any input arguments for execution? If so, what are they?
  3. What are the key measurements/configuration information (as the case may be) that you want the test to pull out from the target component?
  4. How should the test collect measurements/configuration information from the target? By running a custom Java-based program? by executing a script/batch file? by executing a SQL query? using Perfmon counters? by polling the SNMP MIB? by using JMX-based interfaces?  or by using REST APIs?

The answer to question d) above determines the type of test that you want to build. eG Enterprise supports seven types of tests, namely, Custom, Script/Batch File, SQL Query, Perfmon, SNMP, REST API and JMX.

  1. Custom  - Tests of this type offer complete flexibility to users in developing and integrating new monitoring functionality into the eG Enterprise system. In order to develop a Custom test, a user must use eG’s Java-based programming interface (which will be described later in this document).
  2. Script / Batch File - In some cases, it may be easier to build new monitoring capabilities using simple shell scripts or batch files or VB scripts or powershell scripts. To support this capability, the Integration Console supports a Script/Batch File test. When choosing this type, the user provides the script/file to be used and the Integration Console takes care of integrating the script into the eG framework.
  3. SQL Query - Many a times critical statistics or an application are stored in a database. To make it possible to extract such statistics from the database without having to write elaborate programs, the Integration Console includes an SQL Query test type.
  4. Perfmon - Perfmon tests can operate only on Windows environments. This option provides a quick and easy way of building tests that interface with the Windows Perfmon capability to collect various metrics of interest.
  5. SNMP - Tests of this type are typically executed on network devices such as routers, hubs, switches etc., so that performance statistics pertaining to the same can be obtained using the SNMP protocol.
  6. JMX - Java Management eXtensions (JMX) offers a standard way by which applications can expose custom metrics for monitoring tools. The eG Integration Console can now be configured to collect and report on applications that offer JMX-based interfaces.

  7. REST - With the growth of the IT industry, new technologies are introduced frequently. One such technology is the REST API which is more frequently used nowadays. Users of eG Enterprise are now provided the option to build a test using the REST API test type. When choosing this type, the user provides the output of the REST API to be used and the Integration Console takes care of integrating the API into the eG framework.