[mod.computers.vax] a smarter watchdog

jeff@necntc.NEC.COM.UUCP (02/20/87)

We have found a need to monitor idle users on our VAX
8300 running VMS v4.5 -


I have come across a couple of watchdog type programs,
but they only look for idle input time -

Does anyone have a watchdog type program that monitors
actual i/o by the user (this must include subprocesses
such as FAL_XXX etc.)

Any help will be appreciated.

Jeff Janock - System Manager, NEC Electronics Inc.
jeff@necntc.NEC.COM - (jeff%necntc.nec.com@harvard.harvard.edu)

DHASKIN@CLARKU.BITNET.UUCP (02/21/87)

Jeff Janock <JEFF@NECNTC.NEC.COM> asks:
 
> We have found a need to monitor idle users on our VAX 8300 running VMS v4.5
>
> I have come across a couple of watchdog type programs, but they only look
> for idle input time -
>
> Does anyone have a watchdog type program that monitors actual i/o by the
> user (this must include subprocesses such as FAL_XXX etc.)
 
Our local watchdog may (or may not) fill your needs.  It does only check for
CPU time, but is it possible for a process to be doing i/o and not accumulate
CPU time?
 
The local flavor I've added to this one is that it will exempt processes by
checking a system logical name for a list of account codes, and then exempt
processes based on that list (that is the account field from the UAF, so
accessible thru $GETJPI).  That should keep your FAL_ processes from getting
hit.  You may dynamically modify that logical name list, so we mainly use it to
allow administrative users to 'hang around' the system during the day, but
after 4:30 they go bye-bye (they do tend to forget to log out...).
 
We have another detached process (running a local version of KRON (was it?)
derived from the DECUS 1985 tape... I'd have to check exactly which one it was)
which changes that logical name at the opening and closing of business hours.
 
Let me know if you'd like to see it...
 
Denis W. Haskin                              Manager, Technical Services
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