README for NOCOL v2.0
=====================

NOCOL (Network Operation Center On-Line) is a collection of network
monitoring programs that runs on Unix platforms primarily for IP networks.

The software consists of a number of monitoring agents that poll various
parameters from any system and put it in a format suitable for
post-processing. The post-processors can be a display agent, an automated
troubleshooting program, an event logging program, etc. Presently the display
module (called 'nocol' after which the software is named) is available
alongwith a number of monitoring agents. Work on an 'intelligent' module is
currently in progress for event logging and some automatic troubleshooting.

The software is very flexible and allows enhancements and development with a
minimum amount of effort. The display module processes all the files present
in the data directory, and displays them sequentially.  This allows new
monitoring programs to simply start generating data in the data directory and
the display module will automatically start displaying the new data. The
design also allows running just one set of monitoring agents and any number
of display monitoring agents, all of which see the same consistent data.

The display uses UNIX 'curses' screen management and can thus run on a large
variety of terminals. The condition of any entity being monitored is assigned
a priority level ranging from 'INFO' to 'CRITICAL'. The user running the
display can select the minimum display priority- all sites above this
priority level are displayed.

The actual monitoring agents can actually monitor any entity, protocol,
or variable. To date, the various monitoring agents developed are:

	- IP ICMP monitor (using 'ping' or 'multiping')
	- OSI reachability monitor (using the OSI ping)
	- SNMP trap monitor
	- IP data throughput monitor
	- Nameserver (named) monitor
	- Monitor for the number of terminal server lines in use (for cisco
	  terminal servers using xtacacs)

It is easy to add monitors for DECnet and/or other protocols.

Has been tested on SunOS4.1.1, Ultrix and NeXT.  Documentation is under
'src/docs'.

The software is available from 'ftp.jvnc.net' (128.121.50.7) under ~ftp/pub/.
Please send a message to 'nocol-users-request@jvnc.net' to be added to the
'nocol-users' mailing list for updates and bug fixes. Mail comments to
'nocol-info@jvnc.net' and bugs to 'nocol-bugs@jvnc.net'.

The JvNCnet display can be seen by logging onto 'nocol.jvnc.net' as user
'nocol'.


	Vikas Aggarwal
	vikas@jvnc.net
	JvNCnet
	June 18, 1992
	--------------
