#2 XML Config Files

[Justin J. Novack]

Configuration files should use the easier to parse XML format.

As an added bonus, this format allows for quick parsing and modifying with 3rd party utils.

<host>
<hostname>server123</hostname>
<service_url>https://server/sdk/vimService</service>
<type>esx</type>
<user>esx_user_name</user>
<password>esx_password</password>
<community>public</community>
</host>

The current format looks strangely close to Nagios which has been the bane of users everywhere.

[Justin]

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Hi Justin,

Is there any compelling reason you'd want XML config files over the existing unnoc.cfg? Albeit strangely close to Nagios, its simple to read and centralised in one location rather than loads of XML files for each host :)

[Justin J. Novack]

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I have an environment of over 70 (physical) servers, mostly running ESX and nearly 150 switches. The reason I found your project was to monitor VMs and this project has WOW'd me. VI3 is nice, but rrdtool is so much prettier.

I don't think Unnoc will replace Nagios, I see it more as a replacement to Cacti in my environment. I like to watch trends and my boss likes to see pretty colors on graphs.

I like the piggybacking idea in the configuration file; examples tend to promote homogeneous servers should use the same host{} entry. You can still use the homogeneous format and bring <hostname> down a level under <hosts>

I was thinking more on the lines of automation. When I bring up a server, I could push out an XML host file to the config/xml directory and reload unnoc (or not, depending on how it's coded).

XML is a nice simple format for 3rd party utils without screwing with the main unnoc.conf file. A php webpage can parse/write your host settings in one easily managed spot.

I'm not saying "Go to XML" to be some empty buzzphrase like "Go Green!" or "Our company celebrates Black History Month", I'm suggesting it to transition into more automated manageable file formats in the coming years.

[Justin]

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Justin,

Thanks for the feedback. Separating the core config from the server/host configs sounds as if it could be beneficial and, yes XML is easy to adapt..I'll have to check with Jason and see his thoughts on it.