Flow of data

There are several different interactions that occur between the components of the License Metric Tool infrastructure and between the user and tool.

Diagram illustrating the flow of data within License Metric Tool

Arrow indicates the connection origination.

License Metric Tool domain

Interaction Type Connection Description
a REST API data traffic Default port 9081
Protocol HTTPS
Origination Client that uses REST API connections
b Web browser data traffic Default port 9081
Protocol HTTPS
Origination Web browser
9.2.22 c Extraction of virtualization hierarchy by using REST API Default port Specific to the type of virtualization manager
Protocol TCP (HTTP/HTTPS)
Origination VM Manager Tool

BigFix domain

Interaction Type Connection Description
A BigFix console data traffic Default port 52311
Protocol HTTPS
Origination BigFix console
Network controls There is a "refresh rate" for each BigFix console user (default 15 seconds)
B Directory server user authentication Default port 389 or 636 (for SSL)
Protocol TCP (LDAP/LDAPS)
Origination WebReports
Network controls N/A
C REST API data traffic Default port 8080 or 8083
Protocol TCP (HTTP/HTTPS)
Origination BigFix server
Network controls N/A
D Directory server user authentication Default port 389 or 636 (for SSL)
Protocol TCP (LDAP/LDAPS)
Origination BigFix server
Network controls N/A
E Download of new data from external HCL fixlet servers Default port 80 (typically); possibly 443
Protocol TCP (HTTP/HTTPS)
Origination BigFix server
Network controls
  • This communication is optional. In case of no Internet connection, you need to update the fixlet site manually.
  • There is a configurable interval that the BigFix server checks for new fixlet messages.
F Gather, post, download Default port 52311
Protocol TCP (HTTP/HTTPS)
Origination BigFix client
Network controls
  • Configurable bandwidth throttling to BigFix relay or clients
  • Configurable gather interval. The default is 1 per day per fixlet site.
  • Configurable minimum time to wait between posts. The default is 15 seconds.
  • Configurable temporal distribution (spread out downloads over time) per action
  • The ability to set "policy" to prevent computers from downloading files if they are not pointed at the proper BigFix relay
G UDP new information message Default port 52311
Protocol UDP
Origination UDP messages are sent from the immediate parent of the BigFix client. It can be either a BigFix relay or the BigFix server.
Network controls
  • Configurable limit of the number of UDP messages sent at one time from a BigFix relay
  • Configurable limit of the amount of time to wait after sending UDP messages from a BigFix relay
H Relay selection Default port None
Protocol ICMP
Origination Each BigFix client sends progressive rounds of ICMP packets to each relay with increasing TTLs until a BigFix relay responds. For example, in a network of 2 relays, one 1 hop away and one 2 hops away, the BigFix client sends an ICMP message to both with TTL 1 and receives 2 time exceeded messages from the local router. The BigFix client then sends an ICMP message to both relays with TTL 2 and receives one time exceeded message and one reply message. The BigFix client then chooses the relay that is one hop away.
Network controls
  • Relay auto-selection can be disabled.
  • Configurable interval for when the BigFix clients perform auto-selection
  • Configurable limit on the maximum number of ICMP packets to send out in a time interval
  • Configurable limit on the maximum number of rounds to send out during relay auto-selection
I Extraction of virtualization hierarchy by using REST API Default port Specific to the type of virtualization manager
Protocol TCP (HTTP/HTTPS)
Origination VM Manager Tool
Network controls N/A

Cross domain

Interaction Type Connection Description
1 Download of the scan results from endpoints Default port 52311
Protocol TCP (HTTP/HTTPS)
Origination License Metric Tool server
2 Directory server user authentication Default port 389 or 636 (for SSL)
Protocol TCP (LDAP/LDAPS)
Origination License Metric Tool server