Fix pack 2 release notes

IBM Tivoli Netcool Configuration Manager 6.4.2 fix pack 2 is available. Fix pack installation, fixes and known limitations are described here.

Using a federated repository for authentication

As part of a presentation server installation, you can now install Netcool Configuration Manager using a federated repository.
  • If you are installing into the same DASH instance as an existing deployment of Network Manager and Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus, using a federated repository is a requirement.
  • If you are installing into a separate instance of DASH, you can still set up Netcool Configuration Manager authentication with the Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Object Server, as described in the following topic: Creating and configuring a federated user repository for Netcool Configuration Manager
    Note: You must ensure that the default administrator, observer and operator users are created in the federated repository before installation.
Updated topic
Installation information checklist

Logging

Netcool Configuration Manager is moving towards a standardized logging framework.
Updated logging topics
About logging
Modifying logging

File-based access method using a single server

You can now implement the file-based access method using a single server.
Updated file-based access method topic
File-based access method

Device-specific golden configuration

The Golden Configuration Compliance functionality has been enhanced by making available new ‘device-specific’ golden configurations.
Updated and new 'golden configuration' topics
Managing golden configurations
Creating compliance definitions using a 'device-specific' golden configuration

Troubleshooting updates

The following new troubleshooting topics have been added to the documentation.
Installation
OOBC installation fails when using AIX 6.1
Reporting
Logon fails after updating to Cognos 3.1.3.0

Installing

To install the IBM Tivoli Netcool Configuration Manager Version 6.4.2 fix pack 2, you download the ITNCM Installation Manager repository.

Attention: Netcool Configuration Manager is available only as 64-bit version.
The following files are available for download:
Table 1. Netcool Configuration Manager fix pack files
File Description
ITNCM_Base_AIX.tar and ITNCM_Base_Linux.tar

Netcool Configuration Manager Version 6.4.2 fix pack 2 for AIX and Linux

Also includes the ITNCM DashBoard Components.
Note: The ITNCM DashBoard Components are only required when your system is integrated with Network Manager, and not for stand-alone Netcool Configuration Manager installations.
oobc_<os>.zip Out of band change installers for AIX and Linux
Restriction: Netcool Configuration Manager V6.4.2 fix pack 2 can only be applied to Netcool Configuration Manager versions 6.4.2.0 or V6.4.2.1.
Note: Netcool Configuration Manager now supports Jazz for Service Management 1.1.3.0 along with Dashboard Application Services Hub 3.1.3.0 and Reporting Services 3.1.3.0. They can be updated on any Presentation and Reporting servers either before or after upgrading to Netcool Configuration Manager V6.4.2 fix pack 2.
Important:
  • This fix pack needs to be executed on all presentation, worker and reporting servers.
  • Quit all programs before continuing with the upgrade.
  • Customized memory settings are not preserved during upgrade, and therefore must be updated manually after the upgrade.
  • When validating the JazzSM credentials, remember that the user is the same one used to restart Netcool Configuration Manager on this server.
  1. Log onto the Netcool Configuration Manager presentation server.

  2. Change to the /eclipse subdirectory of the Installation Manager Group installation directory and use the following command to start Installation Manager: 

    ./IBMIM
    To record the installation steps in a response file for use with silent installations on other computers, use the -record response_file option. For example: 
    IBMIM -record C:\response_files\install_1.xml

  3. Configure Installation Manager to download package repositories from IBM Passport Advantage:

    1. From the main menu, choose File > Preferences.

      Tip: You can set preferences for proxy servers in IBM Installation Manager. Proxy servers enable connections to remote servers from behind a firewall.

    2. In the Preferences window, expand the Internet node and select one of the following options:

      FTP Proxy
      Select this option to specify a SOCKS proxy host address and a SOCKS proxy port number.
      HTTP Proxy
      Select this option to enable an HTTP or SOCKS proxy.
    3. Select Enable proxy server.
    4. In the Preferences window, select the Passport Advantage panel.
    5. Select Connect to Passport Advantage.
    6. Click Apply, and then click OK.

  4. In the main Installation Manager window, click Update, and then select Netcool Configuration Manager. Follow the installation wizard instructions to complete the installation.

  5. Accept the license agreement, select an installation directory, and supply the following details:

    Netcool Configuration Manager database details
    Sid/service name/database name(db2)
    Database hostname
    Port
    Username
    Password
    DASH administrative credentials
    DASH administrator username.
    Important: Do not accept the default username of smadmin. Your installation might continue, but fail later. Use the DASH credentials that were originally used when Netcool Configuration Manager was installed. The default username was Intelliden.
    DASH administrator password
    Network Manager administrative credentials
    Default is either itnmadmin or the DASH superuser, who must have the ncw_admin role in DASH
    Password
    Netcool Configuration Manager presentation server
    Connection details to the Netcool Configuration Manager Presentation server.
    A skip validation option should the Presentation server be unavailable.
    Tivoli Common Reporting server
    Connection details to the Tivoli Common Reporting server
    A skip validation option should the Presentation server be unavailable.
  6. Complete the update.
After installing Netcool Configuration Manager V6.4.2 fix pack 2, you may need to perform these steps depending on your deployment:
Clear the browser cache
After upgrading, clear the cache on any browsers that you use to work with Netcool Configuration Manager.
Upgrade database schema
Upgrade the database schema to the latest version on the main presentation server only, by running the following command:
install_dir/bin/utils/database/upgrade/upgradeDBSchema.sh version
Where version is the current version of the product that you are upgrading from. For example: 
/opt/IBM/tivoli/netcool/ncm/bin/utils/database/upgrade/upgradeDBSchema.sh 6.4.2.5
To verify the current version, run the following command:
cat <install_dir>/config/rseries_version.txt
In the following example output, the version is 6.4.2.5:
6.4.2.5-27052019062220-01-f8a8c49b816
Update Netcool Configuration Manager DASH components
If your system is integrated with Network Manager, you must also update the Netcool Configuration Manager DASH components on the Network Manager GUI server
  1. Open the Installation Manager on the Network Manager GUI server, and add the NCM V6.4.2.2 software to the list of repositories.
  2. Click Update.
  3. Select IBM Netcool GUI Components and then IBM Dashboard Applications for ITNCM.
    Note: You must supply the required JazzSM and itnmadmin credentials to upgrade the software.
Configure Alerts menu of the Active Events List (AEL)
If your system is integrated with Network Manager, you must again add access to the Activity Viewer from the Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus Active Event List by configuring the Alerts menu.
For more information, see Configuring the Alerts menu of the Active Event List
Reapply any previous memory settings
Customized memory settings are not preserved during upgrade, and you must update them manually after the upgrade.
Remember: Netcool Configuration Manager now supports Jazz for Service Management 1.1.3.0 along with Dashboard Application Services Hub 3.1.3.0 and Reporting Services 3.1.3.0. You can update your Presentation and Reporting servers after upgrading to Netcool Configuration Manager V6.4.2 fix pack 2 (or before).

APAR fixes

Table 2. Netcool Configuration Manager V6.4.2.2 APAR fixes
ALM APAR Description
alm00323144 IV85980 Compliance slow performance on fetching data; it is taking up to 10 seconds when expanding a realm under Policy Definitions or under Execution
alm00323162 IV86059 PLEASE REMOVE UNNECESSARY PAGE FROM ITNCM 6.4.2 ONLINE DOCUMENTATION - Backing up and restoring WebSphere security configuration is no longer used in 642

Limitations

Table 3. Netcool Configuration Manager V6.4.2.2 limitations
Activity ID Area Description Workaround
6213 ITNCM Core Applying a Search Set without an XPath marks the UOW as a success Insert a valid XPath in the Search Set to avoid a false UOW status being returned
6211 Compliance The view/edit parameters are not working properly when executing a compliance policy (need to select back button) . User can select "Back" button followed by "Next"
6147 Uninstalling iso-swid directory is not removed when ncm is uninstalled Delete the directory manually
5030 TCR Reports Executing the Policy Compliance Score and Summary Report from NM Network view shows incorrect data in the bar chart. Run the report from the standalone TCR reports.
4139 Installation Erroneous errors are generated by Install Manager during a CLI installation. The errors are related to numbering the CLI options. No work around needed, as the errors have no impact on the installation.
4749 TCR Reports An extra line is generated at the bottom of the report none
5139 Integration NcKL rules have a typo preventing the MTTrapd probe from starting after their application. An up to date version will be available from fix Central to download and use.
4440 ITNCM Core When running the configuration archive utility, scoping by date units may result in some configurations on the same day not being included for archiving. Run the utility again on the following day. To ensure consistent results, run the utility at the same time each day.
5759 Compliance

PolicyExport.sh/PolicyImport.sh will not work for Golden Config Role Based Compliance

The tools effectively export and import a set of policy/ rule/ definition/ evaluation based tables, prior to golden config the columns did not contain internal id values (except for realm which is regenerated on import. For golden config a column was added to the definition table with the resource id of the golden config device.

 No workaround
5691 Upgrading

Customised smtp server is being overwritten and set to default when upgrading

The initial smtp server set in IM is not updated during an update and reverts to the initial value set during the initial install.

 Update smtp server after Update
5662 NCM Dash Components

NCM Dash Components error on upgrade

When “Save files for Rollback” is not selected during the initial install (selected by default in IM File -> Preferences -> Files for Rollback) an error will occur during the update/uninstall process.

 Uninstall the NCM Dash Components and install the new version this time ensuring Save files for rollback is installed to allow for easier updates in future.
5651 Compliance

Recurring Schedule always shows unscheduled when selecting edit the process schedule

The Oracle JRE does not ship Xalan and this causes an error to occur on checking schedules through the local client.

 Install Xalan locally on your machine to resolve the issue.
5796 ITNCM Core openjpa exceptions in the Server.err log on a standalone worker server None, as this only affects the product on shut-down and does not impact functionality.
5909 ITNCM Core User is able to dequeue a UOW without Manage Work Privilege none
5908 Integration Policy Traps do not clear automatically from the AEL on NM when the policy is rerun and compliant the second time Manually clear the original fault trap when the Clear trap is received
5881 Integration Device Activity Viewer doesn't work from Policy Traps when launched from the AEL on NM Run the Device Activity Viewer for the node in question from a Network View (including Hop View/Fault Finding View/Network Health View/Path View) or other alarm types raised on behalf of the same device (eg Configuration change alarms)
5864 Integration NCM DASH components : NM wizards : custom labels are not getting picked up The wizard will execute successfully without a label. Alternatively if required, a label can be inserted if the Unit Of Work is run from the native NCM GUI.
5856 Integration NCM DASH components : Apply Policy from NM wizard: cannot view/edit global parameter If the global parameter needs to be changed, run the policy from the native NCM compliance GUI