ISPPlanet Cache Review Series - Compaq TaskSmart

Configuring the TaskSmart
The TaskSmart is configured through Novell's well-organized NICS GUI, customized with a Compaq banner and value-added features. For those who prefer a CLI, the TaskSmart can be configured via serial port or Telnet. But we found most tasks were performed much faster with the GUI than the CLI. SSL is available for GUI login authentication, but there is no encryption to protect subsequent management traffic.

The NICS GUI is Java-powered: "press" a button to launch Home, System, Network, Cache, Hierarchy, or Monitoring applets. Each applet presents tabbed panels that display parameter values and allow changes to be applied or cancelled. Context-sensitive on-line help is available throughout; Compaq has done a nice job in creating thorough, navigable documentation.

The Home page provides access to Health Status and Compaq Utilities. Overall health is indicated by a green-yellow-red status light, with pass-or-fail checks for each configured service. Utilities can be used to install ROM upgrades, integrate Compaq's R1500 UPS ( $1045), or launch Compaq's built-in Web-Based Management (right). WBEM is an emerging standard for enterprise system management.

The Network page is used to configure IP Addresses (left), DNS servers, a default gateway, and routing. The TaskSmart's auto-sensing full-duplex 10/100 Mbps Ethernet adapters can be multi-homed, and TCP options can be tweaked for correct operation in atypical networks (for example, content distribution networks that employ satellite links). TaskSmart traffic can also be proxied through a SOCKS firewall, although Compaq has seen little need for this to date.

 

Introduction/Under the Hood	Tuning Cache Behavior
Getting Started	NICS Monitoring
Where to Use the TaskSmart <	Integrated Management
Configuring the TaskSmart	Compaq Insight Manager
> Defining Cache Services	Product Support/Final Thoughts