IBM Director
| Company type | Software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Information technology |
| Predecessor | NetFinity Manager |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | IBM |
| Defunct | April 2018 |
| Fate | Discontinued, end of service |
| Products | Element management system software |
| Owner | IBM |
IBM Systems Director is an element management system (EMS) originally introduced by IBM in 1993 under the name NetFinity Manager, designed initially for OS/2 2.0. The product experienced multiple renamings: in 1996 it became IBM PC SystemView and TME 10 NetFinity, followed by IBM Netfinity Manager in 1997.
In 1999, IBM released Netfinity Director, which was built upon Tivoli IT Director and served as a successor to Netfinity Manager. After IBM rebranded its Netfinity servers as xSeries, the software was retitled IBM Director. The launch of version 6.1 marked its evolution into IBM Systems Director.
The solution consists of three key elements: an agent deployed on the devices being monitored, a console used for configuration purposes, and a server that manages data stored within an SQL database such as Oracle, SQL Server, IBM DB2, or PostgreSQL. For smaller environments, Microsoft Jet or MSDE databases may be utilized. The console is compatible with Linux and Microsoft Windows workstations.
IBM Systems Director was discontinued from marketing and officially reached end-of-service status in April 2018.
IBM Director core functions
- Asset Identification
- BladeCenter Management
- CIM Browser
- Command Automation
- SNMP Agent Configuration
- Data Capture Policy Management
- Event Action Plans
- Event Logging
- Launching External Applications
- File Transfer Capabilities
- Hardware Status Monitoring
- Inventory Management
- JMX Browser
- Microsoft Cluster Browser
- Network Configuration Tools
- Process Management
- Rack Management
- Remote Control Features
- Remote Session Handling
- Retail Peripheral Management (requires Retail Extensions)
- RMA Software Distribution
- Resource Monitoring
- Scheduling Tools
- Server Configuration Management
- Service and Support Administration
- SNMP Browser Access
- Software Distribution Functions
- System Account Management
- Update Management
- User Administration
Major releases
The following versions have all been retired:
- IBM Systems Director 6.3
- IBM Systems Director 6.2
- IBM Systems Director 6.1
- IBM Director 5.20.x series
- IBM Director 5.10.x series
- IBM Director 4.x series
- IBM Director 3.1.1
See also
References
- IBM Official Director Forums
External links
- Archived IBM Director homepage
- Archived download page for IBM Systems Director
- Archived introduction to managing IBM i with IBM Systems Director
IBM Systems Director 6.3.x
- Release Notes for IBM Systems Director
- IBM Software Information Center
IBM Systems Director 6.2.x
- Release Notes for IBM Systems Director
- IBM Software Information Center