Table of Contents

DataMiner processes

A DataMiner Agent hosts a number of separate but interacting processes.

Graphical overview of the processes running on a DataMiner Agent

The following overview clearly shows how the DataMiner Agent software is a collection of separate but interacting processes.

Overview of the DataMiner Agent processes

DataMiner Agent process overview

Main DMA software components

Below, you can find more information on the main DataMiner processes.

For information on the auxiliary processes, see Auxiliary DMA software components

SLDataMiner

The central process of a DataMiner Agent.

  • Starts, stops and configures elements, services, redundancy groups, and manages all traffic from and to those items.

  • Performs database offloads toward the offload database (if one exists).

Note

This process is not aware of any other DMAs in the DataMiner System.

SLDataGateway

This process calculates the average trending information.

If a Cassandra database or Cassandra-compatible database is installed, this process also handles the following:

  • All communication with that database (communication with legacy databases happens via SLElement).

  • The building of time traces, used for heat maps.

  • Transfer of data to the SLAnalytics process.

SLDMS

Takes care of file synchronization within the DataMiner System, triggers connections, etc.

Initiates communication with other DMAs in the DMS. The communication itself, however, is managed by SLNet.

SLElement

Keeps track of parameter values that have to be shown to the user and creates alarms.

On compatible systems, SLElement is run as a 64-bit process. However, it can still be run as a 32-bit process if it is registered as such with a batch file from the Tools directory.

Note

This process is only aware of parameters that are being monitored and parameters that have to be displayed on the user interface.

SLLog

Manages all interaction with the different log files found in the DataMiner System.

SLNet

Controls all communication among DataMiner Agents, and between DataMiner Agents and their clients.

Note

Data for trend data queries is cached in the SLNet process after it has been received from SLDataGateway and before it is processed further. In the SLNetClientTest tool, several options are available related to the trend cache. However, note that this is an advanced system administration tool that should be used with extreme care. See Configuring trend caching.

SLPort

Controls all communication from and to devices connected to either a serial port or an IP port.

Types of communication controlled by this process include serial, smart-serial, GPIB and OPC.

Note

Multiple SLPort processes can run simultaneously. See Setting the number of simultaneously running SLPort processes.

SLProtocol

Executes the instructions specified in DataMiner protocols.

Note

Multiple SLProtocol processes can run simultaneously. See Setting the number of simultaneously running SLProtocol processes.

SLSNMPManager

Controls all communication from and to SNMP devices acting as SNMP agents.

SLWatchdog

Monitors all other DataMiner processes and takes action

  • when a DataMiner process has disappeared from the list of running processes, or

  • when an anomaly has been detected in a DataMiner processes.

It also keeps track of a number of key performance indicators.

Auxiliary DMA software components

Below, you can find more information on the auxiliary DataMiner processes.

For information on the main processes, see Main DMA software components.

SLAnalytics

This process only starts on a DMA that uses Storage as a Service or a Cassandra-compatible database. It supports advanced artificial intelligence functions in DataMiner, such as trend forecasting, anomaly detection, and alarm focus calculation.

SLASPConnection

The DMS Reporter process.

Tip

See also: DMS Reporter

Note
  • Timeline data that are received from SLDataGateway or directly from a MySQL database are cached in the SLASPConnection process. Some caching options can be configured in MaintenanceSettings.xml. See MaintenanceSettings.xml.
  • You can also find more information and settings for timeline caching at http(s)://[DmaIp]/Reports/Tools.asp:
    • The page displays timeline cache statistics and list contents.
    • The expiration time, grace time and maximum number of records can be set here, but only for the current session. These settings can be permanently changed in MaintenanceSettings.xml.
    • Timeline caching and timeline cache verbose logging can be enabled and disabled on this page, or directly in MaintenanceSettings.xml.

SLAutomation

The DataMiner Automation process.

Note

C# code in Automation scripts is processed by SLAutomation, whereas C# code in protocol QActions is processed by SLScripting.

Tip

See also: DataMiner Automation

SLBrain

Deprecated. Legacy DataMiner Correlation process.

Note

This process is only available in DataMiner versions prior to DataMiner 10.5.1/10.6.0.

SLGSMGateway

The DataMiner Mobile Gateway process.

Sends and receives SMS messages (i.e. text messages).

Tip

See also: DataMiner Mobile Gateway

SLHelper

A helper process that is called upon by other processes to perform actions such as

  • converting a Microsoft Visio drawing to an image file (e.g. to allow Visio drawings to be rendered in web apps),

  • converting documents (e.g. reports) to PDF format,

  • etc.

SLNetComService

Translates so-called managed code (as used by e.g. SLNet) to native code (as used by e.g. SLDataMiner) and vice versa.

SLScheduler

A helper process that is called upon when the Windows Task Scheduler orders that a scheduled task has to be performed.

SLScripting

Processes QActions when asked to by SLProtocol.

Note

C# code in Automation scripts is processed by SLAutomation, whereas C# code in protocol QActions is processed by SLScripting.

SLSNMPAgent

Communicates with third-party applications acting as SNMP managers (e.g. HP OpenView, IBM NetCool, etc.).

Also sends all outgoing email notifications.

SLSpectrum

The DataMiner Spectrum Analysis process.

Also manages the time slots assigned to each of the clients that want to use a particular spectrum analyzer.

SLTaskBarUtility

The DataMiner system tray utility that allows you to easily start, stop, backup, restore and upgrade a DMA.

SLXML

Manages all interaction with the different XML files found in the DataMiner System.