Operations Manager Refresh

Free updates have shipped for the Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) event- and performance-monitoring server product. Service Pack 1 (SP1) for MOM could improve the product’s performance and availability; it also expands MOM’s support for languages other than English and improves its ability to monitor server clusters. The new MOM Resource Kit and an updated SDK will help administrators and ISVs develop new monitoring rules and scripts. The releases come on the eve of a conference that could fill gaps in Microsoft’s management software roadmap.

MOM monitors Windows server computers for relevant events (which it stores in a central database) and can take corrective actions automatically based on administrator-supplied rules and scripts. The product includes a Base Management Pack containing rules and scripts for monitoring Windows operating system services, including Active Directory and Internet Information Server (IIS). Microsoft also offers an Application Management Pack for monitoring server products such as Exchange and SQL Server. (For more information, see “Operations Manager Provides Crucial Infrastructure Support” on page 3 of the Sept. 2001 Update.)