Operations Manager Architecture

An Operations Manager (OM) system provides a large-scale infrastructure for monitoring instrumented devices. At the bottom of the illustration are the types of devices that can be monitored without third-party extensions: Windows servers and Windows clients (primarily through OM agents installed and running on each monitored computer, but also agentless with more restricted monitoring capabilities) and network printers, routers, and other non-Windows devices supporting Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). Although not shown, Microsoft and third-party add-ons allow OM to monitor non-Windows devices and applications.

The top-left box shows the three consoles that can be used with OM: the operator’s console for normal data center monitoring, troubleshooting, and for making configuration changes to OM; an authoring console for building OM management packs (MPs); and a lighter-weight Web console for other users, such as help desk personnel and developers, who need to view system health.