Grouping Dynamic Application Data Using Collection Labels

This section describes Collection Labels and Collection Groups in Skylar One.

What are Collection Labels and Collection Groups?

Collection Labels and Collection Groups allow you to group and view data from multiple performance Dynamic Applications in a single dashboard widget.

For example:

Suppose you monitor phone systems from multiple vendors.
Suppose you want to create a dashboard that displays the ten phone systems that drop the most calls.
You could create a Collection Group called "Dropped Calls".
You could create two Collection Labels: "Average Dropped Calls", and "Raw Dropped Calls".
For each vendor, you could edit the appropriate performance Dynamic Application and align a collected value with "Average Dropped Calls" and align another collected value with "Raw Dropped Calls".
You could then create a dashboard that displays the ten phone systems with the highest values for "Raw Dropped Calls" and also displays the ten phone systems with the highest values for "Average Dropped Calls".

Viewing the List of Collection Labels

The Collection Labels page (System > Manage > Collection Labels) displays a list of all the existing Collection Labels. By Default, Skylar One includes the following Collection Groups:

Vitals. Includes the Collection Labels "CPU", "Memory", and "Swap".
Video Performance. Includes Collection Labels for common performance metrics associated with video endpoint devices.

The Collection Labels page displays the following about each existing Collection Label:

Label Name. Name of the Collection Label.
Label Description. Description of the Collection Label. This field is optional.
Group Name. Collection Group that contains this Collection Label.
Frequent Data. Specifies whether frequently rolled up data is calculated for the Collection Label.
Aligned Presentations. Presentation Objects aligned with this Collection Label.
Aligned Devices. Devices that currently populate the Collection Label.
Duplicates. Number of devices for which two or more Presentation Objects are aligned with the same Collection Label.

To sort the list, click on a column heading. The list will be sorted by the column value, in ascending order. To sort the list by descending order, click the column heading again. You can also filter the items on this inventory page by typing filter text or selecting filter options in one or more of the filters found above the columns on the page. For more information, see Filtering Inventory Pages in the Introduction to Skylar One manual.

Creating a Collection Group

You cannot create a Collection Group separately from creating a Collection Label. When you create a Collection Label, you can specify a new Collection Group or specify an existing Collection Group. If you specify a new Collection Group, Skylar One saves the new Collection Group when it saves the new Collection Label.

Creating a Collection Label

You can create a new Collection Label from the Collection Labels page (System > Manage > Collection Labels). To do so:

Go to the Collection Labels page (System > Manage > Collection Labels).
Click the plus-sign in the lower left of the page.
Enter values in the following columns:

Label Name. Name of the Collection Label. This field is required.
Label Description. Description of the Collection Label. This field is optional.
Group Name. Collection Group to align with the Collection Label. You can select from a list of existing Collection Groups or enter the name of a new Collection Group. This field is required.
Frequent Data. Specifies whether frequently rolled up data is calculated for the Collection Label. If the Collection Label will include data that is collected every five minutes or more frequently, and you require that dashboard data be updated every 15 minutes or 20 minutes, select Yes in this field. This data is available immediately for use in a collection label.
Save icon (). Select this icon to save your new Collection Label.

The new Collection Label appears in the page.

What is Normalization?

Normalization and roll-up are the processes by which Skylar One manages collected performance data for display and storage.

Raw data is the data exactly as it was collected from a device or application.
Normalized and rolled up data is data for which Skylar One has performed calculations, usually averaging raw data over a period of time.

Dynamic Applications can collect raw performance data from a device at the following intervals:

1 minute

2 minutes
3 minutes
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
30 minutes
1 hour
2 hours
6 hours
12 hours
24 hours

For performance Dynamic Applications, you specify this interval in the Poll Frequency field, in the Properties Editor page (System > Manage > Dynamic Applications).

Skylar One rolls up data so that reports with a larger timespan do not become difficult to view and to save storage space on the ScienceLogic database. When Skylar One rolls up data, Skylar One groups data into larger sets and calculates the average value for the larger set.

There are two types of roll up:

Hourly. Way to group and average data that is collected at intervals of less than or equal to 60 minutes. Skylar One rolls up data and calculates an average hourly value for each metric. Hourly samples include samples from the top of the hour to the end of the hour. For example, for an hourly rollup of data collected at 1-minute intervals between 1 am and 2 am, the first data point would be the one collected at 01:00:00 and ending at 01:59:00.
Daily. Way to group and average all data. Skylar One rolls up data and calculates an average daily value for each metric. Daily samples include samples from the beginning of the day until the end of the day. For example, for a daily roll-up of data collected at 1-minute intervals, the first data point is collected at 00:00:00 and the last data point is collected at 23:59:00.

Skylar One rolls up raw performance data as follows:

Frequency of Raw Collection	Roll-up
Every 1 minute	60 minutes, 24 hours
Every 2 minutes	60 minutes, 24 hours
Every 3 minutes	60 minutes, 24 hours
Every 5 minutes	60 minutes, 24 hours
Every 10 minutes	60 minutes, 24 hours
Every 15 minutes	60 minutes, 24 hours
Every 30 minutes	60 minutes, 24 hours
Every 60	60 minutes, 24 hours
Every 120 minutes or longer	24 hours

Before Skylar One normalizes data, Skylar One transforms the data. To transform data, Skylar One:

For bandwidth data and data from Dynamic Applications of type "Performance", Skylar One derives rates from counter metrics.
The rate from counter metrics are expressed in units-per-polling_interval. For example, rates for 5-minute collections are expressed as units-per-5-minutes.
For data from Dynamic Applications of type "Performance", Skylar One evaluates presentation formulas. Counter metrics are first transformed into rates before evaluation.

NOTE: During the data transform steps, Skylar One does not directly roll up the raw data in the database tables.

When Skylar One rolls up data, Skylar One must normalize that data. To normalize data, Skylar One:

groups and orders the data
determines the sample size
calculates count
determines the maximum value
determines the minimum value
calulcates the mean value
calculates the average value
calculates the sum
determines the standard deviation

NOTE: In Skylar One, normalized data does not include polling sessions that were missed or skipped. So for normalized data, null values are not included when calculating sample size, maximum values, minimum values, or average values.

Example

For example, suppose that every five minutes, Skylar One collects data about file system usage on the device named my_device. When Skylar One normalizes and rolls up the collected data for file system usage for my_device, Skylar One will:

Apply any necessary data transforms (mentioned above).
Repeat the following step for both hourly normalization and daily normalization:
If this is the first data point for an hourly normalization or a daily normalization, insert summary statistics for that one data point:

Sample size = 1
Average = value of new data point
Max = value of new data point
Min = value of new data point
Sum = value of new data point
Standard Deviation = 0

For all subsequent data points for an hourly normalization or a daily normalization, Skylar One will update the summary statistics for the already existing data points in the data set (either hourly data set or daily data set).
If there are no gaps in collection, the summary statistics for hourly normalization will represent 12 data points, and the summary statistics for daily normalization will represent 288 data points.

What are Duplicates and How Does Skylar One Manage Them?

Multiple presentation objects can be aligned with a single Collection Label. For example, suppose that a Dynamic Application includes a presentation object for "memory used", and another Dynamic Application includes a presentation object for "memory usage". Suppose that both of these presentation objects are aligned with the Collection Label named "Memory".

Suppose that one of the devices monitored by Skylar One subscribes to both of those Dynamic Applications (for example, a Dynamic Application that monitors OEM hardware and a Dynamic Application that monitors the operating system). For that device, Skylar One will collect values for both presentation objects that are aligned with the Collection Label named "Memory".

When this situation arises, Skylar One uses precedence and some internal rules to assign a single presentation object to the Collection Label for that device. However, you can manually assign a different presentation object to the Collection Label after discovery.

If a device has a duplicate, Skylar One uses the following rules to determine which presentation object to use for that Collection Label for that device:

If a manually defined Collection Label-presentation object pair exists, use that pair.
If Skylar One cannot find a manually defined Collection Label-presentation object pair, use the pair with the lowest precedence value.
If Skylar One finds more than one Collection Label-presentation object pair with the same precedence value, Skylar One will create a pair using the presentation object with the lowest presentation ID.

What is Precedence?

Skylar One performs discovery (during initial discovery and during nightly updates) and aligns Dynamic Applications with devices. During discovery, Skylar One will also align Collection Labels with devices. For devices with duplicates, Skylar One evaluates precedence to automatically align a single presentation object with each Collection Label. For devices with duplicates, Skylar One assigns the Collection Label-presentation object pair with the lowest precedence value.

Skylar One evaluates precedence:

During nightly update discovery.

NOTE: If you have manually defined a Collection Label-presentation object pair for one or more devices, nightly update discovery will not change the Collection Label-presentation object pair.

When a Dynamic Application is manually aligned with a device in the Dynamic Application Collections page
When devices are manually merged.

Aligning a Presentation Object with a Collection Label

You can align one or more presentation objects with a collection label. This allows Skylar One to compare and display reports on data from multiple performance Dynamic Applications.

To align a presentation object with a collection label:

Go to the Dynamic Applications Manager page (System > Manage > Dynamic Applications).

Find the performance Dynamic Application that contains the presentation object you are interested in. Select the wrench icon () for that Dynamic Application.
In the Dynamic Application panel, select the Presentations tab.
In the Presentation Objects page, go to the Presentation Object Registry pane and find the presentation object you want to align with a Collection Label. Select the wrench icon () for that presentation object.
The top pane is populated with values from the selected presentation object. Select values for the following fields:

Precedence. Set the global precedence for this Collection Label-presentation object pair. For more information, see the section on Precedence.
Label Group. Select from a list of existing Collection Groups or click on the plus-sign icon () and enter the value for a new Collection Group. The current presentation object will be a member of the specified Collection Group.
Label. Select from a list of existing Collection Labels or click on the plus-sign icon () and enter the value for a new Collection Label. The current presentation object will be aligned with the specified Collection Label.

When you generate reports on the selected Collection Label, this presentation object will be included in the report.

Viewing and Managing the List of Presentation Objects Aligned with a Collection Label

From the Collection Labels page, you can view information about each Collection Label. For each Collection Label, you can view a list of presentation objects aligned with that Collection Label. To view this information:

Go to the Collection Labels page (System > Manage > Collection Labels).
Find the Collection Label you are interested in. In the Aligned Presentations column, select the pencil icon (). The Aligned Presentations modal page appears.
In the Aligned Presentations modal page, you can view information about the presentation objects aligned with the current Collection Label and perform actions to manage those presentation objects. You can also unalign a presentation object from a Collection Label and change the precedence for one or more Collection Label-presentation object pairs.

To globally unalign a presentation object from a Collection Label:

In the Aligned Presentations modal page, find the presentation object that you want to unalign from the Collection Label and select its checkbox.
From the Select Action field in the lower right, select Unalign from Label. Select the Go button.
The selected presentation object will no longer be associated with the Collection Label.

For each Collection Label-presentation object pair, you can define precedence. For example, suppose that both the "Cisco: CPU" Dynamic Application and the "Host Resource: CPU" include a presentation object that is aligned with the CPU Collection Label. You can define precedence to specify priority for each presentation object associated with a Collection Label.

Collection Group / Collection Label	Presentation Object	Dynamic Application
Vitals / CPU	CPU Average	Host Resource: CPU
Vitals / CPI	CPU 5 minutes average percent	Cisco: CPU

To set the precedence for the Collection Label (in our example, "CPU"):

The Aligned Presentations modal page displays all the presentation objects associated with the selected Collection Label. By default, each presentation object has a precedence of 50.
In the Aligned Presentations modal page, you can edit precedence in two ways:

In the Precedence column, use the up arrow and down arrow to change the value for a single presentation object. Repeat for each presentation object for which you want to edit precedence.
Select the checkbox of one or more presentation objects. In the Select Action field, select Change Precedence and a value. Select the Go button. Each selected presentation object will be assigned the new (and identical) precedence value.

Repeat step 2 for each Presentation Object for which you want to edit the precedence value.

NOTE: The precedence values you define in the Aligned Presentations modal page override the precedence value you set per presentation object in the Presentation Objects page.

Viewing and Editing Duplicate Presentation Objects by Collection Label

You can view a list of devices where duplicates occur, view how Skylar One assigned the Collection Label-presentation object pair, and edit the Collection Label-presentation object pair for one or more devices. When you manually define a Collection Label-presentation object pair for a device, Skylar One will not edit or change that pair.

Go to the Collection Labels page (System > Manage > Collection Labels).
Find the Collection Label you are interested in. In the Duplicates column, select the pencil icon (). The Duplicates modal page appears.
In the Duplicates modal page, you can view a list of devices for which there are multiple possible Collection Label-presentation object pairs. You can view which pair is currently assigned to the device.
To change the pair for a device, click on the pair's radio button.
Repeat step #4 for each device on which you want to edit the duplicate.
In the Select Action field (in the lower right), select Align Presentation for Device. Select the Go button.
Each edited device will now use the selected Collection Label-presentation object pair.

Viewing and Managing the List of Devices Aligned with a Collection Label

From the Collection Labels page, you can view information about each Collection Label. For each Collection Label, you can view a list of devices from which Skylar One is collecting values. To view this information:

Go to the Collection Labels page (System > Manage > Collection Labels).
Find the Collection Label you are interested in. In the Aligned Devices column, select the pencil icon ().
In the Aligned Devices modal, you can view information about the devices that are aligned with the current Collection Label and perform actions to manage those devices.

For devices that include duplicates, you can reset the presentation object for one or more devices. When you manually define a Collection Label-presentation object pair for a device, Skylar One will not edit or change that pair.

In the Aligned Devices modal, select the checkbox for one or more devices for which you want to change the Collection Label-presentation object pair.
In the menus in the lower right, select Set Collection Presentation and then select the presentation object. Select the Go button.

For devices that include duplicates, you can clear all current settings, including manual settings. Skylar One will then automatically evaluate the precedence for each possible presentation object and assign the Collection Label-presentation object pair with the lowest precedence.

To clear the current Collection Label-presentation object pair for one or more devices:

In the Aligned Devices modal page, select the checkbox for one or more devices for which you want to clear the aligned presentation object.
In the menus in the lower right, select Recalculate Presentation Alignment. Select the Go button.
Skylar One will evaluate the precedence of each possible presentation object and assign the presentation object with the lowest precedence.

Editing Duplicate Presentation Objects by Device

You can view a list of devices where duplicates occur, view how Skylar One assigned the Collection Label-presentation object pair, and edit the Collection Label-presentation object pair for one or more selected devices. When you manually define a Collection Label-presentation object pair for a device, Skylar One will not edit or change that pair:

Go to the Device Manager page (Devices > Classic Devices, or Registry > Devices > Device Manager in the classic user interface).
Select the checkbox for each device you are interested in.
If you want to view a list of duplicates for all possible devices, select the checkbox at the top of the page to select all devices.
In the Select Action field (lower right), select FIND Collection Label Duplicates. Select the Go button.
The Current Duplicates page is displayed. For each device, you can edit the presentation object that is aligned with a Collection Label.

To select a Collection Label, use the drop-down list in the upper left.

To change the aligned presentation object for one or more devices:

Click on the radio button for the desired presentation object for the device.

For each additional device you want to edit, click on the radio button for the desired presentation object.
In the Select Action menu (lower right), select Align Presentation for Device. Select the Go button.

Editing Duplicate Presentation Objects for a Single Device

You can edit the Collection Label-presentation object pair for a single device. If a single device includes duplicate Collection Label-presentation object pairs, you can specify which one Skylar One should use for that device.

To edit the Collection Label-presentation object pairs for a single device:

Go to the Device Manager page (Devices > Classic Devices, or Registry > Devices > Device Manager in the classic user interface).
Find the device you want to edit. Select its wrench icon ().
Select the Collections tab. In the Dynamic Application Collections page, click on the plus signs () to expand each Dynamic Application.
You will notice that some presentation objects include the chart icon in the Label column. These presentation objects are duplicates that are not currently aligned with a Collection Label. If you want to align one of these presentation objects with the Collection Label (instead of the current alignment), click on the chart icon.
You will be prompted before Skylar One aligns the presentation object with the Collection Label. After approving, you will notice that a new presentation object now displays a chart icon in its Label column. This is because this presentation object is no longer associated with a Collection Label.

Editing a Collection Label

You can edit a Collection Label from the Collection Labels page (System > Manage > Collection Labels). To do so:

Go to the Collection Labels page (System > Manage > Collection Labels).
Find the Collection Label you want to edit. Select its wrench icon ().
You can edit one or more of the following:

Label Name. Name of the Collection Label. This field is required.
Label Description. Description of the Collection Label. This field is optional.
Group Name. Collection Group to align with the Collection Label. You can select from a list of existing Collection Groups or enter the name of a new Collection Group. This field is required.
Frequent Data. Specifies whether frequently rolled up data is calculated for the Collection Label. If the Collection Label will include data that is collected every five minutes or more frequently, and you require that dashboard data be updated every 15 minutes or 20 minutes, select Yes in this field. This data is available immediately for use in a collection label.
Save icon (). Select this icon to save your changes.

Deleting a Collection Label

You can delete a Collection Label from the Collection Labels page (System > Manage > Collection Labels) only if the Collection Label has no Aligned Presentations. To delete a Collection Label:

NOTE: You can delete a Collection Label only if no presentation objects are aligned with that label.

Go to the Collection Labels page (System > Manage > Collection Labels).
Find the Collection Label you want to delete.
Select its delete icon (). The Collection Label will be deleted from Skylar One.

Viewing Reports About Collection Labels on a Single Device

For each device in Skylar One, the Device Performance page displays time-series graphs about the data collected from that device.

If a device subscribes to a Dynamic Application that includes Collection Labels, Skylar One will display the Collection Group in the left pane of the Device Performance page. You can expand the Collection Group and select a Collection Label.

The graph for a Collection Label displays collected values on the Y-axis and time on the X-axis.

Viewing Dashboards About Collection Labels

You can use the following dashboard widgets to include data associated with Collection Labels in a dashboard:

Multi-Series Performance Widget
Leaderboard / Top-N Widget
Gauge / Meter

For details on each widget, see the Dashboards section.