RE: WIMS> When are counters reset, if ever?

From: McDonald, Ira (imcdonald@sharplabs.com)
Date: Tue Aug 14 2007 - 15:44:35 EDT

  • Next message: Richard_Landau@Dell.com: "RE: WIMS> When are counters reset, if ever?"

    Hi Rick,
     
    The Counter MIB (and Abstract Spec) define the persistence of counters
    as lifetime(3), powerOn(4), or reset(5). But it does not further qualify the
    flavor of reset (factory defaults, service/accounting, board replacement).
    Note that the 'lifetime' comment says 'since last install' (board replacement).
     
    I personally believe that counters should have a REQUIRED persistence
    of lifetime and that it should be permitted (as in Counter MIB) to have a
    second instance of the counters that has a 'reset' persistence (especially
    for accounting applications).
     
    So my answer to your question below is B/C/D and your missing 'powerOn'.
     
    My two cents - give the customers whatever they want.
     
    Cheers,
    - Ira

    Ira McDonald (Musician / Software Architect)
    Chair - Linux Foundation Open Printing WG
    Blue Roof Music / High North Inc
    PO Box 221 Grand Marais, MI 49839
    phone: +1-906-494-2434
    email: imcdonald@sharplabs.com

    -----Original Message-----
    From: owner-wims@pwg.org [mailto:owner-wims@pwg.org]On Behalf Of Richard_Landau@Dell.com
    Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 2:14 PM
    To: wims@pwg.org
    Cc: blueroofmusic@gmail.com
    Subject: WIMS> When are counters reset, if ever?

    General question for WIMS people. A question has arisen in the PDM (projector mgt) group that I would like to hear opinions on.

    Question: When, if ever, are counters such as prtMarkerLifeCount and prtAlertAllEvents reset? It has been proposed that similar counters in projectors and displays should be reset if the entire device is reset to factory defaults, such as might happen when a printer is redeployed; or when a service person decides that they ought to be reset.

    These suggestions are not exactly the same as the distinctions made in the Counter spec. Personally, I think any such counters should be implemented with lifetime persistence. It's an odometer; turning it backwards is at least nonsense if not fraud. But I don't know what various existing devices might do, or what best current practice is, so that would be interesting to know, too.

    Opinions, please.

    Q: When should such so-called "life counters" be set to zero?

    A. Never.
    B. When the device is reset to factory defaults.
    C. When an authorized service person says so.
    D. When someone replaces the controller board.
    E. Other (please specify) _________________

    Thanks very much for your time and thoughtful answers.

    rick
    ----------------------
    Richard_Landau(at)dell(dot)com, Stds & System Mgt Architecture, CTO Office
    +1-512-728-9023, One Dell Way, RR5-3, MS RR5-09, Round Rock, TX 78682

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