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

From: Richard_Landau@Dell.com
Date: Wed Aug 15 2007 - 14:02:35 EDT

  • Next message: wamwagner@comcast.net: "RE: WIMS> When are counters reset, if ever?"

    Actually, the Counter spec goes beyond the definitions of the levels of
    persistence. It states (in Section 5.1.3)

    Conforming Imaging Systems MUST implement System Totals counters with
    Lifetime persistence. Conforming Imaging Systems SHOULD implement
    specific Service counters with Lifetime persistence.

    I agree that "since installation" covers the case of board replacment.
    And "Reset" does specifically mention "administrative reset of imaging
    counter (e.g., a software reset by an accounting application)" so that
    includes the more serious case of restoring factory defaults. But not
    for lifetime.
     
    So we have an idea what future devices should do, sort of. I was hoping
    to get a read of what known devices actually do. The "lifetime"
    counters in printers were defined and implemented long before the
    Counter spec was drafted, Are these "lifetime" counters reset ever,
    for instance when factory defaults are restored? Does anyone have
    experience with this, even by spec, for existing devices?
     
    For some of the counters, such as overall age of the device, number of
    power-on cycles, and like that, I would prefer to specify the
    persistence rather than leave it up to the manufacturer.
     
    Thanks, all, for the hints and any additional guidance you can give.
     
    rick

    ________________________________

    From: McDonald, Ira [mailto:imcdonald@sharplabs.com]
    Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 14:45
    To: Landau, Richard; wims@pwg.org
    Cc: blueroofmusic@gmail.com
    Subject: 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

    No virus found in this outgoing message.
    Checked by AVG Free Edition.
    Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.17/951 - Release Date:
    8/13/2007 10:15 AM

    This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Wed Aug 15 2007 - 14:02:44 EDT