Alpiron Controller

The Brains of the System 

The Alpiron Controller is the main monitoring and control component of Alpiron Suite.

How it works

The non-intrusive Alpiron Controller software installs as a Windows Service (default option) directly onto your existing servers/workstations for fast implementation with minimal impact to your hardware.  All aspects of Alpiron Controller are optimized to have a low impact on your servers; this includes low memory-footprint as well as CPU usage.  Alpiron Controller works with your load-balancer in order to minimize energy usage.  Alpiron Controller may of course be installed on a separate, unique appliance at the administrator’s discretion.

As a long-running executable application Alpiron Controller automatically loads when the device on which it is installed boots.  No direct administrator intervention is required.  Alpiron Controller is a non-intrusive service with does not interfere with other users or programs operating on the same device.

What it does

Alpiron Controller communicates with both Alpiron Agents - installed on each device that is to be monitored and controlled - and the Alpiron Console used by the IT Administrator to configure and monitor Alpiron Suite status and functionality.

Alpiron Controller collects real-time metrics from servers/workstations or other devices controlled by the Alpiron suite.  Metrics include:

  • RAM Usage
  • CPU Usage
  • User Information
  • Session Information

The Alpiron Controller then evaluates policies, makes decisions and activates the required processes, for example: 

  • Starting Up Devices
  • Shutting Down Devices
  • Keep-Free Capacity
  • Set in Stand By
  • Send Alarms and/or SMS

Where to install

Computer considerations: It is best to install Alpiron Controller on a device running at all times.

Network considerations: Optimally, Alpiron Controller will be installed on a device which has network interface to each and every network with Alpiron-controlled devices.  If the controlled devices are connected to different networks, a router must reside between the network with the Alpiron Controller and the network with the Alpiron Suite-controlled device.

Security

All communication from Alpiron Controller to the agents is encrypted with a minimum of 128 bit long encryption keys.

System Requirements

  • Processor: Any AMD or Intel x86 32 or 64 bit running min. 250 MHz
  • Operating system: Windows (2000/2003/XP/Vista/2008)
  • RAM: min. 512 MB
  • Disk: min. 10 MB
  • Prerequisite Software: .NET framework 2.0 or higher
  • Prerequisite Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (SQL Express 2005 or any other version of SQL Server 2005)
  • Network Connection : Standard Ethernet (TCP/IP)
  • Installation Package: Single msi file.

Technical Specifications

  • Maximum number of Alpiron Controller processes running on the same network: No limit
  • Maximum number of controlled devices per server service: 2500
  • RAM requirements 35 to 50 MB
  • CPU time (measured on a 2x Intel Xeon 3.0 GHz): approx. 0.5 s. per min.
  • Disk space: 50MB