Using Network Accounting › Start Network Accounting

Start Network Accounting

You can start the collection of network session accounting or gateway accounting statistics in the following ways:

• Through NCP startup parameters
• From the Operator Command Menu

Start Accounting Using the NCP Startup Parameters

To start accounting using the NCP startup parameters, specify the NETACCT statements in your STARTPRM file.

This command has the following format:

NETACCT=Option [ALOG=dest] [NCP=name|ALL] [BTH=n] [PTH=n] [PIUDIST=n1:n2:n3:n4:n5:n6]

• NETACCT=option

  Turns network accounting collection on. The following are valid values:

  NSA

  Specifies session accounting.

  GWA

  Specifies gateway accounting.

  Note: Applies to NCP V4.3.1 or 5.2.1 only.

• ALOG=dest

  Network accounting statistics are logged to the following destination:

  LOG

  The log.

  SMF

  SMF. You must specify the SMF number on the SMF statement of the INITPRM member.

  Default: LOG

• NCP=name

  Collects network session accounting or gateway accounting statistics for the specified NCP:

  ncpname

  Specifies a particular NCP.

  Limits: 1 to 8 characters

  Note: The NCP must be defined in the DEFINE statement of the NCP startup parameters. For session accounting, the NCP must be at V4.3 or V5.2 or above and must be generated by specifying NPA=YES and SESSACC=YES. For gateway accounting, the NCP must be at V4.3.1 or V5.2.1 or above and must be generated by specifying NPA=YES, SESSACC=YES, and GWSESAC=YES.

  ALL

  Specifies all NCPs listed in the DEFINE statements.

• BTH=n

  Sets the byte threshold in the NCP to signify when network session or gateway accounting statistics are sent over the NPALU to the region (1-232-1).

  Default: The number specified on the SESSACC parameter on the BUILD statement.

• PTH=n

  Sets the PIU threshold in the NCP to signify when network session or gateway accounting statistics should be sent over the NPALU to the region (1-216-1). Do not specify the byte and PIU thresholds too low because this consumes NCP cycles by sending records continuously. The higher the number, the less interval records collected, and the less impact there is on the NCP.

  Default: The number specified on the SESSACC parameter on the BUILD statement.

• PIUDIST=n1: n2:n3:n4:n5:n6

  Defines up to six PIU distribution threshold ranges for monitoring PIU sizes on a session. Each range must be in ascending order. (You do not have to specify all six ranges.)

  Default: PIUDIST=0 (no PIU threshold counters are collected).

Note: You can specify more than one NETACCT statement for different NCPs. All NCPs you specify in the NETACCT statements must be specified on the DEFINE statements in the STARTPRM file. You may have done this when you installed your product.

Start Accounting from the Operator Command Menu

To start network session or gateway accounting online

1. Log on to the region.

   The Main Menu appears.

2. Select option 3, Operator Commands.

   The operator commands are listed.

3. (Optional) If the NCP is not defined in the STARTPRM file, select option 9 from the command menu and enter the NCP node name and specify MON=YES. The NCP need not be collecting performance statistics (SSMF).
4. Select option 13, SNSA.

   The Start Network Accounting screen appears.

5. Select the type of network accounting you want to perform, the destination to which you want to record the statistics, and complete the following fields:
   • NCP NODENAME

     Specifies the node name for which you want to collect accounting records. To collect records on all NCPs defined to the region, specify ALL or an asterisk (*).

   • BYTE THRESHOLD

     Specifies the byte threshold or PIU threshold if you do not want to use the defaults.

   • PIU THRESHOLD

     Specifies the PIU distribution thresholds if you do not want to use the defaults.

     Note: These thresholds apply to NCP Versions 4.3.1 and 5.2.1 and above.

     Press Enter.

     Network accounting starts.