1.2.1 The Client

Mail Monitor offers different interfaces to the client, depending on the client:

• To the Windows NT Client, there is a single interface: a graphical user interface (GUI). See Section 1.2.1.1 for details of this interface.

• To the Motif Client, there are three interfaces. See Section 1.2.1.2 for details of these interfaces.

The client requests monitoring information from the server according to the polling interval set by the client. When the client requests information from the server, the server checks whether the information held is recent enough for the client that has requested the information. You should note that different clients may have different polling intervals set, so the same server's behaviour may be different for different clients - either sending the most recent information or starting a new scan.

Either client can request a log of events that have occurred on a server or scanning module.

1.2.1.1 Interface to the Windows NT Client

The Windows GUI provides an interactive display of monitoring data. Users can use the GUI to control the amount and type of information sent, and can customize the layout and appearance of the interface. Further details of the Windows GUI are available only as online Help for the GUI.

1.2.1.2 Interfaces to the Motif Client

The interfaces are as follows:

• A graphical user interface (GUI), which provides an interactive display of monitoring data. Users can use the GUI to control the amount and type of information sent, and can customize the layout and appearance of the interface.

• A file interface, which directs all monitoring information to a data file. Consecutive versions of this file can be appended to each other, to produce a record of monitoring information over time. You could use this file to collect statistical information on the usage or reliability of one or more entities.

• A mailbox interface (OpenVMS), and a pipe interface (DIGITAL UNIX). These interfaces allow users to write their own applications.