Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

HP OpenView

HP OpenView was a comprehensive suite of software products developed by () for managing enterprise networks and IT systems, encompassing tools for , fault detection, performance analysis, and . Introduced in the early , the suite originated with UNIX-based components and evolved to support and later platforms, enabling centralized oversight of devices like routers, switches, servers, and applications through protocols such as SNMP. Key components included the flagship Network Node Manager (NNM), which provided dynamic , root-cause analysis, and proactive alerting; Operations Manager for event correlation and dashboards; OmniBack II for data backup and ; and specialized modules like PerfView for workload forecasting and Internet Services for web . The product line expanded through acquisitions, such as Prolin Technologies' service desk software in the 1990s, and integrated third-party tools for antivirus and . In 2007, following 's acquisition of , the OpenView brand was rebranded under the unified HP Software umbrella as part of the Business Technology Optimization (BTO) initiative, with many components migrating to enhanced platforms. Following the 2015 split of HP into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), many OpenView products reached end-of-life status by the late 2010s. In 2017, HPE sold its enterprise software business, including OpenView assets, to Micro Focus, which was acquired by OpenText in 2023; some technologies evolved into products like Operations Bridge. Separately, HPE transitioned its infrastructure management to modern solutions like OneView for converged infrastructure.

Introduction

Definition and Purpose

HP OpenView is a product family developed by (later , or HPE) for large-scale network, systems, and , initially introduced in 1988. The core purpose of HP OpenView is to enable the , , fault , optimization, and of , thereby supporting efficient enterprise operations and aligning IT services with business objectives. It facilitates proactive to ensure , security, and compliance across computing environments, reducing and operational costs. At a high level, HP OpenView employs a featuring a central console that integrates distributed agents for collection from devices, along with policy-based management to enforce configurations and automate responses. This architecture supports scalable oversight in complex, heterogeneous networks comprising hardware from multiple vendors. It is primarily targeted at IT administrators in large organizations handling diverse, multi-platform IT ecosystems.

Key Components and Architecture

HP OpenView employs a modular, distributed designed for enterprise-scale IT , enabling centralized oversight of networks, systems, and applications through interconnected components that facilitate , , and . This structure allows for flexible deployment across heterogeneous environments, supporting both single-server and multi-server configurations to handle diverse monitoring needs without compromising performance. The core components form the foundation of this architecture. The management server acts as the central , aggregating data from various sources, processing and events, maintaining databases, and distributing management templates to agents. It handles tasks such as correlation and action initiation, often configured to support multiple instances for , including primary and secondary servers. Distributed agents are deployed on managed endpoints, such as servers running , , AIX, or Windows, to perform real-time monitoring by intercepting logs, SNMP traps, and performance metrics, then forwarding filtered, critical data to the management server to minimize overhead. These agents operate in modes like controlled or monitored, enabling local processing of thresholds and events before escalation. Graphical user interfaces, typically Java-based consoles, provide visualization and interaction, featuring elements like browsers, banks, and customizable workspaces for operators to view maps, event details, and status updates. The architecture is organized into distinct layers to separate concerns and enhance . The presentation layer encompasses the GUIs and dashboards, offering intuitive tools for reporting, navigation via shortcut bars and panes, and operator-specific views of network health and problems. The application layer manages core logic, including event correlation to group related messages, through corrective scripts, and threshold-based to detect anomalies. The data layer stores essential information such as maps, historical metrics (retained for periods like five weeks), templates, and logs, ensuring persistent access for analysis and reporting. This layered approach supports modular extensions while isolating user interactions from backend processing. Integration mechanisms enable seamless connectivity within HP OpenView and with external systems. SNMP-based polling is a primary method for discovering devices, collecting traps, and monitoring network elements, compatible with standards like X.733 for alarm formatting in environments. CORBA facilitates inter-component communication, particularly for interactions between servers, agents, and services, ensuring reliable data exchange in multi-vendor setups. Scriptable APIs, such as those for GUI remoting and message interception (e.g., opcmsg), allow custom extensions, enabling third-party integrations and automated workflows through external applications. Scalability features accommodate large deployments, supporting management of thousands of through hierarchical node grouping, clustering of , and load balancing across competence centers. Agents reduce central load by handling local filtering and duplicate suppression, while distribution occurs only for changes, optimizing . operations and backup configurations further enhance reliability in global enterprises.

History

Origins and Early Development

HP OpenView was launched in 1988 by as a suite of tools designed to monitor and manage enterprise networks. The initial release focused on fault detection and performance monitoring, leveraging the emerging (SNMP) standards to enable real-time visibility into network devices and status. This development was driven by the rapid expansion of enterprise networks following the 1980s boom, which introduced greater complexity in connecting distributed systems, particularly within environments reliant on HP's proprietary hardware like the series workstations. Early iterations emphasized integration with HP's Unix-based systems to provide centralized control and reduce manual troubleshooting in growing IT infrastructures. A pivotal advancement came in 1993 with enhancements to the OpenView suite, particularly Network Node Manager (NNM), which extended the platform's capabilities for Unix-based systems by introducing graphical topology mapping and event correlation features. Topology mapping allowed administrators to visualize network layouts dynamically, using SNMP polling to discover and display device interconnections, thereby simplifying fault isolation in heterogeneous environments. Event correlation, meanwhile, analyzed incoming traps and alerts to identify root causes rather than isolated incidents, reducing alert floods and improving response times in complex setups. These innovations built on the core Network Node Manager (NNM) component, enhancing proactive management for enterprise-scale deployments while maintaining tight integration with HP's hardware ecosystem. By the mid-1990s, HP expanded OpenView's accessibility with native support for Windows platforms, allowing broader adoption beyond Unix workstations and enabling mixed-OS environments common in enterprise settings. This shift catered to the increasing prevalence of Windows-based servers and desktops, facilitating easier deployment for IT teams managing diverse hardware. Around 1997, the suite incorporated web-based interfaces, permitting remote access and monitoring via standard browsers, which aligned with the rising infrastructure and simplified distributed management without requiring dedicated client software. These milestones solidified OpenView's role as a foundational for oversight during the pre-2000 era.

Acquisitions and Product Expansions

In 1997, HP acquired Prolin Technologies, an Amsterdam-based developer of software, integrating its help-desk and service desk solutions into the OpenView portfolio to enhance capabilities. In 2004, acquired Novadigm for approximately $116 million, integrating its Radia suite into the HP OpenView portfolio to enhance , patch management, and deployment automation capabilities. The Radia technology enabled automated management of client devices and servers, addressing gaps in endpoint lifecycle processes within OpenView's existing network-focused tools. The following year, in December 2005, HP acquired Systems for $425 million, incorporating its ServiceCenter application into OpenView to add IT service desk and functionalities. ServiceCenter provided (CMDB) support and incident tracking, allowing OpenView users to better align IT operations with service delivery needs. In July 2006, HP completed its $4.5 billion acquisition of , bringing advanced application testing and performance management tools into the OpenView ecosystem. These assets were integrated to form the foundation of HP OpenView Business Availability Center, which combined infrastructure monitoring with for end-to-end visibility. HP's acquisition spree culminated in September 2007 with the $1.6 billion purchase of , which introduced data center automation features for server provisioning, compliance, and virtualization management into OpenView. 's tools automated provisioning across physical and virtual environments, streamlining operations previously handled manually. Collectively, these acquisitions from 2004 to 2007 transformed HP OpenView from a primarily network-centric platform into a comprehensive (ITSM) solution, incorporating , , and aligned with ITIL best practices. This expansion enabled OpenView to support ITIL processes such as incident, change, and out of the box, improving and operational efficiency for enterprise users.

Rebranding, Sales, and Current Ownership

In 2007, rebranded its OpenView suite as part of the HP Business Technology Optimization (BTO) Software portfolio within the newly formed HP Software Division, shifting emphasis toward business-aligned IT management solutions that integrated operations, performance, and service delivery. This unified disparate product lines under a cohesive framework aimed at optimizing IT for business outcomes, incorporating tools for and efficiency. Following the 2015 corporate split of into (focused on personal systems and printing) and (HPE, centered on enterprise infrastructure and services), the software division—including the former OpenView products—transitioned to HPE Software. Development and support for these assets continued under HPE until the divestiture of non-core software operations in 2017. In September 2017, HPE completed the sale of its software business to International in an $8.8 billion transaction structured as a and merger, transferring the OpenView portfolio—encompassing products like Network Node Manager (NNM) and Operations Manager—to the combined entity, with HPE initially retaining 50.1% ownership. This deal positioned as a major player in , integrating the acquired assets to expand its IT management offerings. Micro Focus, in turn, was acquired by OpenText Corporation in January 2023 through a $5.8 billion merger that incorporated the former HPE software assets, including legacy OpenView components, into OpenText's broader portfolio of IT operations and cybersecurity solutions. Many OpenView-derived products were subsequently rebranded, such as serving as a successor to earlier tools. As of 2025, most HP OpenView components are at end-of-life (EOL) or under extended sustaining support by , with the company directing customers toward migration to cloud-native alternatives for modern IT environments. maintains limited for legacy versions, prioritizing innovation in integrated platforms over prolonged maintenance of older on-premises tools.

Products

Network Management Tools

HP OpenView Network Node Manager (NNM) serves as the foundational tool within the Network Management Tools category, enabling automatic , , and of IP-based networks. It leverages SNMP to query devices for detailed and information, while employing ICMP pings to verify and populate initial device inventories from sources like router caches. This process dynamically constructs layered maps that depict network interconnections, device statuses, and hierarchical relationships, facilitating intuitive navigation for administrators. NNM operates in multiple editions tailored to different deployment scales and requirements. The Standard edition focuses on core discovery and basic mapping functions, suitable for smaller environments with essential topology visualization. In contrast, the Advanced edition extends these capabilities with sophisticated event correlation mechanisms, such as the Correlation Composer, which filters and groups related events to reduce alarm noise, and service views that abstract business impacts from underlying infrastructure changes. Licensing for these editions is structured around node packs ranging from 250 to unlimited nodes, allowing flexibility for enterprise growth. Key features in the Advanced edition emphasize proactive management, including fault isolation through root-cause analysis via the Active Problem Analyzer. This component integrates event data with physical topology to identify underlying issues, such as neighbor connectivity failures or port malfunctions, using out-of-the-box diagnostic rules. For , provides trend reporting and auto-baselining tools that analyze historical performance data to forecast resource utilization and highlight potential bottlenecks before they disrupt operations. These capabilities support across large deployments, managing hundreds of thousands of objects while maintaining efficient polling and analysis through a multi-threaded .

Monitoring and Performance Solutions

HP OpenView's monitoring and solutions provide real-time oversight of through fault detection, resource status tracking, and performance analytics, enabling proactive management of systems and networks. These tools collect data from distributed agents to identify issues early, correlate events for , and support decision-making with trend reports. Central to this suite is the integration of event-driven alerts with performance metrics, allowing administrators to maintain levels across heterogeneous environments. HP OpenView Operations Manager (), also known as OpenView Operations (), serves as the core event management system, collecting alarms from managed nodes via agents and SNMP traps. It processes these inputs by filtering, correlating related events into higher-level problems, and prioritizing them based on severity levels such as critical, major, minor, or normal. Correlation rules, defined through policies, reduce noise by grouping symptoms into actionable incidents, while the displays problems in message browsers and topology views for efficient operator response. This system supports multi-vendor environments, including protocols like SNMP, CMIP, and TL1 for integration, ensuring comprehensive fault detection across servers, applications, and devices. HP OpenView Performance Agent (OVPA), paired with the OpenView Performance Manager (OVPM), enables threshold-based of key resources including CPU utilization, usage, disk space, and . OVPA agents, deployed on managed systems, capture real-time metrics with low overhead and store them for historical analysis, facilitating trend graphing and to predict bottlenecks. Administrators set customizable thresholds to trigger alerts when metrics exceed limits, such as CPU loads above 80%, allowing for proactive tuning. Data from OVPA integrates seamlessly with OVPM for through dashboards and reports, supporting long-term optimization without requiring constant intervention. Key capabilities of these solutions include automated resolution through configurable scripts and actions triggered by events in OM, which can execute commands to restart services or apply fixes without human input. For (SLA) compliance, tools like HP OpenView Service Quality Manager generate reports on and response times, helping track adherence to contractual metrics. Integration with ticketing systems, such as HP OpenView Service Desk, automates incident creation from prioritized alarms, forwarding details like event severity and affected nodes to streamline and resolution tracking. Uptime calculations, essential for reporting, follow the standard formula: \text{Availability (\%)} = \left( \frac{\text{Total Time} - \text{Downtime}}{\text{Total Time}} \right) \times 100 This metric, derived from logged event data in tools like HP OpenView Reporter, quantifies system reliability over periods such as monthly or annually, aiding in SLA validation and performance audits.

Configuration and Provisioning

HP OpenView Configuration Management, originally developed as Radia by Novadigm and acquired by in 2004, is a client-server software solution designed for managing IT endpoints across distributed environments. It enables inventory tracking by collecting detailed and software from devices, allowing administrators to maintain an accurate asset database for better and . The tool supports deployment through automated preparation of software packages, analysis, and targeted distribution to individual computers, workgroups, or enterprise-wide populations, ensuring timely updates without disrupting operations. Compliance auditing is facilitated by enforcing policy-defined configurations throughout the device's lifecycle, helping organizations meet regulatory standards and internal requirements. HP OpenView Service Desk, originally from Prolin Technologies and acquired by HP in 1997, provides ITIL-aligned capabilities with built-in for handling requests and incidents. It streamlines the by tracking modifications from to closure, incorporating approval workflows that reduce errors and ensure accountability in IT operations. The solution automates routine tasks such as request fulfillment, enabling faster resolution while maintaining audit trails for all activities. A key feature is its integration with a () , where proposed changes are assessed for risks and impacts by a cross-functional group, aligning technical updates with business objectives before implementation. Provisioning within HP OpenView emphasizes automated deployment to support scalable IT infrastructures, particularly in data centers. Template-based server imaging allows administrators to create standardized OS and application images, which are then deployed rapidly across physical or virtual servers to ensure consistency. Virtual machine orchestration features enable the automated provisioning of VMs using predefined templates, facilitating quick scaling for workload demands while integrating with broader configuration management for post-deployment monitoring. This approach minimizes manual intervention, reduces deployment times, and supports dynamic environments by tying provisioning directly to change management workflows.

Storage Management

HP OpenView Storage Data Protector served as the primary tool for enterprise backup and within the HP OpenView suite, providing comprehensive data protection across heterogeneous environments. It supported disk-to-disk backups using standalone file devices, jukeboxes, and libraries with intelligent space management, alongside tape-based archiving via devices like HP StorageWorks libraries compatible with DLT and LTO formats. The solution facilitated full, incremental (including differential and leveled Inc1-9), and backups, with capabilities for online database protection of systems such as , , and R/3. Key features included zero-downtime backups through Zero Downtime Backup (ZDB) integration, leveraging snapshot technologies with and storage like StorageWorks Virtual Array (VA), Enterprise Virtual Array (EVA), and Disk Array XP, as well as third-party arrays such as . This enabled application-consistent snapshots for minimal operational disruption, followed by data streaming to disk or tape. Disaster recovery planning was enhanced by options like Enhanced Automated (EADR), One Button (OBDR), and Automated System Recovery (ASR), which supported point-in-time restores using the Internal Database (IDB) catalog for browsing and recovering specific backup versions, including transaction logs and archive sets. Resource within OpenView Storage Management utilized tools such as Storage Builder for capacity analysis and , allowing administrators to predict storage array needs based on usage trends and media rotation policies. The IDB Capacity Planning Tool estimated database growth—for instance, projecting 419.75 MB over one year for typical operations—to inform . was native with StorageWorks hardware for seamless and control, while APIs and device drivers extended compatibility to third-party arrays like , enabling centralized health checks, performance reporting, and notifications via SNMP or .

Service and Asset Management

HP OpenView Service Desk, originally developed by Prolin Technologies and acquired by HP in 1997, serves as a core component for IT service management (ITSM) within the OpenView suite. This tool implements ITIL best practices through a ticketing system that automates incident, problem, and release management processes, enabling organizations to log, track, and resolve service disruptions efficiently. Incident management in Service Desk follows ITIL phases including detection, recording, classification, investigation, diagnosis, resolution, and closure, with tickets generated from alarms or user reports and linked to related problems or changes. Problem management focuses on root cause analysis for recurring incidents, creating dedicated records that integrate with change requests to prevent future occurrences. Release management, often handled via change management workflows, coordinates infrastructure updates with minimal disruption, using request-for-change (RFC) tickets, approval processes, and impact assessments on configuration items (CIs). Complementing service operations, HP OpenView AssetCenter functions as a (CMDB) for comprehensive asset lifecycle tracking, managing hardware and software inventories alongside associated financial and contractual details. It records asset attributes such as serial numbers, models, purchase dates, and locations, supporting parent-child relationships for hierarchical views of IT resources. Software licenses are monitored through portfolio management, ensuring by linking entitlements to usage data, while is calculated based on acquisition costs and timelines to inform (TCO) analyses. Vendor s are handled via agreements mapped to suppliers and departments, with automated creation of contract entities during to maintain accuracy across the asset portfolio. Key workflows in Service Desk enhance resolution efficiency through user self-service portals accessible via web-based Service Pages, allowing end-users to submit tickets, search FAQs, and access a of resolved cases without specialist intervention. Escalation matrices route tickets based on priority and workgroup assignments, with rules automating notifications to managers or higher tiers when deadlines approach. The integrates known errors and workarounds from the CMDB, accelerating diagnostics by providing searchable historical resolutions tied to similar incidents. Service Desk and AssetCenter integrate bidirectionally via Connect-It , synchronizing with assets for real-time updates on lifecycle events like additions, modifications, or deletions, while feeding configuration data into service workflows. Performance is measured through service level agreements (SLAs), with mean time to resolution (MTTR) tracked as a key to evaluate support effectiveness; MTTR is computed using the \frac{\sum \text{Resolution Times}}{\text{Number of Incidents}}, where resolution time spans from creation to closure. This , monitored via work order histories and SLA reports, helps identify bottlenecks in incident handling and informs process improvements.

Business and Data Center Automation

HP Business Availability Center (BAC), acquired through Hewlett-Packard's 2006 purchase of for $4.5 billion, provided end-user monitoring capabilities integrated into the OpenView suite to optimize application performance and availability. It focused on tracking business transactions from the end-user perspective, using real-user monitoring () to capture actual user interactions and synthetic testing via tools like HP Business Process Monitor to simulate transactions and predict issues. This enabled measurement of end-user experience across tiers, including J2EE, .NET, , and environments, with session tracing for detailed visibility into user sessions and transaction paths. BAC's root-cause analysis features, powered by HP Diagnostics and Problem Isolation tools, offered guided workflows to triage and diagnose performance bottlenecks, reducing mean time to resolution by correlating application issues with infrastructure events. It integrated with HP OpenView Operations Center for a unified view, combining bottom-up infrastructure monitoring with top-down business service perspectives. A key aspect was business service modeling, which mapped IT components—such as servers, networks, and applications—to revenue-impacting services using HP Universal CMDB and Discovery tools, allowing impact analysis and service-level agreement enforcement. HP Data Center Automation (DCA), stemming from the 2007 acquisition of for $1.6 billion, extended OpenView's capabilities into and data center , particularly in environments. DCA automated provisioning on bare metal and platforms like ESX/ESXi and zones, using OS Build Plans to streamline deployment and agent installation. It enforced compliance through policy-based audits and remediation, tracking configurations for patches, software standards, and via a centralized . For workload migration, DCA supported multi-tier application deployment and rollback across virtual servers, facilitating transitions from development to . scripting was enabled through tools like the Global Shell and Command Engine, supporting languages such as and for custom policy enforcement and distributed execution with audit trails. This scripting allowed role-based access and parallel processing, enhancing efficiency in policy-driven operations within heterogeneous data centers.

Extensions

Smart Plug-ins

Smart Plug-ins (SPIs) for HP OpenView are pre-built or customizable software modules designed to extend the platform's monitoring and management capabilities to specific domains, such as and applications. These extensions integrate seamlessly with HP OpenView Operations, enabling domain-specific , event correlation, and performance tracking without requiring extensive reconfiguration of the core system. For instance, the SPI for automates the and visualization of Oracle service topologies, including multiple object types and relationships, to support proactive management of database environments of varying sizes. Similarly, the SPI for links systems to HP OpenView Operations, facilitating centralized monitoring of application components like destinations and trace files. The architecture of Smart Plug-ins leverages a modular, standards-based design that supports easy with HP OpenView consoles, often incorporating components for collectors and metric builders to handle application-specific . This Java-enabled framework allows for the extension of managed domains to industry-leading applications, including and operating systems, through pre-defined policies and customizable thresholds. By 2008, HP offered at least 15 official SPIs covering areas like Windows OS, UNIX/ OS, databases (e.g., , , Sybase), and applications (e.g., , , Remedy), with additional ones available for evaluation and licensing. Development emphasizes out-of-the-box deployment, reducing the need for custom scripting by providing ready-to-use mechanisms and points. Following HP's sale of its software business to in 2017 (and Micro Focus's acquisition by in 2023), support for these SPIs continued under new branding until end-of-support dates, many reached by 2025. Representative examples include the VoIP-focused iSPI within Network Node Manager, which discovers and monitors VoIP-specific parameters for vendors like and to track call quality metrics—though NNM-specific enhancements are detailed separately. For , SPIs such as the one for HP IDS/9000 integrate intrusion detection alerts into OpenView for continuous of events, while others automate assessment and tracking to address vulnerabilities. These plug-ins deliver benefits like reduced custom development efforts through pre-configured dashboards, automated alerts, and tailored thresholds, enabling faster deployment in verticals such as (e.g., VoIP quality assurance) and (e.g., secure database ). Overall, SPIs enhance by correlating application-level events with , minimizing and supporting high-availability environments across diverse IT landscapes.

Network Node Manager SPIs

Network Node Manager (NNM) Smart Plug-ins (SPIs) are specialized add-ons designed to enhance the core capabilities of HP OpenView , particularly for advanced network topologies and protocols. These SPIs integrate seamlessly with 's and engine to provide deeper visibility into specific network layers and services, such as MPLS-based infrastructures. By leveraging SNMP polling, trap processing, and custom data models, SPIs enable administrators to monitor complex elements like virtual private networks and routing dynamics without requiring extensive custom scripting. Support for these SPIs transitioned to following the 2017 acquisition, with end-of-life varying by version as of 2025. One prominent example is the SPI, which focuses on monitoring (MPLS) (VPN) edge routers in real-time. This SPI discovers provider edge (PE) routers, (VRF) instances, and customer edge (CE) connections, enriching NNM's topology maps with dedicated views that display connectivity status, interface availability, and end-to-end reachability via Cisco Service Assurance Agent (SAA) tests. It supports layer-specific visualizations, including graphical maps of PE-CE links and tabular details on VRF configurations, allowing operators to identify faults like interface downtime or reachability issues promptly. The SPI requires loading specific MIBs, such as Cisco's SMI and RTTMON MIBs, into NNM's database to enable custom object modeling for these elements. Complementing this, the iSPI for MPLS extends topology mapping to include label-switched paths (LSPs) and traffic-engineered tunnels, providing layer-2 and layer-3 views of MPLS services like L3VPNs, L2VPNs, and virtual circuits. It discovers MPLS-enabled label switch routers (LSRs) and integrates with NNM's global for consolidated overviews in multi-server environments, highlighting path attributes, tunnel status, and service health metrics. Custom support is integral, as the parses vendor-specific extensions for MPLS objects to populate enhanced maps and event correlations. Implementation of SPIs occurs through 's extensible framework, where add-ons are installed on the management server via scripted loaders that register new modules, symbols, and handlers. involves editing files like ovwdb.txt for integration and threshold policies in ovpolicy.ovpl for alerts, such as VPN interface percentages. forwarding is managed by directing SNMP traps from monitored devices to 's trap receiver, with SPIs processing them to generate enriched alarms in the console. These SPIs support platforms including , , , and Windows, often requiring NNMi version 9.00 or later for full compatibility. In practical deployments, such as those by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the NNM/RAMS Integration Module—serving as a Route Analytics SPI—proves valuable for analyzing (BGP) and simulating scenarios. This module integrates NNM with the Route Analytics (RAMS) to monitor route changes, flap alarms, and path histories in dynamic networks, enabling visualization of BGP peer states and IGP-BGP interactions for proactive fault isolation. For instance, ISPs use it to assess stability and model impacts on layer-3 , reducing in large-scale BGP meshes.

Integration and Compatibility Features

HP OpenView provided robust integration capabilities through its support for industry standards, enabling secure and standardized data exchange across diverse IT environments. It achieved full compliance with the Telecommunications Management Network (TMN) framework, facilitating telecommunications-specific management operations via tools like the TMN developer tool chain. Additionally, HP OpenView aligned with ITIL best practices, particularly in service desk and operations management components, supporting processes such as incident and problem management for enhanced service delivery. The suite also incorporated SNMPv3 for secure , allowing encrypted polling and handling to protect sensitive data during . Pre-built connectors extended HP OpenView's reach to enterprise applications, simplifying data synchronization and workflow automation. For instance, adapters for systems like enabled inventory and asset data exchange, leveraging protocols such as HTTP and XML for seamless connectivity. Similarly, integrations with platforms, including Siebel, supported event forwarding and application monitoring through dedicated connectors that mapped business objects to OpenView's management framework. The Integration User Module (IUM) served as a core framework for federating data from third-party management tools, promoting a unified view of IT operations. This module facilitated bidirectional event correlation and data import from solutions like IBM Tivoli Enterprise Console and CA Unicenter, using standard protocols to aggregate alerts and metrics without custom scripting. By normalizing disparate data formats, IUM enabled administrators to correlate incidents across vendors, reducing mean time to resolution in heterogeneous setups. HP OpenView maintained with legacy protocols to support existing infrastructures, including CMIP for management, ensuring continuity for older OSI-based networks. Core product further supported these integrations by exposing management functions for external scripting and orchestration. Following the 2017 transition to (acquired by in 2023), many integration features reached end-of-support by 2025, with users directed to successor platforms like Operations Bridge.

Community and Legacy

User Groups and Support Networks

Vivit Worldwide serves as the primary independent user group for HP OpenView users, originally established in 1993 as the OpenView Forum International (OVFI) to represent the interests of OpenView product customers. The organization rebranded to Vivit in early 2007, expanding its scope while maintaining a focus on legacy HP software communities, including OpenView administrators and IT professionals. Through its non-profit structure, Vivit facilitates collaboration via online forums where members discuss best practices, , and challenges specific to OpenView deployments. Vivit organizes annual conferences, such as the Vivit Worldwide , which provide in-depth sessions on OpenView , networking opportunities, and among attendees. These educational initiatives emphasize practical skills for maintaining legacy environments. Regional chapters of Vivit, including groups in areas like the , , and , host local events and meetings to promote exchange on OpenView best practices and issue resolution. For instance, events modeled after the former HP Software gatherings allow participants to explore troubleshooting strategies and deployment optimizations in a regional context. Online resources maintained by Vivit include archived knowledge bases with technical documentation, peer-to-peer wikis for collaborative problem-solving, and post-end-of-life migration guides to assist users transitioning from OpenView systems. User engagement is encouraged through contributions of scripts, case studies, and solutions for common challenges, such as scaling agent deployments across large networks, fostering a community-driven . While official support for has shifted to , Vivit continues to provide -based resources for users.

End-of-Life Status and Successors

The suite, including core components such as () and (), saw its versions declared end-of-life by between 2017 and 2020 following the 2017 acquisition of HPE's software business. For instance, for Windows 9.0x reached end-of-sale in September 2016, with committed support ending in June 2018 and extended support in June 2020. Similarly, for and Unix was slated for end-of-life in 2018. Under subsequent ownership after the 2023 acquisition of , extended support for versions was available until dates such as June 2024 for Windows versions, with all standard support concluded by 2025. As of November 2025, all official support for has concluded, with users relying on resources for maintenance. The discontinuation aligned with broader corporate restructuring at HPE, including the divestiture of its software division amid challenges from prior acquisitions like , prompting a focus on core hardware and services. This shift also reflected industry-wide trends, where on-premises IT operations management tools like OpenView were increasingly supplanted by cloud-native and AI-driven solutions for greater and ; by 2023, a significant portion of users had completed migrations to modern platforms. Recommended successors include Operations Bridge, which evolved from Operations Manager i (OMi) to provide advanced event correlation, analytics, and AIOps for IT monitoring. For (ITSM), OpenText Service Management offers comprehensive workflows, asset tracking, and integration capabilities as a direct evolution from OpenView Service Desk. In the realm of hybrid automation, HPE GreenLake serves as a consumption-based platform for edge-to-cloud operations, enabling pay-per-use management of infrastructure without the legacy overhead of OpenView. Migration from HP OpenView typically follows a phased approach to minimize disruption, starting with assessment of current configurations and prioritizing critical workloads. Key steps involve exporting data from the (CMDB)—such as via XML or database dumps from Universal CMDB (UCMDB)—to import into successor tools like 's Asset Manager. bridging facilitates real-time data synchronization during transition, ensuring no for ; provides dedicated services, including for Operations Manager to Operations Bridge, to handle topology mapping and policy transfers.

References

  1. [1]
    What is HP OpenView? - ITPro Today
    HP OpenView is a family of products that Hewlett Packard produces and provides for network and systems management.
  2. [2]
    HP OpenView | Network World
    May 14, 2007 · Network Node Manager collects network health data, stores it in a relational database, analyzes the stored device-status and event data, and ...
  3. [3]
    HP Extends Life Support for Service Desk Customers - ServiceNow
    Nov 19, 2009 · A brief history lesson. The HP OpenView Service Desk was originally developed in the early '90s by Prolin Technologies. Prolin was acquired ...
  4. [4]
    HP to retire OpenView, Mercury brands - InfoWorld
    Nov 7, 2006 · Hewlett-Packard (HP) plans to gradually retire OpenView and newly acquired Mercury brands in favor of a unified HP Software brand and a ...
  5. [5]
    HP OpenView (Discontinued) Reviews & Ratings 2025 - TrustRadius
    Rating 4/10 (15) What is HP OpenView (Discontinued)?. HP OpenView, later HP BTO was a system and network monitoring tool from Hewlett-Packard, and is now End of Life (EOL).
  6. [6]
    HP BTO (formerly OpenView) - Hewlett Packard Enterprise Community
    HP BTO (formerly OpenView). I just started doing some hands-on work with the tools in the HP Business Technology Optimization (BTO) Software suite. I've come ...
  7. [7]
    [PDF] HP IT Service Management (ITSM) - Transforming IT organizations ...
    ITSM: Enhancing IT Service Management for business success ... One example is the HP OpenView. Service Desk solution, which is ITIL-based ...
  8. [8]
    Integrated SNMP Management with HP OpenView ITO and NNM
    Network and systems management products from the same vendor often have only very simples levels of integration. HP OpenView and INSM. HP OpenView is no ...
  9. [9]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Operations for UNIX Concepts Guide - filibeto.org
    HP-UX Release 10.20 and later and HP-UX Release 11.00 and later (in both 32 and 64-bit configurations) on all HP 9000 computers are Open. Group UNIX 95 branded ...
  10. [10]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Operations Online Help - Micro Focus Software Support
    HP OpenView Operations includes the OVO GUI, the main GUI used to manage assigned nodes, applications, messages, and services. The OVO. GUI presents the network ...
  11. [11]
    http://www.fognet.com/itosnmppaper.htm
  12. [12]
    HP to ditch OpenView brand - Tech Monitor
    Nov 8, 2006 · Now that Hewlett-Packard Co has closed its $4.5bn acquisition of Mercury Interactive, as well as dropping the Mercury brand, it has said it ...
  13. [13]
    [PDF] April 1993 - World Radio History
    Apr 6, 1993 · OpenView: HP's umbrella network management system. RMON: Remote ... 88 April 1993 Hewlett-Packard Journal. © Copr. 1949-1998 Hewlett ...
  14. [14]
    [PDF] For the people ofHewlett-Packard - HP
    As networks grow in complexity, so does network management. lIP OpenView, HP's network management software, simplifies the task, for example, by allowing a ...
  15. [15]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Network Node Manager - OpenText Community
    Copyright Notices. © Copyright 1993-2004 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. ... See the Using Extended Topology manual for guidelines on how to proceed.
  16. [16]
    OpenView tool adds Web interface - CNET
    June 17, 1997 1:15 p.m. PT. 2 min read. A new management tool will allow users of Hewlett-Packard's (HWP) OpenView platform to take the pulse of their Web servers. ... HP officials said all OpenView products would boast Web interfaces ...
  17. [17]
    Hewlett-Packard closes Novadigm deal - Services & Software - CNET
    Apr 5, 2004 · Novadigm's management products will be integrated with the OpenView management software products. This move is designed to fit into HP's ...
  18. [18]
    HP to acquire Novadigm, Consera - Computerworld
    Feb 4, 2004 · HP intends to combine technologies from the two companies with OpenView, blending technology from Consera that lets businesses map IT resources ...
  19. [19]
    HP Acquires Peregrine Systems - CIO
    HP Acquires Peregrine Systems. News. Sep 19, 20051 min ... By integrating Peregrine's products into its HP OpenView systems management suite, HP hopes to position itself as one of the market leaders in asset management software.
  20. [20]
    HP Inks Deal to Acquire Peregrine Systems - eWeek
    Sep 19, 2005 · The acquisition strengthens HPs hand in the nascent but promising Configuration Management Database arena, which is intended to bring a greater ...
  21. [21]
    HP To Acquire Mercury Interactive For $4.5 Billion - InformationWeek
    Jul 25, 2006 · The acquisition will combine the strength of HP's OpenView portfolio of software for systems, networks, and IT service management with Mercury's ...
  22. [22]
    HP snaps up Mercury Interactive - CNET
    Jul 25, 2006 · HP snaps up Mercury Interactive. Plans to bolster OpenView management software with Mercury's app development products--for $4.5 billion.
  23. [23]
    opsware inc. - SEC.gov
    3 July 23, 2007 HP to acquire Opsware HP signed a definitive agreement to acquire Opsware Inc. Industry leader in Data Center Automation, one of the fastest ...
  24. [24]
    HP to acquire software maker Opsware for $1.6 bln - Reuters
    Aug 9, 2007 · HP said it would tender for all outstanding shares of Opsware, a supplier of software used to automate computer data centers, at $14.25 each ...Missing: OpenView | Show results with:OpenView
  25. [25]
    HP studies the IT infrastructure library with Opsware buy
    Sep 1, 2007 · And just last year, Opsware acquired iConclude, a provider of run book automation tools that help data center administrators automate workflows ...
  26. [26]
    HP Expands OpenView With Partnerships And Services - CRN
    Sep 20, 2005 · HP is introducing the ITSM Express Pack for consolidated service desk, which combines OpenView software with best practices as defined by ITIL ...
  27. [27]
    HP Unveils Automated Operations Suite -- ADTmag
    Nov 26, 2007 · New BTO solution suite aims to align IT operations and unify processes to increase IT efficiency.
  28. [28]
    HP Board of Directors Approves Separation - HP - Investor Relations
    Oct 1, 2015 · HP will separate into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. HP stockholders will receive HPE shares, and HP will be renamed HP Inc.Missing: OpenView | Show results with:OpenView
  29. [29]
    Hewlett-Packard Completes Spin-Off Of Enterprise Business - Forbes
    Nov 3, 2015 · On November 1, 2015, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ; Market Capitalization: $24.8 billion) completed the spin-off of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE: HPE; Market ...
  30. [30]
    [PDF] Off and Merger of Non-Core Software Assets With Micro Focus
    Transaction valued at approximately $8.8 billion, including 50.1% ownership of the new combined company by HPE shareholders.Missing: OpenView | Show results with:OpenView
  31. [31]
    Micro Focus Completes Merger with HPE Software Business ...
    Sep 1, 2017 · Micro Focus (LSE: MCRO.L, NYSE: MFGP) today announced the completion of its merger with Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) software business.Missing: OpenView | Show results with:OpenView
  32. [32]
    Open Text Corporation - OpenText Buys Micro Focus
    Jan 31, 2023 · OpenText (NASDAQ: OTEX), (TSX: OTEX) announced today that it has closed the previously announced acquisition (the "Acquisition") of Micro Focus International ...Missing: HP | Show results with:HP
  33. [33]
    Micro Focus - OpenText
    Micro Focus. In 2023, OpenText™ acquired Micro Focus™, a global software leader in enterprise digital transformation since 1976. Micro Focus products now ...Missing: OpenView | Show results with:OpenView
  34. [34]
    Compare HP OpenView (Discontinued) vs OpenText SiteScope 2025
    HP OpenView, later HP BTO was a system and network monitoring tool from Hewlett-Packard, and is now End of Life (EOL). N/A. OpenText SiteScope. Score 6.8 out of ...
  35. [35]
    Product Support Lifecycle - OpenText
    OpenText's product support lifecycle has guidelines for the availability and level of support during the life of a product under an active maintenance ...
  36. [36]
    HP OpenView System Administration Handbook: Network Node ...
    The default behavior of NNM is to stop the discovery of the network at the first router relative to the discovery station (my IP address + my subnet mask). To ...
  37. [37]
    HP OpenView Network Node Manager 5.02 for Windows NT
    NNM uses an Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) echo (ping) to verify device addresses before adding them to the map. NNM then issues an SNMP query to find ...
  38. [38]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Network Node Manager Advanced Edition 7.51 ...
    Network Node Manager Advanced Edition helps you: •Make sense of your IP network investment by discovering and understanding your physical.
  39. [39]
    HPE Systems Insight Manager and HP Operations Manager
    Working better together to deliver end-to-end enterprise management · Multi-vendor systems management · Network topology discovery and monitoring. · OS / ...
  40. [40]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Performance Agent - Micro Focus Software Support
    HP OpenView Performance Agent (OVPA) captures performance, resource, and transaction data from your IBM AIX system. Using minimal system resources, the software ...
  41. [41]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Service Quality Manager
    Creating a Compliance SLA. Next, you use the OpenView SLA Administration UI to specify a compliance period, time, and in-service. Page 40. 40. Figure 21.
  42. [42]
    HP OpenView Service Desk and HP Systems Insight ... - HPE Support
    HP OpenView Service Desk and HP Systems Insight Manager Integration User Guide.Missing: Peregrine ServiceCenter
  43. [43]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Reporter Troubleshooting Guide
    RepMaint can remove systems, metric lists, calculate downtime from uptime table and update group calculations. The data trim is carried performed based on ...
  44. [44]
    [PDF] Client Management and Mobile Printing Solutions
    With these automated management solutions, you can manage software throughout the life of the computer. HP OpenView Radia Management Solutions enable you to. ○.Missing: Novadigm | Show results with:Novadigm
  45. [45]
    [PDF] Concepts Guide - Micro Focus Software Support
    Service Desk tools for Change Management . ... To relate HP OpenView Service Desk processes to ITIL guidelines for service desk operations.
  46. [46]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Configuration Management Service Desk Adapter
    Service Desk ITIL-based processes for tracking incident, change and work ... • Service Desk Management Server (5.x) or Application Server (4.5). • Service ...
  47. [47]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Change and Configuration Management solutions
    HP OpenView automates software management using desired-state management, ensuring correct configurations across devices, and managing the entire software ...
  48. [48]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Storage Data Protector Concepts Guide
    Central Management, Distributed Environment. The Data Protector MoM enables administrators to centrally manage an enterprise environment consisting of ...
  49. [49]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Storage Data Protector Administrator`s Guide
    ... HP OpenView Storage Data Protector Software Release Notes. This manual gives a description of new features of HP OpenView Storage. Data Protector A.05.50. It ...
  50. [50]
    [PDF] open storage management
    • hp OpenView storage optimizer- performance analysis, thresholds, and reporting. • hp OpenView storage builder – capacity analysis, control, and planning.Missing: forecasting | Show results with:forecasting
  51. [51]
    https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00664475.pdf
  52. [52]
    https://community.hpe.com/hpeb/attachments/hpeb/hpsc-46/8689/1/dp5_5_administrators_en.pdf
  53. [53]
    [PDF] HP Business Availability Center software - StructuredWeb
    The HP Business Availability Center architecture includes a dashboard, a group of related components or products, and a series of underlying foundation ...Missing: OpenView features
  54. [54]
    HP Buys Opsware for $1.6 Billion - Data Center Knowledge
    HP will acquire data center automation specialist Opsware Inc. (OPSW) for $14.25 per share, or about $1.6 billion.Missing: OpenView features
  55. [55]
    [PDF] HP Server Automation - Micro Focus Software Support
    Server Automation (SA) provides a suite of features that automate data center processes. These features have been designed to replace ad hoc, error-prone, ...
  56. [56]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Smart Plug-in for Oracle Database - HPE Community
    The HP OpenView Smart Plug-in for Oracle helps administrators efficiently monitor distributed enterprise-wide Oracle environments from a central, best-in-class ...
  57. [57]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Operations Smart Plug-in for SAP
    What is the Smart Plug-in for SAP? The HP OpenView Smart Plug-in for SAP is a software package linking SAP R/3 to HP OpenView Operations and, in addition, to ...
  58. [58]
    [PDF] Smart Plug-ins CD for OpenView Operations
    The HP OpenView Smart Plug-ins, New and Upgraded, CD set contains a collection of OpenView Smart Plug-ins (SPIs) and complimentary applications. The ...
  59. [59]
    https://community.hpe.com/hpeb/attachments/hpeb/itrc-156/336259/1/313596.pdf
  60. [60]
    [PDF] Intrusion Detection System (IDS) - GIAC Certifications
    For an enterprise environment, alerts can be securely sent to a central IDS/9000 monitoring system or HP OpenView. ... “Smart plug-in for hp IDS/9000”. 2002. URL: ...
  61. [61]
    HP OpenView Smart Plug-in products (SPIs) for HP OpenView ...
    Dec 3, 2015 · Automates patch assessment and monitors patch compliance for security vulnerabilities ... HP OpenView Smart Plug-in products (SPIs) for HP ...
  62. [62]
    [PDF] MPLS VPN Smart Plug-in to NNM 2.0 userﾒs guide
    The HP OpenView Network Node Manager Smart Plug-in (SPI) for. MPLS VPN ... The MPLS VPN SPI connects to the HP OpenView event subsystem to receive ...
  63. [63]
    [PDF] NNM iSPI for MPLS - Micro Focus Software Support
    HP Network Node Manager i Software Smart Plug-in for MPLS (Multi. Protocol Label Switching) (NNMi iSPI for MPLS) helps you to extend the capability of HP ...
  64. [64]
    [PDF] User's guide - Micro Focus Software Support
    The NNM/RAMS Integration Module integrates information from the. HP OpenView Route Analytics Management System (RAMS appliance) into NNM Advanced Edition ...
  65. [65]
    [PDF] HP Network Node Manager / Route Analytics Management System ...
    APA performs root cause analysis on incoming RAMS alarms to find the root cause of the RAMS alarm. If NNM determines the root cause of a RAMS alarm, the APA ...
  66. [66]
    [PDF] journal - The Hewlett Packard Archive
    Oct 6, 1996 · Event routing to and from HP OpenView Event Correlation. Services. The HP OpenView DM platform is described in the article on page 6. Events ...
  67. [67]
    ITIL Change Mgmt Process implementation using HP Openview
    Feb 8, 2007 · We are in the process of reviewing our change management philosophy, and are looking at implementing the ITIL Change Mgmt process.Missing: shift | Show results with:shift
  68. [68]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Network Node Manager SPI for SNMPv3
    The title page of this document contains the following identifying information: • Software Version number, which indicates the software version.Missing: 1988 | Show results with:1988
  69. [69]
    [PDF] HP OpenView Connect-It and integration connectors Data sheet
    Key features and benefits. • Extends the value of HP IT Service Management. (ITSM) applications. • Provides a flexible and easy-to-use graphical integration.
  70. [70]
    [PDF] in for HP Software (SPI for Siebel) Quick Reference Guide
    SIEBSPI-EAI Enterprise Application Integration ... Displays information about the installed SPI for Siebel files, the HP OM agent, and the.
  71. [71]
    [PDF] Integrating with Third-Party Applications
    You can integrate alerts with the IBM Tivoli Enterprise Console (TEC) application. To send alerts to the Tivoli TEC management server, Mercury Business.Missing: framework | Show results with:framework
  72. [72]
    HPE OneView 7.0 Server Migration Guide
    This document describes the server migration feature introduced with HPE OneView 7.0. We will review the intended use cases and some of the key topics ...Missing: legacy protocols CMIP
  73. [73]
    About OVFI – OpenView Forum International
    OpenView* Forum International (OVFI) is a non-profit corporation founded in 1993 by customers of Hewlett-Packard's OpenView products to represent the interests ...Missing: date | Show results with:date
  74. [74]
    Vivit Worldwide - Overview, News & Similar companies | ZoomInfo.com
    logo for Vivit Worldwide. Vivit Worldwide. Revenue. $5.5M. Number of Employees. 1020. Type. Private. Funding. -. Founded In. 1993. Top Executive. AP.
  75. [75]
    Vivit-Worldwide.org
    It was called OpenView Forum International (OVFI), the independent user community for HP Software customers run by partners and end users, but supported by HP ...
  76. [76]
    Vivit Worldwide
    Vivit Worldwide is the largest independent software user community which provides an infrastructure support through programs centered around education.Missing: HP OpenView
  77. [77]
    Events Listing - Vivit Worldwide
    Vivit Worldwide is the largest independent software user community which provides an infrastructure support through programs centered around education,
  78. [78]
    Software Education - Vivit-Worldwide.org
    Members gain knowledge and insight on current Micro Focus Software Education and Certification offerings, best practices for engaging Micro Focus Software ...Missing: OpenView | Show results with:OpenView
  79. [79]
    Veeam demonstrates new nworks SPI at HP Software Universe
    Jun 15, 2010 · “That's why we are an active member of the HP ISV community and a sponsor at HP Software Universe, as well as at Vivit events worldwide. In ...
  80. [80]
    On-Demand Webinar Recordings - Vivit-Worldwide.org
    Vivit Worldwide is the largest independent software user community which provides an infrastructure support through programs centered around education, ...Missing: knowledge base OpenView
  81. [81]
    Vivit Worldwide - LinkedIn
    The largest independent, software user community serving the community through Advocacy, Education and Community.
  82. [82]
    HPE Spinning Off Software Assets to Micro Focus - SDxCentral
    Sep 7, 2016 · HPE's Software business, including the former Autonomy, is being spun off in a merger with Micro Focus as HPE continues to slim down.
  83. [83]
    HP Operations Manager for Windows 9.0x & Operations Manager for ...
    Nov 2, 2017 · Hewlett Packard Enterprise is announcing the End of Sale of HP Operations Manager for Windows 9.0x and HP Operations Manager for Windows Basic Suite 9.0x.
  84. [84]
    Is HP Operation Manager and OMi Seeing much market penetration ...
    Aug 20, 2015 · I know that Operations Manager for Linux and Unix will go end-of-life sometime in 2018, and OMi is the ongoing replacement. ... Openview ...
  85. [85]
    The End of An Era: Why It's Time To Finally Ditch The Big Four In ITOM
    Oct 24, 2018 · However, with all the troubles that HP experienced after the Autonomy deal, it sold its entire ITOM software portfolio to Micro Focus in 2016.
  86. [86]
    HP OpenView (Discontinued) vs OpenText Operations Bridge
    HP OpenView, later HP BTO was a system and network monitoring tool from Hewlett-Packard, and is now End of Life (EOL). N/A. OpenText Operations Bridge. Score ...
  87. [87]
    Micro Focus Service Manager | Specs, reviews and EoL info - InvGate
    OpenText (Micro Focus) Service Manager (SM) is a comprehensive, integrated service desk solution designed for IT Service Management (ITSM), Enterprise Service ...
  88. [88]
    HPE OneView | HPE
    HPE OneView is a software-defined infrastructure management platform that empowers organizations to simplify and automate the management of their IT ...
  89. [89]
    [PDF] Migration Guide - OpenText Community
    On the system to be an HP OpenView Management Server, share the \OpenView\ directory. (where \OpenView\ is your NNM installation directory). Do this with ...
  90. [90]
    Micro Focus Operations Manager to Operations Bridge Migration ...
    Free deliveryMicro Focus Operations Manager to Operations Bridge Migration Startup Medium Service ... End of life (EOL) products are products that the manufacturer has chosen ...