An optimised and comprehensive Sentra XML agent can be configured to parse any XML data feed into a hierarchical structure of SQL tables and fields. This makes the information much easier to process and report on, whilst maintaining the relationships between the XML elements.
SQL tables are automatically created based on the XSD data structure and the required field elements for monitoring. This approach enables more efficient, rationalised data storage.
The Sentra XML agent can be configured by specifying an XSD schema for import or (where a schema is not available) by loading examples of the XML structure to be captured. Once loaded, an XML topology structure view is displayed where individual field elements can be configured for near real-time charts and/or used as input to the Sentra rules engine.
The agent can collect XML data from files, WebSphere MQ queues or from TCP/IP socket-based messages sent directly to it.
XML agents can be configured to monitor any ISO20022-compatible payment or transaction.
A series of these XML agents can be deployed to key monitoring points (waypoints) within a payment processing infrastructure to monitor transaction volumes and trends, payment volumes and trends and end-to-end processing times.
Rules can be configured to monitor service level compliance and abnormal processing volumes.
To monitor BASE24-eps transaction metrics, configure an XML feed using the ACI Real-Time Feed Interface (more specifically the Online Extract Interface - product code EE-SE415) that enables XML feeds against the EPS Journal Log files.
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance is provided by the native facilities of the Microsoft SQL Server product (Master key, Certificates, Symmetric key, EncryptByKey, DecryptByKey using AES_256, Triple DES etc.) which is the database manager for the Sentra and RTLX environments as well as encryption (including column level encryption), masking and/or blanking of field values by Sentra, e.g. PAN numbers.
Data can be encrypted and compressed if required, as it is relayed from the HP NonStop platform.
The real-time POS visuals and data presented to the user are based on the authorisation level of that user as set-up in Sentra. Further modifications can be automatically applied to data stored in the SQL database such as X’ing out (or blanking out) card numbers, e.g. XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-2207.
Sentra includes a multi-tier security model for users whereby groups are configured to access one or more functions within the product and then users are allocated to one or more Sentra groups. So for example, a user might only gain access to the MI reports group or the POS querying group or both. If they are allocated to a group, they may still be restricted from using certain functions such as restricted query access on the POS querying screen.
Though users may gain a secured level of access to the Sentra product, they of course will not be able to access the MS SQL database directly.
In order for ITL to install Sentra at one of the UK’s largest banks, strict security directives needed to be adhered to and a separate document relating to security considerations is part of the Sentra product evaluation delivery.
To gain full access to the Sentra for XML monitoring screenshots, please register with this website (click the 'Register' link - at top right of page).
NOTE: Please provide a company / organisation email address during the registration process.
Once your website registration is approved (usually within 24 hours), then 'Login' to the website and navigate to this Sentra for XML web page and the XML monitoring screenshots will be available for viewing at the bottom of the page.
If you are already a member of this website, 'Login' as normal.
Minimum Windows Hardware Requirements
For optimum performance, it is recommended that the minimum specification of your hardware and software is as follows :
- Windows Server 2000 / 2003 / 2008 with the latest service packs
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 / 2008 with the latest service packs
- Either; Tomcat, IBM WebSphere, JBoss (formerly BEA WebLogic) web application servers (ask ITL about MS Internet Information Services- IIS) - also requires Java SE version 6+ (1.6)
- Browsers; Internet Explorer (IE) ver. 7+, Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox
- Intel Mid to High-End, Multi Core processor
- 16+ GB RAM recommended
- SCSI interface (SCSI2 Ultra-Wide recommended)
- 10 GB Single Drive for operating system and SQL Server software
- *40 GB Single Drive for the SQL server database (RAID 0+1 recommended)
- 20 GB Single Drive for the SQL server log file (RAID 0+1 recommended)
- Graphics resolution 1024 x 768 recommended
- 17" or larger colour monitor is also recommended
The above specification is for guidance only. The specification of your Windows server will be dependent on your individual needs. Please contact the Insider Technologies Helpdesk for assistance in establishing the specification of your server.
SQL Server Versions Supported by Sentra (also install Microsoft SQL Reporting Services)
The Sentra database is compatible with the following variants of SQL Server :
- 2005 / 2008 Standard Edition
- 2005 / 2008 Enterprise Edition
- 2005 / 2008 Developer Edition*
- 2005 / 2008 Express – the default installation on the CD uses SQL Express with Advanced services, so that SQL Reporting Services is available
* Some SQL editions include a concurrent workload governor. Performance degrades when more than five queries are executed concurrently. Sentra will work with these versions of SQL Server but performance may be unacceptably slow and its installation is not recommended for high volume usage.
SQL Express editions support databases with a limited maximum size (4Gb for SQL Express 2005). Users who anticipate large database storage requirements should consider installing the Enterprise edition of Microsoft SQL Server, or contact Insider Technologies for advice.