Enhancement Request: Utility for Syntax Validation of Probe Properties and nco_pad.conf Files Without Restart

Description:

We would like to request an enhancement in the Netcool/OMNIbus suite to include a utility or feature that can validate the syntax of the following configuration files without requiring a component restart:

Probe properties files (*.props)

nco_pad configuration file (nco_pad.conf)

Current Behavior:

In the case of nco_pad, while entries can be dynamically added using the nco_pad_entry utility during runtime, the nco_pad.conf file still requires manual updates. If the file contains syntax errors, the PAD process fails to start during the next restart.

Similarly, Netcool probes allow runtime configuration changes via the nco_http utility. However, persistent changes require manual editing of the probe *.props file. Syntax errors in this file can lead to failures when restarting the probe.

Currently, there is no available utility to validate the syntax of these configuration files proactively—unlike the nco_p_syntax utility used for validating rules files.

Requested Enhancement:

Introduce a utility or extend existing functionality to:

Perform syntax validation of nco_pad.conf and probe .props files

Allow validation without restarting the associated process

Help administrators identify configuration errors early, reducing downtime caused by incorrect manual edits

Business Justification:

This enhancement would significantly improve operational efficiency and reduce configuration-related risks. It aligns with best practices for CI/CD, automation, and DevOps where configuration integrity checks are essential before deployment or restart.

We request IBM to consider this as a valuable enhancement for future releases of the Netcool/OMNIbus platform.