http://nagios.sourceforge.net/docs/1_0/xodtemplate.html#host

Host Definition

Description:

A host definition is used to define a physical server, workstation,
device, etc. that resides on your network.

Definition Format:

Note: Directives in red are required, while those in black are optional.

define host{
host_name host_name
alias alias
address address
parents host_names
check_command command_name
max_check_attempts #
checks_enabled [0/1]
event_handler command_name
event_handler_enabled [0/1]
low_flap_threshold #
high_flap_threshold #
flap_detection_enabled [0/1]
process_perf_data [0/1]
retain_status_information [0/1]
retain_nonstatus_information [0/1]
notification_interval #
notification_period timeperiod_name
notification_options [d,u,r]
notifications_enabled [0/1]
stalking_options [o,d,u]
    }

Example Definition:

define host{
    host_name            bogus-router
    alias                Bogus Router #1
    address                192.168.1.254
    parents                server-backbone
    check_command            check-host-alive
    max_check_attempts        5
    process_perf_data        0
    retain_nonstatus_information    0
    notification_interval        30
    notification_period        24x7
    notification_options        d,u,r
    }

Directive Descriptions:

[snip]

parents: This directive is used to define a comma-delimited list of
short names of the "parent" hosts for this particular host. Parent hosts
are typically routers, switches, firewalls, etc. that lie between the
monitoring host and a remote hosts. A router, switch, etc. which is
closest to the remote host is considered to be that host's "parent".
Read the "Determining Status and Reachability of Network Hosts" document
located here for more information. If this host is on the same network
segment as the host doing the monitoring (without any intermediate
routers, etc.) the host is considered to be on the local network and
will not have a parent host. Leave this value blank if the host does not
have a parent host (i.e. it is on the same segment as the Nagios host).
The order in which you specify parent hosts has no effect on how things
are monitored.

[snip]

--

Marc
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Richard Brynteson [mailto:richard_brynteson@rdale.k12.mn.us]
> Sent: Monday, May 12, 2003 2:18 PM
> To: nagios-users@lists.sourceforge.net
>
> Does anyone have the syntac for the parent/child relationship stuff.
> The FAQ links are both broken and looking through the PDF doc,
mentions
> it and says:
>
> <parent_host> command. So, for instance, if I had a router and a
> switch, would I add:
>
> parent_host        router1
>
> to the switch host command?
>
> Richard
>
> >>> "Cook, Garry" <GWCOOK@mactec.com> 5/12/2003 2:09:43 PM >>>
>
> Define the router as a 'parent' to the switches in the hosts config
> file.
> http://www.nagios.org/faqs/viewfaq.php?faq_id=145
>
> Garry W. Cook, CCNA
> Network Infrastructure Manager
> MACTEC, Inc. - http://www.mactec.com/
> 303.308.6228 (Office) - 303.881.5157 (Mobile)
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Richard Brynteson [mailto:richard_brynteson@rdale.k12.mn.us]
> > Sent: Monday, May 12, 2003 12:52 PM
> > To: nagios-users@lists.sourceforge.net
> > Subject: [Nagios-users] Status Map Placement
> >
> >
> > OK, some maybe this is an easy question, but I seem to be
> > having a problem with it. I have my status maps working,
> > except the placement on the screen makes not sense. I have
> > looked at using the extended info file, but how do you define
> > what items "branch" off of what items.
> >
> > For example, if at one location I am monitoring 10 switches
> > that all connect to a router, how do I display that.
> > Everything I try it (and the default map) has everything
> > connecting back to the Nagios server.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Richard Brynteson
> >