Question about the alive module

[neu lzf via Tech-talk <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov>]

Dear all, 

I start an soft IOC server in local computer and intend to monitor its running status by using alive record.

The IP address of the soft IOC is 127.0.0.1, then for alive record I set:

epicsEnvSet("ALIVE_SERVER","127.0.0.1") in st.cmd and I use its default example db as a test, then I start the alive record.

My problem is when "dbpr aliveEx:alive", the SEVR is always INVALID, I have no idea if I miss something and which program should I need to install to make the alive record work.

Thank you very much in advance and an example step for starting alive record is appreciated.