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Network Management Tools
Frameworks can assist in managing networks
SMBs are yet to mature to the point where they use third-party
network management tools
 Network
management tools tend to be expensive which is perhaps why you do not find too
many SMBs adopting them. However, for a growing mid-sized company, particularly
one that relies heavily on IT, a network management framework can be of use.
As of now, the trend is to use the management tools that are bundled with hardware
products. For example, many SMBs using Cisco switches resort to Cisco Works
software that is bundled with these devices to monitor and manage ports in order
to maintain 99% network uptime.
Most management tools do an excellent job of keeping track of your network interfaces,
server processes, and network statistics. However, you can get the maximum benefit
from these tools by selecting the right ones and using them to keep your network
secure. SMBs should look at three key features while shopping for network management
tools.
One simple interface will do. All of the information that you need should be
available through one user interface i.e. you shouldn’t have to switch
between different screens. Additionally the interface should be Web-based and
customizable for each administrator who needs to see the information. By giving
system administrators, managers, and department heads a customized view that
they can work with, they can become another set of eyes for your network operations.
It should recognize normal operations. Most security-related events occur outside
of the normal operating parameters of your network. Your tool must be able to
tell the difference between normal traffic and abnormal traffic, and it should
be able to report that information accurately.
If you are going to use the tool to manage the security of your network, you
must be able to act on that information from the same screen that delivered
it. In other words, you should be able to detect a security-related event and
then use the same tool to deal with the problem.
When going in for a network management tool, the buying decision for SMBs will
also be reflected in their pricing, flexibility of the solution, quality, performance,
scope for assessment, scalability, usability, after-sales services, etc. Also,
enabling smooth maintenance of the networks and detection of problems or discrepancies
by vendors will pave way for an unhindered buying outcome for customers.
SMBs will have to take into account all of these factors and adopt a combination
of the best tools that fits into their scheme of things.
Network Management Tools
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 Features:
It can troubleshoot Gigabit link problems before they escalate to a higher
level. LinkRunner Pro will show the nearest device’s capabilities
and actual speed/duplex status and troubleshoot the same if it detects
any problem. It can ping key devices and measure response statistics of
DHCP, default router, DNS server, and other key devices or URLs; it can
verify 802.1X settings–authenticate on 802.1X secured networks; detect
PoE service–verify availability, voltage level, and pairs of Power
over Ethernet per IEEE 802.3af specifications and identify switch port–identify
nearest switch address, slot, and port with Cisco, Extreme, and IEEE Link
Layer Discovery Protocols. The Test cable wiremap features test wiremap
and length, detect miswires, shorts, split pairs or opens; and measures
distance to faults with TDR.
Price: Rs 31,000
Contact: A Sistaramaiah
Telephone: +91-98801-75769
E-mail: sita@flukenetworks.com
Website: www.flukenetworks.com
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 Features:
CA Spectrum Infrastructure Manager combines automated discovery of infrastructure
components, modeling of these assets, model-based event correlation, and
more than 18,000 entries for root cause and actions-to-take. It is an
integrated management solution for business service management with fault
isolation and root cause analysis, and network configuration management
to avoid the cost and risk of service delivery failure. Its Fault isolation
and root cause analysis dramatically reduces mean time to repair and the
network change and configuration management feature leverages change aware
root cause analysis.
Price: Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 2.5 crores
Contact: Ajit Jose
Telephone: +91-22-6641-3857 / +91-98208-91302
E-mail: ajit.jose@ca.com
Website: www.ca.com
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 Features:
IBM Tivoli Monitoring (ITM) for Microsoft Applications speeds up problem
determination and automates resolution of problems in Microsoft environments
to reduce MTTR and increase productivity, while supporting cross-platform
growth. It essentially works by continually tracking different elements
of the infrastructure, polling IT solutions and facilities assets to establish
their performance as pertaining to energy management, and then reflecting
that performance in a centralized reporting portal. As performance bottlenecks
occur and potential problems become apparent, they will be reported in
real time through the portal via customizable workspaces. It helps users
to leverage pre-packaged system administration expertise out of the box,
eliminating the need to perform extensive research and manual configuration
of the solution. It provides a health console accessed by a Web browser
or Java-based graphical user interface to view both real-time and recent
historical data for any server.
Price: Rs 12,225 and is licensed per server
Microsoft Entry (for monitoring MS OS). ITM for Microsoft Adv–Exchange
(for monitoring Exchange severs and is priced per CPU). It is priced at
Rs 12,60,000 for a 2 core, 2 CPU server. [The prices are indicative &
budgetary]
Contact: Vaidyanathan Venkataraman
Telephone: 1800-425-3333
E-mail: vaivenka@in.ibm.com
Website: www.in.ibm.com/in
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