InformationWeek
Defining The Business Value Of Technology
November 10, 1997
Tool Helps Administrators Isolate Network Problems
System Management Arts product analyzes IP networks
The product, called InCharge IP Fault Manager for HP OpenView, is an add-on module to Hewlett-Packard's Network Node Manager. It analyzes network events collected by the OpenView platform and pinpoints the root cause of the problem.
For example, if a router goes down, it often causes a cascade of network problems-which then sets off a slew of alarms to the OpenView console. IP Fault Manager will automatically determine that the problem is the router, letting the administrator deal with the root cause rather than spending time looking through a series of unrelated alarms.
In addition, the software will automatically adapt to network and configu
ration changes, eliminating extra hands-on work by the administrator, the company says.
This is precisely the functionality sought by Karl Kaufman, systems engineer at EDS, which is looking to set up a system that automatically generates trouble tickets. The problem with just using OpenView alarms, as the router-failure scenario illustrates, is that trouble tickets would be sent on all alarms regardless of the core problem.
"Right now we have people who have to sit there and monitor the events. That's just not cost-effective," Kaufman says. "And it will only get worse. As the network scales, we'll need more bodies."
Among the products Kaufman is testing that will help identify network problems are Tivoli Systems' TME 10, Seagate Software's NerveCenter, and Cabletron Systems' Spectrum. But many of these products require additional programming. "So far, InCharge is in front as far as what we're looking for out-of-the box," Kaufman says.
The product does have its drawbacks, says Bill Gassman, an
analyst with Gartner Group in Stamford, Conn. For example, it will only find problems with IP network devices. "InCharge doesn't offer systems and application management, which will be necessary down the road," Gassman says.
System Management Arts, in White Plains, N.Y., says it's working on products to deliver that level of management, though it wouldn't provide a timeframe.
InCharge IP Fault Manager for HP OpenView is available now for $25,000.
ystem Management Arts will release this week an out-of-the-box software tool that provides administrators with root-cause analysis of IP network problems.
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