Network Management Strategies for the CIO
Until now, a WAN access device was just a dumb box that sat at the end of your T1 connection.
Quick Eagle Networks of Sunnyvale, Calif., has introduced two new WAN access devices capable of performing remote network monitoring and management. Users will have to dish out more cash for the remote monitoring function, which is currently unavailable on any other WAN access device, but interoperability with other devices will not be an issue.
The new devices are a strategic attempt by the company to move away from just offering dumb devices to developing products that can multi-task.
This premium option enables the user to perform RMON-1 Frame Relay remote monitoring. This allows the user to gather performance statistics and issue alarm thresholds. The 4210 and 4220 also provide RMON-2 application monitoring, for viewing top protocols and applications running across the network. In addition, users can keep an eye on their service level agreements with the FRF.13-compliant Frame Relay Service Level Agreement verification abilities of the 4210 and 4220.
"I don't know of any other devices that provide this capability, and the addition of SNMP (simple network management protocol) management is a definite improvement," said Jeffery Nudler, senior analyst with the Boulder, Colo.-based Enterprise Management Associates.
The Quick Eagle 4210 CSU/DSU (channel service unit/data service unit) is a WAN access device that can handle fractional
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or full speed T1/E1 service and has a single DTE (data terminal equipment) port for connecting high-speed LAN equipment to Frame Relay and IP networks.
The 4220 Multiplexer WAN access device combines data from one or two LAN sources with voice traffic from a digital public exchange, onto a T1/E1 WAN connection. Bandwidth allocation for the two data ports and the drop-and-insert voice port is configurable through software. Both devices are remotely manageable by SNMP and are designed for easy installation and troubleshooting with features such as LMI (local management interface) conditioning, link-based testing, and in-band management.
"In the last two years we've changed our strategy away from providing dumb single function devices through a series of software modules creating devices that do more than one thing, consolidating CSU/DSU functionality, routing functionality, and network management functionality" said Alan Rice, vice president of marketing for Quick Eagle.
Both models are available now in the European and North American markets. The 4210 has a $899 price tag, and the 4220 comes in at $1199.
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