NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: NEAL WEINBERG ON PRODUCT REVIEWS 10/26/04 Today's focus: IT Guru
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * The Reviewmeister looks at a network modeling tool from OPNET, ��IT Guru 10.5 * Links related to Product Reviews * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Veritas IDC White Paper, Distributed Applications Performance Management Performance management of distributed applications continues to grow in complexity, keeping pace with this constantly changing environment is a challenge for IT and performance management software vendors alike. Learn how the Veritas i3 Approach can be the foundation for your organization's Application Performance Management strategy. Download this IDC White Paper now http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=85631 _______________________________________________________________ Announcing a Powerful New Resource for Small Businesses from NW Fusion and PC World! Find Small Business resources, tools, and advice on Security, Broadband, Networking, Hardware, Software and Wireless & Mobile Technology at: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=85503 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: IT Guru By Neal Weinberg The Reviewmeister is always interested in network modeling tools, so we tested OPNET's IT Guru 10.5. We found that OPNET IT Guru scaled easily to accommodate just about any production enterprise network and had powerful tools for analyzing network issues. The key to network modeling is the ability to closely match the generated network model map to the real network topology. We wanted to find out how accurately each product modeled events such as link failure, link change, device failure, load changes, route changes, and link overloading. IT Guru handled all these issues with aplomb. It let us implement changes on the fly. We could change factors such as OSPF link costs, HSRP timers and OSPF timers, and immediately see the impact on the network. IT Guru took every configuration change we threw at it, and was very accurate in predicting the behavior of routing protocol and topology changes. There seemed to be nothing too complex or tricky for IT Guru. With its optional Multi-Vendor Import (MVI) module, IT Guru can import configuration directly from Cisco and Juniper devices. For other vendors' gear, OPNET requires the optional Virtual Network Environment (VNE) server. The VNE supports network devices from Foundry, Extreme, Nortel, Cisco Catalyst OS and other vendors. (The Cisco Catalyst IOS is somewhat different in the series than standard IOS and is not supported by MVI.) There are multiple ways to handle the IT Guru configuration. For example, it can use the optional VNE server, import text files from CiscoWorks, or create network objects manually. It can also query an HP OpenView server, allowing it to build a model of the production network that is automatic and up to date. However, this requires modifying the OpenView server configuration to accept connections from the workstation that is running IT Guru. IT Guru was able to import the backbone network device configuration for 120 Cisco devices from our CiscoWorks file in less than three minutes. Because IT Guru is very sensitive to syntax errors, creating manual configurations for the Foundry gear was a painful and time-consuming process. For performance, IT Guru is excellent. The product is very flexible and scalable, providing many customization features. The user interface offers several options and templates allowing users to drag and drop several kinds of network topologies. This creates a product that is sophisticated and powerful, but also complex. At times, we found ourselves overwhelmed by its rich features and complexity. OPNET's IT Guru 10.5 is a complete product. We received four CDs that contained the Report Server module, the IT Guru application, documentation and the OPNET Model Library. The package also includes the Application Characterization Environment (ACE), a Simulation Runtime, Flow Analysis, Net Doctor and the ACE Decode Module. There are numerous modules (some come with the base product, some are included depending on the specific configuration ordered, and some are optional at extra cost.) The number of modules available for IT Guru reflects both the flexibility and the complexity of the product. This isn't a package that you just install and walk away from. It has a plethora of options and capabilities that need to be mastered before a user can take full advantage of the product. For the full report, go to <http://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/2004/1018review.html> RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS Network modeling detects anomalies Network World, 08/16/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/news/tech/2004/081604techupdate.html Opnet's NetDoctor sees configuration in context Network World Network/Systems Management Newsletter, 04/28/03 http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/nsm/2003/0428nsm1.html _______________________________________________________________ To contact: Neal Weinberg Neal Weinberg is features editor at Network World, in charge of product reviews, Buyer's Guides, technology primers, how-tos, issue-oriented feature stories and the Technology Insider series. You can reach him at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Veritas IDC White Paper, Distributed Applications Performance Management Performance management of distributed applications continues to grow in complexity, keeping pace with this constantly changing environment is a challenge for IT and performance management software vendors alike. Learn how the Veritas i3 Approach can be the foundation for your organization's Application Performance Management strategy. Download this IDC White Paper now http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=85630 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Reviews archive: http://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/index.html _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE NW FUSION'S LIVING BUYER'S GUIDES Updated constantly, NW Fusion's Buyer's Guides give you the latest information on product capabilities, features, requirements, pricing and more. Check out NW Fusion's Buyer's Guides on security, instant messaging, enterprise routers, anti-spam, NAS Appliances and more at: <http://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/bg.html> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. 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