MCI Communications Corp. has selected Visual Networks, Inc.'s Visual UpTime as its primary circuit monitoring and analysis system for its managed WAN services customers.
The move opens the door for expanded frame relay service-level agreements (SLA) by giving MCI an end-to-end measurement of user traffic and network performance.
Visual UpTime collects data on circuit availability and performance via proprietary digital service unit/channel service units placed on all of the customer's premise locations. Using the system, MCI engineers at its managed-services network operations center (NOC), in Cary, N.C., can gain better statistics not only on the MCI frame relay cloud but also on all of a user's dedicated access lines from local carriers.
As a result, MCI will be able to craft end-to-end SLAs instead of the typical WAN services guarantees covering only the long-distance portion of the network. In addition, Visual UpTime's ability to determine whether problems are originating from the local access line, the carrier switch or the long-distance network should help MCI fix problems faster for its managed-services customers, said Teri Langley, manager of MCI WAN Managed Services, in Richardson, Texas.
MCI is not the first big carrier to throw in its SLA lot with Visual Networks. In 1996, Sprint Corp. began reselling Visual's DSU/ CSU, known as the Analysis Service Element (ASE), to its frame relay customers. Sprint customers pay monthly for each ASE unit plus a database server and management console that stores the circuit data. Other carriers and vendors also have jumped aboard Visual's bandwagon (see graphic).
In contrast to the Sprint deal, the hardware and software for Visual UpTime will be included as part of MCI's managed WAN services and the management console located at the MCI NOC.
"At the end of the day, the customer doesn't want yet another server," said Peter Luff, marketing manager for carrier programs at Visual Networks, based here.
In another difference from Sprint, MCI initially will offer Visual UpTime only to those who purchase a management contract along with frame relay transport. Managed frame relay deals involve an additional monthly per-site fee, typically on the order of several hundred dollars, in exchange for router or FRAD configuration, installation and monitoring.
MCI's standard tariffed frame relay service currently offers data delivery and latency guarantees only from switch to switch within the MCI cloud. New managed-services customers soon should receive end-to-end SLA extensions as a standard benefit, MCI officials said. During the second quarter, MCI plans to offer credits for existing managed frame relay users to retrofit their networks to take advantage of Visual UpTime, said Chris VanLuling, director of MCI WAN Managed Services. A broad offering to nonmanaged frame relay customers, akin to Sprints arrangement, is under consideration.
MCI WAN Managed Services: (972) 498-1434; Visual Networks: (301) 296-2300
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Network World Fusion Focus on Frame Relay
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