SAN FRANCISCO - Users looking for help integrating their Web site performance data into their existing network management software might want to check out a couple of new services from benchmarking vendor Keynote Systems.
At its third annual Global Internet Performance Conference, Keynote last week introduced two services - Data Pulse and SNMP Adapter - that will quickly incorporate Web site performance data collected by Keynote into customer third-party management systems. Keynote services feature software agents that check for troubles based on user-defined frequencies and thresholds, which users customize to their Web sites to show whether service-level agreements are being met.
Keynote deploys traffic-generating agents across the Internet that simulate end-user interaction with any Web page. The data collected can tell customers how well their Web site performs and expedite problem resolution, the company says. Data Pulse customers sign up with Keynote to have data collected from the agents delivered directly to an internal database or network management system for Web site performance trending or capacity planning.
Keynote says Data Pulse will eliminate the need for customers to write code to integrate Web performance data into their existing network packages. Keynote SNMP Adapter will notify network administrators of potential problems through SNMP alerts, the company says.
Industry watchers say by providing data integration, Keynote makes work easier for network managers.
"Integration between management tools is a very important issue for IS operations managers. Keynote is making it easier for them," says Bill Gassman, an analyst with Gartner. He says the Web site performance can be directly related to network issues. Having data on the availability of a Web site alongside the network performance, for example, will serve to quickly determine the cause of problems.
With SNMP Adapter, customers install an appliance in their network that converts the Web site performance data collected through its service into SNMP, a language that lets network devices speak to each other. The data is translated into SNMP so that the internal network management systems can understand it and send the necessary alerts to network managers.
John McConnell, an analyst with McConnell Associates, says Keynote is offering an integration package that will help customers short on staff and time. He says customers want services that work with what they have in their networks.
Keynote customer John Gannon says his company has saved time and money by using Keynote's Test Perspective service to minimize Web site downtime. The company is announcing an integrated testing portal for its Test Perspective and LoadPro testing services. The former is a self-service tool, while LoadPro is a full-service offering managed by Keynote. Gannon, an infrastructure architect at FOXSports.com, says although he's been able to better load-test his Web site, the company could still do some work on its testing services.
"The ability to view details on errors while a test is running would be extremely valuable," Gannon says. "I'm also looking for the ability to ramp up and down during the course of the test. This would allow us to simulate load spikes, which are very common in TV/Internet integration scenarios."
The new services are slated to be available in July.
| Noteworthy
news Keynote introduced new services and upgrades to some Web site benchmarking and diagnostics programs. |
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