NetQoS mgmt. packs taps into Cisco

AUSTIN, TEXAS - NetQoS this week will debut a software and hardware package designed to help network executives pinpoint bandwidth-hogging applications that slow down a Cisco-based network's performance.

NetQoS' NetFlow Manager uses a combination of hardware appliances and embedded reporting software to help customers manipulate and make sense of the data they collect from Cisco routers that use the NetFlow metering protocol. NetFlow is part of Cisco's IOS that collects and measures data as it enters specific routers or switch interfaces. The data can be used to monitor key applications, including accounting, billing and network planning, for corporate or service provider customers.

However useful that data is, detractors say NetFlow can generate too much information and slow down the router it runs on.

"There are performance issues with using NetFlow," says Bill Gassman, a senior analyst with Gartner. "You can have a router or a monitor, but router performance may suffer when the [NetFlow] monitor is operating."

Rolf Berge, manager of engineering engagement at Schlumberger in Houston, Texas, says the amount of data generated out of NetFlow could overwhelm a network manager not familiar with the protocol. Berge wanted to enable NetFlow on his network - rather than upgrading 45 NetScout probes - but he says he first needed a product to manage the proprietary protocol.

"Our investment was a lot less than if we had gone with buying more traditional probes," Berge says. "And we'll get a lot more visibility into the network using NetFlow."

NetQoS uses three appliances to manage traffic: a data collector that sits near core network routers; a data interpreter that is connected to a hub router; and a server with reporting software.

The collectors passively monitor NetFlow traffic, compress the data and send it to the interpreter appliance, which analyzes the information. The interpreter then sends the data to the server, from which network administrators access traffic and application data via a Web browser. NetQoS also sells the server product as stand-alone software that can run on a Windows 2000 box.

Cisco and management vendors such as Concord Communications and InfoVista offer management tools for NetFlow, but they typically have focused on service provider networks. NetQoS says NetFlow Manager is designed for corporate customers.

Available now, NetFlow "Manager costs about $80,000, depending on network configuration.

Environmental focus

In other management technology news, NetBotz last week introduced software designed to centrally manage the company's WallBotz and RackBotz environmental management appliances.

NetBotz Central 1.3 lets network administrators view and manage data collected from many appliances from one console via the Web.

The latest feature is a software add-on that will lets users store the data collected by the remote monitors with other data stored on their networks in Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server and Linux My SQL databases. In the past, the data collected could be stored locally on the NetBotz appliance.

The WallBotz and RackBotz appliances monitor network closets, server rooms or remote offices for temperature, humidity and power consumption. The tools alert network managers when predefined thresholds are missed. The appliances also feature a camera that periodically sends photos of the activity in the remote location.

The appliances have Web server software embedded in them, letting network administrators tap the data collected on an individual device with any Web browser.

NetBotz currently is offering its hardware and software via the NetBotz PilotPack 310, which costs about $10,000 with a 30-day money-back guarantee. NetBotz appliances range in price from $800 to $8,000.

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