Managing extranets

Just when you're getting a handle on management of your internal network, along comes extranets to add a new layer of complexity.

Extranets, which let customers or partners access part of your network - whether it's an electronic-commerce application or simply a set of information files on a Web site - are at the heart of a recent announcement by IBM's Tivoli Systems subsidiary.

Tivoli recently announced a suite, called Tivoli Cross-Site, that includes applications for electronic commerce security, Web site performance and availability tracking and software distribution in extranet environments.

Cross-Site is sold separately from Tivoli's existing enterprise management framework, TME 10, which is designed for that part of your network behind your firewall. However, Tivoli claims that Cross-Site can be effectively integrated with TME 10 for users who want to manage both internal and external resources from a single console. Exactly what managers would initially be able to integrate, however, is a bit vague. Display and command-level integration are likely to be the initial targets.

Cross-Site is expected to ship by fall - look for pricing to start around $50,000.

The Tivoli announcement is significant in that it represents a major step in the delivery of more integrated management suites for extranet services that address user requirements for service performance and security, as well as application and data sharing.

In addition, Tivoli is employing the capabilities of strategic partners VitalSigns of Santa Clara, Calif., for performance monitoring and Marimba of Mountain View, Calif., for application and data distribution in order to leverage what it considers to be best-in-class technology that cannot be easily developed in-house. Given IBM's strong position in the rapidly evolving electronic commerce market, users should give strong consideration to these new Tivoli products in their extranet planning process.