How we tested and compared the network management systems from HP, CA, Lucent and Concord Communications.We evaluated each product’s ability to manage, administer, update, monitor, report on, diagnose, troubleshoot, reset, reconfigure, audit (inventory) and secure network devices, server computers and client computers. Virtually all our testing took place across WAN links.In our management tests, we administered users, groups, servers, clients, routers, switches, remote storage and DSU/CSUs. Our servers included Web, file, application and database servers.The ability to resolve a problem automatically was a plus. We tested the sending of SNMP alerts and the processing of incoming alerts. We produced reports to show device and computer status information, inventory results, network usage trends, security breaches, availability and uptime information, network baseline information and graphical maps of the network. We also tested any special features the product offered. Our lab’s various computing environments included Windows NT/98/2000/ME, Solaris 8.0, Macintosh System 8 and OS/2 Warp 4.0. Relational databases on the network were Oracle 8i, IBM DB2 Universal Database, Sybase Adaptive Server 12.5 and Microsoft SQL Server 2000. The transport protocols on the network were TCP/IP, IPX, AppleTalk and SNA. An Agilent Advisor protocol analyzer eavesdropped on the network traffic to reveal overall utilization and detailed dialog messages.We ran each network management product’s server component on Windows NT Server 4.0 and Windows 2000 Advanced Server. Back to main review: Network management systems Related content news analysis Western Digital keeps HDDs relevant with major capacity boost Western Digital and rival Seagate are finding new ways to pack data onto disk platters, keeping them relevant in the age of solid-state drives (SSD). By Andy Patrizio Dec 06, 2023 4 mins Enterprise Storage Data Center news analysis Global network outage report and internet health check Cisco subsidiary ThousandEyes, which tracks internet and cloud traffic, provides Network World with weekly updates on the performance of ISPs, cloud service providers, and UCaaS providers. By Ann Bednarz and Tim Greene Dec 06, 2023 286 mins Networking news analysis Cisco uncorks AI-based security assistant to streamline enterprise protection With Cisco AI Assistant for Security, enterprises can use natural language to discover policies and get rule recommendations, identify misconfigured policies, and simplify complex workflows. By Michael Cooney Dec 06, 2023 3 mins Firewalls Generative AI Network Security news Nvidia’s new chips for China to be compliant with US curbs: Jensen Huang Nvidia’s AI-focused H20 GPUs bypass US restrictions on China’s silicon access, including limits on-chip performance and density. By Anirban Ghoshal Dec 06, 2023 3 mins CPUs and Processors Technology Industry Podcasts Videos Resources Events NEWSLETTERS Newsletter Promo Module Test Description for newsletter promo module. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe