Hewlett-Packard Expands Network Monitoring Capabilities with NetMetrix Additions

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has introduced significant additions to its HP NetMetrix internetwork monitoring and analysis family of applications. The enhancements include fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) support, key Token Ring enhancements, and a cost-effective distributed probe, called the HP NetMetrix probe, which provides end-to-end monitoring of Ethernet segments. These additions aim to address the needs of companies implementing critical new network-based applications and improving network performance, availability, and reliability.

Key Takeaways:

• HP's support for high-speed FDDI expands network management across the enterprise, from LAN segments to the backbone, providing a media interface connector (MIC) interface for connectivity to multimode optical fiber and twisted pair.
• The HP FDDI LanProbe family is a series of ring monitors for FDDI networks managed by simple network management protocol (SNMP), monitoring 36 network-performance characteristics simultaneously.
• The enhancements to HP's Token Ring network-monitoring solution include powerful fault and performance capabilities, incorporation of HP's scaleable midlevel manager architecture, and the HP Internetwork Monitor with a traffic-profile modeler for Token Ring environments.
• The HP NetMetrix probe provides a cost-effective method of improving segment visibility, allowing users to place it on a segment by itself or supplement an interconnect device with embedded RMON agents.
• The HP NetMetrix probe offers all the benefits of the NetMetrix Load Monitor, Internetwork Monitor, and Reporter applications, and combining it with an embedded RMON agent gives users packet analysis, segment-level reporting, and alarms.
• U.S. pricing for the HP FDDI LanProbe ranges from $9,995 to $19,995, depending on memory and connectivity options, and the HP Token Ring probes range from $3,035 to $3,435.

Statistics:

• 36 network-performance characteristics monitored by the HP FDDI LanProbe simultaneously.
• 102,300 employees working for Hewlett-Packard Company in 1995.
• $31.5 billion in revenue for Hewlett-Packard Company in its 1995 fiscal year.
• 1996: expected availability of free firmware upgrades for existing Token Ring LanProbe support customers.

Sources:

• (1) HP-UX 9.X and 10.0 for HP 9000 Series 700 and 800 computers are X/Open Company UNIX 93 branded products.
• (1) UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Limited.
• (1) Windows is a U.S. trademark of Microsoft Corp.
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• NOTE: (1) X/Open is a trademark of X/Open Company Limited in the UK and other countries.