Networking for smarts


Contents
Introduction
 Packet shaping/bandwidth compression
 Observer 10.1
 AppManager v6.0
 Lightspeed Systems Bandwidth Management
 Specifications
 How we tested
 About RMIT
How we tested

We evaluated each tool on a P4 2.6GHz machine with 512MB of RAM running Windows 2000 Advanced Server. We had 30 PCs connected to our network across four switches and single router to the outside world. We tested each tool in these areas:

Interoperability: We looked at the network topologies it supports (for example Ethernet 10/100/1000 & Wireless a, b and g networks.

Futureproofing: What upgrade features are available?

ROI: What do you get for your money?

Service: What service and support is available.


Sample scenario

This company wants to measure the performance and application responsiveness of its Exchange and Apache Web Servers from a user's point of view.

Approximate budget: Open, as long as the product pays for itself.
Requires: Network management software.
Concerns: Ease of management, the ability to measure response times and produce detailed reports.
Winner: AppManager

AppManager is the most suitable product here. It can be used to measure SLAs and would be ideal for a company needing to measure the performance of critical applications. It can also monitor a large number of applications running on Windows, Unix, and Linux-based systems.

Originally we set out to review bandwidth monitoring products but two out of three the products submitted focused more on network and systems management, with bandwidth monitoring being a small component. The Lightspeed Systems product, however, is a pure bandwidth management tool, however it arrived at the Labs too late for us to properly test and compare it to the other products. For this reason we aren't awarding Editor's Choice in this review.

Having said that, if you are looking for a product to only manage bandwidth, out of the products listed here you would be best off going with Lightspeed Systems -- it focuses on identifying users that use file sharing applications and also allows you to shape your bandwidth by giving priority bandwidth to specific applications.

When making a decision on which network and systems management tool is the most appropriate ask yourself whether you need a tool that just monitors your network, helps you troubleshoot network problems, or keeps an eye on system SLAs.

This article was first published in Technology & Business magazine.
Click here for subscription information.

< Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next >
Advertisement

Print feature brought to you by Adobe

Talkback 0 comments

Back to top

Featured