Critical Evaluation of Emerging NMS and Analysis - Research Paper Example

Critical Evaluation and Analysis of Network Management System (NMS) Introduction The Network Management System is the act of handling, directing andcontrolling the network resources such as network devices and applications. The actions required for configuration, detection and resolution of faults, utilization, performance and security of network resources are the essence of any network management system. International Standard Organization (ISO) in its specification M.3400 models functions of Network Management System as FCAPS which represents five main areas of managing network resources; Fault Management, Configuration Management, Accounting Management, Performance Management and Security Management (Network dictionary, n.d.) Fault Management is the first element of FACPS. In order to manage faults, it is essential to detect it, log it and notify the concerned users. It is also necessary that the best possible ways are used to automatically fix the network faults in such a way that the network continues to run effectively. Network faults degrade network and cause downtime and therefore it is an important element that is implemented most widely in all networks (Network dictionary, n.d.) Configuration Management is the second element of FCAPS. It is the act of monitoring configuration information of the network and system. The aim of this is to track and manage effects of network operations on different hardware and software versions (Network dictionary n.d.) Accounting Management is the third element of FCAPS. It is the act of measuring the extent of network utilization by individuals and groups. All the activities of network users are measured on the basis of individuals and groups. The aim of this is to regulate the usage of network and bill the users according to their usage (Network dictionary n.d.) Performance Management is the fourth element of FCAPS. It is the act of measuring performance of network based on various aspects such as consistency, rates of faults and utilization. It also requires collection and analysis of network performance data such as throughput, latency, delay and jitter. The aim of this is to optimize the network performance; that is to keep the network effective and efficient (Network dictionary n.d.) Security Management is the fifth element of FCAPS. It is the act of controlling access and usage of network resources through the process of authentication, verification and assignments of rights based on privileges, positions and needs of the users. The aim is to prevent any sabotage or unauthorised access of private and sensitive information (Network dictionary n.d.) Telecommunication Management Network (TMN) is one of the most popular conceptual frameworks for network management. It has four layers and FCAPS is an extension of TMN. Figure 1 shows the relationship between TMN and FCAPS Models of Network Management System (Network dictionary n.d.) Figure 1: TMN and FCAPS models and their relationship (Network dictionary n.d.) The protocols and technologies defined by ISO that address some of the functions of FCAPS model include Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) and Common Management Information Service (CMIS) (Network dictionary n.d.) Criteria for Analysis It is necessary to list the criteria that are required for comparing any two or more network management systems on the basis of FCAPS. Figure 2 shows the subsets of each of the FCAPS function which is intended to be used as criteria for comparison between different NMS. (Parker 2005) Figure 2: Subset of each FCAPS function (Parker 2005) I.T. Lab Requirements 1. Dynamic Network Dynamic Network refers to the network architecture in which virtual protocols and microprotocols perform in competition to each other with static architectures having only a single consistent protocol. Virtual protocols have no headers and do not require peer on other machine. Protocol graph is used to direct messages by virtual protocol. (O’Malley and Peterson 1992) Microprotocols on the other hand communicate with their peers like a conventional protocol; headers are added to messages, messages are demultiplexed to higher level protocols but no options are supported and only a single function is implemented by it. (O’Malley and Peterson 1992) 2. Remote Configuration Remote Configuration is an option through which all the computers that are connected on the network are allowed to be configured remotely by a Network Administrator. The configuration features may permit configuring of various application software, operating system and network start-ups. 3. Proactive Management Proactive Management refers to the capability of recognizing, handling and solving some unplanned and unexpected problems and faults that become barriers of smooth network operation. 4. Regional Offices NMS Link Networking of computers installed at two or more different regions is referred as Wide Area Network (WAN). The most common network link for this purpose is Leased Satellite Channel. Figure 3, shows how Local Area Networks of two different segments are connected using bridges, switches and hub devices through communication satellite. (Khalid Khan 2005) Figure 3: Illustration of Wide Area Network Link (Khalid Khan 2005) 5. Automated Setup and Configuration Automated Setup and Configuration refers to the distribution of information regarding IP addressing and configuration dynamically to the network clients. Minimum information used include IP address, default gateway and subnet mask. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is mostly used for this purpose. (Microsoft 2007) 6. Easily Accessible NMS Control This requirement refers to the availability of software tools that can allow monitoring of network operations and health. It should also allow capturing of any network data required for diagnosis so that network problems are isolated. Locating and querying network devices and controlling its activities are other features needed in software tools. (Triticom 2005) 7. Disaster Recovery This requirement refers to the ability of NMS to have automatic back ups and recovery options in case of any natural or manmade disasters. It should give necessary support for recovery from disaster. 8. Remote Assistance Management This requirement refers to the ability of providing support and assistance to clients on network from remote location or a network center. The computer of client network is taken over temporarily by a remote location and all the required support and assistance is provided to it. Once the problem is solved control of remote computer is released. 9. Compatibility with existing software (OS) This requirement refers to the need of using all the existing platforms which are Windows based. Any equipment, software or tools that are not workable on windows operating system should not be selected. 10. Graphical Representation of network/s This requirement refers to the availability of some tools or software which can display the entire networks nodes, its connectivity and performance through graphs. 11. Real time Network Analysis and its Reporting This requirement refers to the ability of NMS to analyze data of network traffic in real time that is every time a network activity occurs the related data is generated, saved and analysed. Reports based on this collected data are produced in different formats. 12. Compatible with Virtualization and Linux This requirement refers to the ability of NMS to run multiple instances of server from one single server such as Hyper-V in Windows 2008. Virtualization reduces over all cost of buying separate servers for separate tasks. A single machine can have multiple virtualized servers through a single physically installed server. Linux operating system is altogether different platform and this option refers to the ability of working on two or more platforms simultaneously on the same network. (Microsoft 2011) Each of the NMS proposal is studied to find out which of the above twelve requirements are fulfilled to determine the most suitable NMS proposal. Comparison of NMS Proposals Each proposal is marked for every individual requirement from 0 to 5 representing features as 0=not available, 1=poor, 2=good, 3=satisfactory, 4=very good and 5=excellent. Total score for each vendor is calculated and they are ranked according to the highest to lowest percentage. Table 1 shows the score of all the Network Management Systems which include GFI Network Server Monitor (GFI Software 2011), SNMPc7 Network Monitoring and Management (Castle Rock Computer 2011), EM7 Meta-Appliances Integrated Systems (ScienceLogic 2011), Remote Desktop for spiceworks (NTRglobal 2011), MapITG2 Next Generation Intelligent Infrastructure Management (Siemon 2011), Ipswitch WhatsUp Gold Distributed Edition (Ipswitch Inc. 2011) and ManageEngine (Networks Unlimited 2011). The highest score of 80% is achieved by EM7 Meta-Appliances Integrated Systems from ScienceLogic LLC USA. It is therefore recommended that this Network Management System is employed as it appears to be the best amongst the available choices. Table 1: Result of comparison of NMS Criteria Gfi Snmp.co.uk Science logic spiceworks siemon Whats upgold manageengine.co.uk Dynamic 1 4 5 3 4 4 4 Remote configuration 4 2 5 3 3 4 4 Proactive management 3 4 2 3 4 3 4 Regional offices NMS link 2 2 5   3 4   Automated setup and configuration (for future upgrade) 4 4 3 2 4 3 4 Easily accessible NMS controls 4 4 5 3 4 3 3 Disaster Recovery 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 Remote assistance management 3 4 4 4 4 4 1 Compatible with existing Software (OS) 4 4 5 3 4 3 3 Graphical representation of the Network/s 0 2 5 2 3 2 0 Real time network analysis with available reports 3 3 5 2 4 3 4 Compatible with Virtualisation and Linux (implementation in 2013) 3 4 3 4 4 3 4 Score out of 60 points 32 38 48 30 42 37 33 Percentage 53.33% 63.33% 80.00% 50.00% 70.00% 61.67% 55.00% Rank 6 3 1 7 2 4 5 Critical Evaluation of selected NMS EM7 Meta Appliances is a customizable, economical, dependable and scalable solution that supports monitoring of multiple operating systems such as Windows, UNIX, AS4000 HPUX, and Solaris. It is the only solution which is consolidated for management of application, network and systems. It monitors two or more operating system allowing visualization and automatic configuration. (ScienceLogic 2011) Figure 4 shows examples of various industries in which the EM7 Meta-Appliances systems are used such as Government, Financial Services, Online Media, Networking/Telecom and Service Provider (ScienceLogic 2011). Figure 4: Industry Example of Customers of EM7 Meta-Appliances (ScienceLogic 2011) EM7 Meta-Appliances can be configured and sized according to customer’s needs. As shown in Figure 5 it is all in one and distributed appliance architecture solution that is automated for disaster recovery. (ScienceLogic 2011) Figure 5: Main features of EM7 Meta-Appliances Solution EM7 Meta-Appliances provide management solution for the entire infrastructure of information technology that includes database applications, network, mail server, web server, virtual server, security and storage. Figure 6 shows the type of solution it provides which includes Application Management, Systems Management, Asset and Configuration Management, Service Level Management, Service Desk, Network Management and Fault Management. (ScienceLogic 2011) Figure 6: Type of solution provided by EM7 Meta-Appliances (ScienceLogic 2011) Requirements for using EM7 Meta-Appliances In order to use this technology the requirements include Infrastructure, Connectivity and other servers and devices as illustrated in Figure 7. The infrastructure includes database application, network, web server and mail server. The Connectivity includes protocol technologies for SNMP, ICMP, SMTP, HTTP, HTTPS, TCP PORT, SQL, SNMP TRAPS, EMAIL and SYSLOGS (ScienceLogic 2011). Other servers include Data Collection Servers, Primary and Secondary Enterprises Database Servers, and Application and Report Servers. Other devices include Local Area and Wide Area Network, Notification and Point Solution consoles for management. It also includes integration of SNMP Traps, Email, Syslogs and SQL (ScienceLogic 2011). Figure 7: Requirements for using EM7 Meta-Appliances (ScienceLogic 2011) EM7 Meta-Appliance solution includes following hardware and software products that are required in the Network Management Systems (ScienceLogic 2011):- 1. All-in-One (AIO) a single, optimized appliance 2. Administration Portal (AP) a web-based GUI 3. Integration Server (IS) provides access to data stored on EM7 Database 4. Message Collector (MC) accept all SNMP traps, informants & Syslogs messages 5. Data Collection Unit (COL) data retrieval from devices and applications in network 6. Database Server (DB) storage for all collected data, its tasking, processing and normalizing. 7. Netflow Tracker (NFT) receiver of Flow and IPFIX data from routers and Layer 3 switches. Collects real time network traffic Business Interest, Benefits and Cost In order to derive at the cost of the technology, it is necessary to determine the needs of what additional hardware and software needed in order to run the network system smoothly. It is also essential to list all the existing hardware and software assets. Once the accurate information about needs are listed, the vendor ScienceLogic, LLC can be approached for quotation and negotiation. Benefits of installing EM7 Meta-Appliance solution are tremendous as it automates and fulfills all the needs of IT Lab and day to day business as shown in Figure 8 below(ScienceLogic 2011):- References Castle Rock Computing 2011. ‘SNMPc7 Network Monitoring and Management’, Product Brochure, viewed 7 November, 2011 < http://www.castlerock.com> GFI Software 2011. ‘GFI Network Server Monitor’, Product Brochure, viewed 7 November, 2011 < http://www.gfi.com> Ipswitch Inc. 2011. ‘Ipswitch WhatsUp Gold Distributed Edition’, Product Brochure, viewed 7 November, 2011 < http://www.castlerock.com> Khalid Khan, Hammad 2005, Computer Networks (CS610), Handouts, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore. Microsoft 2007. ‘DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)’, Article ID: 169289, viewed 7 November, 2011 Microsoft 2011. ‘Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008R2’, Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform, viewed 7 November, 2011 http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/hyper-v-server/default.aspx Network dictionary, n.d., FCAPS: Network Management Functional Model, viewed 7 November 2011, . Networks Unlimited 2011. ‘Cost Effective Network Management for Today’s SMEs’, Product Brochure, viewed 7 November, 2011 < http://www.manageengine.co.uk> NTRglobal 2011. ‘Remote Desktop for Spiceworks’, Product Brochure, viewed 7 November, 2011 < http://www.ntrglobal.com> O’Malley, Sean W., & Peterson, Larry L. 1992. ‘A Dynamic Network Architecture’, ACM Transactions on Computer Systems, vol. 10, No. 2. pp. 110-143, viewed 7 November, 2011 Parker, Jeff 2005. ‘FCAPS, TMN & ITIL Three Key Ingredients to Effective IT Management’, Open Water Solutions, viewed 7 November, 2011 http://netcourses.tech.purdue.edu/cit443/Data/lectures/FCAPS_TMN_ITIL.pdf ScienceLogic 2011. ‘EM7 Meta-Appliances’, Product Brochure, viewed 7 November, 2011 < http://ww2.sciencelogic.com/pdf/EM7_AIO.pdf > Siemon 2011. ‘MapIT G2 Next Generation Intelligent Infrastructure Management’, Product Brochure, viewed 7 November, 2011 < http://www.siemon.com> Triticom, 2005, Total Network Analysis and Management, viewed 7 November 2011, . 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