Nortel introduces tools to 'fine tune' enterprise networks
16 December 2002 -- Nortel Networks has unveiled a new set of diagnostic tools that will enable enterprise customers to quickly find the source of network troubles, stop potential problems before they arise, and fine-tune networking infrastructure.
Integrated on Nortel Networks Passport 8600 Routing Switch, Passport Advanced Diagnostic Tools are designed to minimize network issue resolution, maximize uptime, and provide granular analysis to help identify potential bottlenecks.
This is the first time such capabilities have been included on an Ethernet hardware routing platform. A comprehensive set of network diagnostic tools enables businesses to eliminate external devices like network probes to monitor network health; chart areas of network growth for future planning; and analyse data traffic patterns and volume on the switch.
This approach, says Nortel, eliminates complexity and enables networking issues to be handled before they become problems to help minimise capital and operational expenses.
Passport Advanced Diagnostic Tools include two components that work in concert to give network administrators greater control over discrete infrastructure elements.
Packet Capture Tool enables network administrators to monitor traffic flows to or from any selected port on Passport 8600 for instant statistical analysis. Similar in function to a sniffer, Packet Capture Tool also allows port traffic monitoring on-line.
Ping Snoop enables businesses to monitor specific links to ensure they do not degrade, and to take corrective action if they do. Ping Snoop captures and shows Internet Control Measure Protocol requests and replies traversing a specific link, enabling customers to troubleshoot traffic flows across multi-port trunk groups like Multi-Link Trunk and Split Multi-Link Trunk Groups.
Passport Advanced Diagnostic Tools are integrated with new enhancements to Passport 8600, including System Messaging Platform and Automatic Trace. System Messaging Platform formalizes the process by which error messages are generated, stored, analysed and documented.
This increases uptime for Passport 8600 by enhancing access to error messages and centralizing information related to log files, error messages and crash dumps without having to recreate specific events. Automatic Trace enables automatic tracing for a specific event without the need for a network administrator to be present to start a capture session immediately after the fault occurs.
Passport 8600 delivers a robust, reliable, secure and intelligent network routing solution that can be harnessed to provide exponential growth in bandwidth and performance, increased revenue opportunities, and 'five nines' reliability.