ISPPlanet Network Management System Series - NetPlus AutoManage

Reporting
Thus far, we've focused on network surveillance and fault management. Another task often carried out by SNMP managers is performance reporting.

SNMP requests and responses generated by NP_WALK, NP_BROWZ, NP_TABLE, or any other AutoManage application can be recorded to a file or an ODBC database (right). Help instructions for creating an ODBC data source are a little sketchy, but ultimately not difficult to follow.Actual table schemas are thoroughly documented. Recording raw data might allow you to "roll your own" performance analysis program.

The NetPlus Real-Time Graphic Reporter (NP_CHART) (below, left) continuously monitors and plots selected object values. Just specify entities and objects, poll interval, the number of data points to be graphed, the type of chart (area, bar, line, or table), and windowing mode. On-going results are charted in separate windows or the same window (below, right).

 

The NetPlus Interface Utilization Monitor (NP_BUSY) (below, left) operates on the same principal but is more specialized. This application polls MIB-II interface objects and computes link utilization, continuously graphed for up to 20 device interfaces. Again, results can be displayed in the same or separate windows (below, right).

These applications offer "at a glance" performance monitoring without any programming or analysis effort. ISPs can use NP_BUSY to keep an eye on WAN or POP backhaul link utilization. Or combine NP_CHART with the Host Resources MIB to monitor system performance. Like other AutoManage apps, results can be printed or recorded for further analysis. If we could tweak these apps, we'd use larger fonts, label the NP_CHART Y axis, and apply white backgrounds. But such stylistic quibbles do not really diminish the utility of these reporting applications.

Final Words
We found AutoManage a surprisingly strong and complete SNMP manager "tool box"—especially in light of its rock-bottom price. Applications are not tightly integrated and users must understand SNMP concepts. Start-up ISPs have little to risk by giving AutoManage a try: a fully-functional evaluation copy can be downloaded at no cost, and we found applications to be stable and uninstall cleanly.

ISP admins who like to "roll their own" and know Win32 programming may prefer to download the WinSNMP Software Developer's Kit (right). This SDK includes AutoManage, a small set of sample applications, and WinSNMP API documentation.

NetPlus AutoManage $149 ACE*COMM Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878 http://www.winsnmp.com