Proper network management can be a challenge even for the most seasoned IT professional. To help in the process, Ipswitch (News - Alert) Inc. has announced the addition of WhatsConnected to its WhatsUp Gold suite of IT management solutions. This Layer 2 and Layer 3 discovery tool for SMBs is now available as a standalone product or as a plug-in for WhatsUp Gold.
Through infrastructure discovery, mapping and visualization in a simple format, WhatsConnected complements existing network management platforms. This solution also enables SMBs to reduce time spent in the process of quickly and accurately identifying, mapping and documenting all devices, servers, VMware virtual machines, VLANs and port-to-port connectivity.
Ipswitch company officials say that IT teams can quickly visualize the connection of everything in the network, as well as validate archived configuration item data to document, manage inventory and drive compliance initiatives. To drive effective network management, WhatsConnected also discovers forgotten or unused resources on the network and ultimately simplifies troubleshooting tasks.
It is important to note that large enterprise network management platforms often require extra configuration, making them difficult to access. WhatsConnected was designed with this in mind, providing companies with the flexibility they need to rapidly deploy their network management solution and simplify complex networks. WhatsConnected can also help to reduce the time needed for time-intensive manual processes and improve overall efficiency.
As a key component of the network management platform, WhatsConnected offers such features as network discovery with the use of Layer 2 and Layer 3 standards-based discovery technologies; visual mapping that introduces integrated maps to display topology information in hierarchical or radical formats; Visio support to accept exported maps; and inventory and configuration to collect comprehensive information for all networked devices.
Other features to this network management platform include reporting through flexible reports for asset/inventory, device connectivity and bridge port utilization; scheduled discoveries to deliver information at regular intervals to keep connectivity information up-to-date; Layer 2 trace to rapidly pinpoint physical connectivity issues; IP/MAC finder to correlate an IP address to a physical MAC address; WhatsConnected console to provide all views; and WhatsUp Gold integration.
While not all network management solutions are created equal, there are some that truly stand out above the crowd. Before making a selection, however, the IT manager must clearly understand the needs of the network and the organization to determine if this solution meets those needs. Ipswitch has done well to listen to the needs of the customer and deliver the network management tools necessary to drive optimal performance.
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