Network Support Encyclopedia 96-1/novell-nsepro-1996-1-cd2.iso/download/netware/mw2inf.exe/OTHER.TXT

Text File | 1995-11-03 | 11KB | 192 lines

OTHER.TXT
 3Nov95

Other ManageWise 2.0 Features

Comprehensive NetWare Server Management
The most important device on the network is the server.  When one or more
servers are down, it generally means that users can't get their jobs done
until the servers are back up.  In addition, servers often provide
centralized data storage.  Prevention of information loss or corruption is
critical.  ManageWise builds on our expertise in the NetWare environment to
provide comprehensive server management.

Central Management of Multiple Servers
By installing ManageWise on each NetWare server, you can monitor, maintain
and manage all NetWare servers from a central site.  You can also compare
multiple servers to optimize server configuration and performance.

Unattended Monitoring
ManageWise monitors NetWare servers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Before problems reach a critical state, ManageWise will immediately alert
you to those problems.  It monitors 378 server conditions, including
directory, disk drive, volume, memory, logged-in user and NetWare Loadable
Module (NLM) software, and covers 378 alarm conditions.  You can customize
alarm thresholds, such as file activity, memory usage and logged-in users,
to their environment.  Server optimization ManageWise provides complete
NetWare management from one administration console.  It incorporates
familiar NetWare tools, such as NWAdmin, to administer servers and
graphical SET commands to change NetWare server configurations and
resources.  ManageWise monitors trends on server performance, such as file
activity, volume data, disk drive configuration, adapter card, CPU, memory
and print services.  You can analyze data collected from servers and take
action if necessary, reallocating volume space or redirecting jobs in print
queues.  With ManageWise, you can control problems and perform daily
NetWare tasks from a single intuitive interface.

Print Queue Monitoring
ManageWise monitors and manages print queues on the network.  It displays
network print queue activity by the number of jobs or the total number of
bytes.  It shows graphically which queues and servicing printers are the
most active and displays queue-related information about servers, queues
and jobs.

Effective Desktop Management
ManageWise is based on proven technology that focuses on the desktop area
of the network computing environment.  This technology lets you effectively
monitor, diagnose and fix networked DOS and Windows PCs.

Configuration Change Management
ManageWise lets you request notification of changes to common configuration
files, such as AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS and NET.CFG.  By knowing which
components were altered and the details of changes made, you significantly
expedite troubleshooting and user support.  User administration ManageWise
enables you to add, delete and modify user rights on the network from the
same graphical user interface.  With the integration of NWAdmin, you can
perform administrative tasks, such as modifying login scripts.  Desktop
access and desktop remote Using ManageWise's desktop management services,
you can view, manage and control networked PCs across the network from a
single location.  By taking control of the remote workstation's screen and
keyboard, you can quickly solve user support problems.  You can also gather
detailed configuration and performance information, transfer files, execute
programs and remotely reboot the user's system to activate configuration
changes.  Chat mode ManageWise lets you "talk" in real time to users
through their desktop screens.  When invoked, chat mode displays a split
screen to show both sides of the conversation.  File transfer ManageWise's
file transfer functions make it easy for you to selectively transfer files
to users' local hard drives.  Users do not need to download files, and you
can ensure that they have the latest updates of system and application
software.

Address Management
ManageWise facilitates the management of IPX and IP network addresses by
displaying a tabular report of network numbers in use, along with the
physical media type, system name and sublet mask.  Quick identification of
assigned addresses eliminates duplications when adding new nodes to the
network.  ManageWise also identifies duplicate addresses to quickly isolate
offending nodes.

Detects and Repairs Common Network Problems
Effective network computing relies on the continued, efficient operation of
your network.  ManageWise lets you detect and repair common problems, such
as print delays or incomplete application launches.  The following details
how ManageWise solves these common network problems.  Printing problems
Print problems often involve complex interactions on a network and can
reside in a user's desktop hardware or software, on the network or in the
printer.  ManageWise monitors the network as a system to quickly pinpoint
the problem.  For example, if a print job stays in the queue too long,
ManageWise will notify you and give you the means to re-prioritize or
delete jobs as necessary from the same user interface.

Limited Access to Applications
When a user can't access a previously used application, most network tools
don't solve the problem.  With ManageWise, you can easily view current
configurations of all desktops and servers.  Data path changes are readily
identified, and you can edit the user's configuration file from the control
console location.  With NetWare's administration technologies integrated in
ManageWise, access rights are easily verified.

Slow Network Response Time
Using ManageWise, you can pinpoint why the network is slowing down at
certain times and alleviate the problem.  ManageWise collects and analyzes
traffic data for as long as two years to help you understand trends. It
also lets you know which stations are contributing to traffic.  The problem
could stem from someone backing up their workstation during peak usage
times.  With ManageWise, you'll know for sure.

Disk Failures
Fault-tolerant mechanisms, such as disk mirroring, will keep a network up
after a failure, but the remaining disk becomes a single point of failure.
ManageWise lets you know when a mirrored disk fails so you can plan its
repair or replacement quickly while users continue their tasks un
interrupted.

Limited Storage Space on Server
ManageWise integrates the capabilities of NWAdmin and lets you solve these
storage space issues quickly and painlessly. You simply evaluate the disk
and volume usage on the server, allocate more disk space to the affected
user and then make improvements to the server's overall disk space
assignments.

Centralized Management
ManageWise has an easy-to-use Windows console that provides a panoramic
view of the network.  The ManageWise console receives information from all
servers running ManageWise, including those in geographically dispersed
locations.  The console assimilates this data and displays it on demand
from its graphical user interface.  The console supports both TCP/IP and
IPX protocols for network communication.

Intuitive Navigation
The ManageWise console presents maps as the primary means for access of
network information.  Manageable devices can be easily accessed and
monitored from these maps with a click of the mouse button.  Smart early
warning system ManageWise continually monitors the network for emerging
problems, such a slow server memory, inactive critical nodes, LAN card
errors and broadcast storms.  When a potential problem is detected,
ManageWise generates an alarm, which is recorded in the built-in database
and displayed on all map views and alarm reports.  Alarms can be set to
trigger other applications, such as disk backup or pagers, to resolve
problems, even when the console is unattended.  With ManageWise, you can
diagnose possible causes of an alarm and prescribes a course of action.
The ManageWise console also explains how to troubleshoot and manage
networks.

SNMP Support
ManageWise provides full SNMP management of any SNMP - manageable device on
the network.  The MIB Browser facility displays SNMP device statistics at
one central location, and SNMP traps emitted by any SNMP device are
received and interpreted as ManageWise alarms.  While 400 SNMP alarms are
monitored by ManageWise, you can add other SNMP alarms to the system to
monitor a specific network environment.

High-level Security
The ManageWise console is intended for use by management.  Your managers
may have different preferences in how they access management information.
The ManageWise console lets them create management security domains to
authorize select personnel to access certain management information and
actions.  Each console can also be customized for its user.  For example,
an enterprise manager may need a high-level overview of all alarms, while a
site manager may want to view only local network activity.  ManageWise also
supports SNMP over NetWare Directory Services; (NDS), leveraging the
strengths of NetWare authentication to prevent unauthorized users from
accessing network information.

Critical Node Monitoring
When a node fails, an agent resident on that device typically cannot report
the failure.  ManageWise lets you monitor critical devices on the network
to ensure they are active.  If not, ManageWise immediately notifies you
through alarms.  This critical monitoring requires no polling, so the
network is not affected.

Proactive Monitoring and Trending
ManageWise collects historical usage data from servers, such as packets
sent over a specific network segment for the past month to establish a
baseline of normal activity.  It then graphically portrays the information
for easy analysis, enabling you to troubleshoot potential problems.  It
also gives you reliable information for forecasting growth, allowing you to
plan for future needs effectively.

Remote Management
ManageWise provides cost-effective remote management by leveraging on -
demand dial-up links.  Because it employs intelligent agents that monitor
the network, servers at remote sites do not have to maintain constant
communications with the central console, eliminating the need for expensive
dedicated lines.  For example, when your remote location encounters a
problem, ManageWise generates an alarm and transmits it to benefit a
central site, letting staff at that location take immediate action.  Small
organizations that want to outsource their management tasks to are seller
can now be serviced remotely over low-cost lines.  Large organizations with
distributed, unconnected branch offices also benefit by managing these
networks over low-cost dial-up connections.  Support of dial-up links
enables proactive remote management while reducing the connection costs
associated with dedicated lines.