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Take control of the physical layer: tracking network problems is often like finding a needle in a haystack - Infrastructure

Communications News, May, 2003 by Liam Galin

The stakes of network uptime and performance are higher than ever. Down-time was painful when the LAN was just a link to internal data, but today, when a network means e-mail, Internet e-commerce and even the telephone, if the network is down, the business is disconnected from the world.

An inherited patch cord jungle of wiring closets and out-of-date connectivity records can stymie the best efforts to plan and manage the physical layer. The more dependent an organization is on the network, the more costly even a few minutes of downtime can be.

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Beyond automated work-order management and guided moves, adds and changes (MACs), physical layer network-management systems can offer return-on-investment benefits that reduce the total cost of network ownership. If a patch cord of an active link is suddenly disconnected, for example, an alert pops up on the management screen or is sent directly to an e-mail address or pager. The problem can be solved immediately, ensuring minimal downtime to all links.

By bringing real-time visibility to the network, physical layer network-management systems encourage proactive maintenance. They make seeing potential trouble spots easier, and help to solve problems before they affect the workflow.

For inventory tracking and management, integrated auto-discovery and mapping capabilities deliver a minute-by-minute snapshot of the network. They track the location of all components, from cables and switches to PCs and IP phones, while documenting switch connectivity, patch panel assignments, IP addresses and other vital information.

In times of emergency, the system reduces recovery time. In addition, some of the advanced physical layer management systems automatically document the real-time location of IP telephones, complying with E911 emergency services regulations.

The concept behind physical layer network-management systems is simple. Intelligent patch panels are installed to eliminate the patch cord jungle, while enabling connectivity monitoring and guided MACs. The patch cords of the most sophisticated physical layer network solutions feature a passive circuit for monitoring connectivity.

The panels feature scanable ports and LEDs for instructing the technician. This technology is non-intrusive and in parallel to the data transfer path, ensuring that any faults in the management system will not affect the data transfer continuity.

Scanners are used to monitor the network continuously. They work in conjunction with auto-discovery software technology to gather comprehensive information about all network components, both passive and active. The real-time data gathered by the scanners is used to automatically build and maintain a connectivity database, which becomes the basis for all the system's capabilities.

Physical layer network-management data can improve network performance and reduce operational expenses through:

* real-time notification and location capabilities;

* pinpointing of a potential trouble source, and seeing the implications of any proposed infrastructure changes;

* focusing less on putting out fires, and more on proactive maintenance and network optimization;

* centralizing IT operations without losing control of on-site crews, and without compromising security;

* allowing the organization to outsource network management altogether, while maintaining flexibility and high-level control; and

* reducing the potential for unauthorized activities.

Already installed in enterprises around the world, physical layer network-management systems are helping to decrease downtime, cut network maintenance costs, increase asset utilization and improve planning capabilities. By reducing network cost-of-ownership and increasing physical layer performance, the return on investment of these systems is often less than a year.

For more information from RiT Technologies: www.rsleads.com/305cn-258

Galin is the CEO of RiT Technologies Ltd., Mahwah, N.J.

Technology Industry

Take control of the physical layer: tracking network problems is often like finding a needle in a haystack - Infrastructure

Communications News, May, 2003 by Liam Galin

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