New Knowledge-Based Model Simplifies Enterprise Management
- More information on CiscoWorks2000
- More information on CiscoWorks2000 Resource Manager Essentials
- More information on CiscoWorks2000 CWSI Campus
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- September 22, 1998 -- Cisco Systems, Inc. today announced the delivery of CiscoWorks2000, a suite of web-based management applications that integrate Cisco-based network knowledge with knowledge of a user's own network, providing unmatched operational value. CiscoWorks2000 also simplifies network management by providing a new model of management application integration through Web standards and technologies.
Through the use of a powerful XML-based application registration mechanism, CiscoWorks2000 can be easily web-linked with more than 30 third-party enterprise management applications, allowing interoperability and information exchange. Management tasks from multiple applications are now easily launched from a CiscoWorks2000 interface, and management data can be exchanged among applications that comply with the emerging Common Information Model (CIM).
"CiscoWorks2000 signals the arrival of a new era of web-based management integration," said James Herman, vice president of Northeast Consulting Resources, Inc. in Boston, Mass. "Cisco is leading the way by fully leveraging the Internet and the Web to deliver management solutions that embody e-commerce principles. Using the Web to create "management intranets" is fundamental to its new management products. Cisco's path-breaking support for standards such as CIM to integrate data from multiple tools establishes the paradigm for enterprise management for the next decade."
Today the CiscoWorks2000 family consists of two products: Resource Manager Essentials and CWSI Campus, adding significant new functions to features of previous Cisco enterprise management products. CiscoWorks2000 also allows customers to easily create a management intranet based on Cisco and third-party products that are linked to Resource Manager Essentials through Cisco Management Connection.
"Through Cisco Management Connection and the Tivoli NetView web client, Tivoli and Cisco are allowing customers to consolidate workflow navigation through the Web," said Leo Cole, director of network management at Tivoli Systems. "In addition, by leveraging CIM standards-based specifications to integrate CiscoWorks2000 inventory data with Tivoli Enterprise software, organizations are able to manage their network and systems inventory from a single point of control. These joint initiatives will allow customers to better control their heterogeneous enterprise computing environments while reducing IT management costs."
Resource Manager Essentials
Essentials adds impressive configuration management and change audit service to Cisco's expanding suite of web-based management solutions. Inventory, device availability, syslog and software deployment services have been enhanced and extended to new Cisco devices. It also includes expanded security and reporting functions.Essentials makes extensive use of the broad knowledge base residing on the network and on Cisco's own Web pages known as Cisco Connection Online (CCO). For example, its online connection to CCO produces a timely customer-specific year 2000 compliance report indicating which devices are not compliant, why, and what must be done to make them compliant. CCO-based information is also used in such operations as device software deployment, technical support case and contract status checking, as well as, monitoring and assessing the impact of potential software errors.
"Essentials is a robust, one-stop-shop for managing Cisco products and resources," said Arun Padmanbhan, senior communications consultant at Shell Services International (SSI) in Houston, Texas. "The intuitive GUI, the wealth of information now available and the new configuration management functions, along with the integration of HP OpenView information, make Essentials a true resource management tool. Leveraging the ability of Essentials to centrally manage all Cisco products will allow SSI to deliver the highest level of service to our customers."
CWSI Campus
This enhanced product builds on its predecessor, CiscoWorks for Switched Internetworks offering comprehensive management for Cisco's Catalyst. switch product line. It includes extensive network discovery and display, configuration, LAN/WAN traffic monitoring and analysis, user tracking and performance capabilities for networks based on Cisco routers and switches. New features include Token-Ring VLAN management, Layer 2 and Layer 3 management for new Cisco Catalyst 8500 devices, extended ATM management including ATM RMON, improved management for Cisco IOS. software NetFlow data collection and traffic analysis through the new Catalyst network analysis module."The CWSI Campus product is a critical tool in managing ATM networks," said Petri Jokela, datacom specialist at Telia Finland. "The ATM Director component gives managers a tool for configuring our ATM fabric in a simple, intuitive manner - even when not all the devices are within our management control."
Cisco Management Connection
This program provides a flexible, Internet-based application registration process that allows management application developers to easily integrate their web-based applications with CiscoWorks2000. This XML-based application registry makes it easy for Cisco users to link the most useful tasks and reports from their favorite enterprise management applications into CiscoWorks2000, along with in-house developed tools and reports. More than 30 vendors have already announced certified Cisco Management Connections, including Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, Fujitsu, Computer Associates and Tivoli Systems. Cisco Management Connection links are part of Resource Manager Essentials.In addition, CiscoWorks2000 supports the exchange of management information using the Desktop Management Task Force (DMTF) version of CIM. CiscoWorks2000 can share detailed inventory information with Tivoli Inventory Manager via CIM. This is the first use of CIM in cross-platform data integration. With the introduction by the DMTF of XML encoding of CIM data, CIM is poised to be the application data exchange mechanism across enterprise management intranets.
"The combination of CiscoWorks2000 and HP OpenView Network Node Manager delivers a powerful solution for web-based network management," said Olivier Helleboid, general manager of Hewlett-Packard's OpenView Business Unit. "There is significant enthusiasm in the industry for Cisco's delivery of products and services that further increase opportunities for open integration across the entire network."
Availability
CiscoWorks2000 modules are available now on Solaris and Windows NT operating systems and will be available later this year on AIX and HP-UX. Essentials lists for $4,995. Campus can be added for $6,995 or the two may be purchased together for $9,995.Cisco Systems
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