Network Support Encyclopedia 15/novell-nsepro-1992-vol15.iso/download/lanzer.rel

Text File | 1992-05-14 | 8KB | 146 lines

Novell Announces LANalyzer for NetWare

Networking Leader Expands Network Management Product Line with New,
Easy-to-Use Analysis and Monitoring System for NetWare

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- May 11, 1992 -- Novell Inc. today announced
LANalyzer for NetWare, the first monitoring and analysis product
designed specifically for NetWare networks.  LANalyzer for NetWare is an
affordable, hardware-independent network management product that brings
sophisticated network monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities to
virtually every Ethernet NetWare installation.

LANalyzer for NetWare combines network monitoring and analysis in a
single, easy-to-use Microsoft Windows-based system.  Its graphical user
interface provides an easily understood view of network statistics, and
features a unique point-and-click filtering system that minimizes the
networking expertise necessary to use the product.  It includes
specialized tests and diagnostics for the NetWare environment.  The
product also includes complete seven-layer protocol decodes for all
versions of NetWare, as well as for AppleTalk Phases 1 and 2.

LANalyzer for NetWare can be used as a network troubleshooting tool, a
realtime monitoring system, an in-depth statistical analyzer and a
network growth planner.  The product runs on any 80386 or better
DOS-Windows workstation and can analyze traffic on any type of Ethernet
cabling (standard, thin-net or 10BASE-T).

"NetWare customers tell us they need to supplement their server
management and workstation diagnostics with a tool that lets them manage
the NetWare environment as a whole," said Duane Murray, vice president
and general manager of Novell's Network Management Products Division.
"LANalyzer for NetWare fills that need and gives systems administrators
the first affordable, easy-to-use management and analysis solution for
NetWare networks.  It takes network monitoring and troubleshooting out
of the realm of network or protocol specialists and makes it available
to all NetWare administrators.  It's the first management tool anyone
who administers NetWare networks should consider buying."

According to Murray, LANalyzer for NetWare brings together three key
Novell technologies:  the NetWare operating system; the industry-leading
high-performance LANalyzer; and the recently introduced NetWare
Management System.  "We've applied analysis and troubleshooting
technologies pioneered in the original LANalyzer, optimized them for the
NetWare environment, and added the intuitive Windows interface and
management tools we're using in NMS," Murray said.  "The combination
creates a full-featured, easy-to-use analysis tool priced to
significantly expand the market and use of this technology."

Key Features and Benefits

Novell's LANalyzer for NetWare offers the following features and
functions:

■    Intuitive interface -- LANalyzer for NetWare is designed to make
     complex network analysis and management functions as easy to
     understand and use as possible.  Users navigate using the familiar
     Windows mouse-driven system.  The product's initial interface is an
     automotive "dashboard," which displays network statistics on three
     circular gauges with needles that move to represent levels of key
     network activity, including traffic rates, bandwidth utilization
     and errors.  LANalyzer for NetWare detects common problems and
     alerts users to network anomalies through a system of warning
     lights, audible alarms and text descriptions of error conditions.

■    Point-and-click filtering -- A feature unique to LANalyzer for
     NetWare, point-and-click filtering minimizes the networking
     expertise needed on the part of the user.  Rather than using
     complex software commands to set up filters to find specific
     network traffic or events, users can simply use the mouse to select
     anything of interest, such as a particular protocol, address or
     event.  LANalyzer for NetWare automatically filters on those
     criteria and displays all similar conditions or events.  For
     example, if users want to look at errors in opening files on a
     server, they simply highlight one of those events and LANalyzer for
     NetWare automatically finds all similar occurrences and displays
     them on the screen.  The information displayed establishes a
     pattern which indicates the source of the problem.

■    Active name gathering -- Another unique LANalyzer for NetWare
     feature, the product actively queries servers and workstations to
     get the names of all NetWare and Macintosh nodes logged into the
     network.  Active systems allow administrators to get the names
     quickly and on demand; passive systems must wait for stations to
     announce their names (most stations only announce their names when
     logging into a server).

■    Packet capture and interpretation -- LANalyzer for NetWare offers
     full seven-layer decoding capabilities for all NetWare and
     AppleTalk networking protocols.  This allows the user to determine
     exactly what is occurring on the network at the packet level.  Full
     protocol decodes help users identify and resolve networking
     problems.  LANalyzer for NetWare is the only analysis product, with
     the exception of the original LANalyzer, to support all versions of
     NetWare, including NetWare 3.x, NetWare 2.x and NetWare Lite.

■    Network trend information -- The product stores long-term network
     statistics to disk.  These statistics can be viewed graphically or
     exported to standard spreadsheets for additional analysis or to
     help plan future network expansion.

■    Hardware independence -- LANalyzer for NetWare runs on any standard
     Microsoft Windows 3.x-based PC.  This allows LANalyzer for NetWare
     software to be stored centrally and moved to any DOS-Windows
     workstation on any segment that requires service.  Hardware
     independence also leverages existing computer equipment.

Pricing and Availability

Novell's LANalyzer for NetWare, a complete network monitoring and
analysis system for NetWare networks, will be available through Novell
distribution channels in June 1992.  The suggested list price is
US$1,495.  For a limited time, LANalyzer for NetWare will be offered at
the introductory suggested list price of US$995.

The original LANalyzer, recently enhanced in release 3.11A, is also
available now.  It includes the expert Automated Troubleshooting System,
full decodes for 18 networking environments, LANalyzer operational
software, a specialized network analysis interface card and extensive
documentation.  Versions for Ethernet or Token Ring (4 and 16 Mbps)
topologies list for US$12,500.  A combined Ethernet and Token Ring
version lists for US$19,980.

Pricing applies in the United States and Canada only.  For pricing
outside the United States and Canada, customers should contact their
local Novell Authorized reseller.

Network Management Solutions From Novell

In addition to LANalyzer for NetWare, Novell's network management
products include the original LANalyzer, an industry leader since 1984;
the LANtern system, an SNMP-based network monitoring solution that
provides centralized control of Ethernet networks; the recently
introduced NetWare Management System, an integration platform and set of
advanced network management applications; and NetWare Hub Services,
connectivity management software that provides the foundation for the
industry's first open, multi-vendor, hardware-independent intelligent
hub solution.

Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVL) is an operating system software company, the
developer of network services, specialized and general purpose operating
system products including NetWare and DR DOS.  Novell's NetWare network
computing products manage and control the sharing of services, data and
applications among computer workgroups, departmental networks and
business-wide information systems.