NetScout's nGenius Performance Management System consists of a centralized Performance Manager console (which is offered in software--Windows, Solaris--or hardened appliance flavors) and a collection of individual data-collection probes that are implemented by the network administrator per the needs of their specific network functionality. Probes are available to monitor network traffic at several key points in the network; including multiport Gigabit links, fast Ethernet, T3/D3, T1/E1, and Fibre Channel for SAN traffic, to name a few. The overall architecture of the entire platform is based on the vendor's CDM (Common Data Model) technology, a data mapping methodology that seeks to map traffic metrics as provided from differing data sources (such as the differing NetScout probes described below) into a single, consistent context for reporting, alarming, and troubleshooting purposes.

The vendor describes their probe offerings as falling into several broad categories, depending primarily on network location.

- LAN layer probes include Gigabit Ethernet probes offered in 2, 4 or 8 port capacities and Fast Ethernet probes in 1, 2, 4, or 8 port flavors for monitoring LAN network traffic flows accross Ethernet switches or interswitch links. A link aggregation feature allows for the display of aggregated traffic across load-balanced or 4/8 port gigachannel deployments between two switches.

- WAN/Frame Relay layer probes include single and multi-port T3/E3 and T1/E1 offerings, including an 8 port T1/E1 probe with the ability to track network activity across specific DLCIs.

- ATM layer probes include T1/E1 IMA Probes, T3/E3 ATM Probes, and ATM OC-3c/STM-1 and OC-12C/STM-4 Probes.

- POS probes include OC-3/OC-12c/ and OC-48c flavors.

- Finally, SAN layer probes are available in 1, 2, or 4 Fibre Channel port flavors; supporting single or multi-mode, HC or non-HC configurations.

At the center of the nGenius Performance Management System is the Web-based nGenius Performance Manager itself, which is served as a software only installation or a hardened appliance. The Performance Manager leverages the vendor's CDM data mapping architecture, extracting information provided from the probes and producing key information in the form of GUI displays and user-configurable alarms. The Performance Manager is also able to collect information from sources other than nGenius probes, including MIB II in routers and switches and Frame Relay MIB in DSU/CSUs; and from flow based data sources such as NetFlow and sFlow. Tools within the Performance Manager assist the network administrator in the tasks of capacity planning, application monitoring (probes are able to identify traffic by application, allowing for the monitoring and charting of bandwidth per app), network monitoring, troubleshooting, fault prevention, and service level management.

The latest release of the platform features the vendor's new "HDPM"--High-Definition Performance Management--capabilities in the probe firmware and the Performance Manager. HDPM allows for the display of historical performance metrics as detailed as one-minute in polling granularity with corresponding one-second peak values. Additionally, the new release of the Performance Manager features the ability to automatically recognize traffic from common P2P applications via flow classification, including Kazaa, Shareaza, Morpheus, BearShare, LimeWire, eDonkey, eMule and iMesh.

Other features of the platform include separate nGenius Flow Directors, allowing for the routing of the same traffic flow gathered by the probe to third party NDIS systems; a Flow Recorder tool for the collection/storage of trace file repositories from selected probes; and a Trace Analyzer Integrator enabling the integration of NetScout with Sniffer gear for shops with existing Sniffer analysis tools.

The nGenius Performance Management System is available now. Upgrades to the latest system is free for existing "MasterCare" customers; Performance Manager pricing for new customers is $50,000.

Visit the NetScout Systems Web site for further information.