The latest version of CA's Spectrum network management software, released Monday, can factor in human errors when gauging the health of a network.
Spectrum Network Fault Manager r8.1 can compare settings on network devices such as routers and switches to ones set by a network administrator. If something has been configured differently, the software can tell and will notify a manager. In addition, it will take that nonstandard setting into consideration if it sees a problem in how the network is running, said Jerome Simms, a director of product management at CA.
The Islandia, New York, company has built this "change awareness" capability into the fault analysis software, whereas other network management systems make enterprises use two different tools, Simms said. Combining the two means faster repairs to the network, he said.
CA acquired the Spectrum software by buying Concord Communications in 2005. The latest version of Spectrum is an exercise in integration, with two other software tools now working more closely with the product as well as the addition of change awareness. Wily Introscope, which CA acquired by buying privately held Wily Technology last year, is performance management software for Web-based applications. CA eHealth for Voice, which the company also got through the Concord acquisition, helps to manage call quality on converged voice and data networks. The company previously integrated the main eHealth performance management application, Simms said. This is the second major release of Spectrum since CA bought the product.
Also on Monday, CA changed the way it prices Spectrum. Now there are three Spectrum packages, called Foundation Suite, Standard Suite and Premium Suite. The Foundation Suite includes basic tools such as root cause analysis, device management and alarm notification. The Standard Suite includes the newly integrated features introduced Monday and other capabilities. The Premium Suite includes components such as reporting and service level management that are optional with the other configurations, Simms said.
The foundation suite starts at US$60,000 for software for one server. The standard suite starts at US$250,000 and the premium at US$570,000.
