Best Network Management Platform

HP's OpenView Has The Winning Edge

Once the hottest topic in the networking industry, network management systems have quietly been improving, gaining support and serving enterprise management needs. Still in the lead, Hewlett-Packard's OpenView Network Node Manager continues to enjoy the widest third-party support in the industry, but it's constantly being challenged by the intelligence of Cabletron Systems' Spectrum and IBM's NetView for AIX.
By far, HP OpenView's strongest feature is its stability, due partly to a full set of features and overwhelming third-party support. Almost every vendor who makes a router, switch, probe, hub or network design tool has a software module that integrates into HP's platform.
HP pioneered the features that are now expected as part of a network management system, like autodiscovery of Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) network devices, logical/geographical location network maps and hardware platform support for Sun, HP and RS/6000 workstations. HP's Windows version of OpenView is not as hardy as its Unix cousin, but it has greatly improved. And while it is hardly the platform for a large enterprise, it still shares its predecessor's excellent third-party support.
Cabletron's Spectrum doesn't enjoy HP's third-party support, but it has leaped ahead, offering intelligent alarms, distributive redundant network databases, enterprise security and detailed customizable statistical displays.
IBM's NetView for AIX is quickly gaining third-party support for its modification of HP's base code. And it adds unparalleled RS/6000 support and notable SNA connectivity.
SunNet Manager, while still an inexpensive platform with lots of third-party support, lacks a MIB browser and automatic layout tools. Sun may be back next year with its promising network manager, Solstice.

HP OpenView Network Node
Manager, $15,750, Hewlett-Packard Co., 3000 Hanover St., Palo Alto, CA 94303. (800) 637-7740; (415) 857-1501.

Runners-Up
Spectrum 3.0, Cabletron Systems, 35 Industrial Way, Rochester, NH 03867-0505. (603) 332-9400; fax (603) 337-2211.

IBM NetView for AIX, IBM Corp., Dept. A99, Building 503, P.O. Box 12195, 3039 Cornwallis Rd., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. (800) IBM-4YOU; fax (800) 426-4329.