How Network Configuration Manager Enterprise Edition operates

The Enterprise Edition is suitable for large organizations that have its networks spread globally. It follows the Central-Probe architecture and presents the monitored information of an entire distributed network in a Centralized console.

The Central server facilitates centralized network adminstration. It gives an overall picture of the entire network's performance in a single console by collecting data from the Probes. The Probes are installed in the geographically distributed individual networks (that are a part of the enterprise network) and monitors them. They relay the monitored data to the Central.

To ensure seamless connection the status of a Probe is updated to the Central for every 60 seconds and this duration is known as the heart beat interval between the Central and a Probe.

Central

The Central server holds comprehensive information about the entire network, which spans over various locations and is managed individually by the Probes. The number of Probes depends on the number of locations and the scale of each network. These Probes gather data and transmit it to the Central, enabling users to obtain a unified view of the organization's entire network. Probes can also be segregated based on number of devices even for a single location.

User have a choice to view a consolidated view in Central, or they can choose a particular probe from central and manage it directly from Central.

Each Probe updates the Central with the following information:

• Discovered devices
• Alarm and event details
• Status updates

Configuration changes made on Probes are synchronized with the Central. For instance, if a new change is implemented on a Probe, it will be reflected in the Central.

Probe

A Probe serves as the network management server for a specific network location, responsible for discovering and managing devices within that network for changes and compliance purposes. Devices within the network are automatically discovered, and users have the option to manually add devices as well.

Upon discovery, Probes automatically assign device templates to devices based on predefined templates for each device model. Device information can be viewed on the snapshot page, accessible by navigating to Inventory → Devices and selecting the desired device. Users can perform various operations such as compliance checks, firmware vulnerability management, automation with Configlets, and more.

Data collected from all Probes regarding network management is consolidated in the Central and can be accessed through Reports. There are over 20 predefined reports available, providing insights into historical data. Analyzing these reports allows users to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and proactively address potential issues.

(All the information given above applies only to the network managed by a Probe.)

Key features of Network Configuration Manager Enterprise Edition

• Monitors geographically separated networks
  • The Central-Probe architecture in the Enterprise Edition enables users to monitor and manage remote networks that are available in multiple sites.
  • Seamless data synchronization between the Probes and the Central
• High Availability
  • The failover support, offered in the Network Configuration Manager Enterprise Edition ensures maximum availability, giving no leeway for network downtime.
• Real time Alerting from multiple sites
  • Details of alerts raised in the Probes for network bottlenecks can be seen in real time on the Central server.
• Intuitive and consolidated reports
  • Data stored as reports gives insights on network performance and fault causing trends to fix network issues proactively.
  • Central offers a consolidated view of all reports available in Probes.
• Privilege-based user management
  • User management in the Enterprise Edition allows you to define user rights (administrator/operator) to members of the IT administration team ensuring enhanced security. 
• Scalable
  • Easily scalable and enables customers to add devices without facing a decline in the management capabilities.

Enterprise Edition licensing

The Network Configuration Manager Enterprise Edition licensing is based on the the number of devices. The significant aspects of this license are that:

• The failover support comes as a package deal in this license, eliminating the need for users to invest on it separately.
• The license purchased for monitoring devices through the Central applies to all the Probes as well. (Any number of Probes can be connected to the Central, depending on the customer's need.)

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