[May 19, 2004] First System Level Diagnostic Tool Improves Network Security For WLANs and VPNs First System Level Diagnostic Tool Improves Network Security and Operability For WLANs and VPNs NetMRI “Network Expert In A Box” Provides Only Complete System Level Analysis For Enterprise Networks ANNAPOLIS, MD—May 19, 2004— Netcordia, a provider of network analysis products, has added wireless and VPN analysis to NetMRI, its appliance-based network diagnostic tool. NetMRI’s new capability now provides the same best practices based system-level analysis to Wireless Access Points (WAPs), WLANs and VPNs operating on the network. NetMRI is the only network analysis appliance that identifies the system-level issues of operating today’s enterprise networks that now include expanded capabilities such as WLANs and VPNs. Strong demand for wireless connectivity has resulted in a rapid deployment of wireless network access and WLANs, despite serious concerns about their security. WAPs, where a wireless user accesses the enterprise network, are one of the most vulnerable points of an enterprise network, as it is the location most targeted by unauthorized users. NetMRI brings its “network expert in a box” analysis to wireless by discovering WAPs on the network, as well as monitoring and analyzing their configurations and behavior to ensure proper operation and security. NetMRI can detect important security issues such as weak or total lack of encryption at the WAP, and whether the network is broadcasting its Service Set ID (SSID). NetMRI also diagnoses important operational issues such as where and when connectivity has been lost and whether backup WAPs have been deployed and are functioning. NetMRI makes troubleshooting VPNs much easier, and speeds time to repair. NetMRI introduces the ability to identify one of the most vexing problems that network managers face with a VPN: MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) Mismatch. MTU Mismatch can result in extreme network slowdown or failure and is difficult to diagnose because the intermittent failure cannot be pinpointed to failing equipment or Telecom outages. The real problem is a size mismatch between the end routers, which, once identified by NetMRI, is easily fixed. Like an MRI, this diagnostic tool scans the network, and identifies network issues that should be corrected or examined in more detail. Unlike its competitors, NetMRI takes the next step of analyzing the data using rules developed by the NetMRI technical team, which has many years of network experience. The rules check for stability and proper implementation of the best practices defined by vendors like Cisco, Nortel, and Juniper. NetMRI summarizes the analysis results into an easy-to-understand Network Scorecard™ that gives the network engineer or manager a view of the health of the major network systems, such as VLANs, WLANs and VPNs, plus a list of network issues to investigate and correct. “NetMRI has expanded its best practices approach to meet the needs of today’s enterprise network,” said Terry Slattery, CEO of Netcordia. “Network professionals can benefit by using our tool to instantly add troubleshooting expertise in Wireless and VPNs, key new technologies.” About Netcordia Established in 2000, Netcordia develops and markets appliance-based network analysis tools. Created by the founder of Chesapeake Computer Consultants, a known consultancy that has trained over 35,000 network engineers, the Netcordia team brings over 85 collective years of experience to network diagnostics and analysis. For more information, please visit the website at www.netcordia.com Contacts: Netcordia: Paul Markun (415) 389-1409 [email protected] PR@vantage: Rob Adler, 415-984-1970 ex 104 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]