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Network Configuration Management

The other areas we are looking at around the network tools are the Opnet suite for engineering (which is a serious investment for a tool), and the configuration management areas.

We have gotten several demos, and sent our 4 RFPs. Out of the 4 we sent out, we got 3 back. We are trying to get it down to 2 vendors for a POC. This is slightly different than the server side, because I have a much larger team to work with on the POC and the work needed to get it down to a great tool for us. Here is the criteria extracted from the RFP, there will be more on this as we move forward narrowing down the field of 3 (HP OVNCM, Opsware NAS, Alterpoint DeviceAuthority:

Requirement

Sub Facts

Company Viability and History



Customers of specific product


Revenue Growth FY 05-06


Total Revenue FY 05

Install Base



Financial Customers


Largest Install

Technologies



Windows


Linux


Java


Perl


Native Eclipse, Visual Studio, or other native IDE


XML


MSSQL


Oracle


Mysql


X64

Extensibility and Robustness



Portal


Web Services API


NET Java Perl API


CLI


Open CMDB


DR/HA


Active Directory, TACACS, RADIUS


Granular permissioning

Device Support



Nortel, Cisco, F5, Checkpoint


telnet, ssh, rlogin, snmp, oob


Auto discovery of devices


De-Duplication of devices


Dynamic grouping

Configuration and Usage



Ease of Installation


Reporting (PDF, XML, HTML, DOC, CSV)


Report Delivery


Modeling and Visio support


Support for Perl, Expect, and Shell


Syntax checking


No java or plugin client


Upgrade IOS with verification of hardware support

Change Tracking



Comparison Live to Snap


Change notification to run collection (syslog, snmp)


Generate SNMP traps for changes


Enforcement of peer review before implementation


Complaince templates (SOX, GLBA, etc) with weighted application


Keystroke logging


Tracking of CPU, Memory, Users per device

Asset Management



Contract management


Integration with Cisco Contract site

Cost and Community



Maintenance Fees


List Price


User group meetings


Online user groups


Free development licenses

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