ManageEngine (Pleasanton, CA) announced the launch of its TopoMapper Plus L2 network mapping software, which automatically discovers and renders a live, up-to-date L2 map of a data center or enterprise network.
A network map is necessary to understand how the devices in the network connect to each other, notes the company. The map provides visibility into the network, and when there is a fault, it helps to troubleshoot without any delay. However, without a topographical map, network admins must manually draw the diagram using drawing tools such as Visio. Manual mapping is a time-consuming, never-ending task at organizations that must constantly update their maps to ensure those maps accurately reflect the frequent changes in their network device inventories.
ManageEngine says its TopoMapper software discovers the network -- both LAN and WAN -- and draws a network map using SNMP, CDP and LLDP protocols. After the discovery process, it automatically draws the map of the network. Network admins seeking still more network insight can convert TopoMapper into an OpManager installation to gain VMware monitoring, network monitoring, 3D maps and a broad range of other network and data center infrastructure management functions.
See also : The Importance of Network Identification
“Automating scans of the data center ensures that the L2 network map posted on the NOC wall is accurate and up to date,” commments Dev Anand, director of product management at ManageEngine. “TopoMapper Plus helps IT and network administrators by discovering the entire network and drawing a map that shows all the devices. The reports and alerts in TopoMapper Plus keep users informed about L2 changes, including recently added and removed network devices.”
ManageEngine's TopoMapper Plus will be available for download on November 19, 2013. The company is launching the product in time for the London DCIM Meetup it will be sponsoring, also on November 19, at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel. The DCIM Meetup event helps IT and data center admins connect, socialize and discuss the DCIM best practices. “Managing large data centers under today’s tremendous economic and environmental pressures drains energy,” adds David C. Howell, European director of ManageEngine. “Meetups give these administrators a chance to re-energize themselves with knowledge-sharing from peers, analysts and vendors from the industry.”
Pricing for ManageEngine's TopoMapper Plus starts at $495 for unlimited devices and map with a single user license. Additional users cost $195. A free 30-day trial of the product is also available. View an online demo of the product at http://demo.topomapperplus.com. Download the product at http://www.manageengine.com/products/topomapper/download.html.