Release Notes for Cisco Info Center Add-On Products, 3.6
October, 2003
These Release Notes provide information about the release of the following products as supplements to Cisco Info Server, 3.6:
Firewall
Fusion
Impact
Internet Service Monitors (ISM)
Netcool for Voice Networks
Netcool/Tivoli
Netcool/Webtop
Precision
Reporter
Visionary
Note If you are a network administrator and need personal technical assistance with a Cisco product under
warranty or covered by a maintenance contract, contact Cisco's Technical Assistance Center (TAC)
at 800 553-2447, 408 526-7209, or tac@cisco.com. To obtain general information about Cisco
Systems, Cisco products, or upgrades, contact 800 553-6387, 408 526-7208, or cs-rep@cisco.com.
Introduction
Cisco Info Center is a Service-Level Management (SLM) system that provides a consolidated view of enterprise-wide events and status information. It collects event streams or messages from many different data sources and presents a single, consistent view of the current state of all Cisco Info Center managed systems. It distributes the event information to the operators and administrators responsible for monitoring service levels.
To enhance the functionality of Cisco Info Center, Cisco has made available the following products:
Firewall—a real-time security application that helps managers in secure operation centers to resolve network events that may disrupt business services or cause a security breach. Firewall consists of a set of configuration files and management utilities and two probes; a Check Point FireWall-1 probe and a Cisco PIX Firewall probe. Enforcement modules provided with Firewall monitor the Check Point Firewall-1 security policy by sending events to a management module. Management modules generate events that indicate abnormal network behavior or security violations and send them to the probes, which generate events that are forwarded to the Cisco Info Server.
Fusion—a fault management application that provides access to mainframe computer management applications for non-mainframe network operators. Fusion comes in two versions—a TN3270 version, which acquires data from SNA sessions, and a remote console version, which acquires event data by emulating a remote mainframe console. Fusion also includes a Terminal Emulator component that allows you to define event data you want to acquire from monitored mainframes and a Configuration Tool that allows you to define which data elements can be discarded, which are key values, and how alerts are built.
Impact—a value-added application that works with Cisco Info Center to assist network operators in monitoring Service Level Agreements (SLAs) by providing additional event analysis beyond that available with Cisco Info Center. For example, Impact users can determine the consequences of an event, such as what or when services are affected and which users are affected by specific alarm conditions.
Internet Service Monitors—a collection of software components that monitor the status and performance of Internet services such as email, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Domain Name Service (DNS). The information gathered and processed by the monitors is used to determine whether a particular service is performing adequately, to identify problem areas, and to report service performance. Performance is measured against agreed Service Level Agreement criteria.
Netcool for Voice Networks—a supplement to Cisco Info Center that is designed specifically for providers of carrier-grade voice services. It includes a Central Configuration Tool that allows voice service providers to install the system at multiple sites from a central location and a set of Telecommunications Service Managers (TSMs) that work with TL1-based monitoring systems as well as Marconi, Alcatel, Ericsson, and Nortel devices.
Netcool/Tivoli—an application that integrates the Cisco Info Server with the Tivoli network management application and allows Tivoli to manage a Cisco Info Server installation.
Netcool/Webtop—provides the read-only event publication of Netcool/Wave with the interactive features of Netcool/JEL for manipulating alerts, combined in one web-based product. Netcool/Webtop publishes Netcool alerts for viewing in a web browser, and enables certain users to manipulate them using an active event list launched from a web browser. Netcool/Webtop includes server administration pages, which can be used to set up users, table views, and other configurable elements. It also includes the Netcool/Webtop Editor, which is a powerful tool used for creating and editing maps. Netcool/Webtop meets the need for service providers to deal with user problems relating to network alerts by publishing Netcool alerts and active event list applets over the HTTP or HTTPS protocol to supported web browsers. The active event list can be launched from a web browser and offers the functionality of Netcool/JEL to acknowledge, prioritize, and delete alerts using the Netcool/Webtop technology.
Precision—a network monitoring product that applies root cause analysis based on network slice technology. Precision does this by correlating alerts received from a network and determining which Connectivity Performance Related (CPR) alerts are related. For each CPR alert, Precision generates a network slice that contains details on all network devices that data must traverse on its way to the CPR alert destination and reports on the highest probable cause of the CPR alert. Alerts generated by Precision can be forwarded to the Cisco Info Server and to Internet Service Monitors for specific network applications.
Reporter—a real-time, web-based client-server application that provides accurate, historical reporting on Cisco Info Center event data forwarded from the Cisco Info Server. Reporter supplements Cisco Info Center by capturing data after it has been cleared from the real-time Cisco Info Server and storing, analyzing, and displaying event data that network managers can use to understand and enhance network behavior.
Visionary—a product that utilizes a network agent that receives events from an intelligent, high-volume SNMP polling engine called the Distributed Status Monitor (DSM) and performs a rules-based analysis of network events, based on Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standards and vendor-specific management information. This analysis determines whether a degradation in network performance is occurring and determines the causes of the problem. This information can then be used to address the root causes of the problem.
Related Documentation
The following documents are provided with Firewall, Fusion, Impact, ISM, NetCool for Voice Services, NetCool/Tivoli, Reporter, Precision, and Visionary. Printed versions of the documents are provided with each product. In addition, if your organization has a service contract with Micromuse Inc. that allows access to the Micromuse support site, you can access PDF versions of the documentation at the following URL:
Cisco provides several ways to obtain documentation, technical assistance, and other technical resources. These sections explain how to obtain technical information from Cisco Systems.
Cisco.com
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Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a Cisco Documentation CD-ROM package, which may have shipped with your product. The Documentation CD-ROM is updated regularly and may be more current than printed documentation. The CD-ROM package is available as a single unit or through an annual or quarterly subscription.
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Obtaining Technical Assistance
Cisco provides Cisco.com, which includes the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) website, as a starting point for all technical assistance. Customers and partners can obtain online documentation, troubleshooting tips, and sample configurations from the Cisco TAC website. Cisco.com registered users have complete access to the technical support resources on the Cisco TAC website, including TAC tools and utilities.
Cisco.com
Cisco.com offers a suite of interactive, networked services that let you access Cisco information, networking solutions, services, programs, and resources at any time, from anywhere in the world.
Cisco.com provides a broad range of features and services to help you with these tasks:
Streamline business processes and improve productivity
Resolve technical issues with online support
Download and test software packages
Order Cisco learning materials and merchandise
Register for online skill assessment, training, and certification programs
To obtain customized information and service, you can self-register on Cisco.com at this URL:
The Cisco TAC is available to all customers who need technical assistance with a Cisco product, technology, or solution. Two types of support are available: the Cisco TAC website and the Cisco TAC Escalation Center. The type of support that you choose depends on the priority of the problem and the conditions stated in service contracts, when applicable.
We categorize Cisco TAC inquiries according to urgency:
Priority level 4 (P4)—You need information or assistance concerning Cisco product capabilities, product installation, or basic product configuration. There is little or no impact to your business operations.
Priority level 3 (P3)—Operational performance of the network is impaired, but most business operations remain functional. You and Cisco are willing to commit resources during normal business hours to restore service to satisfactory levels.
Priority level 2 (P2)—Operation of an existing network is severely degraded, or significant aspects of your business operations are negatively impacted by inadequate performance of Cisco products. You and Cisco will commit full-time resources during normal business hours to resolve the situation.
Priority level 1 (P1)—An existing network is "down," or there is a critical impact to your business operations. You and Cisco will commit all necessary resources around the clock to resolve the situation.
Cisco TAC Website
The Cisco TAC website provides online documents and tools to help troubleshoot and resolve technical issues with Cisco products and technologies. To access the Cisco TAC website, go to this URL:
All customers, partners, and resellers who have a valid Cisco service contract have complete access to the technical support resources on the Cisco TAC website. Some services on the Cisco TAC website require a Cisco.com login ID and password. If you have a valid service contract but do not have a login ID or password, go to this URL to register:
If you are a Cisco.com registered user, and you cannot resolve your technical issues by using the Cisco TAC website, you can open a case online at this URL:
If you have Internet access, we recommend that you open P3 and P4 cases online so that you can fully describe the situation and attach any necessary files.
Cisco TAC Escalation Center
The Cisco TAC Escalation Center addresses priority level 1 or priority level 2 issues. These classifications are assigned when severe network degradation significantly impacts business operations. When you contact the TAC Escalation Center with a P1 or P2 problem, a Cisco TAC engineer automatically opens a case.
To obtain a directory of toll-free Cisco TAC telephone numbers for your country, go to this URL:
Before calling, please check with your network operations center to determine the Cisco support services to which your company is entitled: for example, SMARTnet, SMARTnet Onsite, or Network Supported Accounts (NSA). When you call the center, please have available your service agreement number and your product serial number.
Obtaining Additional Publications and Information
Information about Cisco products, technologies, and network solutions is available from various online and printed sources.
The Cisco Product Catalog describes the networking products offered by Cisco Systems, as well as ordering and customer support services. Access the Cisco Product Catalog at this URL:
Cisco Press publishes a wide range of networking publications. Cisco suggests these titles for new and experienced users: Internetworking Terms and Acronyms Dictionary, Internetworking Technology Handbook, Internetworking Troubleshooting Guide, and the Internetworking Design Guide. For current Cisco Press titles and other information, go to Cisco Press online at this URL:
Packet magazine is the Cisco quarterly publication that provides the latest networking trends, technology breakthroughs, and Cisco products and solutions to help industry professionals get the most from their networking investment. Included are networking deployment and troubleshooting tips, configuration examples, customer case studies, tutorials and training, certification information, and links to numerous in-depth online resources. You can access Packet magazine at this URL:
iQ Magazine is the Cisco bimonthly publication that delivers the latest information about Internet business strategies for executives. You can access iQ Magazine at this URL:
Internet Protocol Journal is a quarterly journal published by Cisco Systems for engineering professionals involved in designing, developing, and operating public and private internets and intranets. You can access the Internet Protocol Journal at this URL:
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