Network management solutions are continually called onto to adapt to new technologies, while retaining value of existing ones, including: SDNs, multiple connection methods to the cloud and Internet, remote sites, and WiFi networks. All of these technologies require closer collaboration between network engineering and operations because of their dynamic nature, which requires fast and deep understanding of the technologies to operate effectively.
OpenText Network Operations Management was previously known as Micro Focus Network Operations Management.
We are providing this solution to our customers to cover network management. It covers all three perspectives of network monitoring/management.
Network Node Manager covers the fault management cycle.
Network Automation covers the configuration management cycle.
ISPI smart plugins (metrics, traffic, IP telephony, and MPLS) cover the performance management cycle.
All of these products are integrated with each other under one dashboard called NOM (Network Operation Management).
NOM uses standard Protocols (SNMPv3, SSH, SFTP, CDP, LLDP, MPLS, Netflow, IPFIX. et cetera).
NOM reduced the MTTR for most of the network Issues by combining the fault/configuration/performance management in one dashboard with more in-depth details about the traffic bandwidth consumption and hardware issues/failures as well as configuration changes and compliance standards.
Using NOM, we can decrease the repeated issues by correlation policies.
We can apply company configuration standards as per the global configuration standards (like HIBAA, PCI, et cetera).
We can detect non-compliant devices and automate remediation actions to cover the gap in the configuration standards.
NOM Platform provides support to monitor and manage SDN Networks like Cisco ACI.
It provides configuration changes and tracking over time to add impact on network routing and performance issues.
The solution has very powerful APIs to be integrated with other systems to complete the full image to apply ITIL processes.
The NOM Module is just a part of the full image portfolio of ITOM that covers network management integrating natively with other Micro Focus modules like UCMDB (Universal Configuration Management Database), which becomes a single point of truth regarding the configuration items.
The OBM (Operations Bridge Management) covers the Manager of Managers role.
SMAX (Service Manager and Asset Management X) covers the ITSM in the Micro Focus Portfolio.
The NOM Platform already covers multiple vendors, and a lot of device types. This range of vendors and devices is increasing every quarter
It may need a more customizable UI, which has already started to be covered in the CDF deployments already yet is not supported for classic deployments.
NOM needs to cover other third-party integrations with Cisco Prime, E-sight, and Aruba Management and act as a manager of other network management products. It could cover part of a complex network architecture at very large companies that depend on multiple management solutions.
I have been implementing and using Micro Focus Network Node Manager for more than ten years.
The solution is very stable. It needs a little maintenance window.
The solution is very scalable and is useful for regional managers or general managers.
Micro Focus customer support is very responsive, and we get a reply to our issues or questions in one to two hours.
Positive
I have used other network management tools like SolarWinds, PRTG, and Cisco Prime.
SolarWinds lacks the scalability option for very large customers that manage more than 20,000 nodes in just one deployment.
Cisco Prime has a vendor-based management console for cases where customers depend on multiple device vendors and need to have one console for all devices.
The installation of the NOM portfolio is very easy, and the documentation is very straightforward.
We have implemented the product through the vendor team.
Most of the Micro Focus vendor team was already certified at a professional level. They offered the needed expertise about the network background and the latest technologies like SDN ACI, SD-WAN, DNA, et cetera.
Regarding the ROI, the solution has reduced the operation and troubleshooting time required to reach the root cause. It's moved from hours to seconds.
For small/medium networks, I'd recommend SolarWinds, Manage Engine, or PRTG.
For vendor-based situations, Cisco Prime is best.
With large-scale and multi-vendor scalability and security in mind, Micro Focus NOM is the best option.
We have evaluated SolarWinds, PRTG, Manage Engine, and Cisco Prime.
Most of them have very cool features yet their fit would depend on many factors. For example, is it one vendor-based or multiple vendors? What is the project size (small, medium, or large)? Is scalability a critical factor in choosing the right product?
The solution is user-friendly.
It has very powerful capabilities and dashboarding.
The topology maps are pretty.
