3DV Technology introduces rules-based applications for optimizing network performance; Hub, Router and Switch performance monitors identify inefficiencies, recommend remedial steps to prevent network problems.

NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 1996--3DV Technology today announced a family of software-based performance monitoring tools for evaluating and proactively managing the performance of heterogeneous enterprise networks, priced at about one-tenth the cost of remote monitoring (RMON) systems.

RouterPM for Cisco Systems routers, HubPM for Cabletron and Bay Networks hubs, and SwitchPM for Cisco Catalyst switches analyze network device performance over time and provide network managers with specific suggestions for remedying any inefficiencies detected.

3DV's products address the plight of network managers who are held responsible for the smooth operation of entire networks of varied devices from multiple vendors, supporting a range of media. Most network performance management applications provide raw polling data collected from network hardware, leaving network managers to write programs that analyze the data for each type of device. In contrast, 3DV's device-specific applications perform as on-site network consultants that interpret the data and anticipate and prevent performance problems.

RouterPM, HubPM, and SwitchPM collect data via SNMP for each device 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, down to the port level. The data is analyzed by a modifiable rules-based inference engine that looks for any conditions that fall outside the parameters of "healthy" network performance. Any such condition is identified and quantified before it becomes a full- scale problem. Each 3DV product produces weekly and year- to-date reports that identify the cause of performance bottlenecks and recommend specific steps for optimizing network performance.

"The bottom line is that networking solutions must be timely, cost effective, and productive," said Mike Vitagliano, president of 3DV Technology. "RouterPM, HubPM, and SwitchPM dramatically reduce the time and resources necessary for the network manager to monitor and fine tune an enterprise network."

3DV offers an optional, add-on product that provides a graphical interface to network data collected and analyzed by RouterPM, HubPM, and SwitchPM. Trend Analyzer enables users to display performance lapses and to create graphical displays of long-term network performance trends and future performance projections.

RouterPM is an expert system with distributed polling capabilities that provides network performance diagnostic analysis for Cisco Systems routers. Using embedded rules, it evaluates every key area of router and network performance, including the internal efficiency of each router, WAN serial line inefficiencies, LAN-to-router interface bottlenecks and router congestion for each LAN interface, signal quality, WAN utilization, and frame relay diagnostics.

HubPM covers the Ethernet and token ring media within Cabletron and Bay Networks hubs. It operates on the same principle as RouterPM, isolating long term performance and diagnostic problems to the port level of hubs for up to 250 LAN segments. Weekly reports identify specific inefficiencies in Ethernet and token ring utilization and efficiency, provide port-level diagnostics for each device attached to the LAN, and analyze long-term LAN and port traffic patterns.

SwitchPM, currently available for Cisco Catalyst switches, is the industry's first performance monitoring application for network switches. Like HubPM and Router PM, it isolates long-term performance and diagnostic problems to the port level. SwitchPM continuously monitors switched LAN segments, collecting data which is analyzed and quantified against a rules database. In addition to port-level diagnostics for each switched LAN port, SwitchPM is capable of identifying long-term port traffic patterns.

RouterPM, HubPM, and SwitchPM operate on any Windows NT-based Pentium system. Each application is priced from $100 to $1000 per managed device, depending on the number of devices. Pricing begins at $995 for Trend Analyzer. All products are available now directly from 3DV Technology sales offices in Chicago, Boston, and southern California, as well as through a national network of distributors.

3DV Technology, headquartered in Nashua, N.H., is a leading supplier of software-based tools for evaluating and managing the performance of heterogeneous enterprise networks. The company's diagnostic solutions allow organizations to take a proactive approach to network management by identifying and addressing subtle network performance irregularities. 3DV's device-specific products are utilized by major organizations of all types in a wide variety of industries. 3DV Technology was founded in 1993 and is privately held.

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3DV Technology is a registered trademark and RouterPM, HubPM and SwitchPM are trademarks of 3DV Technology. Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Jessica Solodar or Kristen Hagedorn

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Amy Merrick

3DV Technology

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