Micromuse Inc released version two of its Netcool/Internet Service Monitors (ISMs) package, at the NetWorld + Interop tradeshow in Paris yesterday, promising extra functionality for e-commerce web sites.
The suite of ISMs, which sell for around $7,000 each, has been increased from 12 to 18 protocols, with XML (extensible markup language) output now supported to enable data to be used in applications such as Excel. The six new protocols are Distributed Host Control Protocol (DHCP), remote Cisco ping (RPING), dialup (DIAL), Network Time Protocol (NTP), Simple Network Management Protocol (SMNP), and something that Micromuse is excited about called TRANSX.
TRANSX is a construct combining any of the remaining 17 protocols to test a site’s ability to perform e-commerce transactions. A DIAL request could be followed by a HTTPS page request and an attempt to buy an item from the target web site, in a simple case scenario. A user could remotely test the ability of his web site to execute transactions efficiently.
Micromuse ISMs work with Netcool/ObjectServer real-time database, the core of the firm’s technology – software that collates fault and performance management data from proprietary sources across a network. The company’s main target market is internet service providers, and it counts America Online Inc, British Telecommunication Plc and PSINet Inc among its customers. ISPs use the software to help maintain service level agreements with big corporate clients.
