Cisco Releases New Tools for Managing Complex Networks

Cisco Systems Inc. today announced a group of products and services for configuration management, marking its second foray into the business of providing management tools for complex networks.

The new Proactive Automation of Change Execution tools can be used to change usernames and passwords, manage unplanned device configuration changes, provide reports on compliance with industry regulations, and analyze network security and resiliency, according to Karen Sage, director of PACE product marketing.

Cisco unveiled its first systems management products -- the Network Application Performance Analysis family -- last December.

Cisco also plans to work with a consortium of vendors, including IBM, BMC, HP and CA, that joined forces earlier this year to create a CMDB standard, Sage said. "I think you'll see a lot of openness" between Cisco and other vendors, she added.

source