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Remote Site Management Solutions Address SNMP Weakness

 

Overview

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is an industry standard network management protocol for managing wide area and local area networks. It is easy to use, cost-effective, and is built into most networking devices. One of SNMP’s best assets is its use of in-band management, yet, this is also its biggest weakness.


The problem is that SNMP traffic goes over the same network path as data. SNMP uses the same LAN and WAN routers, hubs, communications links, and DSU/CSUs. While the network is operating, SNMP packets flow between the managed devices and the management workstation or Remote Monitor (RMON). SNMP TRAPs, SETs, and GETs move with the same priority as regular traffic on the LAN/WAN, and provide management information to the workstation or commands to the controlled devices. However, when the network goes down or is severely disrupted, SNMP traffic has no way to get between the managed device and the management workstation. When a remotely located network element such as a router or switch fails, it is often impossible for a network technician to get fast, effective access to the device via in-band communications. So, time-to-fix is often dependent upon placing a technician on-site as quickly as possible. Telnet is also used with a SNMP workstation. However, Telnet packets are also unable to flow between the management workstation and managed devices during network disruptions.


The solution

Out-of-Band remote site management solutions provide the NOC with alternative paths to remote managed devices independent of the LAN/WAN. They consist of high bandwidth connectivity such as Ethernet, GSM, CDMA, EDGE cellular and/or an on-board ADSL connectivity. These solutions provide a direct route to the management port of each device for troubleshooting, reconfiguration, and rebooting. These alternative routes are not dependent upon Telnet or SNMP packets moving through the LAN/WAN system.


Out-of-band management has its own potential security downside. Dial-up access to a port on a network element creates a “back door” that could be exposed to intruders. One way that organizations protect themselves against back-door exposure is through RADIUS, security tokens and other authentication tools used for securing dial-up access to enterprise systems. However, you can’t get access to the RADIUS server database when the network is down.


Having a remote site monitoring device between the managed network elements and the PSTN can provide the authentication and encryption capabilities necessary to protect the network, and apply secure out-of-band management that can be utilized during a network failure. This also eliminates security vulnerabilities associated with SNMP, as it encrypts communications between the managed elements and the NMS as it traverses the PSTN. How does terminal server access compare?


Most devices can be connected to the network through a terminal server and their management port. However, terminal servers move the data path in-band. If the network goes down, there will be no path to the managed device. Remote site monitoring devices provide an independent, out-of-band path to control remote devices.


Control Remote Equipment

Minimizing or even eliminating truck rolls saves time and money, while keeping users satisfied. Remote site monitoring solutions give you the ability to correct problems by power control and rebooting of transceivers, servers, routers, A/C power, and more. Using out-of-band (pass-through) connectivity, these solutions allow NOC managers to remotely send commands to enable or disable remote power systems or manage devices, change equipment configuration parameters, connect remote users to restricted ports, and much more.


Choosing the right remote site monitoring solution for SNMP management

When choosing a remote site monitoring solution, you should acknowledge that there will be times when you use it in the middle of a network outage. Therefore, choosing a solution that is easy to use is critical. You should require intuitive commands and user-named ports to make it fast and easy to use a device you may not have managed for some time. Password security is necessary for dial-in, and VPN security for ADSL connectivity is a must. If you have on-site technicians, multiple controlling input ports are required. Otherwise, there will be re-wiring at each technician visit for local control. Other common issues such as economy, scalability, and additional features are also important. The ability to switch power is a feature that may remove the need for on-site visits for power-cycling or rebooting equipment. All the features discussed above are available with Asentria’s remote site monitoring controllers.


Additional functionality

Asentria’s SiteBoss and TeleBoss controllers, along with SitePath Administrative Portal, offer a complete solution for remote site management. Asentria products monitor legacy equipment, non-networked and SNMP-enabled equipment, and environmental conditions such as water, temperature, fans, intrusion, etc. We enable secure remote access and control to reboot equipment and cycle power in remote locations. Easily integrate backup power, electronic equipment, door contacts, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, outputs from machinery and much more into your network management system. In addition to monitoring service provider remote infrastructure, our products provide secure remote monitoring of telecom customer premise equipment, and buffering of PBX call data for accurate and unfailing storage of call records for legacy PBX and IP telephony call accounting environments.


Administrators are becoming increasingly aware of the need to protect these vital, yet vulnerable sites. However, acquiring more devices, more complexity or more single capability solutions is not the answer. Bridging the gap between diverse remote equipment sites and the central data center or NOC, by providing visibility through remote monitoring, access, control and security within a cohesive platform is required.


Elements Directly Affected

• Power monitoring and cycling – monitoring power distribution, battery backup systems, etc.
• Equipment monitoring – all legacy, non-networked and SNMP-based equipment
• Environmental monitoring – fire, security alarms, door locking mechanisms, surveillance systems, etc.
• Remote access – providing secure remote access via wireless, DSL and other “out-of-band” access methods.


Summary

Asentria provides real-time visibility, secure access, and desktop control of remote equipment sites. Environmental extremes, equipment failures, and power loss threaten communication networks, yet many of these critical factors reside outside the scope of a centralized network manage-ment system. Asentria delivers a single unifying platform to enable remote equipment sites and network management to be simplified, consolidated, more reliable, and more cost-effective. With proactive remote site monitoring, access and control, service providers are able to run their critical networks more efficiently, while lowering their operational costs.

 

The Company

Asentria develops remote site monitoring and telemanagement solutions that enable providers of critical communications infrastructure to more efficiently and reliably run their networks. Asentria’s products help ensure quality of service and lower operational costs, while making it easier to provision, maintain and support remote equipment. Our strategic solutions fit both large and small communication networks and provide high-value, cost-effective and competitive differentiators to our customers.


Asentria helps administrators cost-effectively manage their call reporting data and remote site infrastructure, while extending confidence and security to ensure availability, integrity and performance. Asentria enables administrators to avoid failures from poor performing equipment that threaten end-user service expectations, while providing better control to predict the performance of remote infrastructure. These new levels of protection shield end-users from remote site equipment failure. Our service provider and enterprise customers trust their remote equipment sites to Asentria. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

 

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