Become a Network Hero.

It’

It’s always the network manager’s fault. This fancy new VoIP system saves us money, sure, but why doesn’t it work all the time? This remote storage system is easy when a computer crashes and data needs to be recovered, but why does it take so long? We can’t invest in cloud applications because the network is slow. Hasn’t the Internet been around for decades to this point? Why can’t this network do what I want it to do? Lots of “whys” and very few “thanks.”

Network managers should be lauded for capitalizing on the opportunity of a distributed network and delivering the applications that use it to save money and improve productivity.

Network managers should also be applauded for using next-generation data center technologies in clever and compelling ways, with applications for VoIP, SaaS and other hosted services, and Internet-based video conferencing and cloud computing. Instead they are ridiculed, even when issues related to application delivery may originate outside of the networks they manage.  We believe network managers should be network heroes, and we provide tools and the know-how to make that happen.

What does it mean to be a network hero? Well, based on conversations we’ve had with network managers, you certainly would feel more like heroes if you can:

• easily asses network readiness for new applications
• troubleshoot network performance issues
• monitor critical path and network activity
• report and communicate about network performance in real time

Our recently introduced PathView solution is lean, and provides an immediate solution to the pressing needs of our network heroes. The product is a simple download that is installed quickly, and it provides functionality to troubleshoot, monitor, assess and report on a company’s network – try out the free download now for a problem you are trying to solve.

Beyond the product, Apparent Networks is also committed to showing the way of a network hero. We’ve launched a Network hero Twitter feed, regularly post on this blog, and even have launched a YouTube channel. We plan to provide information from our customers and other experts—tips and tricks on how to overcome network obstacles.

Below is the first of numerous YouTube videos we have already posted, which shows the problems with distributed applications and how our PathView solution can help.

PathView Demonstrations on YouTube

We are also conducting research. We’re actively surveying network managers to learn what applications cause the most pain, which challenges seem the hardest to overcome, and how the network is inhibiting enterprise plans in the most significant ways. We plan to publish the results of the survey in the coming weeks, and the report will be called “The Life of the Network Hero.”

If you are a network manager investigating a variety of new network applications, including VoIP, SaaS and cloud computing, we invite you to keep reading, following our Tweets, and watching our videos. We want you to become a network hero, and we think we can help.

Tags: PathView