Technology Reference Guide

	Technology Reference Guide 8. Network Management D. Netware NMS

What is it?
Netware NMS ( network management system) is a system developed by Novell. It is modular in nature, and provides comprehensive features for the Netware environment. It consists of an MS-Windows-based management console, and a series of NLMs on a Netware file server (see section on Netware). called agents. These agents provide such services as hub management, LAN analysis, server management, etc., and should not be confused with SNMP agents, which typically run in firmware on a managed network device. NMS uses SNMP as its open management protocol.

What does it do?
The network management console portion of NMS runs under MS-Windows, and provides a central point of control for the network. It also provides support for SNMP devices, and includes limited node discovery abilities using a utility called NetExplorer. For SNMP, it supports a MIB browser function for monitoring device parameters.

This console software interacts with several Netware Loadable Modules (NLMs) that control and monitor various parts of the network. These NLMs include the LANalyzer agent, which helps provide automatic node discovery and mapping, as well as performing traffic monitoring and analysis. They also include a Netware Management agent, which provides remote monitoring and control of Netware file servers.

A Hub Services agent provides the ability to manage HMI-compliant hubs. HMI is a Hub Management Interface standard for managing intelligent hubs. SNMP hubs are managed using the SNMP capabilities of NMS.

These NLMs are also capable of interfacing with other common management systems, such as IBM LAN NetView and can in some cases run as standalone products with limited-function interfaces. LANalyser and the Netware Management agent, for example, can run as standalone utilities, with user interfaces available for Windows and OS/2.

How is it used?
Netware NMS is designed primarily to manage Netware environments. It provides standard SNMP capability to manage mixed-vendor configurations. It is very Netware-centric, since many of its utility modules run as NLMs on Netware file servers. One unique feature is the modular nature of some components, which can in some cases run as standalone utilities, or can interface into other vendors network management systems.

Where do I get more information?
Contact your local CBV Office.