Bay adds network monitoring tools

Bay Networks (BAY) continues to combine local and dispersed network elements into one management software system.

The latest upgrade in the company's Optivity lineup is an application called Analysis 8.0 that provides network monitoring capabilities to administrators and generates network-based performance reports for local and wide area network sites based on data flows, predetermined network thresholds, and application usage, according to the company.

The latest version of the application also adds support for Microsoft's fast-growing Windows NT operating system.

By adding to the Optivity suite of management tools, the internetworking firm is continuing to focus on one of the core strengths of the company. The coming months will see other additions:

A new release of the overarching Optivity enterprise network management system, dubbed version 8.1, that includes a new version of NETarchitect, a configuration tool that offers an easy way to add network elements such as routers and switches. The new version will include more device support.

A new version of the company's local management suite, called Campus 7.0, that includes support for the company's just-shipped Accelar line of switches. The latest release will also support Windows NT versions of Hewlett-Packard's OpenView and Tivoli Systems' management suites.

New enhancements to performance reporting that add network-based application response time to the mix, offering a window for administrators to view how their systems are responding to user requests.

Bay spent this past year aligning its wide array of management tools for local and far-flung networks, as reported by CNET's NEWS.COM in June.

The release of Optivity Analysis 8.0, which is shipping now for $5,995 as a standalone application or for $17,995 as part of the Optivity suite, adds support for advanced report generation that turns a dizzying array of network data into easy-to-understand documents. This feature frees network administrators from having to create reports manually.

The company also released a new line of network probes for Ethernet and FDDI (fiber distributed data interface)-based segments. The new series, called the StackProbe 2000 line, starts at $4,995.