Layer-2 topology monitoring tool

[andriz]

Situation (ServiceProvider):

Large layer-2 switched network (Cisco only), multiple MSTP loops, about hundred of 2940/2950/3550 switches.

We are looking for a software tool beeing able to monitor layer-2 topology changes - spanning-tree blocked ports, STP topology, various error-disable situations and interface state changes of course. Plus this tool should be able to do some actions based on received SNMP traps.

There are many different tools able to monitor some OIDs, ping something etc. But this is not what we need. All those devices will ping all the time, it's possible that all interfaces will stay UP. Now we are using HO Openview, but it's been decided to change it to something else.

Any suggestions ? We have tried InterMapper, but it has no knowledge of STP. Other tools of this class also have similar minuses.

[jason.aarons]

I haven't seen anything...OpenView NNM or any snmp applications like Castle's SNMPc would run a script based upon a trap.

For example if I got a bridge change trap I would run a script to send an alert, etc.

Sounds like you weren't using the tools you had.

Have you set spantree root primary and spantree root secondary ? Is you spantree roles pre-determined, root guard enabled, snmp-server link-status disabled on customer ports, etc.

I know OpenView 7.0 added Layer2 capabilities but I haven't seen them. I suspect your running 6.x

[karlk79]

From what you say you need I would suggest Cisco Works LAN Management solution. It works very well with what you describe.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/cscowork/ps2425/

The only other product I know of that can do the things you say is some of the Fluke Optiview products. None of these are inexpensive.

Other than that I cant think of something that can do just layer 2 reporting. Most software applications just go ahead and throe the upper layer in as well. Also dont try to sell yourself short, try to get a complete netowrk management package, if possible. You might only need layer 2 now but you might need upper layer monitoring in the future.

Cheers,

Karl

[sushilk]

Hi,

I would suggest you to go for CISCOWORKS LAN MANAGEMENT SOLUTION. CiscoWorks LMS provides:

Network discovery, topology views, end-station tracking and VLAN management for Cisco switched

Real-time network fault analysis with easy-to-deploy device specific best-practice templates

Hardware and software inventory management, centralized configuration tools, and Syslog monitoring

Real-time device, link, and port traffic management, analysis, and reporting

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/cscowork/ps2425/products_data_sheet09186a00800a9e97.html