What would I use CW2K for?

[webnetwiz]

Gonna have a brand new all cisco built network. What benefits would CW2K provide. Can't seem to find fo that would specifically say "Use this to manage your cisco devices on the network".

 

[thethmon]

Are you still looking for information on this? Todd Hethmon
thethmon@hethmon.com

 

[webnetwiz]

Yes, absolutely.

 

[thethmon]

From my veiw as responsible for an Enterpise Network (800+ routers), the greatest single benefit of CW2k is RME. It's ability to store configuration files from all routers and switches has proven invaluable over the last couple years. We have also had a lot of success using RME for IOS/CatOS software upgrades as well as configuration changes. Being able to push out things as simple as a new logging server command to push syslogs to a new syslog server saves countless hours. Other parts that have proven useful are the 24-hour reports. By reviewing these daily, I have been able to identify CPUHOG errors prior to it impacting the end users in addition to other such errors that are usually not noticed in my large environment.

If you have any other questions, I'd be glad to answer them. Again, RME to me is the best reason to run CW2k. Todd Hethmon
thethmon@hethmon.com

 

[webnetwiz]

So, let's say if I only have a single Cat4000 switch, and 8 to 10 2950s and a copule of routers, it's not worth the cost to get CW2K?

 

[thethmon]

Probably not. It is quite expensive. I think Cisco has a less expensive version of it out now. You might want to check their website about that.
Todd Hethmon
thethmon@hethmon.com

 

[CiscoWeenie]

You might consider CiscoWorks for Windows 6.1. This software is geared for small to medium networks. Bonus is it comes with Whatsup Gold 7.03!

I use CiscoWorks 2k quite a bit but loaded CiscoWorks 6.0 only to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised. You can download the full boat trial version to see if it's what you are looking for. No, I don't work for Cisco, I just think they have some good (albeit expensive) management software.

Brian

 

[webnetwiz]

Thanks, weenie. Took your advice and downloaded v6.0 (they don't have 6.1 for eval, but that's fine) and was very pleased with the software. As long as the computer has the latest J2SE installed, CiscoView will work. Thanks a lot for the tip.