Apparent Networks Tool Proves To Be A Real Problem Solver

Unlike competing products, AppareNet is not just a network monitoring tool that passively monitors devices and simulates traffic. The tool presents a series of algorithms that continually sends packets through a network to find problems. Once the packets complete their rounds, the signatures are evaluated to determine characteristics and trouble spots on the network.

The packets can deliver three specific types of information: network size and effective throughput, network capacity and congestion, and specific problems that are causing network malfunction—for example, black-hole hops, disconnected cabling, half- or full-duplex issues and NIC installation errors. The software is great for solution providers that want to perform pre-deployment evaluation for customers' network-based applications. The software was also designed for remote troubleshooting without using sniffers or other probes. This feature is especially valuable for businesses that rely on hosted network services and do not own their own network.

After the diagnosis is complete, results are delivered along with a link to Apparent Networks' interactive help system, which provides steps to fix the problem. This utility does not automatically resolve network problems, it can only point solution providers to Apparent Networks' help system for instructions on correcting any problems. This is not a bad system for solution providers--if they lack the expertise to correct network problems themselves, they can subcontract the work to a networking professional and collect a finders' fee. The software is available via a 450-Mbyte download from Apparent Networks' Web site. Once the download is complete and the software is initialized, the user must select whether the network connects to a Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle database. Users must also install Java Runtime Environment, a Java-based user interface application, if it is not already installed on the PC. AppareNet will automatically install a Web server.

After choosing the correct sequencer, CRN Test Center engineers ran the utility on a dedicated Test Center network and the tool detected some congestion problems. The majority of networks tested have these problems and it is very rare to find any that are problem-free. Of course, this spells more opportunity for solution providers.

Apparent Networks tailors its partner offerings to the specific needs of each partner. The software offers vast recurring revenue opportunities and average margins are 30 percent. Technical support is offered 24x7. The software costs $500 per month per user.