NetRule 7.0 Release Notes

Analytical Engines is proud to announce the release of NetRule 7.0. This release is a major step toward automatically constructing models using import and model refinement features. Using data pulled from network monitoring tools and router config files, you can have NetRule construct the model to the level where it has used the information in that data you import. After that, you can use model refinement features to have NetRule add the details and the “what-ifs” that are not given in your imported data.

Following are brief descriptions of the major new or enhanced features in NetRule 7.0:

• build network topology from router configurations. NetRule will automatically generate network topology from router config file, such as the text file output from running "show run" on a router. This is an exciting new feature of NetRule 7.0 -- it will automatically generate routers, the devices connected to them, and their links.
  • Using the interface data, NetRule generates links and permanent virtual links (PVCs).
  • NetRule has a flexible approach that can accommodate configurations from any vendor and node.
  • You can extract data about your network from your description lines, banner information, and commands.
  • Version 7.0 applies several basic validation checks against the data in the router config files. Violations and inconsistencies are reported. Future NetRule versions are planned to include closer alignment with the physical devices and additional validation of configurations.
  • Additional refinements on this feature support making logical subnets in your model also.
  • Analytical Engines guarantees support in making your import process successful.

• build network topology and traffic from packet capture data, such as Sniffer(TM)and EtherPeak(TM) files. NetRule has had features to generate jobs and job profiles, using port numbers, from the binary files of Ethernet packet data. Now you can have NetRule generate your LAN topology also. It will generate computer objects, group devices by their IP subnets, and connect them to a core router or LAN device, based on the data in the packet capture.

• build network topology and traffic from aggregated MIB data, such as flat files generated from network or device monitoring systems (like those collected by RMON, SNMP, or Cisco's NetFlow, CiscoWorks, HP OpenView, etc.) Previously NetRule generated traffic by applications, from these files of accumulated packet and byte counts, but now you can build the topology also. It will generate computer objects, group devices by their IP subnets, and connect them to a core router or LAN device, based on the data in the packet capture.

• connect LANs and core. This model refinement feature lets you select profiles for your LAN nodes and a default router. Then NetRule automatically generates the connections. This feature is not restricted to imported models.

• automatic layout. This model refinement feature has been enhanced so that NetRule uses IP subnet addresses and connection patterns to build LANs for you. NetRule groups the devices into subnets and names them accordingly. This feature is not restricted to imported models.

• layout. This feature automatically separates icons and re-organizes the diagram for any model. NetRule can thus make large network diagrams readable and manageable.

• animate multi-tier work flows. NetRule's feature of presenting diagrams of multi-tier applications has been enhanced. Now you can run an animation of the traffic flow through the workflow diagram.

• other changes include:
  • improved efficiency in routing to accommodate nodes with hundreds of interfaces, such as a node servicing wireless subscribers
  • a "recent file" list for opening models
  • inclusion of the client and servers on the job results report

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