Case Study : NTT Data
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) has been
responsible for building and operating Japan's telephone and data communications networks since its inception, its
lifeline infrastructure supporting the lives of 120 million people and a GDP of more than 490 trillion yen. NTT DATA
is an NTT Group company, which was spun off from NTT as an independent corporation in May 1988.
NTT DATA is Japan's top system-integration company. It has engineered much of Japan's public IT infrastructure through a series of large projects for both the public and private sector. In addition, it has built a vast number of corporate network systems. The company functions as an IT partner, service provider and systems integrator.
With expanding IT infrastructure, NTT DATA faced the challenge of managing all their field-installed network routers that were scattered across the country at various customer sites. In Japan, paying for access to phone lines is impractical in a network environment, making wireless connectivity a more acceptable solution.
It was also important for the NTT DATA network managers to be able to monitor and control network routers, meaning they needed a way to establish two-way communication.
Finally, like any corporate network, it was important that security not be compromised.
Fielding Calls
NTT DATA developed a wireless network management system called the "Network Fielder System" that provides a common Web-based environment for configuring network equipment. The system incorporates several devices:
- Lantronix's SCS200 Secure Console Server
- Web-enabled PDA or cell phone (called an i mode phone)
- A wireless modem
- A configuration management server
While the Network Fielder System has a number of diverse
advantages, it truly shows its value when a network router fails. In the event of a router failure, NTT DATA simply
sends a new router directly to the location where a semi-technical support person can connect it to a Lantronix SCS200
and the configuration can be done from a remote location.
To configure or reconfigure a router, NTT DATA's network managers use their i mode phone or PDA to wirelessly connect to a configuration management server. They use simple on-screen displays to identify the appropriate router, and select configuration files and firmware.
The configuration management server sends a wireless signal directly to the SCS200, specially designed with a cellular modem capable of receiving the signal, which then communicates the programming change to the router. Through the same process, NTT DATA can configure or re-configure multiple routers at the same time.
Gains in Going Wireless
NTT DATA says the Network Fielder System has saved them
a tremendous amount of travel time and it has reduced the operating budget of their IT department dramatically.
NTT DATA points to the security features included in the SCS200 that make this wireless network a realistic option. The
SCS200 includes user authentication, encryption and IP security allowing only specified IP address access to the system.
In addition to security, Console Management solutions provide the benefit of both in-band and out-of-band management, ensuring that networked devices are always accessible, even when individual devices along the network (such as a switch or router) fail. With in-band connectivity, a Console Server will allow simple connections via telnet. When in-band management is not possible, the Console Server provides the alternative of out-of-band management through dial-in connectivity.
With in-band and out-of-band management, Console Servers allow network management personnel to avoid performance loss and network downtime.
The next generation of the Network Fielder System will take advantage of the SCS200's notification feature. In the future, network managers will not only be able to monitor equipment, but equipment will actually send an e-mail or page to the network manager when a problem is detected. The benefits will be faster recognition of potential network failures, faster response and less downtime.
Contact Info:
Kristine Fowler
949-450-7240
kristine.fowler@lantronix.com
