VIP 7.1 Makes z/OS Network Monitoring Easier and More Efficient

Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, USA - 24 June 2009 - An even more efficient and simple-to-use version of the Vital Signs IP Monitor (VIP) for z/OS mainframe networks became available from Software Diversified Services recently. VIP 7.1 provides administrators of z/OS networks with real-time and historical monitoring of TCP/IP and HPR networks.

Spring Lake Park, Minn. (PRWEB) June 24, 2009 -- An even more efficient and simple-to-use version of the Vital Signs IP Monitor (VIP) for z/OS mainframe networks became available from Software Diversified Services recently.

VIP 7.1 provides administrators of z/OS networks with real-time and historical monitoring of TCP/IP and HPR networks.

Described by the product developers at SDS as a "Reliability, Availability, and Servicea-bility" (SAR) release, VIP 7.1 now consumes an absolute minimum of network and CPU overhead, while delivering the most thorough monitoring and diagnostic tools in the mainframe industry.

In VIP 7.1, users will see...

- A single sign-on for VIP support monitoring of multiple z/OS systems, even when those systems use different security databases.

- An all-new Remote Application Monitor that tracks the availability of any remote TCP server--including web servers--with a minimum of network overhead. Administrators can receive immediate alerts to unreachable or unresponsive applications.

- The ability to define specific groups of z/OS systems any one user is interested in, and to easily switch VIP displays from one group or another.

- TCP Client Monitoring that shows VIP users outgoing traffic from TCP clients, data-base requests, for example.

- VIP's tool for IP packet tracing, already the most productive packet trace tool in the mainframe world, has been improved to allow a trace to run indefinitely--making it much easier to track down fleeting, intermittent problems.

- VIP's tools for pinging, tracing routes, and monitoring remote hosts can now send TCP requests to specific ports, thus they more accurately report the state of the net-work as seen by production applications.

- Mouse-click on almost any IP address reported by VIP; VIP will immediately display the associated domain name. And vice-versa: click on a domain name; VIP will show you its IP address.

- For monitoring FTP, telnet, and TN3270, VIP's reliance on IBM's System Manage-ment Facility (SMF) has been entirely replaced with a newer, simpler, more efficient option, the Network Management Interface (NM API).

This latest version of VIP follows close on the heels of VIP 7.0, released in spring 2008. With that version, VIP introduced configuration and performance monitoring for SNA-HPR-Enterprise Extender networks and for TCP/IP Sysplex Distributors.

In efficiency, ease-of-use, and thoroughness of monitoring, VIP 7.1 will consistently outperform other monitors, including those packaged in software suites.

Founded in 1982 and headquartered near Minneapolis, MN, SDS now provides a wide range of performance monitoring, report distribution, data compression, and client-server applications to more than 1,000 customers in the US and 37 other countries. With 20 server-proven products for the IBM VM, VSE, and z/OS mainframe systems, SDS is an Advanced member of IBM PartnerWorldTM. SDS provides some of the highest quality software, documentation, and technical support in the industry, and has been assigned a #1 rating by IBEX.

For more information, a free white paper, or a live demonstration by webcast, see www.sdsusa.com/vip, or call 800.443.6183, or write to sales at sdsusa.com.

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