They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when it comes to networks, is a picture worth a thousand devices? Or at least the management of a thousand devices? That is the question Somerset, N.J.-based Lumeta is asking with the latest version of its IPsonar product, now in Version 4.

IPsonar 4.0 offers some enhancements that should make network discovery and inventory a little easier. Administrators will find that the product now offers:

• The integrated LNI (Lumeta Network Index), which creates and maintains a historical scorecard showing network risk, along with contributing factors.
• A new SOA (service-oriented architecture), which offers scalability for larger networks.
• The IPsonar MapViewer interface, which makes the product much easier to use by offering visual cues.
• An Open API, making it much easier to integrate the product into other management solutions.

Lumeta IPsonar 4.0 is available immediately, with pricing beginning at $75,000. Pricing is dependent on the size of the network and number of connections under management. While not cheap, the product does offer a way for integrators to perform discovery on large networks and perhaps roll the product into a managed services offering for large enterprise customers, or at the very least score a decent margin on the sale and implementation of an enterprise-level product.

For more information visit http://www.lumeta.com.

Frank J. Ohlhorst