Until HDMS, network managers had few choices when they wanted to expand their dial-up modem networks. To increase host capacity, they simply purchased new modems. The result was a hodgepodge of modems stacked haphazardly on top of each other. Not only did the modems occupy significant amounts of space, but when a modem failed, it was difficult to isolate and quickly troubleshoot the problem. The result: an inefficient network, a frazzled manager and frustrated users.
The HDMS includes several components: a chassis for rackmounting up to 32 modems per chassis to conserve space and energy, an Intelligent Network Controller (TM) to manage the modems as one integrated unit and the modems themselves. These modems include the HD/FAST (TM) dual modem card featuring 28.8 Kbs and the HD/4232bis dual modem card featuring 14.4 Kbs. Network managers can select the modem standards best suited to their specific network requirements, such as V.34 with MNP 10 Adverse Channel Protocol. Users even have the option of mixing and matching various modems and security types simultaneously.
Each HDMS plus chassis can accommodate 32 High Density (HD) modems and the Intelligent Network Controller (INC). Up to eight chassis can be daisy chained, allowing 254 modems to be controlled by a single INC. A V.24/EIA-232 interface is provided for each modem. The HD/FAST modem is also available with a V.35 interface (optional) for high-speed applications.
Operators can access the INC using a VT-100 compatible terminal or Microcom's PC-based HDMS/Relay (TM). Based on RELAY communications software, HDMS/Relay is a data management application that allows operators to collect HDMS data and alarms and back-up system configurations on a PC.
Additional features include: threshold processing with remote alarm posting, dry contact alarm relay and automatic remedial action.
The INC negotiates supported features with each HD modem in the system. Any HD modem can be installed in any chassis slot allowing for mixing and matching of modes and security types. More importantly, all modems and cards are upgradeable, enabling the user to easily adapt and expand the system in response to growth in the corporate network.
The HD/FAST modem supports data rates of 28.8 Kbs (V.34) and throughput rates of 115.2 Kbs. It supports two-wire dial and two-wire lease line as well as V.32bis, V.32, V.23, V.22bis, V.22, V.21, Bell 212A and Bell 103 for compatibility with your installed base of lower speed modems. The HD/FAST also features V.17, V.27, and V.21 fax support. The modem is equipped with flash downloadable memory, providing low cost product upgrades and protecting your investment. It is available with the standard V.24/EIA-232 interface or with a V.35 interface for your high speed applications.
The HD/4232bis features V.32bis with data rates of 14.4 Kbs and throughput rates of 57.6 Kbs. In addition, it features MNP Class 10, the most advanced class of MNP available and the most effective method for combating poor quality line conditions. MNP 10 offers two primary benefits: enhanced connectability and optimized performance. First, MNP 10 ensures a dial-up connection under harsh transmission conditions. Second, MNP 10 automatically adapts data packet size and modem transmission speed upward or downward in response to prevailing line conditions. By continuously optimizing connections and throughput, MNP 10 reduces connection time resulting in substantial telephone line cost savings and increased user productivity. MNP 10 enables users to reliably transmit data and faxes over cellular links.
A new feature in the HDMS is T1 support. This new capability allows customers to consolidate 24 business lines into a single T1 line. By bringing T1 into the HDMS, companies can reduce dial access charges and consistently maintain higher transmissions speeds - reducing dial charges, while maintaining the security and management functions provided by the HDMS Intelligent Network Controller.
The HDMS T1 interface consists of the HDMS T1 Line Interface Unit, which provides the interface to the T1 circuit, and the HD/FAST T1 Dual Modem card, which converts analog modem signals into digital Pulse Mode Modulation (PCM) signals.
The HDMS T1 Line Interface Unit is available as a non-intelligent unit or as an intelligent unit which can be managed by Telco System's Mux View.
Existing HD/FAST dual modem cards can be upgraded to support T1 by retrofitting them with the T1 adapter upgrade.
The HDMS T1 interface supports 24 T1 channels and fractional T1, D4 Superframe and Extended Superframe, AMU and B8ZS line coding.
Using the HDMS, network managers can easily construct and save modem command scripts to automate control and configuration of modems individually, by group or in any combination. Operators have the option of programming the INC to automatically configure modems on installation, power-up and reset. The modems can also be configured by switch or accessed individually via the INC from the operator's console.
Clocked operations enable modems to be disconnected, busied out, automatically configured or run through tests at preset times. Up to 64 separate dates/times or intervals and events can be programmed as far in advance as one year. To prevent setup problems, the INC monitors the modems during any automated configurations and reports the successes or failures in the event log.
The INC provides the operator with real-time information for up to the second decision making. This information includes:
The INC stores statistics on modem call history and performance and reports on the current status of network modems in real-time and snapshot format so that the information manager can spot common traffic patterns and alleviate bottlenecks. Event logs capture data on each user access, connection or connection attempt and alarm condition, thereby providing enough data for bill-back, security audits and detailed utilization reporting.
A continuous problem diagnostics report tracks the success and failure of each call over the collection period, enabling managers to gauge the fitness of any modem at a glance. Subsequent reports detect line quality problems, the number of call failures and reasons for call failures so that network operators are alerted to potential problems before they happen. By analyzing usage patterns, information managers can determine the most effective system configuration for company and user needs, while simultaneously safeguarding valuable company assets.
The HDMS provides ten methods of dial access security for inbound and outbound calls including Passthrough, Variable Callback, Fixed Callback, Password Connection Security (TM), Variable and Restricted Outbound and Application Security (Grouping). Callers are also qualified through up to four layers of security before being granted access to the host. The result is a dial-up network that is virtually hacker-proof. At the first sign of unusual activity on the network, the INC generates a series of alarms and can busy the modem, as well as disable the user ID, enabling managers to take action before serious damage is done to the computer system.
Event Log provides an audit of each system, modem, user and operator event, generating data that can be used to produce user invoices, calculate system connect times, spot utilization patterns and track potential modem or user problems.
Passthrough security allows the operator to set up unique IDs and passwords for each user.
Fixed Callback allows the operator to store the phone number of the caller's modem in the database, requiring the user to wait for a callback to his or her fixed location.
Variable Callback allows the caller to enter the telephone number of his or her current location and results in a callback to that location.
Password Connection Security (PCS (TM)) sends a hidden password through MNP -- if the password of the remote modem does not match that of the HD modem, the modems will not connect.
Clocked Modem Availability allows the operator to shut down the network up to one year in advance in anticipation of long weekends, holidays and planned corporate shutdowns.
Group Authorization prevents unauthorized users from accessing sensitive applications by restricting them to valid destinations.
Protected Configuration, designed for modem pool applications, automatically resets the modems to a stored configuration at the end of each call. Outbound modem users can alter configurations for their call without disturbing a company standard profile.
Other security features include a Password Randomizer that allows the operator to randomly generate scrambled passwords as an option. This enables users to change their own passwords periodically, in addition to password expiration features. HDMS also has the ability to send broadcast messages to callers, giving specifics on the company, system, hours of operation or other relevant information.
Microcom, the developer of MNP, was one of the first modem vendors to recognize the need for an HDMS-type product. Since the launch of the original HDMS in 1986, Microcom has enhanced the product in response to information management needs for added security and flexibility to create the HDMSplus -- the most fully featured modem network management on the market today.
Microcom has over 10,000 HDMS chassis installations worldwide, including leading Fortune 500 companies.