Microcom HDMS Modem Management System
Part Number: MCR-1221030

Microcom HDMS plus Unit. Features HD/Fast 28.8 Kbs V.34 Dual Modem Support, Two-Wire Transmission, Flash Memory, PCS Security, V.35 High-Speed Backplane Adapter and Five-Year Warranty.


The Microcom HDMS plus (TM) (High Density Management System) is a modem management system for dial-up networks. It provides operational statistics, security, modem control, real-time monitoring and configuration of multiple channels in a single system. The HDMS plus eases network growing pains, providing comprehensive network management and security capabilities for central sites. When you install an HDMS, you effectively bring in extra networking staff on duty 24 hours a day to monitor your modem network. Not only does this "extra staff" recognize immediately when a problem occurs, it is also able to swiftly isolate the problem, call for help and take immediate action so that modem users on the network are not inconvenienced by down time.

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 rack mounting 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.

HDMS plus Chassis (TM)

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.

Intelligent Network Controller (INC)

The "brains" of the HDMS, the INC, provides real-time monitoring of EIA-232 signals, alarms, statistics, diagnostics, modem setup and remote standalone configuration capabilities. The INC also provides dial access security with event logging, port grouping and clocked operations.

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.

Secondary Controller (Optional)

In multiple chassis systems, a secondary controller card in each slave chassis provides an LED display of EIA-232 signals and acts as an interchassis communications driver.

Modem Card Information

The HDMS modems are available in two different models -- the HD/FAST and the HD/4232bis. Both are dual modem cards and adhere to relevant international standards. Up to sixteen modem cards (32 modems) fit in the chassis.

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.

NETWORK MANAGEMENT FEATURES

Alarm Threshold Processing

Alarm threshold processing is designed to provide data communications professionals with maximum flexibility in managing their networks by enabling them to determine at what point, or severity level, alarms should be triggered. The operator has the option of setting alarm thresholds for 15 different abnormal events such as ring no answer, no dial-tone and security violation, among others.

Modem Setup With Ease

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.

Sophisticated Management Reports and Audit Trails

Easily displayed real-time and static reports enable the HDMS operator to know who's using the network and who's abusing it.

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.

SECURITY FEATURES

Four Layers of Dial-Access Security Provide Accountability and Control

Despite increasing headlines on computer viruses, one of the most under-implemented requirements in central site installations is dial access security to host applications. Log-on procedures are among the most common methods of restricting access and qualifying users, yet by the time users see a log-on confirmation message, the damage is done and users have already gained access to the host.

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.

INBOUND SECURITY

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.

OUTBOUND SECURITY

Allows the data processing center to restrict or direct the calls of outbound modem pool users by password logon and even generates a report of who dialed out, where they dialed and how long they were connected.

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.

GROUPING

The HDMS provides multiple host access at the central site by enabling up to eight separate hosts/applications groups to be simultaneously connected to one HDMS system. Using this feature, information managers can route calls, implement least-cost call routing and facilitate resource allocation on callback as if using a matrix switch. Each host group continues to be protected with Passthrough and Callback security features to ensure accountability.

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.

Corporate Headquarters: 10140 Mesa Rim Road, San Diego, CA 92121
(619) 453-9191 (800) 334-9191 Fax: (619) 453-9294
E-mail: inquire@andataco.com URL: http://www.andataco.com


Analog Modems: Microcom HDMS Plus with HD/Fast and v.35 - MCR-1221030