Riverbed SteelCentral - Detailed Review
Networking Tools
Riverbed SteelCentral - Detailed Review Contents
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Riverbed SteelCentral - Product Overview
Riverbed SteelCentral Overview
Riverbed SteelCentral is a comprehensive solution within the networking tools category, specifically focused on managing and optimizing network, application, and end-user performance.Primary Function
The primary function of Riverbed SteelCentral is to provide centralized control, monitoring, and optimization of hybrid WANs and application performance. It helps IT professionals manage and improve the delivery of critical applications across various networks, ensuring secure, fast, and reliable service-level delivery.Target Audience
SteelCentral is primarily targeted at large enterprises with complex network infrastructures. These include organizations with over 10,000 employees and revenues exceeding $1 billion, often in the Information Technology and Services, and Computer Software industries.Key Features
Centralized Management
SteelCentral Controller for SteelHead offers centralized management for configuring, monitoring, upgrading, and troubleshooting SteelHead solutions. This includes managing groups of SteelHead appliances, virtual or cloud instances, and SteelHead Interceptor appliances from a single, easy-to-use web interface.Performance Monitoring and Reporting
The solution provides detailed reporting metrics such as traffic levels, application throughput performance, and TCP session flow characteristics. This helps in diagnosing problems and maintaining control over the application infrastructure. It also offers flexible reporting on performance improvements, bandwidth usage, and bandwidth compression.Application Optimization
SteelCentral dynamically selects the best path for application traffic based on application-aware, business intent-based policies and network availability. This can increase application and data transfer performance up to 100 times and delivers improved visibility with end-user monitoring for optimized traffic, including Web and SaaS applications.Integrated Visibility
The platform integrates with various Riverbed tools, such as SteelCentral NetProfiler, to provide a comprehensive view of network and application performance. It combines network flow data with packet-based performance metrics for proactive monitoring and analysis.Automated Analytics and Alerts
SteelCentral NetProfiler uses baseline statistics and proactive monitoring to trigger alerts when deviations are detected, helping in quick identification and resolution of issues without prior knowledge of specific applications or path dependencies.SD-WAN and Network Visibility
It ensures the success of SD-WAN environments by validating policies, troubleshooting problems, and enabling better planning. Additionally, it provides discovery and dependency mapping to automate the process of mapping transactions to their underlying infrastructure. By offering these features, Riverbed SteelCentral empowers IT teams to optimize network and application performance, ensuring a high-quality digital experience for end users. Riverbed SteelCentral - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of Riverbed SteelCentral
The user interface of Riverbed SteelCentral, particularly the SteelCentral Controller for SteelHead, is designed to be intuitive and centralized, making it easier for IT professionals to manage and monitor their network infrastructure.Centralized Management
The SteelCentral Controller for SteelHead provides a single, easy-to-use web interface that centralizes the configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of SteelHead appliances. This includes managing groups of SteelHead CX, EX, and Interceptor appliances, whether they are physical, virtual, or cloud-based.Dashboard and Visualization
The interface features a dashboard that offers a clear and comprehensive view of the application performance environment. It displays key metrics such as traffic levels, application throughput performance, and TCP session flow characteristics. This visibility helps in diagnosing problems and maintaining control over the application infrastructure.Configuration and Automation
Users can configure security setups, hybrid path selections, and other settings from this central interface. The controller automatically sends configurations to SteelHeads once they come online, streamlining the management process. It also supports scheduling updates and policy configurations to occur at specified times, such as after hours, to minimize disruptions.Reporting and Communication
The SteelCentral Controller facilitates the export of reports in PDF format, which helps in communicating health statistics and other metrics to administrators and stakeholders. This feature enhances collaboration and ensures that all relevant parties have access to the necessary information.Ease of Use
The interface is structured to be user-friendly, with features like automatic backups, health checks, and auto-registrations for SteelHead appliances. This reduces the manual effort required for managing the infrastructure, making it more efficient for IT teams to scale and optimize their SteelHead solutions.Overall User Experience
The overall user experience is enhanced by the integrated and modular design of SteelCentral. It provides a “single pane of glass” view, allowing users to track the entire digital experience from the user’s device to the back-end network, infrastructure, cloud, and applications. This comprehensive visibility helps in delivering a reliable and high-quality end-user experience.Conclusion
In summary, the user interface of Riverbed SteelCentral is designed for ease of use, providing a centralized, intuitive, and comprehensive platform for managing and monitoring network infrastructure, which significantly improves the overall user experience. Riverbed SteelCentral - Key Features and Functionality
Riverbed SteelCentral Overview
Riverbed SteelCentral is a comprehensive platform for application and network performance management, integrating several key features and functionalities that leverage AI to enhance performance monitoring and troubleshooting.
Digital Experience Management (DEM)
SteelCentral focuses on DEM, which involves monitoring the performance of end-user devices, applications, networks, and infrastructure. This is achieved through end-user and application monitoring, as well as network and infrastructure monitoring. This approach allows for a granular view of performance issues from the end user’s perspective, enabling more accurate diagnosis and resolution of problems.
Transaction Analysis
The SteelCentral Transaction Analyzer is a crucial component that analyzes user transactions across multiple tiers to identify the root cause of performance issues. It collates packet traces from individual user transactions into a single multi-tier view, visualizing application and network message exchanges. This tool helps in automating the diagnosis of performance bottlenecks and predicting the impact of changes on application response times before deployment.
Integration with Other Tools
SteelCentral integrates seamlessly with other Riverbed tools such as SteelCentral AppResponse, which monitors real-time end-user experience and isolates transactions for drill-down analysis. SteelCentral AppInternals provides deep monitoring of individual application components, tracing user transactions through the application and network layers. SteelCentral AppMapper creates runtime application dependency diagrams using capture agents, enhancing the overall visibility of transaction dynamics.
AI-Driven Analytics
The platform incorporates AI through features like Prism, which uses AI to visualize the conversion funnel and spot issues. This AI-based business analytics capability provides meaningful insights by analyzing large volumes of transaction data and identifying trends over time. This helps users proactively resolve problems by visually examining transaction flow trends.
Centralized Management
The SteelCentral Controller for SteelHead offers centralized management, configuration, and monitoring of Riverbed SteelHead solutions. It streamlines configuration and ongoing management of large deployments, simplifies group configurations, and provides cluster management for SteelHead Interceptor appliances. This centralized approach ensures consistent configurations across different locations or business functions and facilitates automatic derivation of all application path possibilities.
Performance Monitoring and Reporting
The SteelCentral Controller provides detailed reporting on performance improvements, bandwidth usage, and application-specific metrics. It identifies over 1,200 application signatures and offers application-level reporting, giving insights into top applications, average throughput, and optimized vs. pass-through traffic. The controller also displays a centralized view of the overall health of all SteelHeads and supports SNMP MIBs for monitoring through third-party applications.
Network Performance Management
SteelCentral enhances network performance management, particularly in Big Data environments. It introduces new capabilities for monitoring and optimizing network performance, including analyzing packet congestion and other network issues that might impact application performance. The integration with tools like Aternity and NetProfiler allows for a comprehensive view of both application and network performance.
End-User Experience Monitoring
The platform includes end-user experience monitoring, which validates the extent of performance issues at a granular level from the end user’s device. This is achieved through the integration with Aternity, which provides a view of performance right from the end user’s device, enabling more accurate and swift resolution of issues.
Automation and Integration
SteelCentral automates many processes, such as incident report generation through integration with ServiceNow, which speeds up the Mean Time To Repair (MTTR). It also automates configuration and policy settings for SteelHead deployments, ensuring uninterrupted service even during updates or changes.
Conclusion
In summary, Riverbed SteelCentral offers a holistic approach to managing digital performance by integrating AI-driven analytics, centralized management, detailed performance monitoring, and seamless integration with other tools to provide a comprehensive solution for application and network performance management.
Riverbed SteelCentral - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Riverbed SteelCentral, particularly when combined with SteelHead WAN optimization, demonstrates significant performance enhancements. Here are some key performance benefits:Application Speed
SteelHead optimization can increase file transfer speeds by up to 10 times and search speeds by up to 3 times, as seen in the Mott MacDonald case study.Bandwidth Reduction
SteelHead can reduce bandwidth usage by up to 50%, and in some cases, up to 8 times, which is crucial for managing network resources efficiently.Global Collaboration
By optimizing network performance, SteelCentral enables global collaboration with LAN-like speeds at remote office locations, enhancing productivity and reducing latency issues.Accuracy in Diagnosis and Monitoring
SteelCentral tools are highly accurate in diagnosing and monitoring application and network performance:Transaction Analysis
SteelCentral Transaction Analyzer provides detailed analysis of user transactions across multiple tiers, accurately identifying the root cause of performance problems through visualization and expert analysis.Real-Time Monitoring
SteelCentral AppResponse offers real-time end-user experience monitoring, allowing for quick identification and resolution of network and application performance issues. It collects packet, application, and transaction data for continuous monitoring and fast troubleshooting.Deep Monitoring
SteelCentral AppInternals traces user transactions through the application, providing deep monitoring of individual components and a unified view of a transaction’s dynamics, including network messages and code-level call trees.Centralized Management and Visibility
The SteelCentral Controller for SteelHead offers centralized management and visibility, which is essential for large, global enterprises:Centralized Control
It streamlines configuration, monitoring, upgrading, and troubleshooting of SteelHead solutions from a single dashboard, providing a global view of the infrastructure and application performance.Reporting and Visibility
The controller provides flexible reporting on performance improvements, bandwidth usage, and application-level reporting, helping IT professionals diagnose problems and maintain control over the application infrastructure.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Riverbed SteelCentral is highly effective, there are some potential limitations and areas for improvement:Cost and Resource Intensity
Implementing and maintaining such a comprehensive solution can be costly and resource-intensive, especially for smaller organizations. The need for significant infrastructure and expertise might be a barrier.Complexity in Initial Setup
Although the SteelCentral Controller simplifies ongoing management, the initial setup and configuration of the entire system can be complex, requiring substantial IT expertise.Integration with Other Tools
While SteelCentral integrates well with other Riverbed tools, integrating it with third-party solutions might require additional effort and customization. In summary, Riverbed SteelCentral offers exceptional performance and accuracy in diagnosing and monitoring network and application issues. Its centralized management and detailed analytics make it a valuable tool for large enterprises. However, it may present challenges in terms of cost and initial setup complexity, and integration with non-Riverbed tools could be an area for further improvement. Riverbed SteelCentral - Pricing and Plans
Support Plans
Riverbed offers various support plans that differ in the level of service and response time:- Silver Level Support: This plan includes repair or replacement of hardware via ground delivery after receiving the failed unit. It also provides free maintenance releases and software updates.
- Gold Level Support: This plan offers advance replacement of hardware, with replacement requests confirmed by 2:00 PM local time shipped for next business day delivery.
- Gold Plus Level Support: This plan includes up to 4-hour on-site replacement of hardware.
- Platinum Level Support: The most comprehensive plan, which includes up to 4-hour on-site hardware replacement with a field engineer to replace and set up the IP address for the new appliance. It also includes 24/7 access to website, phone, and email support, software support, and an annual service review.
SteelCentral Product Usage Bundles
These bundles are part of the SteelCentral offerings and vary in cost and scope:- Option 1: $2,500 – This bundle is part of the SteelCentral Product Usage Bundle and must be quoted with a Riverbed product usage form or Professional Services SOW.
- Option 2: $10,000 – Similar to Option 1, but with more extensive features and support.
- Option 3: $15,000 – Provides even more comprehensive support and features.
- Option 4: $25,000 – The most extensive bundle with the highest level of support and features.
SteelCentral Controller for SteelHead
This tool helps manage SteelHead WAN optimization deployments:- SteelCentral Controller Virtual edition Single Instance License: Priced at $1,500. This allows for central management of SteelHead deployments via a web-based dashboard.
SteelCentral NetProfiler Upgrade Readiness Service
This service is designed to help customers upgrade their SteelCentral NetProfiler:- The service includes phases such as analysis, design, enablement, operation, and evolution. It helps in minimizing downtime, accelerating implementation, reducing risk and costs, and enhancing solution utilization. The pricing for this specific service is not detailed in the available sources, but it is part of the broader professional services offered by Riverbed.
SteelCentral UCExpert
For unified communications monitoring, the pricing varies based on the number of existing licenses:- UCExpert Standard Phone License – Base Tier: $21.00 for accounts with up to 9,999 existing licenses.
- Tier 10K: $15.40 for accounts with 10,000 to 30,000 existing licenses.
- Tier 30K: $11.90 for accounts with 30,000 to 100,000 existing licenses.
- Tier 100K: $7.70 for accounts with 100,000 to 250,000 existing licenses.
- Tier 250K: Pricing not specified for accounts with over 250,000 existing licenses.
Free Options
There are no explicitly mentioned free options for the SteelCentral products. However, the support plans include free maintenance releases and software updates as part of the subscription. Riverbed SteelCentral - Integration and Compatibility
Riverbed SteelCentral Overview
Riverbed SteelCentral, particularly the SteelCentral Controller for SteelHead, is designed to integrate seamlessly with various Riverbed and third-party tools, ensuring comprehensive management and monitoring of network, application, and user experience.
Integration with Riverbed Products
- The SteelCentral Controller for SteelHead is central to managing and configuring Riverbed SteelHead appliances. It enables the registration and monitoring of SteelHeads, allowing for the configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of these devices.
- SteelCentral Controller also integrates with SteelFusion Edge appliances, but it is important to note that the software versions of the Core and Edge components must not be more than two major releases apart to ensure compatibility.
- For SteelHead deployments, the SteelCentral Controller simplifies the configuration and ongoing management by providing a centralized view of the overall health of all SteelHeads, including performance metrics such as traffic levels, application throughput, and TCP session flow characteristics.
Compatibility Across Different Platforms
- The SteelCentral Controller supports various deployment options, including virtual and cloud instances of SteelHead appliances. It is compatible with VMware vSphere Hypervisor, specifically ESXi 6.0 Patch 6 and optionally ESXi 6.5 Patch 2, which can be managed through the vCenter Server.
- For web-based management, the SteelCentral Controller and other Riverbed management consoles have been tested with web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox Extended Support Release version 38, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 11. JavaScript and cookies must be enabled in the web browser.
Integration with Third-Party Tools
- Riverbed SteelCentral also integrates with other tools to enhance its capabilities. For example, it integrates with Riverbed Xirrus Wi-Fi access points, allowing for the monitoring and resolution of end-user issues related to Wi-Fi signal strength or device performance.
- The platform leverages AI-based visualizations and big transaction data to provide detailed insights into application performance and user experience. This includes innovative reports like the “Prism” report, which examines transaction trends over time.
Configuration and Authentication
- The SteelCentral Controller allows for flexible configuration options, including the use of a wizard-like process for defining application policies based on business requirements. It also supports SSL authentication on custom ports, which can be configured via the Riverbed Command-Line Interface (CLI).
Conclusion
In summary, Riverbed SteelCentral is highly integrated with other Riverbed products and compatible with various platforms, including VMware hypervisors and different web browsers. Its integration with third-party tools like Riverbed Xirrus Wi-Fi access points enhances its capability to manage and monitor the digital experience comprehensively.
Riverbed SteelCentral - Customer Support and Resources
Riverbed SteelCentral Support Overview
Riverbed SteelCentral offers a comprehensive array of customer support options and additional resources to ensure users can effectively manage and optimize their network deployments.Contact Support
Users can reach Riverbed support through various channels, either online or over the phone, depending on their preference. Here are some key contact details:Global Support Email
Email: support@riverbed.comPhone Support
Phone Support: Riverbed provides toll-free and toll numbers for various countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and more. For example, in the U.S., you can call 1.888.782.3822 (1.888.RVBD.TAC).Online Resources
Before contacting support, users are encouraged to explore other support options that may provide quicker solutions:Knowledge Base
Knowledge Base: A comprehensive resource that includes detailed documentation and troubleshooting guides.User Documentation
User Documentation: Extensive manuals and guides for configuring and managing Riverbed products.Online Cases
Online Cases: Users can submit support cases online, and a member of the support team will respond as quickly as possible.Support Plans
Riverbed offers various support plans that include:24/7 Issue Resolution
24/7 Issue Resolution: Around-the-clock technical support available via web, phone, and email.Software Upgrades
Software Upgrades: Access to software updates and new feature releases at no additional cost.Hardware Replacement
Hardware Replacement: Flexible hardware replacement options expedited by a global logistics network.Access to KnowledgeBase and User Community
Access to KnowledgeBase and User Community: Users can benefit from a vast, rigorously maintained KnowledgeBase and an active user community.Enhanced Support Solutions
For enhanced support, Riverbed provides personalized priority support and services delivered by Riverbed experts. This includes the option to purchase multi-year support to protect against future price increases and the ability to mix support levels as long as all production assets are covered by an active support contract.Enterprise Management Tools
Tools like the SteelCentral Controller (SCC) enable users to manage, configure, and monitor Riverbed products. The SCC acts as an enterprise management and reporting tool, providing greater control over global network deployments. It also supports features like autoregistration of SteelHeads and custom authentication ports for secure communication.Additional Tools and Software
Riverbed offers specialized tools such as the SteelCentral Transaction Analyzer, which provides detailed analysis of transactions through visualization and analysis techniques. This tool helps in identifying the root cause of performance problems and can be used for application network readiness testing and predicting the impact of changes on application response times. By leveraging these support options and resources, users of Riverbed SteelCentral can ensure optimal performance and minimal downtime for their network deployments. Riverbed SteelCentral - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Riverbed SteelCentral
Riverbed SteelCentral, particularly the SteelCentral Controller for SteelHead, offers several significant advantages for managing and optimizing network and application performance:Centralized Management
- SteelCentral Controller for SteelHead provides a central point of control for managing SteelHead deployments, including configuration, monitoring, upgrading, and troubleshooting. This centralized management streamlines the process, especially for large, global enterprises.
Simplified Configuration and Reporting
- The tool simplifies configuration management with flexible group features, allowing consistent configurations to be deployed across specific locations or business functions. It also provides detailed reporting on performance improvements, bandwidth usage, and application-level metrics.
Enhanced Visibility and Control
- SteelCentral offers comprehensive visibility into application performance, including traffic levels, application throughput, and TCP session flow characteristics. This helps in diagnosing problems and maintaining control over the application infrastructure. New dashboards provide at-a-glance views globally, by sites, and by application.
Optimization and Performance
- The system dynamically selects the best path based on application-aware and business intent-based policies, significantly increasing application and data transfer performance. It can improve performance up to 100 times and provides improved visibility for optimized Web and SaaS applications.
Integration and Compatibility
- SteelCentral integrates with various Riverbed solutions, such as Xirrus Wi-Fi access points, to ensure a seamless digital experience. It also supports SNMP MIBs for monitoring through third-party applications and includes AI-based visualizations for better insights into transaction trends.
Uninterrupted Service
- The system supports additions or removal of SteelHeads without affecting operations. It facilitates backup and restore of all configuration files and allows scheduling of updates and policy configurations to occur during off-peak hours.
Holistic Monitoring
- SteelCentral Portal combines user experience, application, and network data into a centralized solution, providing a single source of truth for application performance. This holistic view helps operational teams focus on strategic projects and accelerates troubleshooting.
Disadvantages of Riverbed SteelCentral
While Riverbed SteelCentral offers numerous benefits, there are some potential drawbacks and considerations:Initial Setup and Configuration
- Setting up and configuring the SteelCentral Controller for SteelHead can be complex, especially for those unfamiliar with the system. It requires careful planning and initial configuration, including DNS server setup for autoregistration.
Dependency on Other Tools
- The full functionality of SteelCentral may depend on the integration with other Riverbed tools and solutions, such as SteelHead appliances, AppResponse, and Xirrus Wi-Fi. This could add to the overall cost and complexity of the system.
Learning Curve
- The extensive features and capabilities of SteelCentral can result in a significant learning curve for IT professionals. Effective use of the tool may require training and time to become proficient.
Cost
- Implementing and maintaining a comprehensive solution like SteelCentral can be costly. The need for multiple components and potential licensing fees for various features may be a barrier for some organizations.
Scalability Limitations
- While SteelCentral is designed for large-scale deployments, there may be limitations in scaling certain features or managing extremely large and distributed environments without additional resources and planning.
Riverbed SteelCentral - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing Riverbed SteelCentral with Other AI-Driven Networking Tools
Several key points and alternatives come to the forefront.Unique Features of Riverbed SteelCentral
Riverbed SteelCentral is known for its comprehensive application performance infrastructure solutions. Here are some of its unique features:- Application Visibility and Optimization: SteelCentral provides deep visibility into application performance and optimizes it across the network, ensuring better user experience and reduced latency.
- Global Reach: It is widely used in various regions including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific.
- Scalable Licensing: The SteelHead Controller for SteelHead Mobile offers a cost-effective and scalable concurrent licensing model, which helps in managing licenses efficiently.
Top Competitors and Their Features
Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks is a significant competitor, especially with its AI-native networking platform.- AI-Native Platform: Juniper’s platform unifies campus, branch, and data center networking operations using a common AI engine and the Mist Marvis Virtual Network Assistant (VNA). This results in up to 90% fewer networking trouble tickets and up to 85% reduction in networking OpEx.
- Predictive Analytics: Juniper’s AI-powered platform ensures reliable, measurable, and secure connections for all devices, users, applications, and assets.
SolarWinds
SolarWinds is another major competitor in the network administration and management category.- Comprehensive Monitoring: SolarWinds offers a wide range of network monitoring tools that provide real-time insights into network performance, helping in quick issue detection and resolution.
- User Base: SolarWinds has a significant market share of 18.34% in the network administration and management category.
Nile AI Services Platform
Nile, backed by former Cisco CEO John Chambers, is an emerging player in AI networking.- AI-Based Network Design and Automation: Nile’s platform includes AI-based network design, automated network deployment, and AI-powered network monitoring and operations. It integrates security, cloud-native service delivery, and AI-powered closed-loop automation.
Other Alternatives
LogicMonitor
LogicMonitor is known for its AI-driven insights in network monitoring.- Anomaly Detection and Predictive Analytics: LogicMonitor automates anomaly detection and provides predictive analytics to anticipate potential network problems, reducing the time needed to resolve incidents.
Auvik
Auvik enhances network monitoring with AI-driven features.- Network Mapping and Device Discovery: Auvik automates tasks such as network mapping, device discovery, and configuration backups. Its AI helps in identifying unusual patterns in network behavior and provides predictive analytics for proactive maintenance.
NinjaOne
NinjaOne focuses on automation, real-time monitoring, and proactive issue resolution.- Automated Anomaly Detection and Predictive Analytics: NinjaOne automates routine tasks like network discovery, device monitoring, and patch management. It also supports predictive analytics to prevent problems before they escalate.
Market Share and Customer Base
Riverbed SteelCentral has a notable customer base, with over 359 companies using it for network administration and management. The majority of its customers are in the United States, followed by India and Germany. In summary, while Riverbed SteelCentral offers strong application performance optimization and visibility, competitors like Juniper Networks, SolarWinds, Nile, LogicMonitor, Auvik, and NinjaOne provide unique AI-driven features that cater to different aspects of network management, such as predictive analytics, automated network design, and real-time monitoring. Each of these alternatives has its own strengths and can be considered based on the specific needs of an organization. Riverbed SteelCentral - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Riverbed SteelCentral
What is the SteelHead Central Controller, and what are its primary functions?
The SteelHead Central Controller (SCC) is a management tool that enables you to configure, monitor, and manage Riverbed SteelHead appliances and other Riverbed products. It simplifies application performance and path management, ensuring secure service-level delivery for business-critical applications. The SCC also provides performance monitoring, reporting, and troubleshooting capabilities.How does the SteelHead Central Controller manage hybrid WANs?
The SCC allows you to leverage and control hybrid WANs by prioritizing, securing, and delivering applications over any network (MPLS and Internet) based on intent-based, global business policies. It helps in managing both critical and less-critical applications, ensuring they are delivered over the most appropriate network paths.What kind of performance monitoring and reporting does the SteelHead Central Controller offer?
The SCC provides comprehensive performance monitoring with reporting metrics such as traffic levels, application throughput performance, and TCP session flow characteristics. This helps in diagnosing and fixing problems. It also offers flexible reporting on performance improvements, bandwidth usage, bandwidth compression, and the specific performance of particular ports, applications, and appliances.How do SteelHeads register with the SteelCentral Controller?
SteelHeads must be registered with the SCC to be monitored and managed. They send a registration request periodically to the SCC, either to a specified IP address or hostname, or to a default SCC hostname. For autoregistration to work with the default hostname, the DNS server must be configured to map to the hostname “riverbedcmc” and the IP address of the SCC.What are the key features of the Riverbed SteelCentral NetCollector?
The SteelCentral NetCollector acts as a central repository for topology, traffic, and configuration data. It provides automated device discovery, online configuration data collection, and supports various network devices including routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers. It also offers a rich data model that infers topology and relationships between physical, logical, and virtual components, and supports comprehensive configuration and performance data frameworks.How does the SteelCentral NetCollector integrate with other Riverbed tools?
The SteelCentral NetCollector integrates with the Riverbed SteelCentral Network Planning & Configuration Management (NPCM) suite. It mediates data at multiple timescales, including scheduled, on-demand, polling at regular intervals, event-triggered, and workflow-initiated in real-time. This integration helps in providing a complete view of the network infrastructure and application delivery chain.What kind of support and maintenance options are available for Riverbed SteelCentral products?
Riverbed offers various support and maintenance options, including Gold Plus and Platinum support packages. These packages vary in cost based on the number of devices and the level of support required. For example, the SteelCentral NetProfiler and SteelHead products have different support tiers with corresponding pricing.Can the SteelHead Central Controller manage large-scale deployments?
Yes, the SCC is designed to streamline the configuration and ongoing management of large SteelHead deployments. It simplifies configuration management with flexible group features, allowing consistent configurations to be deployed across multiple SteelHead appliances and virtual or cloud instances. It also facilitates cluster management for SteelHead Interceptor appliances.How does the SteelHead Central Controller help in troubleshooting network issues?
The SCC provides performance monitoring and reporting metrics that help diagnose and fix problems. It offers detailed views of traffic levels, application throughput performance, and TCP session flow characteristics, which are crucial for troubleshooting network issues.Is there a recommended method for configuring the SteelHead Central Controller?
It is recommended not to use the Riverbed CLI to configure the SCC. Instead, the configuration should be done through the SCC’s user interface, which provides a wizard-like process for defining application policies based on business requirements.What kind of reporting and visibility does the SteelCentral Controller provide?
The SCC provides a centralized view of the overall health of all SteelHeads, along with detailed reports on bandwidth usage, bandwidth compression, and the specific performance of particular ports, applications, and appliances. This ensures comprehensive visibility into the network and application performance.