IBM, Cisco collaborate on network management

IBM and Cisco are to launch a jointly-developed product that brings together their respective technologies to improve network management.

Cisco's Assurance Management Solution product is aimed at providing network fault monitoring, trouble isolation, and real-time service-level event management for telcos. It will integrate the company's Active Network Abstraction device management and mediation products from IBM's Tioli Netcool/Omnibus and Netcool/Precision management software.

The new joint product is claimed to be able to help service provider customers change network devices and configurations without having to change their service management and operations support systems applications. The two companies said in a joint statement that the solution will enable service providers to effectively manage IP-based services and reduce implementation and maintenance costs.

Cisco will also be able to incorporate other Tivoli technologies in future versions of assurance solutions and offer professional services to implement the products with customers.

"Cisco Active Network Abstraction is the basis of future solutions being delivered to our service provider customers. This expanded collaboration with IBM provides customers with the confidence that Cisco's new device management and mediation products will work with IBM software," said Cliff Meltzer, senior vice president of the Network Management Technology Group at Cisco.

He said the commitment from IBM will provide joint customers with a platform that "transforms their network into a strategic business asset."