[Year 12 SofDev] Software tracking tools?

[Kevork Krozian]

Hi again,


With respect to software that tracks reliability and maintainability of
networks some might say what else can you use if not software ?
Well I am glad you asked.

There is a toolbox of "hardware" in the cisco course for tracking the
reliability and maintainability of networks typically from Fluke, the
manufacturer of hardware to test cables, DHCP servers and signal strength.
Typically devices such as the Linkrunner will tell you the length of UTP
cabling, whether it is straight through or crossover, whether all wires are
correctly crimped at each end and if not which pairs have problems and what
type of problems they are experiencing.  This tool can also tell you how far
from your wall plate to the other end of the cable run, whether a DHCP
server is connected at the other end etc.
Fibre optic tools such as an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) can
tell you how far a length of fibre optic is continuous and functional. A
fascinating problem we had recently was that a fibre run of around 180m was
somehow broken somewhere along the conduit between buildings isolating a
lab. The aforementioned tool identified the break at 31 m from a patch panel
allowing a much more precise localization of the problem and a faster
resolution.
One of the wireless techniques to ensure adequate coverage is the process of
a "site survey" to determine signal strength on a campus again with the use
of hardware and a walk through on site followed by a graphing of the
strength to determine the location and load requirements of access points.

Sorry if this doesn't interest everyone, but please receive it as a FYI and
a bit of background on the skills set students acquire when they study the
Cisco CCNA in any of the secondary schools that are also active Cisco
Academies. It seems to marry nicely with the content of the Software
Development course of which a significant portion is about networks.

Kind Regards


Kevork Krozian
Edulists Creator Administrator
www.edulists.com.au
tel: 0419 356 034


-----Original Message-----
From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of Kevork Krozian
Sent: Tuesday, 23 August 2011 5:35 PM
To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Software tracking tools?

Hi Mark,

   I am not sure if " Software tracking tools " refers to the tool being a
piece of software which measures network reliability or if tracking of
software is the purpose of the tool ( check for unlicensed software,
malicious software,  etc ).

   In Cisco, the theory covers throughput, goodput, channel capacity and
bandwidth to measure network performance. Each is a separate
measurement and meaning. Device hardening is also achieved through
diagnostic software to report on weaknesses, services and unused
protocols that can represent points of vulnerability in typically
switches ( layer 2 and 3  ) and routers.

  Tracking/tracing tools such as ping, traceroute, wireshark (inspection
of segments, packets, frames, protocols at each OSI layer ) allows for
checking of availability of routes, devices and any problems.


 I remember struggling to get a replacement router to work as it just
wouldn't allow us to use the old IP address. We used wireshark to see
which machine was attacking the old IP address by packet inspection and
upon turning it off, were able to make the old address work.

 Not sure if that helps. Perhaps Paula can clarify the intent of "Software
tracking tools".

Kind Regards

Kevork


> Mark,
> What about some sort of tool used to ping a server and monitor it status.
> Friendly Pinger was a simple one that came to mind.
> I think there are a few others
> Andrew
> Thomas Carr College
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Mark KELLY
> Sent: Tuesday, 23 August 2011 2:23 PM
> To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: [Year 12 SofDev] Software tracking tools?
>
> Hi all.  Help needed again.  SD U4O2 KK includes:
>
> "Techniques for measuring the reliability and maintainability of networks,
> including audits, error logs, software tracking tools"
>
> I can work out how audit (trails) and error logs could help, but can
> anyone suggest an example of a software tracking tool?
>
> I can't google up anything that looks like it would help measure the
> reliability of networks.
>
> Cheers
>
> --
> Mark Kelly
> Manager of ICT, Reporting, IT Learning Area McKinnon Secondary College
> McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia Direct line / Voicemail:
> +613 8520 9085, Fax +613 9578 9253 kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au VCE IT
> Lecture Notes: http://vceit.com
> Moderator: IT Applications Edulist
>
> Want a good time? Call 0112358. Ask for Mr Fibonacci.
>