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For network managers, the NIMS offers added security, centralized licensing, a centralized update service, and failover redundancy. Without the NIMS, the network manager must administer each probe individually when there is a staff change, new software update, or any other event that would affect distributed analysis.
For network administrators, the NIMS provides shared access to analysis tools, including Observer and Probe filter libraries.
Use the NIMS to…
- Authenticate users for probe access from one central location
- Manage user passwords and permissions globally
- Define probe rights by individual users, user groups, or probe groups
- Maintain a log of all probe access activity
- Share filters with Observer users across the network
- License new probes automatically as they connect into the network
- Utilize a Centralized Update System to efficiently administer version upgrades
Centralized Rights Management
The NIMS replaces individual probe administration tasks with a centralized repository for authentication information. Rather than maintaining separate user accounts on each probe, all probes query the NIMS to authenticate users. Not only does this ease administration but it also helps customize access levels.
Choose to manually enter accounts or automatically populate and update accounts from a local Windows system, Active Directory, or RADIUS server.
Use NIMS’s centralized rights management to:
- Record all access activity, including successful and unsuccessful logins
- Grant access permissions based on group or individual probe membership
- Block access after a pre-defined number of unsuccessful login attempts
- Setup alarms and e-mail notifications on failed logins
Authentication Schemes
- Active Directory
- Internal NIMS Authentication
- RADIUS Server
Secure NIMS-Probes Communication
The NIMS automatically ensures secure NIMS-probe communications by encrypting all data as it is sent across the network. Once probes are authenticated into the NIMS, the connection is secured with a 128-bit shared key encryption.
Centralized Licensing
Network managers can utilize the NIMS to centrally maintain individual probe licenses. By selecting this option, the NIMS will then auto-assign licenses to Network Instruments’ probes as they are detected on the network. This functionality is ideal for IT departments that transport probes throughout the enterprise.
Use NIMS’s centralized licensing to:
- Grant licenses on a first-come, first-served basis
- Quickly and efficiently authorize multiple Observer products
- Manage multiples types of licenses such as Expert Observer, Observer Suite, and software or hardware probes
Centralized Update System
The NIMS can localize the administration of major and minor version updates, allowing network administrators to maintain version control. For example, when new Observer or probe software versions are released, the network manager simply updates the NIMS, which will administer all other probe updates.
The NIMS manages software updates in a variety of ways:
- Automatically update to the latest software version
- Ensure all software remains at a certain version number
- Upgrade minor releases only, not major releases
- Only update Observer consoles
Failover Redundancy
Use the redundant NIMS to protect against connection failure and safeguard analysis investments. This protection guarantees that real-time analysis and distributed visibility will continue if for any reason the primary NIMS becomes unavailable. With this option, console and probe communication is always secure and constant.
Shared Access to Analysis Tools
A key NIMS benefit for network administrators is the ability to share filter libraries across probes and across the network with other Observer users. Filter lists can be uploaded or downloaded to or from the NIMS as often as necessary. Filters, a commonly used tool by administrators, ensure only relevant data is displayed or collected, ultimately speeding troubleshooting and analysis.
Manage Administrator Rights
The NIMS allows network managers to define probe rights and capabilities by individuals, user groups, or probe groups. For example, set up outside consultants as their own probe group to limit access to confidential company information.
Use the NIMS to define probe rights:
- Set packet view detail by user or user group
- Classify probe access by console, probe, user, or department level
- Automatically disable user accounts after periods of no activity
- Globally reset passwords
The NIMS works with the following Network Instruments products:
Software Probes
- Advanced Multi-Probe
- Advanced Expert Probe
Hardware Probes
- 10/100/1000 Probe Appliance (Advanced Multi-Probe or Advanced Expert Probe configuration only)
- Multi-Port 10/100 Probe Appliance
- 10/100 Full-Duplex Probe Appliance
- Gigabit Probe Appliance
- GigaStor™
- WAN Probe Appliance
All-In-One Solutions
- Gigabit Observer Suite System
- WAN Observer Suite System
Technical Specifications
Minimum 1 Ghz system with 512 MB RAM, Windows 2000, XP, or 2003
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Brochures
 NIMS Brochure 
Probe Family
Observer Product Family
Case Studies
AAA East Central
Weather Services Intl.
White Paper
Deploying Probes
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