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Cisco Systems Enhances CiscoWorks Blue Family

Cisco Systems Inc. announced extensions to its CiscoWorks Blue family with the availability of CiscoWorks Blue SNA View 3.0, CiscoWorks Blue Maps 3.0, and Internetwork Status Monitor for System/390 2.0. These Web-based applications provide tools for effective management of SNA/IP networks.

Enhancements to the CiscoWorks Blue family of network management applications address the complex management needs of a mixed SNA/IP network. CiscoWorks Blue SNA View 3.0 provides SNA/IP network troubleshooting and diagnostic capabilities via network and mainframe correlation. The solution collects physical unit (PU) and logical unit (LU) data and correlates this to information gathered from Cisco devices and servers.


CiscoWorks Blue Maps 3.0 provides dynamic views or maps of both SNA and IP networks. The new version allows users to scale to manage larger SNA/IP networks through improved host discovery and status propagation. CiscoWorks Blue Maps 3.0 collects and monitors advanced Management Information Base (MIB) information in Cisco devices in addition to monitoring DLSw, APPN, and RSRB network traffic.

Internetwork Status Monitor for System/390 2.0 provides management and visibility of Cisco devices from the mainframe.

Contact Cisco Systems, www.cisco.com .


About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

Reader Comments:

Thu, Aug 10, 2006 Mekonnen Lemma Ethipia

It pleases me to hear and read about you. Iam an IT student who will graduate from missionary school after a month. For I am from the poor family, I am not able to pay for your course. But I whish that I get your help as well as the chance to learn more.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.

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I want to learn about how can usefal so mach from the enternet and thanks for any one who could to help me


Wed, Mar 2, 2005 anita mumbai

this course is very good

Sat, Feb 5, 2005 Bello Nigeria

I want you to help with Java Web Design format so that i will try and develop my own Website, Please.

Mon, Sep 27, 2004 DERRICK Ghana

Well the right CTEC is what am been looking for and i think i have found what am been looking for.

Sat, Jun 26, 2004 monsur 46a puranapalton

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Fri, Mar 12, 2004 Anonymous Anonymous

Good advice. Thanks for the interesting article.

Fri, Jun 20, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

When you can’t take the heat censor it, works for the neo conservative dumb asses in Tallassee including mofo and the pope. You all loose. Wonder how long it will take for the idiots to find and remove this?
Signed Shamelessly Anonymous

Sun, Apr 27, 2003 Striker Marietta

Thank God I read this board, I was about to apply when I got the notion to research this companies policys. I was taken by a company called Linuxgruven.
Leave the idea now and start baning nails because we have a while to go before the tech sector will pickup again.

Advice: MOVE ON JACK

Tue, Apr 15, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Eric Schaer, Irv DeGraw and Allen Hicks now own Sigma Technology Partners. They are the same snakes from GTS. Watch out for them.

Fri, Apr 4, 2003 Eric Stallsworth Denver, Co.

I find it really interesting that an idiot who chooses to be "Anonymous" posts more times than anyone else. Ironically though, he or she lacks the intelligence or courage to put a name to the posts. So is it easier to type on a keyboard when you lack a backbone?

Fri, Mar 28, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Ward, Thanks for providing more anecdotal evidence concerning the proliferation of CTEC clip joints. One thing you missed--for a short period of time -- l1997 to 2000 -- the market was accepting entry level people and entry level MCTs (good one, that prepped and did the right things) were sufficient for many career changer courses. That bubble burst. In most cases, CTEC training is no longer a valid entry level path to the market. CTECs with their static sales model are now clip joints promising careers where none are to be found. The better ones still do internships but the path from internship to employment is closed. All in all certification and CTECs were just another classic Ponzi scheme subject to overexpansion and collapse as the market became saturated with certs and the demand less due to the economy. The base can no longer expand exponentially and a collapse was economic certainty.

Fri, Mar 28, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

There are a lot of excellent instructors ou there that also do consulting to keep there skills up to date.

Fri, Mar 28, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

that's "out there"

Fri, Mar 28, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Once again, who cares about his experience in the industry, that doesn't mean he can't do an investigative story on a slimy CTEC and their illegal practices.

Thu, Mar 27, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Those that can, do. Those that can't, teach. Those that can't teach, write about it. Anyone ever read something Keith Ward wrote that indicate experience in the industry?

Thu, Mar 27, 2003 Walter Boyd MCT, MCSE (NT Salt Lake City

The sad truth is that Microsoft has no real standards for an MCT other than “passing” enough exams to get an MCSE or MCSD. And Microsoft clearly has absolutely zero concern about whether people cheat to pass the exams. What most people don’t realize is that Microsoft no longer requires the MCT to have passed the exam for the course they are presenting. Of course, it’s also my opinion that 80% of all instructors braindump their own exams and merely read from the book and pass out the braindumps and call it “teaching.” The tax status of the instructor is unrelated to their personal ethics.

The CTECs as a whole are heavy on the marketing and light on the content. They will only provide what their customers require them to provide. If they can get you to sign on the dotted line without investigating the product can you blame them? In my 10 years as an instructor I can count on 1 hand the number of times I’ve seen a potential student even look at the classroom and instructor they are spending $10,000+ on. I’ve NEVER seen one ask for an instructor’s resume. Most people expend more time and effort looking at the movie review for Friday’s date than they do on a critical career purchase. The salesman that’s trying to tell you that you’re gonna be driving a Porsche next year because of the massive value of the cert you’re going to get is lying and knows it.

People, this is called ILT (Instructor Led Training) for a reason. It’s the INSTRUCTOR! The courseware at a CTEC is all the same. Better hardware is nice. But if the instructor is an idiot you’ve wasted your money. If the instructor doesn’t have enough real-world experience to do anything more than read from the book you’ve wasted your money. If the instructor or anyone at the training center hands you a braindump you should loudly complain, leave the class immediately, demand an immediate refund, call the state consumer fraud department, report the instructor and the center to Microsoft and frag them at every possible opportunity. You DON’T need to spend $10,000 for an unethical instructor and/or center to teach you how to cheat.

In this challenging economy training centers are folding everywhere you look. All of them are seeking to minimize expenses just to stay in business. The #1 expense for most of them is the instructor. Why pay $60K-$80K for a top notch instructor if the students can’t or don’t demand anything more than a $30K converted apps instructor that has never seen a production network. On the contract side the glory days of $1200/day are long gone. And believe me I miss them . Now it’s $350 and you pay your own expenses which frequently involve a last minute cross country flight. Those of us that have technical skills and better options took them elsewhere long ago. A few gurus are still around but VERY few are doing it full time. You may occasionally run into an experienced guru doing the required 10 days a year to maintain their MCT cert regardless of the rate. CTECs are well aware of this and are leveraging the hell out of it.

So let me summarize like a good instructor should: 1. Microsoft Education knowingly tolerates cheating on a massive scale and doesn’t care. (oh someone at Microsoft PLEASE be stupid enough to publicly debate me on this!) 2. CTECs will only deliver what you require them to deliver. 3. 80% of all instructors are unqualified to teach. 4. The success of a class is almost entirely dependant on the instructor. 5. Salesmen make very poor career counselors. 6. Braindumps are cheating. Period. 7. Demand to see the instructors resume that will be teaching each class you take. 8. PT Barnum may not have said “A sucker is born every minute.” But it is true. And people that spend money on a class without understanding what they are buying deserve what happens to them.

Wed, Mar 26, 2003 iooij oji

p-oiuytr5ewq

Tue, Mar 25, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

You are so lame Irv and Eric.

Tue, Mar 25, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Here it is again....For the same dumb ass reason that you have to. I can tell by your attitude that any who might disagree with the chosen few should not have the privilege of posting comments here let alone ask the source to validate them selves.

Mon, Mar 24, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Keith when and where did you get your certification? Any acctual experence

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Andy Barkl Anonymous

Buyer beware! Just because a computer training center "wears" the badge of Microsoft CTEC does not mean they are in business for the customer! Due diligence, research, shopping for the best price and checking business credentials are required before spending your hard-earned cash! With only two MCT certification numbers, almost anyone can become a Microsoft CTEC.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Finally, Microsoft is not as aggressive at policing the channels as it could be. It tends to let the market be the judge and uses legal means in extreme cases. GTS may qualify was one such case now due to the bad press. Whether Microsoft should be more pro-active is always under discussion here--whether prosecuting braindumps or enforcing CTEC policies. Some consumers confuse adhering to the MS program agreement with enforcing consumer protection law.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Paul Adare Anonymous

And, apparently even I'm a little thick sometimes. I missed the fact that my response had spilled over to the second page. Mea cupla. :-(

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Paul Adare Anonymous

Anonymous, I've tried to reply a couple of times now. I'm either being blocked, or there's a problem with the web site. In any event, I'm sorry, but I choose not to carry on a serious conversation with someone who can't be bothered to identify one's self.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

In the second block Mr Ward suggest in Point 1 Check for licenses. He should have added the Better Business Bureau and State Consumer Protection too. Point 3 He suggests online learning as an alternative to ILT. Certainly a valid suggestion but not suitable for all learners. I do think point 2 in the second block required some additional qualification concerning the advantages of contract MCTs. Taken out of context (That outsourcing could be a sign of financial trouble and could disrupt learning) Point 2 reads badly and implies all outsourcing is bad.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Paul Adare Anonymous

Anonymous, last post from me in response to you, unless you do me the courtesy of identifying yourself.
Nope, all of that I agree with.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Mr Adare--I found all Mr Ward's comments to be good generalizations. Are you disagreeing with the first block of general advice. Summarized here they are-- Point 1) All franchises are not consistent in delivery and National chains may or may not be better than a local firm. Point 2) Check out more than one CTEC --comparison shop. Point 3) Sit a class --sample before you buy4) Talk to former students --get feedback and word of mouth 5) get evals 6) Pay incrementally--Don't pay for services in advance . All in all it sounds like common sense and standard consumer advice to me. Was there something on an MCSE exam that suggested otherwise?

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Contract instructors that don't do a good job don't last. Many have gone back working for training facilities full time because they can't make ends meet. Look for contractors that have been teaching for more then a year and have experience with several technologies and platforms.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Paul Adare Anonymous

Anonymous, at least I have enough strength in my convictions to identify myself. I have been a student who went through an entire MCSE track, I have been both a staff and a contract MCT, I have contributed to MOC courses for 8 years, and I manage the MCT news groups. I have delivered courses at MS CTECs around the world, and I find little or no basis for Mr. Ward's comments. He hasn't even attempted to back them up with experience, beyond what is in his slug line, which doesn't really give me the warm and fuzzies. I have experience and have stated so. Mr. Ward has not. At least he has the courage to sign his name to what he writes. Too bad I can't say the same for you.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Speaking of broad generalizations Mr Adare, don't you think you should be more specific in your complaints about the article? They may be enlightening. I do think you miss a point that was made about CTEC staff vs contractors that is valid. Taken out of context it may read like a slam of contractors rather than a simple warning to beware of any CTEC that outsources MCTs only. It's a red flag. There could be financial issues if the operations hasn't got a staff. Obviously there are exceptions and it doesn't mean a paid staff is indicative of quality in and by itself. C'mon Mr Adare, get it all off your chest and let us in on your reasons for calling MCP RAG 'garbage' journalism.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Paul Adare Anonymous

Will not trick you and Anonymous. How about both of you can the broad generalizations? Keith's comments are wrong on a number of different levels, and are an example of the garbage journalism practiced my MCP RAG. That doesn't mean that indies and staff MCTs need to face off against each other here.
There are good and bad indies, just like there are good and bad staff trainers.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

"The independent trainer is "almost Always Better" in terms of Experience" Generalizations like that are a crock. It would be better if written "The ego of the independent trainer is almost Always bigger than can be imagined"

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Will Not trick you Anonymous

the person that wrote the article, probably has never worked as an
Engineer/admin or Trainer.

He's writing from the schools point
of view. (cheap Instructors)
The independent trainer
is "almost Always Better" in terms
of Experience, as well as Teaching experience.

The Professional or "contract Trainer"
Always wants to see you suceed.
BE careful out there.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

The problem with CTECs that depend on contract instructors is stability. If they can't commit to staff development then what makes anyone think they will get a better committment? Sure backgrounds should be checked--the best bet for consistent, stable training is to find a CTEC with a great staff.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

Regarding the recommendation to seek out CTECs with full-time employees:
As a former employee of a CTEC, I've seen instructors come and go. The absolute BEST instructors were, almost exclusively, CONTRACT instructors. The full-time MCTs were the ones (at the time)couln't get a job in the 'real world' as an IT professional, or were so young and inexperienced that they were willing to take the low pay and nada-benefits offered for their full time position. You've given an invalid recommendation with this...should have stuck with investigating the instructors background.

Fri, Mar 21, 2003 Anonymous Anonymous

That last bit -------- "If Microsoft determines that a Microsoft CTEC partner is not operating within, or upholding, the program agreement then we are committed to evaluating the issues and ensuring that there is a resolution."------- Right... Micro$oft knew about this problem 6 months ago. If they were serious they would NOT have renewed GTS's CTEC agreement.

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