Accessing status, configuration and performance information from network and system components using just one uniform, central network management software is now a reality! Product Specific Modules (PSMs) guarantee the management of all SNMP-enabled devices in the network, regardless of manufacturer, and all from just one uniform user interface!

The consistently uniform user interface gives an administrator a structured graphical representation of his network (network map). Similar to a block diagram, all components and network paths are visualized. The user himself defines the manner in which the components for which he is responsible are to be depicted.
Alternatively, another representation can contain the same devices in a block diagram to show the system functions and relationships.
The status of individual devices, connecting lines as well as even entire network segments assigned to subordinated hierarchy branches are visualized according to priority using background colors or colored borders.

theGuard! NetworkManager Cockpit constitutes the central control element. Here is where you’ll find the Event Monitor, where all current status information is compiled and visualized. All control functions and auxiliary applications of the theGuard! NetworkManager can also be accessed from here.
In multi-user operation, the representations can be distributed among different workstations according to the areas of responsibility of the individual administrators, each can be configured completely differently based on individual needs and authorizations. A user’s standard computer will normally suffice as the client. The application is thereby executable from virtually anywhere in the network without local installation.

To configure the graphical representation, users can Drag&Drop nodes from the Node Manager into a map. By placing a node at its desired position, it is then depicted as an icon and can be connected with others using graphic plotting tools. Even the links themselves can visualize status information (line management). Available functions include labeling and the integrating of background images.

Representations can be of topological or logical form, or a mixture of both, and can be depicted in as many nested submaps as desired. For example, the user can select a specific building located on company grounds as his or her basis. By clicking on a building icon, a window opens containing the rooms or premises in which the various devices are located. A different display can alternatively contain a block diagram showing the system functions and relationships.  

Apart from the user-modifiable map, the network’s physical and/or VLAN-related structure as detected by the topology server is displayed in a separate window (see Topology Manager). This window always shows the links to the respective neighbors of a selected node. Nodes can be directly brought over from this representation into the user-defined map via Drag&Drop. During this procedure, other nodes and objects directly connected to the selected node are likewise included automatically (manage objects, e.g. ports, interfaces), lines are used to visualize these connections in the map. The function also provides for the automatic linking of the depicted connections to the associated manage object (port/interface) so that defined polling entries immediately indicate the status of the created network links in color-coded fashion. 

So as not to lose the overview, an Explorer-like representation of the entire hierarchy is visible on the left-hand side of each map window. The number of submaps and the nesting level are freely selectable and unlimited. In multi-user operation, each user can configure the representation according to his or her own respective needs.