1. Introduction

    This catalog contains descriptions of several tools avail-
    able to assist network managers in debugging and maintaining
    TCP/IP internets and interconnected communications
    resources.  Entries in the catalog tell what a tool does,
    how it works, and how it can be obtained.

    The NOCTools Working Group of the Internet Engineering Task
    Force (IETF) compiled this catalog in 1989.  Future editions
    will be produced as IETF members become aware of tools that
    should be included, and of deficiencies or inaccuracies.
    Developing an edition oriented to the OSI protocol suite is
    also contemplated.

    The tools described in this catalog are in no way endorsed
    by the IETF.  For the most part, we have neither evaluated
    the tools in this catalog, nor validated their descriptions.
    Most of the descriptions of commercial tools have been pro-
    vided by vendors.  Caveat Emptor.

1.1. Purpose

    The practice of re-inventing the wheel seems endemic to the
    field of data communications.  The primary goal of this

    document is to fight that tendency in a small but useful
    way.  By listing the capabilities of some of the available
    network management tools, we hope to pool and share
    knowledge and experience.  Another goal of this catalog is
    to show those new in the field what can be done to manage
    internet sites.  A network management tutorial at the end of
    the document is of further assistance in this area.
    Finally, by omission, this catalog points out the network
    management tools that are needed, but do not yet exist.

    There are other sources of information on available network
    management tools.  Both the DDN Protocol Implementation and
    Vendors Guide and the DATAPRO series on data communications
    and LANs are particularly comprehensive and informative.
    The DDN Protocol Implementation and Vendors Guide addresses
    a wide range of internet management topics, including
    evaluations of protocol implementations and network
    analyzers.* The DATAPRO volumes, though expensive (check
    your local university or technical libraries!), are good
    surveys of available commercial products for network manage-
    ment.  DATAPRO also includes tutorials, market analyses,
    product evaluations, and predictions on technology trends.

1.2. Scope

    The tools described in this document are used for managing
    the network resources, LANs, and devices that are commonly
    interconnected by TCP/IP internets.  This document is not,
    however, a "how to" manual on network management.  While it
    includes a tutorial, the coverage is much too brief and gen-
    eral to serve as a sole source: a great deal of further
    study is required of aspiring network managers.  Neither is
    this catalog is an operations manual for particular tools.
    Each individual tool entry is brief, and emphasizes the uses
    to which a tool can be put.  A tool's documentation, which
    in some cases runs to hundreds of pages, should be consulted
    for assistance in its installation and operation.

1.3. Overview

    Section 1 describes the purpose, scope, and organization of
    this catalog.

    Section 2 lists and explains the standard keywords used in
    _________________________
    * Instructions for obtaining the DDN Protocol Guide are
    given in Section 7 of the appendix.

    the tool descriptions.  The keywords can be used as a sub-
    ject index into the catalog.

    Section 3, the main body of the catalog, contains the
    entries describing network management tools.  The tool
    entries in Section 3 are presented in alphabetical order, by
    tool name.  The tool descriptions all follow a standard for-
    mat, described in the introduction to Section 3.

    Following the catalog, there is an appendix that contains a
    tutorial on the goals and practice of network management.

1.4. Acknowledgements

    The compilation and editing of this catalog was sponsored by
    the Defense Communications Engineering Center (DCEC), con-
    tract DCA100-89-C-0001.  The effort grew out of an initial
    task to survey current internet management tools.  The cata-
    log is largely, however, the result of volunteer labor on
    the part of the NOCTools Working Group, the User Services
    Working Group, and many others.  Without these volunteer
    contributions, the catalog would not exist.  The support
    from the Internet community for this endeavor has been
    extremely gratifying.

    Several individuals made especially notable contributions.
    Mike Patton, Paul Holbrook, Mark Fedor and Gary Malkin were
    particularly helpful in composition and editorial review,
    while Dave Crocker provided essential guidance and
    encouragement.  Bob Enger was active from the first with the
    gut work of chairing the Working Group and building the
    catalog.  Phill Gross helped to christen the NOCTools Work-
    ing Group, to define its scope and goals, and to establish
    its role in the IETF.  Mike Little contributed the formative
    idea of enhancing and publicizing the management tool survey
    through IETF participation.

    Responsibility for any deficiencies and errors remains, of
    course, with the editor.