NNOMS Schrems Middle School - NetCrunch Success Story

Challenge

"For a school of this size we operate a very secure network", explains teacher Max Roessler. “There are three segments which are separated physically, as well as by different IP ranges: The administration segment is for the directorate, teacher’s lounge etc.; The school segment is for all printers, smartboards, computer rooms, devices on the teacher's desks and so on. Lastly, the wireless cloud that grants pupils access to the internet with their smartphones and laptops. As far as I know we are one of very few compulsory schools that have such a complex structure."

“I know every part of this network in detail because I built it myself, but soon I will retire. My colleague, who will take over my responsibilities as network supervisor, does not have the same knowledge about the network structure yet."

"There are especially small problems, like students loosening network cables just enough to disconnect them, or LAN connectors that paralyze the network at the cores with a short circuit, that are daily occurrences. However, for an inexperienced colleague these problems would be hard to locate. This was the trigger for me to begin a search for network monitoring software."

Solution

"It is much easier for my colleague to maintain the system with NetCrunch, especially since I converted everything to layer-2 switches. Of course, you need to have a lot of expertise to use all the nuances of the program. However, since NetCrunch shows all segments and data connections from single ports to the nodes graphically, it is much easier for him to find the basic problems in the network."

"The software is installed on a computer that contains a network card for each IP range. Mostly the first two segments are being monitored, as for the third only the online activities of the students are interesting. Because students might share passwords that enable everyone to access the Internet, it is important to know if, for example, someone outside of school uses the wireless network."

"My work changed in the sense that I can now assist my colleague through the web-access of NetCrunch, and by pointing out the right direction in order to narrow down the problem more specifically. Even though by now he has no difficulties in doing that himself, because after a short training period he was able to find the issues in the structure himself."

“I've noticed this quickly after the installation: the basic GUI is smartly simple and clearly arranged. Through my self-employed work I know of other monitoring tools, but in contrast to those, NetCrunch has a very easy interface that you can drill into gradually.”

“I especially like how the software adapts to the skill level of the user. The colleague who will maintain the school's network can find issues on first sight, and the more experience he gains the more information he can glean from the system. If you know what you are doing, the real breadth of the program reveals itself, which is perfect for users of differing experience levels. NetCrunch did not only fulfill my expectations, but has surpassed them greatly.”