Avaya`s network policy manager software enables enterprises to match network operations to business needs

Avaya, Inc., a global leader in business communications, solutions and services, recently introduced the most advanced, intuitive tool - CajunRules Policy Manager 2.0 - that helps businesses manage the policy-related strategy of their network operations and the traffic on it - all from a single user interface.

With CajunRules 2.0, businesses can prioritise traffic on their converged or data-only networks, based on needs. For example, they can assign top priority to financial-related functions when monthly financial reports are prepared, and give low priority or prevent users from accessing designated web sites.

The software is one of the newest additions to Avaya`s Cajun switching and Enterprise Class IP (ECLIPS) families of solutions, which are designed to give customers choices matched to their business requirements as they evolve to converged networks.

"We needed a way to apply intelligence to our network traffic," said Ken Clipperton, managing director of University Information Services at Buena Vista University near Sioux City, Iowa. "CajunRules made it simple to prioritise specific traffic, such as from our student`s wireless laptops to web sites. CajunRules also allows us to conveniently apply policies based on time-of-day, allowing us to reduce non-academic traffic on our network during peak hours."

"Managing your network these days is a lot like managing company funds - you have to treat network resources like money in a bank," said Graham Celine, vice president, solutions management, Avaya`s data group. "In today`s dynamic marketplace, businesses are increasingly dependent on their networks to grow and adapt, so their enterprise can flourish - cost effectively. Plus, IT managers are under tremendous pressure to provide a high level of service, maintain security, enable converged voice and data, and provision new applications - and do it all economically. CajunRules is a superb tool that helps managers meet those tough requirements."

Because it has a flexible architecture to set up policies across users/user groups, applications, and devices, CajunRules can help integrate voice, data or messaging applications, and can be used on a variety of servers and infrastructure across an enterprise in a multi-vendor network.

Managers can work from a single point to configure an entire network and assign a certain level of service to an individual or a group - or block applications from accessing the network. As a result, managers can ensure quality of service (QoS), or institute security policies for individuals or groups. CajunRules is directory-based and makes extensive use of lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) and uses a common information model (CIM)-based technology to take advantage of the commonly available and pervasive directories from other vendors.

In addition, the new CajunRules 2.0 adds rule validation to adapt policies to the capabilities and current status of the specific switches that Cajun Rules obtains from the directory. As a result, managers can drive consistent policies from a central point.

CajunRules Policy Manager is an enhanced and re-named version of Avaya`s RealNet Rules. It`s available worldwide through Avaya`s channels, distributors and resellers, and from service providers through Avaya`s "hosted solutions" group.