Re: RMON in hardware

[[e-mail]]

 >   >  > A few months ago, CrossComm announced that it would integrate RMON
 >   >  > capabilities into its line of routers. Has anyone heard of other
 >   >  > hardware vendors that are putting RMON inside their internetworking
 >   >  > devices?
 >   > 
 >   > When there are a zillion packets flying across the net and many have
 >   > to be routed, which does the box drop first?  The routable packets or
 >   > the packets for the RMON engine?
 >   > 
 >   > In other words, when a box has two distinct duties, which does it
 >   > prefer when placed under load?
 >   > 
 >   > 		--karl--
 >
 >   Karl,
 >   this question assumes that the two functions are sharing the NIC, PKT SRAM,
 >   and/or the CPU...it is possible (although expensive) that the two
 >   functions are independent of each other--not likely, but possible

If independent, then things will be OK (except that even dedicated hardware
will eventually run out of "computrons" [that's a good word -- thanks Frank]).

The problem is that many people will pour multiple functions into the
same box as a "low cost" solution.

It would be nice if network management monitoring gear doesn't get a
"caveat emptor" reputation.

			--karl--