HP, CrossKeys join forces >BY Chris Bucholtz, West Coast Bureau Chief

Hewlett-Packard is bringing a degree of remote management capability to its Broadband Service Analyzer by developing an asynchronous transfer mode test solution with CrossKeys Systems Corp.

CrossKeys will contribute digital test head management functionality based on its OpenTest product to allow test engineers to manage the HP analyzer through Newbridge Networks' 46020 MainStreet Network Node Manager.

The resulting product will enable carriers to test and troubleshoot ATM networks quickly from a remote site, an important factor for companies seeking quick means for provisioning services, said Doug Bellinger, director of marketing for CrossKeys.

"With system management environments, it's vital to service providers that they can make sure that part of their provisioning process includes testing," said Bellinger. "That's more complex in the broadband arena because of the variety of protocols involved. "

The OpenTest product allows users to remotely monitor, provision and troubleshoot networks as part of a portfolio of CrossKeys' products. The adapted test head technology lets users perform diagnostic tasks and monitor network performance through the same graphical user interface as Broadband Service Analyzer users.

"Part of our strategy for the Broadband Service Analyzer is to introduce a more remote and more distributed way of using it," said Marc Schwager, marketing manager for HP's Australian Telecommunications Operation. "Using CrossKeys' technology will give us the ability to reach out to the network and do a lot of interesting and important analyses from a single remote site."