Asset management – If the network administrator has no visibility into which switch ports are actually in use, he or she may opt to buy a new switch when an old one appears fully utilized. AIM systems provide an accurate view of which switch ports are in use (and what they are connected to), so IT managers can optimize asset management and reduce Capex. AIM systems can also track distribution, usage, and management of power over Ethernet (PoE) systems within a commercial building.

Troubleshooting – AIM systems document the precise location of a connectivity problem. In fact, some AIM systems can cause the port LEDs on problem connections to blink so the technician has a visual guide to the problem. This approach greatly speeds troubleshooting because the technician doesn’t have to spend time verifying manual documentation or hunting for the location of a problem.

Security – AIM systems enhance network security because they can report when a port is disconnected, or connected in an unauthorized location. Without AIM for example, a malicious user might unplug a server and move it to an office so he or she could access the server through its management port, bypassing logical security measures. The network manager would see that the server went down for a few minutes and then came back online, and such an anomaly might be ignored rather than identified as a problem. With an AIM system in place, the manager would know that the server was moved to a different location, and this could trigger an alarm.

Reporting and Compliance – Organizations operating under regulations like Sarbanes-Oxley need to provide accurate documentation of change management in their networks for audits and compliance. AIM systems produce up-to-date reports on the state of the network to facilitate compliance.

Disaster Recovery – Without up-to-date documentation, an IT manager is reduced to guesswork when trying to rebuild a data center or central office in the event of a disaster (for example a power outage, fire, flood or earthquake). Having real-time documentation with an AIM system makes it possible to know exactly what was installed where and how everything was connected so the data center or central office can be rebuilt quickly and cost-effectively. Accurate documentation also makes insurance reporting much easier.

Choosing an AIM Solution

There are many AIM solutions on the market. In this section, we’ll look at some features to consider when selecting a product.

Quality of information provided – Different AIM systems provide different levels of information. While all will report that a patch cord is connected or disconnected, for example, some will allow you to store information about the length, type, and even color of the cord being monitored. This additional information can be a big help when troubleshooting or recovering from a disaster.

Work order management – Work order management systems vary in their feature sets. Trouble ticket generation and management should be as automated as possible, and some AIM systems will produce trouble tickets with step-by-step instructions for fixing a problem and then automatically close out the ticket when the problem has been remedied. In addition, some AIM systems support mobile devices so a technician can use a tablet or smartphone to view and process a work order.

Device Discovery – AIM systems capable of communicating with LAN switches, SAN switches and other IP-enabled devices allow for the determination of the precise location of all active devices connected to the network.  Location information is absolutely critical when security issues arise and need to be addressed immediately.  With device discovery, accurate, real time information regarding port utilization is also readily available.  This allows for optimization of existing equipment and expensive purchases can often be postponed or even avoided.

APIs – The ISO/IEC standard specifies that all AIM systems should have either SOAP or RESTful web services APIs so they can share physical-layer connectivity and device information with other network management systems. Choosing an AIM solution with RESTful APIs (which have superseded SOAP-based technology) will greatly simplify the integration process.

AIM systems improve overall management of data centers, central offices or commercial buildings by monitoring all physical connections and reporting what is connected where. They significantly shorten troubleshooting times, improve work order management, tighten security, and improve change and asset management for IT managers. With a new AIM ISO/IEC standard set for ratification in late 2016, this technology can become a key contributor to efficient data center and central office management.