But what about ROI and TCO? Those are big sticking points if you're doing the usual megabucks network-management thing, but how about $800--the price of our Best Value award winner? That eases worries about financial models, business impact and that nasty project creep.

FYI Node Lode: What constitutes 1,000 nodes or, more accurately, 1,000 interfaces. How do you define an interface? The distinction becomes even cloudier when collecting performance data. Are all the MIBs available on a device considered a single managed instance? Maybe, but not always. We managed a couple dozen devices that included some Cisco 6509s with 90-plus interfaces. So, with a big centralized switch/router like a 6509, a dozen supporting switches, edge routers and a simple two-tier application, we had 1,000 nodes at the core that were vital to the much larger 10,000-node network.

Of course, even a single dollar is too much to spend if you're not going to benefit. That is not the case here: Automation of response and reporting improves productivity. Report distribution, via Web and portal delivery, improves intercompany communications and fosters self-service. For example, Web reports supplied to business groups give them availability information on their servers and the network, helping them identify downtime problems and direct their inquiries when a process is failing. Performance baselining can improve capacity planning and lead to more proactive management.

Most important is the time it takes to implement and maintain these products, which has always gobbled the biggest slice of the network-management implementation pie. Some inexpensive products, because they can't go beyond simple monitoring or performance gathering, aren't going to cost a lot. Others that limit their functionality based on price will, if expanded to cover other portions of the FCAPS model, increase TCO.

You should also consider your network's growth prospects: If you see significant expansion in your future, then buying a product that will grow with you will let you leverage the installation going forward.