Siemens launches Sinec industrial network management system

November 26, 2018 – Siemens has launched Sinec NMS, a network management system (NMS) that allows users to manage and monitor the central configuration of networks with 50 to 12,500 participants. 

Sinec NMS gives users transparency throughout the entire architecture of an industrial network. New components can be easily integrated into the network, and existing devices can be continually configured and maintained. Network components are configured according to rules – that is to say based on defined rules referred to as “policies,” which are applied across a specific range of components. For example, users can centrally change the passwords required to access the devices. 

In order to manage large networks, the system is divided into the two levels control and operation. Control is the central instance in Sinec NMS; it displays the overall state of the network quickly and clearly. Operations are also managed there. The operations themselves are distributed throughout the network, and implement the configuration specifications from the control on all the devices.

Sinec NMS covers all five cornerstones of the FCAPS model defined by the International Organization for Standardization. Firstly, “fault management” for locating faults quickly and easily. Secondly, “configuration management” to save time and money through central configuration and maintenance of the entire network. Thirdly, “accounting management” for security by testing the network and documenting events reliably. Fourthly, “performance management” for flexibility by optimizing the network, transparency by generating statistics, and high availability by continuously monitoring the network. Fifthly, “security management” for greater network security.

Sinec NMS also offers two general elements: system administration and northbound interface. These are specifically intended to meet industrial requirements placed on networks.