Download PDF

NETSCOUT > Case Studies > CN Keeps Trains and Network Operating Efficiently Using NETSCOUT Solutions

CN Keeps Trains and Network Operating Efficiently Using NETSCOUT Solutions

Technology Category

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
Networks & Connectivity - Network Management & Analysis Software

Applicable Industries

Railway & Metro

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation
Maintenance

Use Cases

Fleet Management
Predictive Maintenance
Real-Time Location System (RTLS)

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services
System Integration

The Challenge

CN, one of the largest railroads in North America, was facing application performance problems and response time delays in its IT network. The network supports over 22,000 employees who rely on it for various operations such as tracking shipments in real time, processing customer service transactions, fulfilling order requests, and ensuring the efficient and safe operation of the company’s extensive, automated rail system. The company uses a variety of NETSCOUT Intelligent Data Sources in combination with several nGenius analysis modules to monitor their wide area network (WAN) links and 1,800-1,900 Cisco switches and routers. However, they were unable to pinpoint the root cause of the performance issues they were experiencing.

About The Customer

CN is one of the largest railroads in North America, operating a network of 19,200 route miles of track in the United States and Canada. It is the only transcontinental railroad in North America with a network that spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to the Gulf of Mexico. CN derives its revenue from the movement of raw resources and finished goods, including petroleum and chemicals, grain and fertilizers, coal, metals and minerals, forest products, and automotive. The company’s IT network supports more than 22,000 employees who rely on the network to track shipments in real time, process customer service transactions, fulfill order requests and ensure that the company’s extensive, automated rail system operates efficiently and safely. The company uses a variety of NETSCOUT Intelligent Data Sources in combination with several nGenius analysis modules to monitor their wide area network (WAN) links and 1,800-1,900 Cisco switches and routers.

The Solution

CN leveraged the analysis in the nGenius solution to identify bandwidth abuse by non-business-critical applications and software upgrades to thousands of desktops as the cause of the degradations. The nGenius solution enhances collaboration between CN’s various IT groups. The network services team used the nGenius solution with its strategically placed nGenius appliances to test the network impact of a Lotus Notes® upgrade with the application team prior to full deployment to thousands of desktops, troubleshoot quality problems during a trial VoIP deployment, and resolve a situation where a large number of desktop computers were unable to correctly map network drives. The nGenius solution also provided the necessary granularity for CN to accurately assess their bandwidth usage and push through necessary upgrade requests.

Operational Impact

Improved performance issues and organizational processes, including troubleshooting application performance problems, capacity planning and collaborative planning for application rollouts.
Enhanced collaboration between CN’s various IT groups, leading to more proactive management of network activity.
Successful implementation of Quality of Service (QoS) categories to prioritize business-critical and latency-sensitive applications.

Quantitative Benefit

Reduced the number of performance management issues.
Reduced the time taken to boot up PCs from 30-45 minutes to a significantly lower time (exact time not mentioned).
Successfully tested the network impact of a Lotus Notes® upgrade prior to full deployment to 15,000 PCs without significantly affecting the network.