For the following two purposes, determine the number of network adapters and devices that will be managed by the IP Manager in your Smarts deployment:

  • The number of ports and interfaces is vitally important for accurately sizing the Smarts deployment. Sizing determines the number of Domain Managers to install and the required hardware configuration for the platforms where these servers will be installed.

  • The number of devices is needed for volume licensing. The discovery process will halt if the number of discovered devices or network adapters exceeds the licensed quantity.

    In most cases, an organization’s RFP or PFQ will estimate these quantities. This is the most common method of determining network devices: use the numbers from the RFP or RFQ as a starting point, and then improve the accuracy of those numbers by using discretion and by consulting the network administrators and other knowledgable personnel.