Carbon Six Software Overview and Questions
Overview:
The Data Collector Agent (DCA) is a software application that is installed on a networked computer running Windows 2000/XP or higher to collect printer and copier metrics to be used in the Optimizer application. It does not require a dedicated computer.
Windows Service
The Carbon Six DCA runs as a Windows service, allowing it to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can customize the transmission interval to determine how often the DCA will perform a device discovery. After each discovery, the collected data will be sent to the hosting web server.
Data Collection Protocols
The Carbon Six DCA collects device data using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), and optionally PJL (Printer Job Language). The DCA gathers printer metric data with SNMP and ICMP at regular intervals from printer/multi-function peripheral devices on the customer’s network.
Transmission Options
There are 3 methods by which you can transmit the data collected from the Carbon Six DCA, as listed below:
FTP, Port 21
File Transfer Protocol. The standard protocol used to transfer files over the internet between computers.
HTTP, Port 80
HyperText Transfer Protocol. A protocol used to transfer information over the World Wide Web.
HTTPS, Port 443
Secure HyperText Transfer Protocol. Data is transferred using the HTTP protocol, but instead of using plain text socket communication, the data is 128-bit encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol during transit between the user’s computer and the server itself.
To prepare a web server for accepting https connections the administrator is required to create a public key certificate for the web server. This certificate must be signed by a certificate authority of one form or another, ensuring the user that the certificate holder is who they say they are.
One Way Communication Only
The Carbon Six DCA uses one-way communication only. This means that the collected data can be transmitted from the user’s computer to the web server, but the web server cannot transmit information to the user’s computer.
No User Data Collected
No personal or user data is collected with the DCA. Only information that is stored in the memory of the devices is collected, such as page counts, device description, device status, and so on.
PrintFleet Optimizer Web Portal
The web server is physically stored in a Class-A data center. This data center has over eight fiber optic backbones feeding into it to ensure year-round 24/7 uninterrupted availability.
Security background checks and iris scan access are required to gain physical access to the server. When physical access to the server is required, security personnel accompany the individual at all times. The data center has a triple redundancy energy system preventing power loss of any kind.
The web server farm is protected by an ISA software firewall that is completely locked down to only allow required communication. Data is mirrored and backed up daily. Should the primary server go down for any reason, the feed is switched over to the secondary mirrored server.
Questions Answered:
Question 1
“What are the system requirements to support and install a DCA (data collection agent)?”
The CARBON SiX Data Collector Agent (DCA) is a software application that collects printer and copier metrics from a client’s network. The DCA is installed on a networked computer running Windows 2000/XP or higher. It does not require a dedicated computer. The DCA runs as a Windows service, allowing it to operate 24/7.
The Carbon Six DCA software is secure and offers no threat to network security. The Carbon Six DCA operates through outbound communication only, and communicates to the printing devices through SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). Collected data is sent through HTTPS (the same security levels as internet banking) and is 128-bit encrypted using SSL (secure socket layer) protocol.
It is also important to point out that the Carbon Six DCA software only collects information on network attached printing devices. It cannot track information on user behavior (i.e. Jane, in accounting, printed 12 financial spreadsheets on June 27th @ 2:00pm). Carbon Six offers specific documentation in regards to network security and specific documents to support compliancy acts such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
Question 2
“What about heavy network traffic when collecting and sending data to your database?”
Network traffic with Carbon Six is very minimal. When the data is collected from the printing devices, it is sent in .CSV format, averaging 1.5KB to 3 KB in size. Each subnet scanned results in network traffic approximately equal to viewing a single web page
The Carbon Six data collection agent has the ability to “smart scan” and only look at IP addresses for previously discovered printing devices. A full network scan can be programmed to occur on a weekend or late in the evening, in the event that the network traffic is a concern at your site.
Question 3
“Will our IT team need to manage or administer the Data Collection Agent?”
No. Carbon six actually eliminates the amount of work for the IT staff by managing and supporting their printers and copiers. The software will reduce the amount of help desk calls received on printing devices as well as all device management requirements. All will be managed by United Laser remotely. This frees up your time and resources to focus on other important IT projects.
Question 4
“What about liability? Who is responsible for the software in the event of an issue and how am I protected?”
The Carbon Six EULA (End User License Agreement) protects you in the unlikely event that an issue arises at the network level as a result of the Optimizer software.
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