CN Keeps Trains and Network Operating Efficiently Using NETSCOUT Solutions

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.

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.