VistaNet is GE Multilin's response to increased customer demand for a more flexible NMS. It can be provisioned as a standalone or a client-server LAN/WAN solution, permitting centralized or distributed network management. Administration, security and reliability Individual user names, passwords and privileges with an automatic expiration period are controlled by a system administrator. Redundant NMS access routes to a Lentronics Multiplexer network segment can be provided via multiple nodes, resulting in improved reliability. Network topologies and sizes VistaNET supports linear and ring network segment topologies. From a single system view, multiple interconnected and discrete network segments can be managed. Network sizes ranging from a few nodes in a single ring, to hundreds of nodes contained within many rings can be efficiently monitored and controlled.