home news blogs forums events research newsletter whitepapers careers


Network Computing Network Computing Powered by InformationWeek Business Technology Network
InformationWeek 500 Conference -- September 14-16, 2008 Registed Today!

IMMERSE YOURSELF:

SOA

  |

Data Center

  |

802.11n

  |

Data Privacy

  |
APO  |

Virtualization

  |

NAC

  |

Security

  |

Network Mgmt

  |

Enterprise Apps

  |

Storage & Servers






Making The Diagnosis With Windows Protocol Analyzers

By Dan Backman   Every doctor, from your family physician to an emergency room resident, has special instruments for diagnosing patient woes. As a network administrator, you are no different. Whether you're snooping around trying to assess the health of your network or diagnosing a critical business-stopping fault, you need a network analyzer. Choosing the right device for your network will make all the difference when you need to make a lifesaving diagnosis.

Protocol analyzers come in many forms--from complex, powerful and expensive professional-grade products to easy-to-use tools for those on a budget. Although today's Pentium-class Windows95 and Windows NT workstations are more than capable of capturing packets from a half-duplex, standard 10-Mbps Ethernet segment, monitoring high-performance networks like Fast Ethernet, FDDI or ATM requires proprietary, often coprocessed hardware (see "HP Takes the Lead in the Fast Ethernet Analyzer Race," September 15, page 98).

To address the need for powerful, yet relatively easy-to-use products for the network manager and front-line technical support staff, we brought five leading Windows95 and Windows NT-based software analyzers into Network Computing's Syracuse University lab. The AG Group's EtherPeek for Windows 2.0 (Beta), Network General Corp.'s NetXRay 3.0, Network Instruments' Observer 4.0e, Shomiti Systems' Surveyor 2.1, and Triticom's LANdecoder32 1.10 are all 32-bit products, so they take advantage of the large memory spaces and underlying services of modern Windows environments. We tested each for capture and monitoring accuracy, as well as performance. In addition, we verified the products' protocol decodes against 31 common protocols in the IP and IPX protocol suites.

To view the Report card.
Best in Test In our tests of the five products, Network General's NetXRay 3.0 quickly rose to the top. Its comprehensive network monitoring features make it a good tool for checking the pulse of your network. Likewise, its straightforward capture and display filters and comprehensive and easy-to-navigate protocol decodes make it a valuable tool for on-the-spot troubleshooting.

A close second, Shomiti's Surveyor offers equally impressive network monitoring, protocol capture and analysis features, as well as the ability to support up to four concurrent NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) monitors. However, we were continually frustrated by its nonintuitive design.

Noteworthy are Triticom's LANdecoder32, which was the only product tested to feature an expert system for analyzing captures, and Network Instruments' Observer, which offered network monitoring tools, such as passive Web server and performance monitors.

Good software analyzers should be usable by any network administrator, regardless of his or her experience level. So, we also look at each product's ease of use. Finally, of particular interest to us were the filter-creation routines and navigation through the protocol decode windows. Filters must be powerful, let you set multiple conditions on MAC (Media Access Control) and network-layer addresses and protocols, and also be intuitive. NetXRay and Surveyor scored big points for their well-designed capture displays.



To download an Adobe Acrobat .pdf format version of the 32-bit Windows Eternet Analyzers features charts, click here.

To download an Adobe Acrobat .pdf format version of the Tested Protocol Decodes chart, click here.



For the Side Bar on
Is Almost Good Enough?
Analyzing the Network Analyzer
Just The Cold, Hard Facts, Ma'am

Avoid WAN Outages: Three Leased-Line Failover Devices Keep You Connected
By Jeff Newman
For more information on
Protocol Analyzers
Check out these links
HP Takes The Lead In The Fast Ethernet Analyzer Race , Reviews, September 15, 1997
Network Analysis In The Palm Of Your Hand , Buyers Guide, September 15, 1997
WinPharaoh 1.2 Pyramids Network Analysis , Sneak Previews, August 15, 1997
NT COMPAS: A Heavy-Duty Swiss Army Knife , Sneak Previews, May 1, 1997


Updated November 10, 1997






Ready to take that job and shove it?

Function:

Keyword(s):

State:
SPONSOR
RECENT JOB POSTINGS
CAREER NEWS
Go beyond Google and get vertical. These specialized search sites will help you find the business information you need -- fast.

Ari Balogh was named to the post of chief technology officer as the companys for a "realignment" of employees.










InformationWeek U.S. IT Salary Survey 2008
Salaries for business technology professionals are falling. Here's what you need to know in order to make good hiring decisions and personal career choices. Download Today
 
ROLLING RIGHT ALONG
Follow key Network Computing Reviews from conception to completion. This Week: Holistic APM.



Network Computing Reports Emerging Enterprise Podcast Series: Secrets to Success








TechSearch


Microsite of the Week


Powerful Information at Your Fingertips



InformationWeek Business Technology Network
InformationWeekInformationWeek 500InformationWeek 500 ConferenceInformationWeek AnalyticsInformationWeek CIO
InformationWeek EventsInformationWeek ReportsInformationWeek MagazinebMightyByte and SwitchDark Reading
Digital LibraryIntelligent EnterpriseInternet EvolutionNetwork ComputingNo Jitter
space
Techweb Events Network
InteropVoiceConWeb 2.0 ExpoWeb 2.0 SummitEnterprise 2.0 ConferenceMobile Business ExpoSoftware ConferenceCSI - Computer Security Institute
Black HatGTECEnergy CampMashup CampStartup Camp
space
Light Reading Communications Network
Light ReadingLight Reading EuropeUnstrungLight Reading's Cable Digital NewsConstantinopleInternet Evolution
Heavy ReadingLight Reading Live!Light Reading InsiderEthernet ExpoOptical ExpoTeleco TVTower Technology Summit
space
Financial Technology Network
Advanced TradingBank Systems & TechnologyInsurance & TechnologyWall Street & TechnologyAccelerating Wall StreetBank Systems & Technology Executive SummitBuyside Trading SummitInsurance & Technology Executive Summit
space
Microsoft Technology Network
MSDN MagazineTechNetThe Architecture Journal
space
App Infrastructure   |   Messaging & Collaboration   |   Network & Systems Mgmt   |   Network Infrastructure   |   Security  |   Storage & Servers   |   Wireless   |   Enterprise Apps
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  Site Map  |  Technology Marketing Solutions  |   Briefing Centers
Copyright © 2008  United Business Media LLC  |  Privacy Statement  |  Terms of Service  |  Your California Privacy Rights