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Wide-Open WAN: Page 2 of 4

The OC-3/OC-12 analyzer I tested required the insertion of a Fluke Networks optical tap to provide a path for the WAN signal to and from the edge router, through the analyzer. As bad luck would have it, the light in the fiber from my ISP was weak; the router could make use of it from the tap, but the analyzer couldn't, though it could make sense of the strong return optical signal from the router, meaning I was looking at half a link--not good.

After doing some head scratching and light-meter measurements, getting replacement taps from Fluke and doing more head scratching, I got to the point where I had a useful configuration to monitor--albeit compliments of a light amplifier added to the signal. (One recommendation: When you interrupt the link to insert the tap, measure the light strength from the ISP or the WAN source. If it doesn't meet the minimum required by the analyzer after loss from the tap, work with the signal provider to get a better strength.)

Configuring the analyzer for network management via serial connection is easy, and you only need to perform minimal configuration tasks to put the unit into service. For security, you can set easily configurable passwords for device access and packet capture.

When the box goes live, it begins discovery and analysis automatically. You can access the analyzer via the OptiView console software that loads on any Microsoft Windows 98, NT, 2000 or XP PC. Console control of the WAN Analyzer over the network is instantaneous, even at 10 Mbps when accessed from the Internet, and manipulation of the device is intuitive. Alarm notification sets up just as easily as the rest of the tool and provides quick alerts for link trouble.

Details, Please