TAP Into Network Analysis

Analyze
With the analyzer in place looking at the network data in its entirety, the information needs to be organized in a meaningful manner. Setting service quality definitions to assess things based on performance and behavior helps solution providers identify issues other than device availability and status. Problems related to user behavior can be flagged immediately and fixed before the end user even notices.

AppCritical, from Vancouver, Canada-based Apparent Networks, presents information in a point-and-click interface. AppCritical can identify certain conditions, such as the loss of a WAN connection or gateway, or pinpoint the cause of degradation in call quality. The application performs analysis, but instead of just generating graphs, it can also present suggested solutions. For example, the application may suggest changing the duplex setting from half-duplex to full-duplex.

ClearSight Networks offers both stand-alone and distributed versions of its Analyzer product. The distributed version allows for multiple sites to be simultaneously monitored, either individually or in aggregate. The application can drill down for details without opening multiple windows. The default interface displays a summary graphic view of all active and nonactive protocol sessions. Unknown protocols are categorized as generic traffic.

Fluke Networks has two analyzer products, OptiView and Link Analyzer, that can be used to monitor the network. OptiView automatically detects and identifies problems, such as loss of a gateway or a specific endpoint. The tool also detects degradation on a packet loss level. Link Analyzer can send alarms and escalate notifications when the network reaches predefined conditions.

Conclusion
Solution providers helping customers analyze the network face two tasks. The first step is to ensure all network data and traffic is visible, regardless of where it is and its quality. This is where a TAP, such as Network Critical's CriticalTAP solution, comes in. The second step is to use an analyzer tool to look at the complete data to diagnose problems and identify fixes. A complete solution should be able to compare what it knows about the transmitted packets and the received packets.