Observer by Network Instruments supports users who desire portable analysis as well as users of large distributed organizations.
Observer includes support for Wireless networks and VoIP. Product Details
Observer can also provide capture technology for 10 Gigabit Networks and WAN T1/E1, T3/DS3/E3, OC3 and OC12. And, if required continuous monitoring and retrospective analysis from archived network packet data.
Observer is expandable and can provide basic to coomprehensive network monitoring solutions:
- Portable Analysis - either software or luggable high-end units to capture 1 Gig to 10 Gig.
- Distributed Analysis - software or appliances probe solutions, in addition to NetFlow or sFlow collectors.
- Retrospective network analysis - allows you to quickly browse backwards through massive amounts of network traffic to view breaches and anomalies as they happened.
- Aggregate Analysis - allows you to shape reports around your business to show impacted business groups and applicable systems and applications.
Portable Network Analyzers
Software for your Laptop
Observer Standard, Expert Observer or Observer Suite offers the necessary functionality for Analysts that can work with mirror or monitoring ports and do not require high performance capture to Drive.
High-End Monitoring and Troubleshooting On the Go
When portability counts, the Network Instruments Portable Analyzer System is the only unit you need to manage and troubleshoot complex Gigabit, 10 Gb, WAN, Fibre Channel, and OC problems throughout the network.
With the GigaStor Portable capture days worth of packet-level data to Isolate network issues quickly. Includes either 2 TB or 4 TB of total storage.
With Portable Analyzer Systems:
- Troubleshoot intermittent performance issues
- Obtain an independent look at data flow
- Gain real-time metrics
- Perform retrospective network analysis
Each System Includes:
- Observer Suite software
- Custom adapter (on select models)
- 10/100/1000 Ethernet management port
- All required cabling and TAPs
Seamless Probe-Console Connectivity
Expert Observer or Observer Suite provide Analysts the GUI interface to interact with an extensive line of Probes.
Network Instruments offers a complete line of software and hardware probes for monitoring network activity across multiple topologies. Choose from a variety of probes to meet your specific needs. Use probes for troubleshooting, collecting NetFlow data, proactive monitoring, long-term data collection, or network forensics. Get Probe detail's.
Probe Advantages
- Gain insight and visibility into the entire network
- Manage remote networks as easily as local
- Aggregate information across sites for global health
Topologies Supported
- LAN
- WAN & OC
- Gigabit & 10 Gb
- Fibre Channel
- Wireless (802.11 a/b/g/n)
Aggregate Performance Reporting
The Observer Reporting Server lets you manage network performance with enterprise-wide views, macro- and micro-level reporting, and deep drill-down.
Gather analysis on individual links or user activity. Reports synchronize in real time with Observer Suite consoles and Probes, providing fast problem resolution.
- Drill in to link or user detail
- Pinpoint root cause with in-depth application metrics
- Gather evidence on trends to prepare for the future
Observer Reporting Server integrates with GigaStor, combining high-level reporting with forensics in a seamless solution. Access GigaStor via Observer Reporting Server to analyze network traffic transmitted before, during, and after the problem occurred.
The Observer Reporting Server is a stand-alone appliance which simultaneously collects data from numerous Observer Probes, NetFlow devices, and other collection agents.
What is Retrospective Network Analysis?
Retrospective network analysis allows you to quickly browse backwards through massive amounts of network traffic to view breaches and anomalies as they happened, within the context of other activity on the network.
Now you can avoid the labor-intensive step of re-creating problems to troubleshoot them.
Traditional packet capture gives administrators insight into networks via packet-level decode and analysis. While these tools are useful in managing mid- to enterprise-level networks, using them to provide administrators enough information to solve subtle or sporadic problems is difficult.
RNA acts like a 24/7 surveillance camera—it is far easier to find the culprit using a stored video of the crime rather than one photograph.
Your Network Recorder
With continually captured data, GigaStor makes it easy to “rewind” your network, determine problem sources, and perform analysis. Retrospective network analysis speeds troubleshooting and provides long-term corporate-wide benefits.
Video on Retrospective Network Analysis
Specific Technologies
Gigabit and 10 Gigabit
We take unparalleled efforts to ensure your ability to capture and process data on gigabit or 10 Gb networks. We design and manufacture our Gen2 capture card to be the fastest available, supporting full-duplex gigabit and 10 Gb.
Wireless
All Observer products offer WLAN monitoring. When equipped with a wireless NIC, each analyzer or probe detects wireless activity and relays metrics to Observer consoles anywhere on the network for analysis. Load Observer on a laptop for mobile monitoring power.
WAN
Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity and throughput validation is a key part of a healthy, cost-effective remote connectivity strategy. With WAN costs typically accounting for the majority of the network’s ongoing operating budget, tracking performance is critical.
Virtualization
The uptake on virtualization technologies in enterprise environments has been intense. As more companies consolidate critical data servers onto fewer virtual hosts to reduce costs and save energy, the challenge becomes achieving the same visibility into virtual networks as was possible with physical hardware.
VoIP
VoIP and other unified communications applications add new strain to already complex networks. Observer’s VoIP monitoring and analysis tools ensure you’ll have the knowledge necessary to handle your VoIP network from pre-deployment through daily maintenance.
Application Analysis
It’s no longer the network—it’s the application. Network managers and engineers are switching their focus from network performance issues to application problems.
Network Forensics
GigaStor's forensic capabilities let you diagnose and resolve network problems through retrospective network analysis. GigaStor operates like a security camera, recording everything traversing the network.
GigaStor Security Forensics determines if a security breach occurred by comparing historical traffic against thousands of Snort rules to identify attacks and anomalies.
NetFlow and sFlow
Gaining visibility across every port on a global network can be a large investment using probes alone. Partnering NetFlow or sFlow® technology with Observer is a cost-effective way to extend network visibility and perform in-depth packet analysis.
Observer
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