observer

	Version 10	Benefits >>> Features >>> Q & A >>> Learn More (pdf file) >>>
	Observer®: A network monitor and protocol analyzer for Ethernet, Wireless 802.11b/a/g, Token Ring and FDDI networks. Observer provides metrics, capture and trending for both shared and switched network environments. Observer® is a cost-effective, software-only, Microsoft Windows-based network monitor and LAN troubleshooting tool. Observer can monitor single-segment LANs/802.11 networks and with the addition of Probes, Observer can be upgraded into a full distributed product for monitoring multi-segment LANs, 802.11 networks and WANs. Observer offers both real-time monitoring and troubleshooting, as well as a complete trending and baselining collection system to view historical data collected for days, weeks, months or even years.
Observer can be upgraded to Expert Observer® or Observer Suite® to track multiple SNMP-enabled devices, view data from any RMON1/2 or HCRMON probe, provide expert analysis and modelling, or display Web based reports. The Observer product line can provide a complete management solution for even the most complex LAN/802.11/WAN environments.
Observer's Main Console (click for a larger view)

Key Benefits

	Convert your PC or laptop into a powerful protocol analyzer
	Instantly assess the effectiveness of network changes
	Switched modes see all ports on a switch gathering statistics from the entire switch or packet capture from any port or ports
	Monitor and graph real-time bandwidth utilization, save historical data
	Use the Efficiency History mode to baseline your LAN - check efficiency in the future using this baseline value for change determination
	Collect Network Trending using advanced sampling for days, weeks, or months; graph, chart or create comparative reports
	Collect statistics by user, packet size, or protocol (chart or list)
	Capture, view, and decode LAN traffic in real time. Decode TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, NetBIOS/NetBEUI, AppleTalk, DECnet and SNA, using advanced pre- and post filtering, station, protocol and offset filtering (over 500 protocol decodes)
	Chart Protocol and Sub protocol usage, including all IP services (i.e. telnet, ftp, HTTP, NNTP, LPD/LPR, NFS, etc.)
	Network activity display shows at a glance critical performance information
	Traffic generator and packet buffer replay for stress testing, problem duplication
	Set triggers/alarms to analyze LAN traffic and pinpoint critical problems automatically - triggers can activate message windows, captures, logs, trouble tickets or execute external programs (email or pager for example)
	Vital signs display network errors as they happen, historical record saved
	Router Observer displays a router's traffic patterns in real time (up to 8 routers tracked)
	Show Ethernet, Token Ring and FDDI errors by station
	True layer 3 filtering (by IP address), and displays

Key Features

Flow based statistics are available for all network speed up to Gigabit . Each statistics display offers multiple ways to view your data, including graph, chart (2-D, 3-D, pie), dial and listing. Network Statistics help you quickly identify trends and network abnormalities, or test throughput and verify observations. Statistics are offered in real-time for any segment or server, and using Observer’s unique switch management console, by port or ports in switched environments. Statistics include:

	Bandwidth Utilization
	Internet Observer
	Network Activity Display
	Network Errors-by-Station (Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, and Frame Relay)
	Network Vital Signs
	Network Pair Statistics (Matrix)
	Protocol Distribution
	Size Distribution Statistics
	Top Talkers
	Utilization History
	Utilization Thermometer

More Features:

Full 802.11b/a/g Wireless Support
Because Observer includes complete decode, statistics, error tracking and trending for your 802.11b/a/g WLAN, there is no need to purchase additional software to manage your complete network. All versions of Observer include wireless support, and when running Observer switching between monitoring your WLAN and your LAN is two mouse clicks away. In addition to complete integration throughout all Observer modes, specific wireless modes include displays for:
   • Wireless Site Survey
   • Wireless Network Vital Signs
   • Wireless AP Statistics
   • Wireless Types by Station
   • Wireless Speeds by Station (cumulative)
   • Wireless Latest Statistics
   • Wireless Errors by Station
   • Wireless Channel Scan
   • Wireless Triggers and Alarms (to detect errors and intrusions)

Utilities to Help You Get Your Job Done
Observer includes many utilities and “One Button” solutions that let you get to the root of the problem - quickly and efficiently. From router tracking and reporting to automatic discovery of network names, Observer streamlines the job of troubleshooting. Each utility is designed to minimize the amount of work required to isolate a specific problem or trend, and quickly display the required information to solve the problem at hand. Click on the “learn more” icon above to read in detail about:
   • Efficiency History
   • Router Observer
   • Web Observer
   • Traffic Generator
   • Replay Packet Buffer
   • Discover Network Names
   • Ping/Trace Route
   • SNMP MIB Walker

Long Term Network Trending and Reporting
Observer’ trending facility collects and stores network, Internet and switch data for days, week, months or even years. View a single time period (i.e. a day or month), or create a period to period comparison reports. The graphical viewer offers text-based, graphical or Web-based reports. Statistical data is optimized for feedback without being forced to maintain volumes of unnecessary data.

Switch Management
Observer bridges the gap between switches and protocol analyzers by offer a number of methods to manage your switched LAN/WAN. The standard Observer product offers two methodologies for protocol analysis of switched devices - port based mirroring to view a specific devices traffic or to do packet capture (all managed from within the Observer console), or port looping to build a statistical view of all ports on a switch to judge switch performance and see aggregate problems as they develop.

Other Details:

Read/write Sniffer® Formatted Packet Buffers - Observer can be used as a capture facility to collect and save packet captures in NAI Sniffer® format (*.enc and *.cap formats).

Observer Station Hardware/Software Requirements:
Minimum: Windows 2000, a supported network adapter, a mouse, and a VGA colour monitor running in 800x600 mode.

Recommended: Windows XP, Network Instruments' ErrorTrak 16 bit network adapter, a fast 16 bit VGA adapter, and a colour monitor running in at least 1024x768 resolution.

Network Interface Cards Supported: Any network adapter card with a NDIS 3.0/3.1 (or greater) driver that supports promiscuous mode (PCI cards recommended for Fast Ethernet). For Wireless 802.11b Cisco Aironet 340-350, Symbol Spectrum24-41x1, Intel 2011b and Nortel 41x1 adapters or compatible, for 802.11a - Proxim adapters or compatible. For 802.11 b/a - Atheros compatible. For 802.11a/b/g - Atheros compatible including Linksys and Netgear.

Switch Requirements: For using Observers looping Probe option, your switch must support port mirroring and have a SNMP (preferred) or telnet management interface.

For Using Observer's Ethernet Station Error Statistics: ADS can provide a driver for the Intel/DEC 21143 chip set adapters (PCMCIA, ISA or PCI).

Operating Systems Supported: Microsoft Windows 2000/XP.

Topologies: Ethernet (10/100/Gigabit), Wireless 802.11b/a/g, Token Ring (4/16Mb), FDDI, and WAN (T1, E1, DS3, HSSI, E3).

Licensing: Observer's license is for one PC on one LAN on one site. If Observer is to be installed on a laptop, each laptop must have a separate Observer license.

Also available are the following other Observer software-based products:

Expert Observer - Observer, plus real-time expert analysis, event notification and modelling.

Observer Suite - Expert Observer, plus SNMP management, RMON and HCRMON console/Probe and web reporting/server.

To Find out More

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