Finisar Surveyor User Manual

10-103

Counter

The Broadcast/Multicast Storms counter increments when a change in the number 
of total Broadcast/Multicast packets per second exceeds a threshold. Broadcast/
Multicast Storms can be used to monitor extreme peaks in the number of broadcast 
and/or multicast messages. A count of all instances where the threshold is reached 
displays in the Overview counters of Expert View. 

Expert Symptom

Broadcast/Multicast Storm events are automatically logged as expert symptoms. 
The 

 field provides information about the rate of change for 

broadcast and multicast packets. For example:

Rate of change of Bcast/Mcast Packets=500

The threshold value for this symptom can be changed. The default threshold is a 

delta of 400 broadcast/multicast events per second. 

Diagnostic Details

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The broadcast storm expert threshold has been exceeded for this segment, resulting 
in a MAC Broadcast Storm symptom.

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1. The network is overloaded.
2. Variations in application traffic patterns.
3. Heavy Internet usage.
4. Too many broadcast/multicast packets from the switch/bridge.

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1. Load balance your network.
2. If you see repeated storms, your router or switch may needed upgrading or reconfigur-

ing.