Network Instruments Network Analysis User Manual

© 2008 Network Instruments, LLC. All rights reserved. Network Instruments, Observer, NI-DNA, GigaStor, Gen2, nTAP, and all associated logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Network Instruments, LLC. All other trademarks, registered or unregistered, are sole property of their respective owners. 

Network Instruments provides in-depth network intelligence and continuous network availability through innovative analysis solutions. Enterprise network professionals depend on Network 

Instruments’ Observer product line for unparalleled network visibility to efficiently solve network problems and manage deployments. By combining a powerful management console with 

high-performance analysis appliances, Observer simplifies problem resolution and optimizes network and application performance. The company continues to lead the industry in ROI with its 

advanced Distributed Network Analysis (NI-DNA™) architecture, which successfully integrates comprehensive analysis functionality across heterogeneous networks through a single monitoring 

interface. Network Instruments is headquartered in Minneapolis with sales offices worldwide and distributors in over 50 countries. For more information about the company, products,  

technology, NI-DNA, becoming a partner, and NI University please visit www.networkinstruments.com.

Contact a Network Instruments representative or dealer to ask about product bundles that cover all of your network management needs.

Network Instruments, LLC • 10701 Red Circle Drive • Minnetonka, MN 55343 • USA

toll free (800) 526-7919 • telephone (952) 358-3800 • fax (952) 358-3801

Network Instruments • 7 Old Yard • Rectory Lane • Brasted, Westerham • Kent TN16 1JP • United Kingdom

telephone + 44 (0) 1959 569880 • fax + 44 (0) 1959 569881

64-bit systems ensure maximum Observer performance

Network Instruments’ 64-bit systems offer faster processing and larger capture buffers.

 • With 64-bit, the capture buffer permits up to 24 GB, the largest in the industry

 • By integrating with Observer’s 64-bit application core, gigabit and 10 Gb appliances can crunch  

    Expert data, perform comprehensive analysis, and deliver statistics faster for rapid problem resolution

Comprehensive analysis

Gigabit and 10 Gb products report to any Observer Expert or Observer Suite console located on the network.

 • Over 30 real-time statistics for monitoring application response times, VoIP traffic, viruses, hack attacks, and more

 • Triggers and alarms can be configured to instantly alert an administrator of problem activity

 • Perform long-term tending and baselining

 • Multiple Observer users can log on simultaneously to collaborate or perform individual tasks

Manages all data processing and Expert analysis locally at the probe

All gigabit and 10 Gb products have the capability to collect, store, and process data on the probe itself.

 • Only screen updates are sent back to the Observer console

 • Speeds up tasks like Expert analysis

 • Minimizes unnecessary network traffic

 • Decreases troubleshooting time

Includes nTAPs for guaranteed data delivery

Only a TAP can copy data from full-duplex links at line rate for monitoring devices.

 • Insert and remove the probe without network disruption

 • Acquire and independent view of gigabit or 10 Gb data flow

 • Eliminate dependence on a SPAN or mirror port

 • Ensure full-duplex, wire-speed passive analysis

Provides capture and analysis flexibility with Gen2 technology

All gigabit and 10 Gb probes include Network Instruments’ internally designed gigabit capture cards to ensure accurate,  

high-performance gigabit capture on fully saturated gigabit and 10 Gb links.

 • Allows for driver updates to be implemented in the field with a simple downloadable firmware patch

 • The probe relies on one card (one clock) for timestamping and as a result data is marked to the nanosecond ensuring accurate tags across multiple links

Exclusive features for full-duplex gigabit capture:

 • Monitor up to eight ports for any simultaneous combination  

   of SPAN sessions, full-duplex connections, and trunked links

 • Switch between monitoring copper or optical connections  

   with the card’s SFP technology

Exclusive features for full-duplex 10 Gb capture:

 • Provides sustained 10 Gb full-duplex capture

 • Functions such as filtering and statistics are performed  

    directly on the card

 • Provides real-time Expert analysis for 10 Gb networks

10Gb-060308-V12-B2