Question:
I need some help monitoring my network?
ljestal
2009-04-30 06:40:56 UTC
Basicly im trying to find a free software set that allows me to monitor the network. Not only the network but my connection from my ISP aswell. We run a 25 agent call center. I have dedicated DSL through embarq 5mb up 5mb down. We run through a layer 3 switch and a belkin buisness class router. A few days ago embarq had an outage out west and since then we have had trouble with constant connections for all agents. So what I am trying to achieve is to get a complete network analysis to find out packet loss, jitter, etc. I am confident it isnt our internal network or our VoIP carrier but I am not confident that there isn't any embarq problems. Any software?
Four answers:
?
2009-04-30 08:14:59 UTC
There are a few tools for such analysis.

It sounds that you need to measure your retransmission rates/dropped packets, latency components (server response, round trip time, payload transfer times, etc).



There are no tools that are free and can do all this well. You can download a free tool like Wireshark, but it does not provide packet header analysis of that depth. Unfortunately, tools like that can be quite pricey. I work on datacenter migrations and do these types of analysis for our clients all the time and well familiar with the tools on the market.



Network Instruments Observer allows this type of analysis to some extent, but it cannot provide detailed latency components.



Also, in order to see and analyze all packets on the network, you will need to be able to set up a span port on your access switch. All of the incoming and outgoing packets on your network should be copied/mirrored onto this port. I am not sure what type of switch you have as not all switches can be configured with the span port.



Another problem is that you also have VoIP. Some of the tools that I use for this type of analysis with the VoIP capability are Opnet Ace Live, Opnet Ace Analyst - but these are very expensive with the license cost into thousands of dollars.



I would say that Network Instruments Observer is one of your best bets. It is not as pricey as other tools and does do VoIP analysis pretty well. They do not publish their s/w prices online, you have to contact a sales rep for a quote.
chuck_roasted
2009-04-30 07:28:51 UTC
You would need something that works with your firewall. Other than that you can use ping and tracert. When an agent looses connection run the tracert command towards your ISP's ip address. It will show you where the connection is failing.
?
2016-12-24 22:22:38 UTC
Packets getting into your card can in all probability be seen yours to do with as you please. in spite of the undeniable fact that, some UNIs disallow tcpdump etc... study your Universities community rules to make sure. As a former college Netsec i will inform you, it does no longer be nicely worth risking your educational occupation to fulfill interest.
radsystemzjason
2009-04-30 07:02:14 UTC
Ethereal is your friend (http://www.ethereal.com/).


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