Network Troubleshooting Center

Centralised Troubleshooting of Distributed Networks

Product Overview

The twin benefits are greatly reduced respond-and-fix times and greatly reduced operational costs, both from reduced engineer travel-to-site times and from reduced network segment downtime or poor performance.

NTC runs as console software on a central server and can collect and collate network data from multiple sources, including standard RMON1/2 and SNMP devices, as well as all of Agilent's Network Analyzer hardware and software products. An excellent user interface allows the operator to view the overall health of the entire network and quickly spot trouble "hotspots".

Having identified a problem. the NTC console operator can then zoom in and find the cause, using the full power of the expert protocol analysis running within any of Agilent's Network Analyzer products distributed at remote parts of the network. The NTC console can also be accessed and operated securely by remote engineers using client software, producing yet another saving - engineers, wherever they are located, can fix network problems, wherever they are located.

The wide range of Network Analyzer products, both hardware and software based, is designed to cover the differing needs and economic justification of both backbone and workgroup networks and covers multiple LAN and WAN technologies, including 10/100 Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, ATM, Frame Relay, and Packet over SONET. All share the identical user interface and the same powerful expert analysis.

NTC along with the Network Analyzer products provide a complete solution for both centralized and dispatched troubleshooting in one package, eliminating the need for multiple tools, and providing analysis of all technologies with the same look and feel. Engineer training and re-training costs are also greatly reduced. In summary, NTC and the Network Analyzer products provide a centralized troubleshooting solution that:-

• Expedites problem resolution by providing aggregated network-wide views of performance across multiple LAN and WAN technologies
• Provides seamless integration between problem isolation and troubleshooting
• Enables rapid progression from problem detection and isolation to resolution with integrated RMON statistics analysis and advanced troubleshooting
• Eliminates the need for expert engineers/technicians at multiple locations, thus enabling a smaller workforce and reducing travel
• Reduces training time and workflow interruptions by providing a common solution and nterface for both centralized testing and dispatched testing; and for multiple LAN and WAN technologies

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Technical Features

Network Troubleshooting Center (NTC) runs as an application under Windows 2000 or XP. Designed to provide an integrated view of network information from multiple sources and to launch approriate troubleshooting tools, NTC can be used stand-alone or integrated into an overall Network Management system or OSS. The main features are summarised below:-

• Provides aggregated views of RMON1/2 and MIB-II statistics from multiple data ources to present the overall health and performance of the entire network
• Offers one-click drill down from aggregated views to detailed views of individual LANs, WANs, switches, nodes, connections, protocols, and error types.
• Quickly isolates the location and nature of a problem
• Provides integrated RMON and advanced protocol analysis for seamless progression from problem isolation and troubleshooting
• Operates remote Network Analyzer platforms anywhere on the network
• Pinpoints problems with the drill down capabilities of RMON 1/2 and MIB II data
• Set thresholds for notification of possible problems before they happen
• Sends events to other Network Management Systems
• Automate response to common events with the Policy Event Manager, forward SNMP traps or run customized scripts!

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Related Network Analyzer and Distributed Network Analyzer Products

Network Troubleshooting Center integrates with the full range of expert protocol analysis products summarised below. Click on the "more info" links to reach more detailed information on each.

J6800 Network Analyzer. The J6800 is an extremely rugged portable expert protocol analyser , featuring two very high performance time-synchronised data capture engines and hot-swappable Line Interface Modules (LIM's) for a wide range of LAN, WAN and ATM interfaces. The J6800 offers 100% data capture at rates up to 1 Gbps and has the power to extract, re-assemble and analyse IP packets in real-time from within non-packetised traffic such as ATM. more info
J6801A DNA Distributed Network Analyzer. The J6801A is an ultra light-weight module that includes one time-synchronized acquisition system and Line Interface Module (LIM), identical to the those of the portable Network Analyser. The J6801A is controlled by J6840A software running in a local or remote PC or J6800 portable Network Analyzer. more info
J6802A DNA MX Distributed Network Analyzer. The Distributed Network Analyzer MX is a portable or rack mountable unit that can be left to run unattended in any part of a LAN, WAN or ATM network. DNA MX includes one time-synchronized acquisition system and Line Interface Module (LIM), identical to the those of the portable Network Analyser, supporting the full range of interface. In addition, the DNA MX includes a controller running Network Analyzer Software. more info
J6805A DNA ME Distributed Network Analyzer. The Distributed Network Analyzer ME is a portable or rack mountable unit designed specifically for distributed analysis of LAN workgroups. As with the DNA MX, this unit includes a controller running Network Analyzer Software and can run unattended. Data capture is via two half duplex 10/100Base-TX Ethernet (NDIS) interfaces to allow testing of two half duplex or one full duplex connection. . more info
J6835A Distributed Network Analyzer Software Agent . The J6835A Software Agent is pure software that can be loaded on to any remote network-connected PC. Invisible to the local PC user, it allows a remote engineer at a central site to run full expert protocol analysis on the network segment to which the PC is connected. The software can either be permanently installed to give a very cost-effective means of distributed network analysis - or installed on request to investigate particular incidents.
J6840A Network Analyzer Software Edition. J6840A Network Analyzer Software runs under Windows or NT on standard PC's and provides the same expert analysis and user interface as the hardware-based Network Analysers using the PC's standard network interface cards as measurement interfaces for LAN (10/100/1000 Mb/s Ethernet and Token Ring). For example, the 10/100 PC Cards (PCMCIA cards) found in most PC laptops can be used as the test interface for monitoring the LAN network traffic, even while this card is simultaneously providing the network connection for the PC to that LAN. . more info

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To find out more about Agilent's Network Troubleshooting Center and Distributed Network Analysis solutions call Phoenix Datacom on 01296 397711 or use the Request More Info form.