Network Instruments Continues to Lead Market with Providing Analysis Tools for Switched Environments

Business Wire, May 10, 1999

Observer offers multiple modes for switched environments, and all modes except Packet Capture display data by port. These modes include Internet Observer, Trending, Packet Capture, Bandwidth Utilization, Utilization History, Top Talkers, Size Distribution Statistics, Errors-by-Station, Protocol Distribution, IPSubProtocols, IPXSubProtocols, Triggers and Alarms, and Discover Network Names. Each mode offers specific switch port information.

By allowing network administrators to keep track of many network monitoring conditions, switches and segments concurrently, this enhanced multiple-mode interface facilitates troubleshooting hard-to-diagnose, intermittent problems in both a shared and switched environment.

Observer also supports auto creation of filters and auto capture from any mode, thereby giving network administrators a more comprehensive, easy-to-use management tool. Observer has Layer 3 reporting capabilities, showing true Internet usage by IP address. E-mail and pager notification alarms in Observer ease network administration and troubleshooting.

About Observer

The Observer protocol analyzer is the most comprehensive, low-cost protocol analyzer available. Observer is a 32-bit PC application for Windows 95/98/NT environments. It offers a powerful range of analysis reports and diagnostics tools to the network user, yet is simple to use.

And, because Observer does not require special equipment, it is the most affordable protocol analyzer on the market. In addition, with support for multiple protocols over Ethernet, Token-Ring, and FDDI LANs, administrators can use Observer on any platform. Observer's distributed architecture enables remote diagnosis on multi-segment LANs as well.

Pricing and Availability

Observer 6.1 is priced at $995. The SNMP Extensions is priced at $495 and the RMON Extension is $495. These new products will be available May 11, 1999. Distributed Observer is priced at $1,290 for one local and one remote Probe; additional Probes are priced at $295 per Probe.

The Observer Suite, which includes Expert, Web, SNMP, and RMON Extensions, is priced at $2,995. Observer 6.1 is available direct from Network Instruments or through its authorized dealers and distributors.

About Network Instruments

Network Instruments is a privately held company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a European sales office in the UK and distributors in 30 countries. Information on the company and its products can be obtained by calling 612/932-9899 or by visiting the company's web site at http://www.networkinstruments.com.