Network General Extends Its Leadership in Enterprise Network Management with Sniffer InfiniStream 2.5; Industry Leading Capture Performance Allows Network Professionals to Apply Retrospective Analysis to VoIP and WAN Applications

Business Wire, Nov 7, 2005

MIAMI -- Network General(TM), the global leader in enterprise network and application performance analysis, today announced Sniffer InfiniStream(TM) 2.5, the newest version of its industry-leading network analysis product. The new release offers continuous 24x7 line rate, stream-to-disk capture of Gigabit, 10/100 Ethernet, WAN and ATM data. Deep analysis of this data is enabled and enhanced by Sniffer Decodes and Expert Analysis, a key differentiator from offerings that focus solely on network visualization at the expense of packet-level analysis. Together, these core capabilities enable Retrospective Analysis, a combination of back-in-time and real-time network analysis performed by recording and analyzing network traffic over several hours, days or weeks.

Sniffer InfiniStream pinpoints the root causes of complex performance problems in any topology of the enterprise network. For example, Voice over IP (VoIP), a mission-critical application for business operations, requires prioritization to ensure service quality remains high. In the event of degraded voice quality, Sniffer InfiniStream examines voice streams and can troubleshoot Call Center Gateway configurations.

"As an aerospace defense contractor supporting North American Air Defense (NORAD), we have gained valuable efficiencies from Sniffer InfiniStream, especially when we use its analytic capabilities to mine data captured before a problem is reported," said Angelo Tenaglia, Network Management Architect. "We've been able to identify and resolve many subtle issues faster than would have been possible if we had waited for them to recur. We are really looking forward to using Sniffer InfiniStream 2.5 and its new QoS reporting, as well as leveraging its compatibility with the new Sniffer Enterprise Visualizer product. These capabilities have the potential to greatly increase the value of our existing Sniffer InfiniStream investment."

"New WAN, ATM and MPLS functionality for Ethernet allows users to analyze the details of any traffic traveling across any link, from LAN to WAN - the first step in optimizing enterprise network performance," said Rich van de Groenekan, Product Line Manager at Network General. "Sniffer InfiniStream has become the industry standard tool used by IT professionals to reduce the mean-time-to-resolution of performance problems across the entire enterprise network."

"Analyzing terabytes of data to pinpoint performance issues is like trying to find a needle in a haystack," van de Groenekan continued. "With Sniffer InfiniStream 2.5, we have set a new standard in the industry for best-in-class retrospective analysis. The new solution makes it easy to look back-in-time to examine volumes of data to observe trends, isolate anomalies, perform deep packet analysis, generate summary reports, and ultimately quickly find the root cause."

In addition, Sniffer InfiniStream 2.5 offers seamless integration with Sniffer Enterprise Administrator and Sniffer Enterprise Visualizer, providing users with enhanced trend analysis, and capacity planning-based reporting and graphical visibility into application transactions. Across the product family, users can choose from data retention storage options ranging from 300 gigabytes to 4 terabytes.

About Network General Corporation

Network General(TM) Corporation is the global leader in enterprise application and network performance analysis. The Network General portfolio consists of innovative software solutions and intelligent appliances that allow IT professionals to identify, monitor, measure, manage and resolve application and network performance problems. Supporting the widest range of network topologies in the industry, Network General delivers breakthrough technology solutions that focus on the intersection of the application and the network for comprehensive real-time monitoring, analysis, and reporting across the business enterprise. Sniffer Enterprise Solutions empower IT organizations, simplify network management tasks, and protect the extended value and life of IT assets. For more information on Network General, a privately-held company based in San Jose, California, dial +1-408-571-5000 or go to www.networkgeneral.com.

Network General, Sniffer, InfiniStream, and the Network General logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Network General Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Only Network General Corporation makes Sniffer(R) brand products. All other registered and unregistered trademarks herein are the sole property of their respective owners. (C)2005 Network General Corporation. All Rights Reserved.