Switched Protocol Analyser Environments
Is a Protocol Analyser useful in a switched environment?
Yes.
If your switch supports port mirroring. You can turn on mirroring of one or
more of the switched ports to the span port which the Protocol Analyser is plugged in to.
Using a Protocol Analyser in a switched environment is common, and can provide
both global port balancing information (using station statistics) and specific
conversation troubleshooting information (using packet capture and decode).
In most switched environments using a Protocol Analyser is as simple as placing the
tool on a server to collect access and conversational data to and from that
server. Placing the Protocol Analyser on a "downstream" hub can show if the
hub's users are correctly placed to maximise the aggregate throughput of the
switch. Most switches allow for port tapping to direct any port's traffic to the
port where the Protocol Analyser is installed.
|
