Obviously switched topologies do make it harder to get visibility of the entire network. However, some products including NAI's Sniffer range do allow you to set a span port on your switch (from inside the Sniffer software in some cases) and then sniff the mirrored port. Additionally, you can send traps from the switch to NAI's Sniffer that will allow it to snap to switch generated alarms on a port, or it will do port roaming. So while you do get a cut down view, you get some visibility into potential issues.
Additionally, you need to consider your network design - VLANs are a good environment to incorporate Sniffer into. And there is always more to sniff than just your LAN. You might want to keep an eye on your ATM or Gigabit backbone, your Packet over Sonet links, or Frame Relay, HSSI, HDLC, PPP, etc. I know you can do all of that and a bit more with the NAI Sniffer, so I wouldn't rule out Sniffing as a network management tool!
Yupper, you can get a demo version of Sniffer 2.5 from the site at http://www.sniffer.com/ - look at the grey bar at the top of the page for the tab that says buy/try. It is a limited version and an older release (currently on 3.5.02) but it does work a treat. As for Net X-Ray, that product was from a company that Network Associates purchased because their GUI was so great. Up until then the Sniffer had primarily been a DOS based product on a Dolch platform, and this GUI really changed the way things were going. Now the interface is incredibly similar to that one (can't improve on perfection) but with the excellent back end that came from the original Sniffer. As you might tell from my name, I work with this product a lot, so I'm happy to answer any questions you have about it!
Hey, I'm one of the engineers who would come out and show you the product! I'm no liar - that's for the salespeople.:-)
We do still do on-site demos, and would be happy to show the product to anyone who is interested. We'll also do "head to heads" where you can basically do a deathmatch between us and another vendor. We'll bring our kit, they can bring theirs.:-) Helpdesks at ten paces, dude.
Luckily, the fields are improved - everything is now fully customisable, something that couldn't have been said about version 5.10/5.11/5.12. But version 6.0 kicks butt. And this from someone who primarily works with the Sniffer network analysis product.
If you're interested in a demo or playing with it yourself, please go to Network Associates' web pages at http://www.magictsd.com/, or the main website at http://www.nai.com/. Either way, we're happy to work with you.
Regards,
Snifferchick
PS. The product is now called Magic Total Service Desk - been that way for about a year and a half now. Just to make sure you all look at the right product!
Support Magic as a product was more expensive than the current product, Magic Helpdesk. There are several reasons for this, including a change in licensing policy, and that Network Associates now allows you to choose which portions of the helpdesk you'd like to implement: everything from a basic helpdesk, to a helpdesk that logs calls from McAfee Virus products (amongst others) and automatically pushes out updates or secures security breaches.
If you're interested in seeing the product in action, please check out http://www.magictsd.com/ , and look for the Buy/Try button. I would suggest doing so as early as you can, before California wakes up.:-)
Magic Total Service Desk is the only 100% browser based helpdesk solution that provides all of the functionality you'd expect from a client/server application in a browser. This is done through the use of Microsoft's DNA architecture and COM objects. The product is fully customisable and designed to be used remotely.
I'm happy to speak with anyone directly who is interested in the product - I'm a Systems Engineer for Network Associates working primarily with the Sniffer products, but also with Magic. Get in touch!
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Obviously switched topologies do make it harder to get visibility of the entire network. However, some products including NAI's Sniffer range do allow you to set a span port on your switch (from inside the Sniffer software in some cases) and then sniff the mirrored port. Additionally, you can send traps from the switch to NAI's Sniffer that will allow it to snap to switch generated alarms on a port, or it will do port roaming. So while you do get a cut down view, you get some visibility into potential issues.
Additionally, you need to consider your network design - VLANs are a good environment to incorporate Sniffer into. And there is always more to sniff than just your LAN. You might want to keep an eye on your ATM or Gigabit backbone, your Packet over Sonet links, or Frame Relay, HSSI, HDLC, PPP, etc. I know you can do all of that and a bit more with the NAI Sniffer, so I wouldn't rule out Sniffing as a network management tool!
I'll get off my soapbox now, shall I?
Snifferchick
Yupper, you can get a demo version of Sniffer 2.5 from the site at http://www.sniffer.com/ - look at the grey bar at the top of the page for the tab that says buy/try. It is a limited version and an older release (currently on 3.5.02) but it does work a treat. As for Net X-Ray, that product was from a company that Network Associates purchased because their GUI was so great. Up until then the Sniffer had primarily been a DOS based product on a Dolch platform, and this GUI really changed the way things were going. Now the interface is incredibly similar to that one (can't improve on perfection) but with the excellent back end that came from the original Sniffer. As you might tell from my name, I work with this product a lot, so I'm happy to answer any questions you have about it!
We do still do on-site demos, and would be happy to show the product to anyone who is interested. We'll also do "head to heads" where you can basically do a deathmatch between us and another vendor. We'll bring our kit, they can bring theirs. :-) Helpdesks at ten paces, dude.
Luckily, the fields are improved - everything is now fully customisable, something that couldn't have been said about version 5.10/5.11/5.12. But version 6.0 kicks butt. And this from someone who primarily works with the Sniffer network analysis product.
If you're interested in a demo or playing with it yourself, please go to Network Associates' web pages at http://www.magictsd.com/, or the main website at http://www.nai.com/. Either way, we're happy to work with you.
Regards,
Snifferchick
PS. The product is now called Magic Total Service Desk - been that way for about a year and a half now. Just to make sure you all look at the right product!
If you're interested in seeing the product in action, please check out http://www.magictsd.com/ , and look for the Buy/Try button. I would suggest doing so as early as you can, before California wakes up. :-)
Magic Total Service Desk is the only 100% browser based helpdesk solution that provides all of the functionality you'd expect from a client/server application in a browser. This is done through the use of Microsoft's DNA architecture and COM objects. The product is fully customisable and designed to be used remotely.
I'm happy to speak with anyone directly who is interested in the product - I'm a Systems Engineer for Network Associates working primarily with the Sniffer products, but also with Magic. Get in touch!
Snifferchick