Fluke Networks has announced the availability of the EtherScope Network Assistant, a next-generation handheld analyser designed to aid the rapid installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of 10/100/gigabit enterprise networks.
"Network technicians and administrators spend on average 25% to 45% of their time in reactive troubleshooting," said Chris Odell, president of Fluke Networks. "This is precious time that is taken away from the deployment of IT projects that have real ROI impacts on the organisation. EtherScope solves the emergencies faster, and helps resolve nagging tactical issues that could delay strategic projects. We help technicians and administrators by giving them back their time."
"EtherScope is a product with a clear constituency," said Jeffrey Nudler, senior analyst with Enterprise Management Associates. "The network technician will be pleasantly surprised at the levels of troubleshooting information the EtherScope provides. Its ability to detect devices and afterward examine various parameters, combined with EtherScope`s easy-to-use GUI, will be helpful and appropriate for today`s market."
"When a network problem demands you connect to the network to find out what the problem is, EtherScope lets you quickly see the whole broadcast domain. If the first line technician can find the problem, then a second tier engineer can easily remote into the unit and help the technician fix the problem. That`s real efficient use of resources," said Darren Bagnall, Sunrise, a leading UK software company in IT service management.
EtherScope`s Nearest Switch utility eliminates navigation obstacles when connecting into the network to diagnose user issues. EtherScope automatically determines the nearest switch, interface and VLAN for each discovered device, making it easy to resolve issues and track configuration changes. Discovered devices can be conveniently organised into IP Subnets, NetBIOS Domains and IPX networks. The Switch Scan utility allows the technician to see into switches for visibility of traffic statistics, errors and connected devices on each port.
The simple, high-resolution full-colour touch-screen display allows users to clearly monitor key devices and identify vital network statistics including protocol mix, top senders, top broadcasters and error sources.
EtherScope utilises full-duplex 10/100/Gigabit copper Ethernet testing. Its automatic problem log detects and reveals issues that network administrators may not even know exist. The unit displays real-time diagnostic results of devices, networks and problems. Duplicate IP addresses are pinpointed along with network misconfigurations, frame errors, autonegotiation failures, high-utilisation segments and cable problems. Up to 1 000 devices can be discovered, viewed and stored in the on-board database.
Network professionals can analyse overall network health and improve network performance by using performance trends documented in XML-coded Web reports. Measurables include network attributes, baseline performance, device inventory, a problem log and switch-port statistics.
EtherScope is a Linux-based device. It supports Web-based access and control for remote network testing. On-board utilities for convenient field troubleshooting include Key Device Ping/Monitor, TraceRoute, Trace SwitchRoute, IP Ping, FTP, Telnet and Web Browser. The product is designed with future enhancements in mind. Features such as USB and audio ports, expandable memory, and expansion slots (CompactFlash and PCMCIA) will allow the EtherScope to address wireless and throughput testing.
Additionally, EtherScope has the ability to accomplish basic cable tests (length, wire map, shorts, split pairs, pin-to-pin connectivity via wire map) on live connections. This allows for the isolation of hardware or cable problems from other network issues. The diagnostic and troubleshooting power of EtherScope is delivered in an extremely compact (20cm x 16.5cm x 5cm) and light weight (0.9kg) package.
Pricing and availability
The EtherScope Network Assistant is available for immediate delivery through Fluke Networks` sales channels worldwide. For Sub-Saharan Africa, contact Bitrate at sales@bitrate.co.za.
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Customer testimonials
"The entire unit is impressive; particularly the context pane that gives you detail without having to navigate away from the main page," said Kerry Hampton, Network Manager for Vigo County School Corporation in Terre Haute, Indiana. "Once the tool is plugged-in it takes about two seconds to check for termination of the cable run at the workstation. Fast!"
"With EtherScope I can quickly look at a summary screen to see what the network is doing," said Scott Crocker, Network Administrator for Resultants International in Williamsville, New York. "I don`t even have to drill down for information. It`s a huge timesaver."
Travis Callihan, Telecommunications Network Specialist for Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, has tested EtherScope`s ability to locate and identify devices. "The main screen immediately identified two errors: a duplicate IP address on the very printer I was troubleshooting and another printer that the technician set up incorrectly. The device notified me of a user`s home PC connecting to the network and its status as `the only computer in its domain`. I like its problem-detection capability."
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Fluke Networks provides innovative solutions for the testing, monitoring and analysis of enterprise and telecommunications networks and the installation and certification of the fibre and copper foundation of those networks. The company`s comprehensive line of Network SuperVision solutions provide network installers, owners, and maintainers with superior vision, combining speed, accuracy and ease of use to optimise network performance. Headquartered in Everett, Washington, the company has over 500 employees worldwide and distributes its products in more than 50 countries. More information can be found by visiting Fluke Networks` Web site at www.flukenetworks.com.