Gigabit Probes
Network Instruments offers both hardware- and software-based probes to accommodate all network speeds and specific network configurations. Hardware-based probes are specific to administrators that require wire-speed, full-duplex gigabit capture, analysis, trending and statistics. Software-based probes are appropriate for network speeds up to 1000 Mbps (Ethernet, token ring, FDDI and 802.11a/b/g wireless) and are a good solution for monitoring low-utilization gigabit networks via a SPAN on a switch.

Gigabit Probe Appliance

Advantages of the Gigabit Probe     • Full-duplex, wire-speed gigabit capture     • Real-time gigabit analysis and a comprehensive Expert system     • Includes custom-designed Gen2™ Gigabit Capture Card with SFP technology       to easily switch between monitoring copper and optical links     • Transparent design—insert and remove the Gigabit Probe without disruption       to the network with the installation of an nTAP     • Provides an independent view of gigabit data flow—with an nTAP installed,       the Gigabit Probe is not dependent on a SPAN or mirror port     • Completely passive analysis—will not interfere with the gigabit network     • Industry-leading 4 GB memory buffer (maximum) for capturing large amounts       of data without packet loss     • Internal Advanced Expert Probe allows for multi-session collaboration with       other Expert Observer or Observer Suite users

Choose an award-winning Gigabit Probe appliance to troubleshoot and report on local and remote gigabit segments without leaving your desk.

Hardware-based Gigabit Probes are specifically designed for administrators that require wire-speed, full-duplex gigabit captures. By adding an nTAP, a Gigabit Probe provides a direct, passive link into the data stream offering an independent, proven, and trusted view of network traffic.

Gigabit Probes add gigabit analysis, statistics, trending, and reporting capabilities to any Expert Observer or Observer Suite console. Gigabit Probes combine high-performance analysis with the very best price to performance ratio in the industry.

All Gigabit Probes include an internal nTAP that duplicates the gigabit signal—one for the analyzer and one for the network. Once an nTAP is added to a network, the probe can be hot-swapped without link interruption.

Proven Analysis Metrics

Real-time statistics such as network summary, total and individual link bandwidth utilization, top talkers, and VLAN statistics.

Packet capture and decode capabilities with features such as nanosecond resolution, and the ability to decode over 500 protocols.

Network trending and reporting features such as comparison analysis reports, web reporting, and customized reports.

Gigabit Probes Include an nTAP to Ensure Accurate Captures
The gigabit analyzer’s functionality includes full-duplex, wire-speed gigabit analysis for copper and optical fiber networks. To achieve full-duplex capture, all configurations of the Gigabit Probe include an internal nTAP that provides a copy of the gigabit signal to Observer. In the case of gigabit over fiber (i.e. optical) networks, the nTAP uses optical prisms to provide a copy of the data stream. In the case of gigabit over copper, the nTAP electronically duplicates the gigabit signal—one for the network, and one for the analyzer. With an nTAP, the gigabit network flow always remains unaltered and uninterrupted.

The Gigabit Probe can also connect to nTAPs that are already permanently deployed on the network for targeted analysis. Once an nTAP is inserted into the gigabit connection, the Gigabit Probe can be attached or removed without interruption of the gigabit signal.

Network Instruments Gigabit Technology–Gen2
The Gigabit Probe includes the Gen2 Gigabit Capture Card exclusively designed by Network Instruments. Gen2 technology maximizes Observer performance for full-duplex, wire-speed gigabit analysis. The Gen2 Capture Card delivers higher port densities with SFP modules for monitoring a copper or optical full-duplex link. Since the card is based on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), updates to the card can be made with a downloadable firmware patch, eliminating the need to swap cards or systems.

High-Capacity RMON Probe Appliance
The High-Capacity RMON Probe appliance from Network Instruments is built for high-capacity full-duplex gigabit analysis with any RMON management console or collection facility. This supports the RMON standard, HCRMON, as detailed in RFCs 2577 and 3273. This appliance comes complete with all hardware necessary as a ready-to-go system including nTAPs and the Gen2 Gigabit Capture Card. The HCRMON system provides network administrators with:
   • A direct, passive link into the data stream, offering an independent, proven, and trusted view of network traffic;
   • Full adherence to all 21 RMON groups, including HCRMON for complete data collection; and
   • Compatibility to any RMON management console or collection facility (Observer Suite, OpenView, Concord, Micromuse).

Gigabit Probe System Requirements
The Gigabit Probe appliance is a complete system and only requires a copy of Expert Observer or Observer Suite console to report to.

View hardware and software warranty information.