LANs /

Interactive scorecard and NetResults: Protocol analyzers

Network World Fusion, 07/09/01

Every network is unique. This calculator lets you change the weights given to scores from our review to see how these products might be best suited for your needs.

Here's how it works:
As of Jan. 8, 2001, Network World has switched its scoring scale. We will now score products on a scale of 1 to 5, rather than 1 to 10. We feel that scoring on a 1 to 5 range would be more easily understood than previous methods. As it relates to school grades, the new scoring would establish 1=D, 2=C, 3=B, 4=A. A score of 5 would be the exceptional score - a scholastic equivalent would be scoring an A in an honors class.

For each category below, assign the percentage weight you think is most appropriate. The percent-o-meter box on the right will keep track of your weightings to let you know when you've reached 100%. When you fill in the last box, hit your enter key, and you'll see how the apps rate (along with our final score for comparison).

Percent-
o-meter

Category	Our weight	Your weight
Accuracy	20%	%
Protocols	20%	%
Reports	20%	%
Ease of use	20%	%
Documentation	10%	%
Installation	10%	%

Results table

Below, you'll find the 1-5 score given to each app by our reviewers. To obtain the final score: Multiply each individual score by the weighting given that category, then add up all those resulting numbers.

EtherPeek 4.1 Agilent Advisor 11.8 Sniffer Pro 4.5 Observer 7.1 Surveyor 3.2

Accuracy 4 4 4 4 4

Protocols 4 3 4 3 2

Reports 4 4 3 3 3

Ease of use 4 3 2 3 3

Documentation 3 4 3 3 3

Installation 3 3 3 3 3

Our total 3.8 3.5 3.2 3.2 3.0

YOUR TOTAL

Scoring key:
5: Exceptional showing in this category. Defines the standard of excellence;
4: Very good showing. Although there may be room for improvement, this product was much better than average;
3: Average showing in this category. Product was neither especially good nor exceptionally bad;
2: Below average. Lacked some features or lower easedormance than other products, or than was expected;
1: Considerably subpar, or lacking features being reviewed.

NetResults

Blue Ribbon winner Network Management Suitcase III
(EtherPeek 4.1 plus utilities)
SCORE: 3.8
COMPANY: WildPackets, (925) 937-7900
PRICE: Basic EtherPeek starts at $1,000.
PROS: Intuitive user interface; comprehensive decodes.
CONS: Lacks a real-time expert mode.

Agilent Advisor 11.8 software edition
SCORE: 3.5
COMPANY: Agilent Technologies, (800) 452-4844
PRICE: $5,000.
PROS: Good set of decodes; multitasks well even under Windows 98.
CONS: Perhps too complex a product for small networks.

Sniffer Portable 4.5
SCORE: 3.2
COMPANY: Sniffer Technologies (a Network Associates business unit), (800) 764-3337
PRICE: Starts at $12,000.
PROS: Excellent analyzer for distributed networking situations.
CONS: Display of decoded packets isn�t as easy to navigate and understand as we'd like.

Observer 7.1
SCORE: 3.0
COMPANY: Network Instruments, (952) 932-9899
PRICE: Starts at $1,000.
PROS: Useful set of well-designed reports.
CONS: Needs to decode more protocol types (coming in the next version, says the vendor.)

Surveyor 3.2
SCORE: 3.0
COMPANY: Shomiti Systems, (a Finisar Corporation company), (888) 746-6484
PRICE: Starts at $1,500.
PROS: Excellent filtering of captured packets.
CONS: Needs to decode more protocol types.

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