Getting Eclipse to output reports in PDF; Getting a handle on mystery bandwidth use

* Dr. Internet columnist Steve Blass offers advice on getting Eclipse to output reports in PDF * Help Desk columnist Ron Nutter offers advice on getting a handle on bandwidth use

* Getting Eclipse to output reports in PDF

By Steve Blass

Q: We read your Dec. 19 story on the Eclipse Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools. We downloaded the latest release and found that the PDF-generation feature you described (and what we were most interested in) seems to be missing. Things seem to work, but we cannot figure out how to generate and print the PDF versions of the reports.

A: It’s possible that you installed BIRT 2.0, which was released in January. The print icon in BIRT was disabled just before the new release because of report-parameter handling problems that couldn’t be addressed in time for the release.

To read Steve’s response in its entirety, please click here.

* Getting a handle on mystery bandwidth use

By Ron Nutter

Q: We have been noticing for several weeks that we are using most of our bandwidth for no apparent reason. We use MRTG to watch which buildings on our campus are using bandwidth and in some cases are able to monitor to the port level in buildings. Some time back we installed a Packeteer Packetshaper to be able to control how the bandwidth was being used since implementing QOS wasnt an option. The Packetshaper is showing at least 10 to 20 percent of our bandwidth at any given time as being used by the “Default” traffic class. How can we get an idea of what is using the bandwidth that is being reported as “Default” class?

A: You will learn that the Packeteer can be your friend – it is the world’s biggest gossip on a network. The first thing you should go do is to check that you are on the latest firmware image for the particular Packetshaper model that you have and download a newer one if needed. Also, check to make sure that you also have the latest plugins installed as well so that the PacketShaper can do the job you need it to. Once this is done, go into the Default traffic class for the inbound side of the Packeteer configuration. Enable the Top Listener’s option and give the Packeteer a few minutes to start collecting the information. What you have just done is to tell the Packetshaper to start collecting a list of the IP addresses of everyone who is being seen by the default traffic class.

To read Ron’s response in its entirety, please click here.