NetScout is second up in our series of profiles and user reviews of tools that monitor application performance in real-world environments. NetScout’s stated mission is to optimize performance of networked business applications, and it is especially well suited to do this in large-scale, “applications-are-critical-to-the-business” environments like healthcare and financial services.
Founded in 1984, NetScout’s claim to fame is its ability to gather and make sense of packet flow data from probes permanently embedded in the network—and to do so for huge traffic flow volumes. The nGenius Performance Manager provides monitoring information for more than a thousand applications.
In addition to using its internally developed nGenius probes, in 2007 NetScout acquired Network General for its much loved Sniffer probe technology and is in the process of integrating the two. NetScout applies deep packet inspection to provide visibility into both real-time and historical operational application performance data.
Not an inexpensive solution, NetScout nGenius customers justify the cost primarily by the fact that it enables them to troubleshoot application performance problems faster. Users can do this because nGenius enables them to see how their applications are performing in the real world in real time, and it enables them to go back and look at what went on in the past—without a network manager having to leave the comfort of a NOC. It’s like the network equivalent of a collection of surveillance cameras that allow you to review what happened where and when.
With about 800 employees and circa $265M in revenue projected for the fiscal year to end in March of 2009, NetScout is emerging as a big shot in the gang of application performance management solution providers.
If you have deployed NetScout’s nGenius Performance Manager, tell us what you think. Does it live up to your expectations? What were your impressions? A simple “I like it”, “I have mixed feelings”, or “I hate it” response is fine—but if you have insight to share with the community, then talk all you want. You can post a reply to this blog using your name or anonymously.
