Network Instruments updates its network management software

Minneapolis, Jan. 18, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- Network Instruments has released version 10.1 of its Observer software for management of wired and wireless networks. This new version aims to provide administrators with greater insight for distributed networks with additional metrics for reporting overall network performance, capabilities for automatic report delivery and packet scheduling, enhancements for remote network analysis and additional monitors for 802.11a/b/g networks.

Observer 10.1 expands reporting capabilities with the new Report Scheduler, which enables administrators to configure any Ready-Made or Custom Report to be delivered at pre-determined times or time intervals to Observer and non-Observer users alike. The Report Scheduler offers a quick way to update others on network health, bandwidth utilization, Web traffic, top talkers and more. Delivery options include email attachments, Web links or automatically saving reports to selected directories.

For a deeper understanding of network performance, Observer's Expert Analysis now reports Network Delay as a separate metric. Network delay provides an indication of the actual time spent on the wire from point A to point B, independent of client or server delay. Measuring network delay helps determine what portion of total delay is due specifically to the network and not resulting from operating systems or individual applications.

In order to relieve concerns with providing access to confidential data through a decode screen, Expert Observer can now password protect and limit captures to a set number of bytes. This feature can be set at the company, department or individual level. Setup is manageable via the Expert Observer interface or through the Network Instruments Authentication Server).

Additional features in Observer 10.1 include:

• Packet Capture Scheduling
  
• Remote Probe Post-Capture Analysis
  
• Wireless Analysis Enhancements - Observer 10.1 adds numerous Expert Conditions to monitor for problems such as access point interference or denial of service attacks to wireless networks.
• In addition, new decodes were added such as Financial Info Exchange (FIX), as well as new extensions for Secure Socket Layer (SSL).

Observer 10.1 is priced beginning at US $995. Expert Observer 10.1 includes Application Analysis, over 500 Real-Time Experts and a 4GB Memory Buffer at $2895. The Observer Suite 10.1 package includes Expert Analysis, an SNMP console and Web Reporting for $3995. The Advanced Expert Probe, with real-time and post-capture remote analysis can also operate as a local console for $2895. A free product evaluation and additional information about Observer and Network Instruments is available at the Network Instruments Web site.

For quick information about Observer and contact information, see the company's summary page on MobileVillage.

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