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From: chris@yarra.oz.au (Chris Jankowski)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip
Subject: TCP/IP/Ethernet Protocol Analyser - which to buy
Message-ID: <64884@yarra.oz.au>
Date: 16 Aug 90 00:38:56 GMT
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp PL, Melb., Australia
Lines: 28

I need a TCP/IP/Ethernet protocol analyser for general troubleshooting
work in multivendor enviroment. It must be portable as I often work at
customer sites. It must also be good at decoding protocols. I don't
want to spend months ploughing through rims of hex dumps.
I used Sniffer a few times and I was very happy with it.
It has good intuitive user interface and decodes protocols nicely.
I would love to get one but people who sell it here in Australia
charge A$35k for a working set based on portable Compaq 386.
On the other hand I know that a working analyser can be built
for around A$6k here using a $2k software product from FTP Software
and a PC portable with an Ethernet card. I am sure there exist something 
in between as well. Is Sniffer so much better to justify 6 times higher
price? What are the deficiencies of the low end products?

I would appreciate your comments based on your experiences with available 
products, their strengths and weaknesses and value for money factor.
Comparisons to Sniffer, which I know and is probably a top end benchmark
in this area will be especially useful.

Many thanks in advance. I shall summarise to the net.

      -m-------   Chris Jankowski - Senior Systems Engineer chris@yarra.oz{.au}
    ---mmm-----   Pyramid Technology Corporation Pty. Ltd.  fax  +61 3 820 0536
  -----mmmmm---   11th Floor, 14 Queens Road                tel. +61 3 820 0711
-------mmmmmmm-   Melbourne, Victoria, 3004       AUSTRALIA       (03) 820 0711

"Knowing how things work is the basis for appreciation,
and is thus a source of civilized delight."  -- William Safire