Network Analysers Buying Guide
What To Network Analyzers Gather?
There is a lot of data that is passed through and captured by a network analyzer but many people do not know the specific things that this powerful and essential digital business tool collects and reports on.
So, what are the most prominent and important things that a network analyzer captures and measures?
They will grab hold of the source as well as the destination of a data packet, knowing where it is headed and from where it was sent.
They are also able to identify the protocol type as well as the packet length and the timestamps built into the packet.
They can also find information that is inside the packet if it has been left unencrypted. These are all very important features to look for, especially when it comes to having a strong cybersecurity for business.
A network analyzer will do all of this on its own but a network administrator can also do a lot of work with the analyzer and be able to read through the data. There are many network analyzers that come with built-in tools, AI, and other features that will make analysis of the entire process with the captured data so much easier.
What To Consider
A network analyzer may be one of the biggest and most important purchases that a business makes and it can put quite a dent in the budget for a company, especially if it is a small one.
This is why it’s vital that anyone buying a network analyzer knows which features they feel are most important. By knowing what you are looking for with your network analyzer, you will be able to make the selection process much easier and much faster and far less stressful for you and the people working in your business.
Price
This is a major sticking point for many businesses because the truth is that most network analyzers are not inexpensive by a long shot.
It is not uncommon to spend $30,000 to $40,000 and even more on a network analyzer. While that is certainly a high price point and could be a huge amount of the gross income made by a business within a month, it is very important to remember exactly what a network analyzer does.
Without a network analyzer, an entire company can be held hostage by outside intruders who break into a network. A network being compromised could truly harm a business, affect customers, employees, and clients, and can ruin the reputation of a company forever.
That is why the price is almost always worth it for the network analyzer.
Features
If you and your business are spending so much money on a network analyzer, it’s also very important that you are sure it comes with all of the features you are seeking. As mentioned before, an analyzer has the ability to go through a lot of data at one time with very fast speed and that is very helpful.
But there are other features that are important, such as the amount of data it can process, the ability to share reports with professionally-trained data analyzer, and more.
Speed
With so much data flowing through a network analyzer at any given time, it is obvious that the speed of the device is paramount. If the analyzer is not able to address its tasks and get them completed in a short amount of time then it really does not serve a purpose.
Installation/Maintenance
The use of a network analyzer should be very hands-off for you and most business owners. The device should mostly work on its own once it is set up and properly running.
Making sure that the analyzer is properly set up and running is a task in and of itself that might require the work of a trained professional who can come in, install the item, get it working, and ensure that it will not need to be supervised.
When shopping for a network analyzer, it’s important that you are aware of the process needed to get it up and running and working well. Can you do it on your own? Do you need your IT team? Do you need to hire an outside party? A network analyzer that is easier to set up is often times worth the extra price.
