Fluke Networks has launched Switch Port Monitor, a new network monitoring software utility that provides visibility into network switches to help IT professionals solve problems common to local area networks (LAN).
Fluke Networks said that Switch Port Monitor is a Microsoft Windows-based utility, which offers monitoring via simple network management protocol (SNMP) to query switches and deliver information that is useful for identifying issues such as duplex mismatches, bad cabling, defective NICs and ports, device connectivity problems and highly utilised ports.
The company said that the new networking monitoring software provides information by port such as interface name, speed, status, packet activity, number of errors, current and peak utilisation, as well as user-defined alerts that are delivered in real time.
The Switch Port Monitor allows engineers to solve problems faster and be more proactive, as they can tunnel into the switch on a port-by-port basis and monitor the statistics to isolate potential problems, the company claims.
In addition, the information captured by the Switch Port Monitor is delivered to the user via an interface that may then be transformed into documentation for reporting. It also allows engineers to generate reports by copying the information required and pasting it into a spreadsheet.
Eric Anderson, product manager of Fluke Networks, said: “The Switch Port Monitor is an entry-level network monitoring solution offered by Fluke Networks. As a free tool, engineers can quickly and easily begin to take advantage of its detailed monitoring and reporting capabilities, all while getting a feel for the network visibility they would experience with our other more advanced products.
