Traffic Analysis On Your Network: What You Need to Know
Written by Daniel Cawrey in Desktop Apps - Print This Post
Everyone who works in networking wants to be able to troubleshoot network problems faster, but having the right fundamentals down is key to making sure that there aren’t problems to start out with.
Here are some key technologies/tools you may not know much about that can really help you out. Having this kind of data is really a great way to make sure that your network is running at an optimal level, no matter what size it is.
NetFlow
Developed by Cisco to better peer into bandwidth utilization, NetFlow can show you exactly what may be ailing your network. If you’re experiencing issues where users complain that the internet doesn’t work it’s likely that you network simply isn’t functioning properly. You can easily analyze NetFlow via its graphical representation of the “flow” through your network.
You can see here specifically what applications and their protocols are giving you the most grief (i.e. taking the lion’s share of bandwidth) and then using this information to possibly port block or otherwise throttle the data that users are taking for granted. The great thing about NetFlow is that it’s free if you’re already using Cisco gear.
Packet Analyzers
If NetFlow doesn’t work for a birds-eye view type of analysis for networking troubles, then using a packet analyzer on a local workstation or server can often uncover useful information. By running a tool that is able to look at every networking packet coming and going, you can get a good idea of where resources are being used.
While enterprise-style packet analyzers may cost a lot of money and sound ridiculously fancy, it’s possible to get a simplistic packet analyzer tool straight off of the internet. Most people just use Wireshark, it’s totally free.
WAN Killer
You can use WAN Killer to generate test traffic on your network. This is especially helpful if you have a system that is comprised of remote sites (hence the name WAN). You can configure the amount of load required and the tool will then generate randomized traffic.
You have the ability to set your IP address and port so that you can easy track down the test traffic in your network monitoring tools – whether you decide to go with NetFlow or packet analysis really depends on if you are looking at troubleshooting from a top-level approach or machine-specific.
Hopefully this has been a useful article on network traffic analysis. Getting started can seem overwhelming, but once you get accustomed to the lingo you can become a networking master in no time!
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Google Analytics is best
Sitemeter is good for keeping a look at the entry page, exit page, reffering URL.
Agree with you dinesh , i am also keeping sitemeter for entry exit links on specific pages , analytics cant show
Even I hv started using Sitemeter. Though Google analytics would give you proper data which can help you to raise your site’s rankings.!
recently somebody in facebook was using two G analytics code and getting single digit bounce rate … like 4-5% only ….
Many people still dont know how to use analytics code , ite the most powerful thing for webmasters
So, You can tell how to use analytics for maximum benefits.. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful tools. Really helpful!
Got to knew something new
Good post bro, Looks WAN Killer is the thing for me.
Thanking you for sharing the wonderful tips,These tools are new for me…
nice post mate
Hey, nice and crisp. I like the way this has been crafted. Keep up the great work.
what about webmasters to manage their traffic
Well till now I am not experiencing any problem with my network. Thank you for these review.
I remember when I used to spy on my neighbor’s WiFi with Wireshark, Lol
thanks , i remember to , but no wifi but wan
Thanks for posting but I am afraid I am not a Network Admin but this tools will help me and my business. I better show this to my IT.
TY again!
Solarwinds has some great tools for monitoring networks. Netflow is built into some ios cisco routers and also does a nice job of analyzing network traffic. Good list thanks.
very helpful,thank you
Great tools.Yeah i completly agree with you that everyone who works in networking wants to be able to troubleshoot network problems faster.Thanks for sharing.