"You get more for your money." That's one reason readers gave for designating Network Instruments' Observer Suite Best Software Protocol Analyzer. Observer Suite, which readers also applauded for its array of features, bested WildPackets' AiroPeek NX and write-in favorite Sunbelt Software's LanHound to win this category for the second year in a row.
Observer Suite is a cost-effective, software-only, Windows-based tool that includes complete protocol analysis, a distributed architecture, SNMP device management, and an RMON1/2 console and management interface. When you run the Probe component on a PC on a remote segment of any LAN, WAN, or Virtual LAN (VLAN), Observer Suite lets you monitor not only the local segment and switch but also the remote segment. Observer Suite is compatible with Ethernet, wireless 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, token-ring, and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) networks.