System information

© 2003 Network Instruments, LLC iii
Table of Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................1
About this Guide.............................................................................................. 1
Installing Observer .....................................................................................3
System Requirements..................................................................................... 3
Licensing Observer ......................................................................................... 3
Quick Installation Overview.............................................................................4
Running Observer or a Probe .........................................................................5
Step-by-Step Installation Instructions.............................................................. 5
Probe Installation ............................................................................................ 6
Ethernet Errors By Station and NIC Driver Installation ...................................6
Network Instruments Hardware Probes and Systems ..................................13
Main Observer Display ............................................................................15
Observer Basics............................................................................................16
Running Probes with Multiple Interface Cards..............................................28
Uninstalling Observer....................................................................................31
The Capture Menu.....................................................................................33
Packet Capture Mode ...................................................................................33
The Statistics Menu..................................................................................69
Bandwidth Utilization.....................................................................................69
Efficiency History...........................................................................................73
Internet Observer Mode (Internet Patrol, Pairs Matrix, IP Subprotocols)......76
Network Activity Display................................................................................88
Network Errors by Station Mode ................................................................... 93
Network Vital Signs Mode.............................................................................95
Pair Statistics (Matrix) Mode .......................................................................105
Protocol Distribution Statistics Mode........................................................... 112
RMON Tables .............................................................................................115
Router Observer..........................................................................................115
Access Points Load Monitor........................................................................119
Packet Size Distribution Statistics Mode.....................................................122
Top Talkers Statistics Mode........................................................................125
Utilization History Mode ..............................................................................132
Utilization Thermometer Mode....................................................................137
Web Observer.............................................................................................137
Wireless Access Points Statistics ...............................................................141
Wireless Site Survey...................................................................................144
Triggers and Alarms Mode..........................................................................148
Configuring Triggers and Alarms ................................................................149
FDDI Network Vital Signs............................................................................162
Wireless Vital Signs ....................................................................................163
Network Summary.......................................................................................165