Tools for toubleshooting the network

We have 6 Server 2003 servers, several Linux servers, and about 100
workstations. For the network connectivity we are running a 3COM Corebuilder
with a variety of edge switches (3COM switch 3000's, 3COM 100mbps shared
switches, Linksys switches, Netgear, etc).

What kind of hardware / software could we be using to troubleshoot network
problems rather than just pulling wires? We had an ancient copy of HP
Openview and some 3COM software that did a horrible job of monitoring the
network. It was buggy, glitchey, and took forever to come up with any
meaningful results. Some of our switches have SNMP but most don't. Can we
just buy a handheld device to plug into different areas of the network to
see if it is boggled? What is the best course of action here - to buy some
software to monitor the network, or one or more hardware devices? An example
of our problems are that we find everything runs about medium throughput on
any of the Linksys switches but runs very fast on the 3COM switches. We also
found two very slow ports on the Corebuilder.

Whatever we get shouldn't be so enormously complex that it takes a full time
job to operate - otherwise it's better to just go back to pulling wires. It
may be grunt work but pulling wires usually works in the end. We just want
something more efficient.

Thanks in advance,

Tom Edelbrok

Hi Tom,

Troubleshooting network issue could be a complicated and time-consuming
task due to different network environment. It hard to say one diagnostic
application will comprehensive information to help you to troubleshoot the
network.

According to my experience, Microsoft SMS server contains full version of
Network Monitor that can monitor the whole network.

Actually, some third-party hardware manufacturers have developed some
utility for diagnostic purpost, such as HP OpenView and Cisco Works.

You may be interested in the following links:

HP OpenView
http://managementsoftware.hp.com/

Ciscoworks CiscoView
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/...565/index.html

Note: The third-party product discussed is manufactured by a vendor
independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise,
regarding this product's performance or reliability.

In addition, you can consult with 3com manufacturer to get more information
about this question, they might have developed corresponding monitor.

HTH!

Best regards,

Rebecca Chen

MCSE2000 MCDBA CCNA


Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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"Tom Edelbrok" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message:
> We have 6 Server 2003 servers, several Linux servers, and about 100
> workstations. For the network connectivity we are running a 3COM
Corebuilder
> with a variety of edge switches (3COM switch 3000's, 3COM 100mbps shared
> switches, Linksys switches, Netgear, etc).
> What kind of hardware / software could we be using to troubleshoot network
> problems rather than just pulling wires?
I can recommend you to check features taht provides a tool called netcrunch.
It's administrative tools that help you to control your systems, servers,
switches, routers and applications. Provides multiple notification options
(e-mail, pager, ICQ, SMS, SNMP), automatic corrective actions, alerting ...
It's better check it yourself.

mike