Network Analyzer

**cryingvalor** · 02-05-2007, 07:05 AM

- hey guys whats the difference between a network analyzer and network protocol analyzer... where can i find a free software of these

**Cellus** · 02-05-2007, 01:13 PM

There really isn't a difference between the two - some people prefer to call it one name, some another. Some people refer to a Network Analyzer as more of a statistics/benchmark program.

My personal favourite for a free Network Protocol Analyzer/Protocol Inspector would definitely be Wireshark (formerly Ethereal). It can detect a huge range of protocols while providing a colour-coded table of incoming/outgoing PDUs with a complete dissection of their contents, plus its filtering is fairly good (though admittedly a touch tempermental).

Another decent one would be the Fluke Networks Optiview Network Analyzer, though it costs money.

**cryingvalor** · 02-05-2007, 05:50 PM

-i have read an artilce last night saying that network analyzers can also detect viruses or trojans through signature patterns.and network analyzers has probes to scan the network...can ethereal has this capabilities....

**johnwill** · 11-20-2008, 09:01 AM

This thread is almost two years old, hopefully they've figured it out by now.

02-05-2007, 07:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
cryingvalor TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 510 OS: XP2,WIN03,UBUNTU,CentOS,Bayanihan,FEDORA 8	Network Analyzer - hey guys whats the difference between a network analyzer and network protocol analyzer... where can i find a free software of these

02-05-2007, 01:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	There really isn't a difference between the two - some people prefer to call it one name, some another. Some people refer to a Network Analyzer as more of a statistics/benchmark program. My personal favourite for a free Network Protocol Analyzer/Protocol Inspector would definitely be Wireshark (formerly Ethereal). It can detect a huge range of protocols while providing a colour-coded table of incoming/outgoing PDUs with a complete dissection of their contents, plus its filtering is fairly good (though admittedly a touch tempermental). Another decent one would be the Fluke Networks Optiview Network Analyzer, though it costs money. __________________ TSF Networking Team Virus/Trojan/Spyware Removal Help Donate!

11-20-2008, 09:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Network Analyzer This thread is almost two years old, hopefully they've figured it out by now. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-05-2007, 05:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
cryingvalor TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 510 OS: XP2,WIN03,UBUNTU,CentOS,Bayanihan,FEDORA 8	-i have read an artilce last night saying that network analyzers can also detect viruses or trojans through signature patterns.and network analyzers has probes to scan the network...can ethereal has this capabilities....