Abstract

RMON (remote monitoring) provides the ability to monitor remote segments from a central location. Before network administrators can deploy RMON devices with confidence, they need to be assured that the probes deliver accurate information, and can provide that accuracy over an extended period of time.

Frontier Software Development Inc. commissioned The Tolly Group, to evaluate their Ethernet and Token Ring RMON probes for accuracy and robustness. Additionally, a spotcheck of RMON Group Compliance to RFC 1271 (Ethernet) and RFC 1513 (Token Ring) was performed. Results show that Frontier’s NETscout Model 6010 (Ethernet) and Model 6020 (Token Ring) demonstrated a high level of performance, while maintaining accurate packet counts over a five day period.

The Results

The NetScout Model 6010 Ethernet probe was able to successfully monitor and report 64-byte frames at a frames per second (fps) rate of 14,256 fps. This rate is nearly the theoretical maximum of 14,880 fps allowed by the medium for 64-byte frames (see Figure 1). The probe maintained a packet count that was accurate over a five day period. Additionally, the probe passed the spotcheck of RMON Group Compliance for Ethernet.