Tap Tool setup for Multi-trace Analysis

When working with clients troubleshooting, training, or whatever they need, the topic of multi-trace analysis comes up. In some cases, the client suspects a device is dropping packets, wants to measure the latency across a device or link, or lastly wants to take a baseline measurement for their network management system.

As you well know, there are many ways to accomplish this but in this case, I am usually asked within the context of packet analysis or using multi-traces.

Offloading and Wireshark

I was troubleshooting with a client and they noticed that the client was sending 6k frames and seeing a lot of TCP ack errors. They asked me to look into it.

I immediately recognized what was going on and explained that most current network interfaces support offloading. This is basically where the protocol driver offloads processing to the network controller.

Wi-Fi Survey Basics

Based on your feedback, I’ve been putting together various videos explaining how to test and survey Wi-Fi.

Then I thought, why not get off my butt 😉 and go for a walk to show you some of the tips and tricks instead. I thought it was a fun and different way to convey some info.

Industrial Network Infrastructure

The industrial business sector is evolving, for this reason, organizations need to upgrade their network infrastructure and connectivity between industrial assets, local, central applications, and systems. As they adapt, challenges arise from multiple domains, such as traffic visibility, network security, and performance.

Cable Troubleshooting Example

Another job and another example of an Ethernet coupler causing challenges.

In this case, we upgraded some old 10/100Mb switches to 1 Gb switches. As part of my methodology, I typically get all the devices connected in, make sure everything is up and running, then clear the port statistics (when possible), check the ports for speed/duplex and errors after a minimum of an hour or so of operation.

You can do this via CLI, web interface, customized scripts or SNMP. As long as you can reliably collect the data, you are in good shape. Don’t forget to document how you gathered the data, date, time, and collection period.