LAN testing tool gets top rating

September 2000 Fieldbus & Industrial Networking

Fluke's Network Inspector 4.0 has received rave reviews for its intuitive monitoring capabilities and ease-of-use since its release in 1998. After Version 4.0's release, the United Kingdom PC Magazine's Frank J. Derfler, Jr reviewed Network Inspector 4.0 for the First Looks column.

He wrote:

"Network Inspector proved that it is an easy-to-use solution for the complex LAN environment. LANs have become more complex to manage and more likely to malfunction. Today, we have more problems with addresses and routing than with cables and hubs. Fluke's Network Inspector 4.0 software, part of a large family of Fluke network testing hardware and software, can uncover those subtle and annoying problems and tell you how to fix them.

Network Inspector discovers all of the devices on the network, not just IP devices, and monitors them for changes or errors. The program can graphically report on and register any devices using the IPX, NetBIOS or TCP/IP protocols. Network Inspector listens to the network using agent programs running on PCs on each segment. Because the program gets behind switches, it can report on the health of and generate detailed reports on each switch. The agent programs report to one or more central console programs - depending on which package you buy.

Network Inspector can launch Visio 2000 Standard, Professional or Enterprise Editions. You can then feed information to the version you have selected and use its icons and images of specific equipment to create a detailed network diagram. In about half an hour we installed the software, monitored a network of several hundred nodes and produced our first Visio diagram.

In our tests on a realworld network, Network Inspector immediately spotted many networked printers that were using a manufacturer's single, default IP address. Because Network Inspector can determine a device's network name, we were able to print out a detailed list of printers needing attention.

When we reviewed Version 2.1, the software missed a few tricks but we thought it was solid and easy to use. The Version 4.0 does not miss anything and it remains easy to use."

For those who like to 'try before buy', a 15-day trial version of Network Inspector 4 is available.

Spescom Measuregraph

(011) 266 1572

[email protected]

Further reading:

How industrial network design impacts ESG commitments
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
In safety-critical industries like nuclear, petrochemical and oil and gas, installing a new industrial cable network is an extremely complicated task. Gary Bradshaw, a director of industrial network specialist, Omniflex explains why this is often unnecessary as plants are likely to have existing cabling capable of being used to create new industrial networks.

Read more...

---

Minelert industrial solutions
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Profitek provides cutting-edge industrial networking, automation and IoT solutions for harsh environments.

Read more...

---

The ultimate industrial LoRaWAN gateway
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The GW-101-LORA-4AO is the ultimate industrial LoRaWAN gateway, combining advanced IoT connectivity with expandable I/O.

Read more...

---

Industrial Power-over-Ethernet DC injector
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The ML-NET-INJECT series sets the standard for industrial PoE, featuring IP68-rated RJ45 connectors and military-grade components for extreme reliability.

Read more...

---

Industrial networking IO-Link
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Balluff IO-Link Network Modules enable seamless, intelligent communication between sensors, actuators and control systems. Designed for Industry 4.0, they provide real-time data exchange, simplify wiring, and enhance diagnostics.

Read more...

---

Hirschmann Lemur PoE Light Management Series
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The Hirschmann Lemur PoE Light Management Series provides intelligent power and lighting control for industrial environments as an edge switch.

Read more...

---

Hirschmann MSP Modular Series
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The Hirschmann MSP Modular Series is a scalable networking solution designed for adaptability and high performance in industrial applications.

Read more...

---

PC-based automated production system for photo calendars
Beckhoff Automation Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Producing up to 1800 photo calendars per hour using more than 90 servo axes, Durrer Spezialmaschinen develops a wide variety of special-purpose machines from the design phase to commissioning. A new production system for photo calendars proves the importance of comprehensive motion control expertise, with AM8000 servomotors and AX5000 servo drives from Beckhoff used for over 90 dynamically controlled axes.

Read more...

---

Beckhoff’s TwinCAT Vision functionality extended
Beckhoff Automation Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 Vision software portfolio offers additional image processing functions and extra options for camera integration.

Read more...

---

Get started with machine vision right away
Beckhoff Automation Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The VUI2000 series from Beckhoff is being joined by four new vision units.

Read more...

---