Probe collects network data, traffic

A new FDDI network monitoring probe from Technically Elite, which helps network managers oversee distributed networks or heavily used intranets, offers an expandable platform with several proactive features for under $8,000.

The FDDIMeter 3600, when installed on an FDDI local area network, is able to collect data on information packet rates, station traffic, network errors, and station management frames.

The FDDIMeter also includes information packet capture capabilities and decodes information on all seven communications protocol layers.

The 3600 includes a RISC (reduced instruction set computing) processor that can be expanded for two processors. Token Ring and Ethernet interfaces can also be added, offering FDDI monitoring from a second interface, thereby reducing Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) management traffic on the single network ring.

The 3600 supports network management platforms such as IBM's NetView, Sun Microsystems' SunNet Manager, and Hewlett-Packard's OpenView. Prices for the FDDIMeter 3600 start at $7,495.