Features

• Monitors the network at your desk
• Collects network related information through backup mode
• Password protected
• Data is stored in CSV format for exporting to spreadsheets and database
• Cost-effective

• IBM PC/AT or compatible
• 16MB RAM (minimum)
• VGA color monitor
• Windows 3.1 / 3.11 or 95 or NT 3.5 / 4.0
• Ethernet cards of industry standards

LanEdit is an interactive program that helps in creating a physical map of the entire network. LanEdit works in two modes, namely the Real Mode and the Simulation Mode. LanEdit also helps in connecting nodes, servers and equipment like hubs, gateways and bridges. The connectivity information is maintained for each component by LanEdit.

Network Information provides extensive information about a node or a server with its statistical details such as network statistics, error statistics, node statistics, protocol statistics and frame size distribution. This information is updated every two seconds thus utilising the efficiency of the real time network performance. The Options in the Network Information can be broadly classified as 'Comparative Information' and 'Statistical Information'.

NetSetup helps in registering the IP address of LanSneaker with the nearest Gateway. It acts as an initialisation step for the Intersegment procedure to take place.

Base Backup module runs as a back-end for the Solution Kit module. Base Backup will be initialised when LanSneaker is activated. The backup of NIB is taken for a specific period of time. Periodical backups are taken on an average to form the backup for a day. The backup of every two days is taken to form the backup for a week. The same process is followed to form the backup for a month. These backup files are used as a source of information for various modules that represent the Solution Kit of LanSneaker.

Filter option enables the user to filter the packets either by the MAC address or by the Protocol. The Filter option allows the user to define certain conditions for capturing the packets. The condition for filtering will be based on the nodes and protocols selected. The user can filter the packets using one protocol or a range of protocols. Packets specific to a node can also be filtered. This filter setup is valid for a defined time interval. The user is allowed to choose any number of nodes and protocols available at that time. The time interval has to be specified, to capture the packets based on the filter condition. In addition to this, a facility to filter the broadcast packet alone is available. If the Filter is already set, it displays the Filter condition which was set previously. The user can reset the Filter condition.

Protocol module provides the option for supporting new protocols in LanSneaker. The protocols supported by LanSneaker are listed layer-wise in the dialog box for Protocol Selection. The user can select the required protocols that are required to be added. The added protocols are listed in the selected protocol list. On invoking the application, the previously selected protocols will be listed in the selected protocol list.

Interseg module facilitates the communication between two or more LanSneakers which are connected through a common gateway, router or bridge to retrieve the NIB information.

Excel Convert option helps in porting the Backup files created by the backup module into a form which is accepted by Microsoft Excel. The history created by these files is stored in the Network Information backup files, which can be viewed in Microsoft Excel. The various options provided are: Backup File, Selection Parameter / Node selection .

Decode option gives detailed information on packets that travel through the network. It is used to view the Frames irrespective of the use of any Protocol. The Decoder is independent of the protocols used. The packets that are captured in the network are stored in a capture buffer. The Decode options include -
No Decode, views the packet as it arrives into the network. It displays the Hexadecimal and ASCII representation of the packet. The packets can be viewed in the order they had arrived using the browse buttons which are provided.
Brief Decode, gives brief details on the Frame Types. It displays the MAC layer details of the packets. A general overview of the packet is made available. Detail decoding of the packet is displayed by double clicking the highlighted frame. The availability of the decoder for a particular protocol is specified.
Detail Decode, displays the MAC, Network and Transport layer details of a packet. The details of the data are displayed in hexadecimal and ASCII format. The packets can be viewed in the order they had arrived using the browser buttons provided .
Replay, helps in viewing the Stored Packets. The stored packets can be called using three options for decoding namely - No Decode, Detail Decode and Brief Decode.
Store, stores all the current packets in the Buffer in the form of a File. It takes a backup of the entire ECB in which all the packets are stored.
Protocol Templates, facilitates adding, deleting and viewing of templates for standard, user-defined protocols. It helps in defining the Protocol templates.

Solution Kit provides extensive analysis of network statistics. The features included in the Solution Kit can be effectively used to avoid unforeseen performance degradation in the network. When nodes are added to the network, it is required to forecast their performance in terms of various parameters such as utilisation, error rates, etc. The Solution Kit resolves this by offering the options:
Cause Analysis, lists out the problems and possible causes pertaining to a node or a network. Performance Forecasting, helps the user to predict the future performance of both the network and the node. Prediction is done based on the past data collected over a period of time.
Fine Tuning, tunes the network for proper load balancing when the network is likely to be overloaded. Fine tuning is done for some of the important network parameters like Traffic, Utilisation and Error rates.
Trouble Shooting, tracks out whether a particular node in the network is alive or not.
Alarm, gives a warning message whenever the parameters like error rate, no. of bytes/seconds, no. of pkts/seconds and broadcast exceed the values set by the administrator.
BaseLine, a bench mark value which is maintained for a specific period, say a day, a week or a month. This is done for the network and the node parameters to predict the future performance.

Backup option helps in backing up the Network Information details on to the backup files. It helps in taking a backup of the entire network every 4 seconds. This information is updated into a file every 5 minutes. The files generated in this module can be viewed in the 'replay mode' of the 'Network Information'. The backup screen displays the file name that is currently being generated. The progress is indicated by a gauge. The number of backup files to be maintained is configurable. On exceeding, the files are overwritten. The backup files are generated with a new extension.