Get live and historic network data

Full Control Networks offer two network troubleshooting kits to help you solve issues faster.. and save some money in the process!

So, why do you need them? When the phone rings and your network gets blamed (again) there are generally two scenarios you’ll be faced with.

Network troubleshooting scenarios

Sometimes things are just broken. Wired or wireless, you roll your sleeves up and get stuck in, troubleshooting each element in turn to establish what’s wrong.

You need a tool that can quickly test from the user to the service. Connecting in on any media (copper/ fibre/wireless) and into each switch/router along the way, using apps to help resolve and store results of what was found.

Other times things are more transient, subjective or perhaps intermittent. You need a tool that can be left behind to gather facts and monitor for reoccurrence. What you want in your bag are tools to efficiently investigate the issue, no matter what you find when you get there.

That’s why Full Control Networks have put together two Network Troubleshooting Kits, comprised of the two tools we find the most useful in our services work:

• From NetAlly : the award winning wired and wireless Etherscope nXG
• From Allegro Packets : the fast and portable Network Multimeter

Scenario 1 : Fast check of all the basics

When troubleshooting any issue, the first thing you’re likely to want to do is run through the network connection and configuration of the port the device is connected to. This is where the NetAlly Etherscope can collect loads of great information, quickly.

Is the port live? In the right VLAN? Seeing PoE at the right power? Getting DNS and DHCP info in good time? All of these can be caused by simple misconfigurations on the device, or users plugging things into the wrong ports!

What if they’re using wireless? No problem, the Etherscope supports 2.4, 5 & 6G (including the new 802.11 ac / WiFi 6/6E standard). Use it to carry out active and passive surveys, check the health and speed of the wireless network, as well as run the tests for connectivity over the WiFi.

Audit the local network. Check the network (VLAN) is as it should be and you can see all the right network services (DNS, DHCP, Default Gateway), including network topology mapping.

Verify performance up to 10Gig Ethernet, including the new Multi-Gig speeds of 2.5G and 5.0G. Can I connect to the server or web page from this point? There are a series of tests to check the path to the server or the response time to the web page in question.

Scenario 2 : What if the problem is coming and going?

We’ve all been there.. you turn up and the problem’s gone away! Do you have time to waste chasing ghosts? But if you turn your back and the complaints resurface, you’ll have no useful data. This is where the Allegro comes into play.

Install it and leave. It takes less than 1 minute to set up the probe and start a historical record of what’s going on. If there’s nothing of immediate significance, you can safely return to your desk knowing that the issues (when they appear) will be recorded for you to review.

Top level tables and charts allow you to see the lumps and bumps in the network profile and pick out key events. Such as mis-timed backups or massive file downloads from an adjacent user, which are hogging all the bandwidth causing the rest to run slow.

All the detail you need is in the packets. If it’s a really tricky issue, then sometimes only a packet capture will do. Behind the tables and charts is a packet buffer keeping the raw data if you need it, which can be copied straight to your PC.

What are the different kits?

Depending on your network speed and size, we have 2 options available:

1Gig Portable Kit

This kit is designed to support remote or medium sized offices and individual server/user issues.

It includes the NetAlly EtherScope nXG 300 copper, fibre & WiFi tester with the troubleshooting accessory KIT plus the Allegro 510 portable copper probe with connectivity up to 2.5G and 16GB storage capability. You also get 1 Year Support on both products. Priced at £14,995.

10Gig Kit

With the 10G and Multi-Gig speeds covered this kit supports fibre and copper connectivity from 1Gig to 10Gig, for looking at more data quickly and efficiently. 

It includes the NetAlly EtherScope nXG 300 copper, fibre & WiFi tester with the troubleshooting accessory KIT plus the Allegro 810 copper & fibre probe with connectivity up to 25G. As standard the 810 in this kit comes with 10G SFPs, 128GB memory and 2TB SSD, but there’s options for both ports and memory expansion. You also get 1 Year Support on both products. Priced at £19,995.

Non-wireless versions

For those not wanting WiFi capability, there are non-Wireless versions available – we can swop out the Etherscope nXG for a LinkRunner 10G for a cheaper wired (copper and fibre) Troubleshooting kit.

Training is available too

Full Control Networks have courses available to ensure you can use the right tool at the right time to speed up the troubleshooting process.

Book in for a demo or trial

Demos or onsite trials are available on both products, just let us know when is good for you?

The PDF below provides more information on the tools and packages.