Benchmarking LAN protocol analyzers

LAN (local area network) protocol analyzers are examined from a benchmarking perspective. The author concentrates on some of the basic capture and analysis features, such as rates of capturing and filtering raw data. For purposes of illustration, two popular commercially available LAN protocol analyzers were chosen for the benchmarks: the Sniffer from Network General and LANanalyzer from Excelan. Issues discussed include benchmark variables, maximum packet buffering, trace buffers, maximum sustained traffic, traffic bursts, capturing to hard disk, and protocol decoding