With the world’s increasing usage of network and cloud spaces for storing data, protocol analysers have become the key to keeping files safe and ensuring the smooth functioning of a communications system. Electronics Bazaar takes a look at the latest products in this segment and provides a guide to choosing the best one for your business
We are living in an age where our assets are stored in the form of electronic data in a silicon world that we call the Internet. With the advent of newer technologies and busier lifestyles, the volume of data being stored on the worldwide network is unimaginable. The security of this data is an area of great concern for any organisation. In the electronics manufacturing industry, protocol analysers act as the watchdogs for this data.
The guards
Protocol analysers, also known as sniffers, are devices capable of detecting, analysing and decoding any malicious activity within a communications network. Their main job in any enterprise is both to prevent data theft and ring the alarm bell in case of a major problem within the network due to a third party intruder or issues arising out of malicious files. Protocol analysers do this by tracing the movement of data packets within a network, saving them in the system and then analysing them in order to detect where the problem lies. The use of protocol analysers in the electronics manufacturing industry is usually for securing business data and diagnosing the problems arising in computer networks, storage devices and new circuit designs.
The latest in the market
In order to keep up with the constantly evolving communications networks and the resultant change in data formats, companies making these protocol analysers have not only ensured that their products are compatible with the latest technologies but are also future-ready.
Multiple-window display: A lot of manufacturers in the protocol analysers’ domain are doing their best to upgrade the software according to the changing needs of users. Due to complexities in data movement these days, one interesting upgrade is to display the results in multiple formats/displays on the computer screen. This enables users to understand results more easily. Besides, it allows users to link windows and track correlated events at the same time. The latest protocol analyser of Keysight Technologies India Pvt Ltd, the U4431A MIPI M-PHY, is a fine example of this technological advancement.
Increased bandwidth and higher speed: Protocol analysis has always played a key role in cable networks. Yet, strangely, the technological advancements for this application area have been slightly slower than in other fields. And fast-paced protocol analysis is important for any environment since it enables users to identify the problem and find a solution quickly. Averna has addressed these problems by launching the DP-1000 DOCSIS protocol analyser. This device has an increased bandwidth with a capacity of 200MHz per card and a tried-and-tested higher speed of protocol analysis, the company claims.
Advanced debugging mode: Protocol analysers come with advanced debugging modes these days, which include features like precise time-stamping of events, providing users the ability to modify timing and other parameters. The SL-8810 protocol analyser by Simplay Labs is a fine example of a device with such advanced features.
Portability and ease of use: Today’s protocol analyser market offers devices that are smaller and lighter. Teledyne LeCroy, a leading brand in this segment, has introduced the Mercury T2C USB 2.0 Type-C protocol analyser that weighs as little as 158gm and comes with a user interface in which all protocol layers can be expanded to show the underlying transactions and packets, all at the same time. This makes the analysis of protocol events so simple that even new users and non-experts can understand it, and thus identify the errors easily.
Versatility: Anyone using a test and measurement device in electronics looks for a device that comes with versatility — the ability to be used in varied environments. The ClearSight protocol analyser by Fluke Networks allows users to keep a track on the data movements in multi-protocol network environments. The protocol analysis engine in this device is capable of supporting the most commonly used protocols globally, and empowers its users to import decodes that are done by the open source community from all parts of the world.
Factors driving the buying decision
Getting the best results from any test and measurement instrument depends on the first step — choosing the best device suited for a particular organisation. This can be done when a few parameters are carefully evaluated before making the buying decision.
The ability to identify unusual traffic: Any network manager responsible for the smooth functioning of a company’s communication lines would know the usual traffic on the network on a regular basis. The protocol analysers should be able to spot any form of unexpected traffic in this network.
The ability to control unnecessary traffic: Some default protocols can be set on most machines used in the manufacturing process. But these might act as an unnecessary load on the server. Besides, there is always a possibility of human errors, including the use of uncertified protocols. A good protocol analyser can come to the rescue in such cases. So one should take note of the device’s ability to filter specific traffic that has the potential to create problems. This can protect the system from data theft as well.
The ability to identify unauthorised use of programs: Every network system has a few specific port numbers for all the services that are running in that particular server. A good protocol analyser would have the ability to identify unauthorised port numbers. This way, a network manager can remove certain services that are running unnecessarily and also identify any third party user taking unfair advantage of the system.
Detection of viruses: Even though there are antivirus software available for such threats, a carefully selected protocol analyser can provide an advanced analysis of viruses and identify their source so that necessary action can be taken.
U4431A MIPI M-PHY from Keysight Technologies India Pvt Ltd
- Memory: Up to 16GB
- Data lanes: Up to four
- Operating temperature: 5°C to 40°C
- Speed: Up to Gear 3
USP:
- Customisable display including adjustable drag-and-drop columns as per users’ convenience, and the potential to use global markers to make time and occurrence measurements across all display views
DP-1000 DOCSIS protocol analyser from Averna
- Storage: 480GB SSD
- Operating temperature: 0°C to 35°C
- Frequency: 5MHz to 1.8GHz
- Bandwidth: 200MHz per card
- Dynamic range: 90dB SFDR
- Weight: 27kg
USP:
- Supports both data over cable services interface specification (DOCSIS) 3.0 and DOCSIS 3.1
SL-8810 protocol analyser from Simplay Labs
- Memory slots: Two CompactFlash devices for system upgrades
- HDMI ports: Four HDMI ports
- OS support: Windows 7 (64-bit)
- Power: 100-200V; 50-60Hz; power adapter (provided)
- Size: 40.6cm x 24.13cm x 8.89cm
- Weight: 3.7kg
USP:
A flexible design that supports multiple interface standards
Mercury T2C USB 2.0 Type-C protocol analyser from Teledyne LeCroy
- Recording memory: 256MB
- OS support: Windows 7 and Windows 8
- Power: USB bus powered; 560mA (active)
- Size: 80mm x 90mm x 24mm
- Weight: 158gm
- Protocol(s) supported: USB 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 and PD 2.0 (BMC)
- Data rates supported: 1.2Mbps – 480Mbps
USP:
- Besides having a low weight and portable size, this protocol analyser comes with the CATC Trace expert analysis software along with a display that graphically decodes the Power Delivery 2.0 protocol, in addition to USB 2.0 protocol traffic
ClearSight protocol analyser from Fluke Networks
- Memory: 40GB hard drive with at least 15GB of available space
- OS support: Windows XP and Windows 7
- Processor: Pentium 4 (or equivalent) running at 1GHz minimum (2GHz recommended)
- RAM: 512MB minimum (1GB recommended), 2GB minimum if running Windows Vista or Windows 7 Professional
- Monitor: VGA colour monitor with a 1024 x 768 resolution and 16 colours
- Network adapter: Network connection with network driver interface specification (NDIS)-compliant network device driver
By Samonway Duttagupta
