Event Management
A protocol analyzer decodes the various protocol
layers in a recorded frame and presents them as readable abbreviations or
summaries, detailing which layer is involved such as physical, data link, and
so forth. In addition, it displays what function each byte or set of bytes
serves.
Most protocol analyzers can filter traffic that meets certain criteria so
that, for example, all traffic to and from a particular device can be captured.
Time-stamped Capturing of Data
Time-stamped capturing of data
will perform the following tasks:
- Presents protocol layers in an easily readable form.
- Generates frames and transmits them onto the network.
- Incorporates an "expert" system, in which the analyzer uses a set
of rules. These rules are combined with information about the network
configuration and operation and are used to diagnose, solve, or offer potential
solutions to network problems.
An example of a protocol inspector is the Fluke Optiview.

Fault management tools include Pair testers and Frequency based
certification testers.
Pair Testers
This category of tester
is distinguished from a continuity tester by its ability to detect a split
pair. A split pair is the simplest problem related to frequency that plagues
network cable, and should be a minimum entry point for a network cable tester.
If a cable passes the split pair test, it has a good chance of passing a basic
Category 5 certification test.

Frequency Based Field Certification Testers (cable analyzers)
The
first generation of field certification testers usually offered selections for
Category 5 cable types with a maximum frequency rating of 10 or 20 MHz. The
second generation of field certification testers became available in late 1995,
and offered 100 MHz testing. This generation of tester is capable of certifying
Category 5 cable, but not Category 5e cable (both 100 MHz). The third
generation of field certification testers became available in late 1997, and
offered testing to Category 6 speeds or higher. The fourth generation of field
certification testers, such as the Fluke DTX 1800 CableAnlayzer, can certify
the Class F (Cat 7) TERA cabling systems from 1 through 600 MHz. The DTX-1800
can test over a wide bandwidth of 900 MHz. Unfortunately, the size of the
tester has been increasing with each new generation. A lot of additional
electronics are required to perform the growing suite of tests at ever-greater
accuracy levels.
