Plixer International has just released the latest version of their networking traffic monitoring and analysis tools named Scrutinizer 7.5.  This new version adds some interesting new visualization methods such as ‘The Matrix”, a circular graphical view showiing communication between network nodes, and integration with Google Maps for interesting geographical plots of traffic.

“As companies grow increasingly dependent on ever-growing and complex IT infrastructure to conduct business and remain competitive in the global marketplace, they must keep the network traffic flowing smoothly and without delay,” Patterson said. “Scrutinizer provides a window into network data flow that helps identify bottlenecks and weaknesses before they happen and prevent a potentially crippling failure.”

See the full press release and some additional screenshots after the break.

Plixer International Launches Scrutinizer 7.5

The Matrix NetFlow Visualization, NBAR Traffic Inspection, Flow Expert Window Provide Most Detailed Enterprise Network Traffic Flow Analysis

SANFORD, ME – Plixer International, Inc., a leading global provider of network traffic monitoring and analysis tools, announces the launch of Scrutinizer 7.5, the latest release of the company’s flagship NetFlow and sFlow analyzing software that features The Matrix graphical NetFlow visualization  view, NBAR application-specific traffic deep packet inspection and Flow Expert window for troubleshooting network issues such as bottlenecks and transaction latency.

“Scrutinizer has become widely recognized as one of the most effective and easy to use NetFlow traffic measuring and monitoring tools in the industry,” said Michael Patterson, Scrutinizer product manager with Plixer. “This new release includes some stellar new features that will make it an even more powerful tool for network admins to help identify trouble spots and ensure the reliability of critical network infrastructure.”

Scrutinizer 7.5 delivers the most comprehensive company-wide network monitoring and reporting solution to enable the effective and efficient management of network traffic over NetFlow, sFlow, Netstream, jFlow, and other protocols. Like its predecessor, version 7.5 analyzes and reports on top applications, conversations, flows, protocols, domains and geographic parameters across dozens of routers and switches. Its packet-analyzer-like functionality provides a true picture of network traffic.

Step into The Matrix

New in Scrutinizer 7.5, The Matrix provides a circular graphical view of the top hosts to illustrate at a glance which nodes are communicating with each other. Typically only found in packet analyzers, Scrutinizer 7.5 is the first NetFlow Analysis solution to bring this technology to the NetFlow and sFlow markets.

More advanced than a typical trend line or pie chart, The Matrix provides a more intuitive view of network traffic with color-coded path lines to illustrate incoming and outgoing traffic. Users can rotate The Matrix graphic to view detailed traffic stats for each host in different parts of the network. By filtering the data, network admins can pinpoint high-traffic hosts and the machines communicating with them.

“Often times, the Matrix is a more useful way to look at network traffic data than a stagnant pie chart or table of data,” Patterson said. “By presenting the analysis in this dynamic and interactive way, users can really visualize the impact of host to host communications.”

NetFlow NBAR Reveals Specific Applications

Scrutinizer 7.5 is the only NetFlow analyzer to support true Network Based Application Recognition (NBAR) to reveal the actual application used by the communicating hosts. Where other NetFlow analyzers only show traditional NetFlow details (e.g. the port being accessed), Scrutinizer 7.5 supports Flexible NetFlow with NBAR enabling users to drill deeper and identify which specific applications are consuming bandwidth over the port – such as Skype, Pandora, etc. This deep packet inspection via NBAR over NetFlow can help companies identify the source of high network traffic by actual application beyond reporting just TCP port 80 for example.

Flow Expert Window for Troubleshooting

Also new in Scrutinizer 7.5, Flow Expert Window provides users a view into immediate network problems to help identify and resolve DoS attacks, bottlenecks, network scans, improperly terminated connections and more. Another feature typically found only in packet analyzer software, the Flow Expert Window is bundled with Scrutinizer 7.5 to provide complete analysis and insight over NetFlow.

Google Maps Integration

Scrutinizer 7.5 is fully integrated with Google Maps, allowing users to analyze traffic based on geographic location of the router, switch or host and map the traffic to and from known IP addresses using GPS coordinates or street names. This feature is particularly useful for companies with multiple server locations. By connecting IT resources with geographic locations, the Google Map integration allows network administrators to more easily demonstrate the flow of data traffic and the implications of data flow to non-technical management and team members.

“As companies grow increasingly dependent on ever-growing and complex IT infrastructure to conduct business and remain competitive in the global marketplace, they must keep the network traffic flowing smoothly and without delay,” Patterson said. “Scrutinizer provides a window into network data flow that helps identify bottlenecks and weaknesses before they happen and prevent a potentially crippling failure.”

Plixer’s NetFlow and sFlow analysis solutions are used to monitor traffic across some of the largest data networks in the world, including those of Blue Cross, Citizens Bank, Visa, Intel, Cisco Systems, Chase, Paramount Pictures, AGFA, Turner Broadcasting, ABN AMRO, and more.

For more information about Scrutinizer 7.5, visit www.plixer.com.

About Plixer International, Inc.

Plixer International, Inc. develops and markets network traffic monitoring and analysis tools to the global market. All of the tools are built from the ground up with valuable feature sets and ease of use in mind. Plixer tools have been used to analyze and troubleshoot irregular traffic patterns by IT professionals with some of the largest networks in the world, such as CNN, The Coca-Cola Company, Abercrombie & Fitch, Lockheed Martin, IBM, Regal Cinemas, Raytheon and Eddie Bauer. For product and sales information, contact Plixer International, Inc. at 1 Eagle Drive, Sanford, Maine, via telephone (207) 324-8805, fax (207) 324-8683.