Number of Installations

Number of Segments

Network Trace is a software-only implementation.  As such NTRACE is totally dependent upon the physical connectivity of the machine on which it is installed.  It can only trace on LAN segments to which it is directly attached.  If an environment has multiple segments, the basic rule of thumb would be to count the least number of machines that are physically connected to all segments.

Thus, if there are 40 segments and there are 20 servers which are each connected to 2 segments, then the minimum number of machines on which to install NTRACE would be 20.  In most cases, most LAN segments are geographically remote and there is no opportunity to have the same physical machine connected to multiple segments.

Network Trace can be used on a portable PC (e.g. a Thinkpad).  This provides the capability to having a trace machine which can be moved from segment to segment as tracing needs arise.  This is highly useful for consultants, developers and corporate support organizations.  However, it is not very convenient if the segments are geographically remote.  In the case where an organization has remote LAN segments, great value can be gained when the trace capability already exists on every segment.  This provides the ability to take a trace within minutes, rather than requiring an on-site visit with a trace machine.

Number of Installations Per LAN Segment

To determine the number of points of tracing available per segment, the following should be considered:
  1. Is there a need for redundancy of installation (the ability to trace when the primary trace machine is not functional)?
  2. Depending on the type of install (integrated or 3rd party), there may be a requirement for installation on more than one machine per segment.



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