Capture Terabytes of Traffic for Data Mining
Take advantage of a new paradigm in network troubleshooting. Utilize the GigaStor-FC to capture hours, days, or even weeks worth of Fibre Channel traffic directly to disk for comprehensive analysis. Comprehensive time-based interface greatly speeds problem resolution.

With its Fibre Channel capture-to-disk technology and a unique time-based navigation utility, the Network Instruments GigaStor-FC is a cost-competitive, reconstructive network analysis appliance ideal for network administrators requiring the full story of what is happening on the storage area network. Choose up to 12 TB of storage or the industry's only write-to-SAN option for almost limitless storage potential.

The GigaStor-FC includes a 64-bit core, maximizing SAN analysis with faster processing and larger capture buffers.

Historical Analysis

• Eliminate entire steps in the troubleshooting process
• Utilize time-based navigation to quickly isolate issues
• Capture every piece of traffic traversing the link
• Segment down to nanosecond intervals

High-Performance

• Capture-to-disk at 400 MBps (3200 Mbps)
• Monitors full-duplex links independently or in aggregate
• Provides ultra-fast capture-to-disk technology with exclusive Network Instruments proprietary software
• Localizes processing and decoding to minimize network overhead
• Utilizes the latest 64-bit technology

High-Capacity

• Capture up to 4 TB, 8 TB, or 12 TB of network data or write directly to a SAN
• Save data for extended periods of time
• Industry-leading 24 GB memory buffer (max)

Write-to-SAN Option

Configure the GigaStor appliance to provide almost unlimited storage capacity by writing directly to your storage area network. A dedicated SAN card ensures high-performance write speeds for continuous, guaranteed data transfer.

• Provides greater storage flexibility
• Capacity limited only by your network SAN
• Write-to-SAN rates of 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, and 4 Gbps are supported
• Ideal for data-heavy organizations

Easy-to-Deploy

• Rack-mountable unit
• Fits seamlessly into the Network Instruments Distributed Network Analysis (NI-DNA™) architecture
• Reports back to the award-winning Expert Observer and Observer Suite console
• Can be configured as a local console for on-site analysis

Ideal For

• SAN analysis
• Network forensics
• Data mining
• Transaction-heavy organizations
• Data retention compliance

Manages all data processing and Expert analysis at the GigaStor-FC

• No need to transfer data back to the console for processing
• Only screen updates are sent across the network  
• Analyzing data takes seconds

Proven Analysis Metrics

Over 30 real-time statistics such as network summary, bandwidth utilization, and top talkers

Packet Capture and Decode features such as nanosecond resolution, a 24 GB memory buffer (max) and over 550 protocols decoded

Over 20 real-time Fibre Channel Experts for faster troubleshooting on Fibre Channel issues

Network Trending and Reporting features such as network trending dashboard display, efficiency history, and comparison analysis reports

Filtering Capabilities

• Easily create and save filters
• Select and auto-filter on individual statistics to quickly isolate issues

GigaStor-FC Features

• Insert and remove GigaStor-FC without disruption to the network with included nTAPs
• Real-time Expert processing at the probe identifies problems and offers suggested solutions
• Flexible filtering technology not only controls what is captured and stored; it also mines stored data using the same interface
• Obtain full-duplex, wire-speed Fibre Channel capture and statistics
• Ensure accurate captures on fully saturated networks with a custom Gen2 Capture Card engineered by Network Instruments

Utilize with Expert Observer and Observer Suite
The GigaStor-FC works with the award-winning Expert Observer and Observer Suite consoles to provide the most comprehensive packet capture, decode, real-time statistics, Expert analysis, network trending, and network reporting in the industry.

Observer Features Include

• Nanosecond resolution for enterprise-level networks
• Graphical filter rule editor for easily creating complex filters
• Over 550 protocols and countless sub-protocols decoded
• Over 570 Expert events to speed troubleshooting
• Triggers and Alarms for immediate alerts on activities or errors
• Application Analysis statistics, including response time and total/failed transactions for common applications such as SQL, MS Exchange, Oracle, VoIP, Citrix, and DNS

Includes an nTAP™ to ensure complete full-duplex captures
All configurations of the GigaStor-FC include nTAPs that provides a copy of all Fibre Channel traffic to the analyzer. The nTAP splits the optical signal, providing one signal to the network and the other signal to the analyzer. With an nTAP the network flow remains unaltered and uninterrupted.

Technical Specifications

Brochure
New Features Guide (PDF)
Fibre Channel (PDF)

Feature Videos
GigaStor 12m 58s

News
Fibre Channel Press Release

 

Observer Observer Expert Observer Suite Link Analyst