Document Number: OSUP1002
Product: Observer
Date: updated 9-21-2005
Title: Suggested PCI (Desktop) Ethernet, 802.11(a/b/g), Token Ring and FDDI Adapters
Suggested PCI (Desktop) 10/100 Ethernet Adapters
Network Instruments recommends the Network Instruments 10/100/1000 PCI adapter
for all 10/100/1000 Ethernet desktop Observer installations. Our adapters,
in combination with the ErrorTrak™ drivers have been optimized for
capture performance, and provide complete error tracking and full errors
by station
and aggregate error counts. Other adapters may work, but none provide the
errors by station that the Network Instruments adapters provide. Network
Instruments’ adapters are based on the Intel chip set. These adapters
are listed on our price lists.
More information on Ethernet errors, and ErrorTrak™ drivers
Suggested Gigabit PCI Adapters
Network Instruments currently use Intel 10/100/1000 Gigabit adapters for standard (i.e. half duplex) analysis. For full-duplex, wire speed capture, please see the information on Gigabit Observer and Probes. Please note, any standard Gigabit adapter that use fully compliant NDIS drivers will work with Observer.
Suggested Token Ring and FDDI Adapters
Suggestions here are based on a combination or our in-house experience, and reports from customers. Please note that drivers change, and any recommendation here may be outdated at any time. Additionally, if a card is not listed, it MAY work with Observer - it is best to contact the card vendor and ask if they support promiscuous mode.
Suggested 802.11 (a/b/g) Adapters
For 802.11, adapters are either based on the Cisco, Symbol or Atheros chipsets are supported. If you adapter is not listed here, please try the Atheros, Cisco or Symbol driver - one of these should work.
PCI 802.11, Token Ring and FDDI adapters that are known to work:
Topology |
Vendor |
Errors |
Comments |
802.11 a/b/g combo |
Linksys |
All 802.11 a/b/g |
Current model number is WMP55AG. Based on the Atheros chipset. |
802.11 a/b/g combo |
LANCOM |
All 802.11 a/b/g |
The AirLancer MC-54ag was tested at Network Instruments.
All LANCOM adapters based on the Atheros chipset should
work. |
802.11 a/b/g combo |
D-Link |
All 802.11 a/b/g |
Current model number is DWL-AG520. This NIC comes with a number of different antenna options. Based on the Atheros chipset. |
802.11 a/b/g combo |
Cisco |
All 802.11 a/b/g |
Current model number is AIR-PI21AG-A-K9-10. Based on the Atheros chipset. |
802.11b |
Symbol |
All 802.11b |
Spectrum24 - 41x1 models have been approved. Observer includes drivers that were co-developed by Network Instruments and Symbol. These drivers let you use Observer for analysis and when not using Observer, use the card as a standard 802.11b adapter for send and receive. Any other Symbol compatible cards should also work. |
802.11b |
Cisco |
All 802.11b MAC errors are reported. |
The 350 series is recommended. Observer includes drivers that were co-developed by Network Instruments and Cisco. These drivers let you use Observer for analysis and when not using Observer, use the card as a standard 802.11b adapter for send and receive. Any other Cisco compatible cards should also work. |
10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet (1000 MB speeds) |
Intel |
CRC, Pkts Too Big, Pkts Too Small, Alignment, Collisions |
Any version of the Intel Pro1000 should work. Network Instruments provides ErrorTrak drivers for this NIC series. |
Token Ring |
IBM |
All 29 MAC layer errors reported |
Newer IBM Token Ring PCI adapters support promiscuous mode. We have tested IBM Part Number 41H8900 internally and found that it functioned perfectly. |
Token Ring |
Madge |
All 29 MAC layer errors reported |
We tested these adapters with the 6.0 drivers and everything worked perfectly. Note you must turn on “Statistics Gathering Mode” in the drivers Advanced settings dialog. Also note that the “Presto” adapter does not support statistics gathering mode. |
Token Ring |
Olicom |
All 29 MAC layer errors reported |
We have tested the PCI/II OC-3137 here using the version 4.16.00 driver and found it to work well. |
Token Ring |
Intel |
All 29 MAC layer errors reported |
Must use “classic” card (OEM of the Olicom card) |
FDDI |
DEC/Intel |
- |
Only model DEFPA-UA is reported to support promiscuous mode |
FDDI |
SysKonnect |
- |
You must use the version 4.00 drivers (dated 10/14/97). Since all SysKonnect adapters use the same driver, all models should work.
Also note: SysKonnect only supports NT for true FDDI. On 95/98 the FDDI board emulates a 100MB Ethernet adatpter. |
For Token Ring, please note that 3COM uses the Tropic Chip Set, and DOES NOT SUPPORT PROMISCUOUS MODE for our products, or for any protocol analyzer. |
