NetAlly EtherScope nXG - network tester
Mfg # EXG-200
CDW # 5812462
Know your gear
Deploying and maintaining Wi-Fi and wired network infrastructure without the right tools can be daunting... and costly. The EtherScope nXG enables engineers and technicians to get more done faster, from deployment to maintenance and documentation of their ever-changing Wi-Fi and Ethernet access networks.
With its simple operation, yet in-depth visibility, and the ability to remotely access and control EtherScope nXG, engineers can now fully enable and collaborate with "local hands" of field technicians at remote sites to expedite problem solving.
With its simple operation, yet in-depth visibility, and the ability to remotely access and control EtherScope nXG, engineers can now fully enable and collaborate with "local hands" of field technicians at remote sites to expedite problem solving.
Enhance your purchase
NetAlly EtherScope nXG - network tester is rated
4.50 out of
5 by
11.
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Diego A. from
Pre-programmed AutoTest feature is good, checking all the necessary parameters
What is our primary use case?
I use it for WiFi troubleshooting, network validation, and cabling validation.
How has it helped my organization?
It provides visibility into networks that you could only get by using many other tools. It saves time and that helps with costs.
The nXG also reduces troubleshooting time. Most regular things that would take 10 to 15 minutes can be done in a minute.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are the WiFi troubleshooting, network validation, and cabling validation, and the fact that it's an all-in-one tool. You don't have to carry different tools. The multi-technology functionality and its ability to do WiFi and wired Ethernet analysis in one device are the best aspects.
Also, the pre-programmed AutoTest feature is good. It checks where it's supposed to. The basic functionality that it comes with, the checkpoints and the parameters it checks against, those are all good. I like it.
I also use the solution’s full line-rate 10 Gb capability. It works great. It's very easy.
And the AirMapper Site Survey app is good for visualizing key performance metrics. It works well for validating changes. If we are making a change on the grid at a specific point, it works well.
It's easy enough for people without skills to use, and it does provide other tools for people who are more expert. It saves a lot of time.
What needs improvement?
For troubleshooting, the pre-programmed AutoTest feature is not as intuitive as it could be because there are different windows.
The user interface could be a little bit more streamlined, a little bit easier. Sometimes it's hard to find a specific thing that you're looking for.
In terms of hardware-based improvement, the battery would be the biggest issue. The battery goes out very quickly.
It would be nice to be able to use the device to test from the device and do a hyper-wireless to wired, while using the same device. You would plug it in on one side of the device and then use a wireless to run a throughput test of the wireless without needing a separate device. That would be great.
Finally, the AirMapper Site Survey for wireless surveys still needs a lot of work. It's not as intuitive as it could be and it can only take readings one at a time. It doesn't do continuous surveying. It's okay at gathering WiFi site survey data, but it could be better. It's stop-and-go.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using NetAlly EtherScope nXG for a little less than a year. I use the tool most in our company but there are three people that I trust the tool with. I handle the maintenance of the tool, in my role as network engineer.
How are customer service and technical support?
I haven't used the technical support. I wanted to, one day, but it wasn't easy to find who to call. I normally like to call to open a ticket. It wasn't as intuitive as I would have liked. I went to their website and I searched for "support." I was hoping to get a phone number I could call.
I know we bought support for this product and I don't know when it expires. A portal, or something like that, would be a nice way to know what your support status is. Also, a portal where you could open a ticket would be nice.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I used the Fluke in the past, but the interface was horrible. It was hard to navigate so I mostly used a computer to access network devices to figure stuff out. Obviously, I used cable finders and cable tracers, but I really didn't use anything like this.
How was the initial setup?
The learning curve is a little steep in the beginning. I wish there were more videos showing how to use it. The videos that are out there are very entry-level, very broad and light. It would be nice to have additional video content, besides the documentation, although the documentation is good.
What was our ROI?
The cost of the tool versus its ability to save time or solve problems faster depends on the client. For most clients, it probably doesn't justify the cost if they're not too big or they don't have the need for it. A cost of $9,000 is hard to justify. But if you have heavy usage and find yourself trying to troubleshoot something over and over again, it's worth the cost. You have to have that level of use. It's not for the average, medium-sized company. You would need this for a larger enterprise. It's not easy to justify the cost for most smaller companies. If your company has more than 500 people then it would make sense.
For me, the ROI has been slow. It grows with time. It would grow a lot faster if we had many and many people who could use it. But when there's only one person using it, it's a very expensive tool. I'm not always the one who does the testing, so a lot of people end up doing testing without the tool. It's not a tool that I just give out and send everywhere, again because of the cost. If it were a less expensive tool and we had several of them, it would be easier because everybody would be using it. It would be a part of the toolbox that we would give out to everybody.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's very expensive. I wish I could buy a few more and give them to all the people who could use it, or perhaps send it to a client, given that some of its features are easy to use. But sending something worth $8,000 or $9,000 is nerve-racking. It would be nice that if it were a lot less expensive.
It is quite a delicate tool. And for $9,000, I wish they included a nice pouch to protect it; something to carry it. The Ekahau Sidekick is an expensive tool but it comes with something to carry it on your shoulder. This one is easy to drop and it's $9,000. So you have to be super-careful as well.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
NetAlly's marketing was good. I knew about them, knew what they were doing, so I didn't look further, past them. I always had it in my sights. When I bought it, it was them and nobody else, to be honest.
What other advice do I have?
I've been using it quite often, several times a week; sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on what's happening.
Disclaimer: IT Central Station contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
Date published: 2020-12-16T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Preston Dunn from
It reduces our troubleshooting time onsite
What is our primary use case?
We are a managed service provider. We provide network as a service to other people. We use this solution to help to diagnose and troubleshoot their networks.
We use it daily. That is our go-to meter for anything abnormal or weird.
How has it helped my organization?
It is a game changer for us. It has one meter to validate network changes, troubleshoot connectivity, and detect performance issues. It reduces the amount of things that we have.
It definitely reduces our time onsite, which is killer for us. We used to spend hours looking around for stuff. We would have to pull out three or four different tools. You would kind of have to guess or judge. With the app, it just kind of brings the information to you. Realistically, we have a pretty good idea what the problem is within 15 to 20 minutes of being onsite. It saves us at least 10 times on the onsite troubleshooting time.
The solution is easy to use for less-skilled staff, but with deep diagnostics for experts on our staff. This is super cool because we can send out an entry-level tech into the field to gather that survey data. Our engineer could be in the office and pull that up instantly through NetAlly Link-Live. In almost real-time, we can see what that lower-end tech is doing in the office and team up on it. It is super fast for us.
Our field techs will carry one of these from now on. As we grow and hire more, this will be our meter that we purchase for them.
What is most valuable?
The speed testing is very cool. It does 10 gig speed testing. It also does full on network mapping. So, it will go out and discover devices on the network from the tester. Those two would be our go-to things. These are generally the two biggest complaints that we get. Clients will say, "Hey, everything's running super slow." Or, they will say, "We have something, but we just don't know what or where it is at."
You can actually program a bunch of tests altogether. When you plug it in, it actually runs all those AutoTests. This is a heavy hitter for us. It can find network problems easily.
For a handheld tool, it is very functional. We are big fans.
The solution’s AirMapper Site Survey app is extremely easy to use. We give it to the technicians and send them out to go do that function. We hand it to the technician who goes onsite, then they take a photo of the overall area of a floor plan and are able to go do that site survey without almost any instruction from any engineer. So, it is very usable for beginner-type techs.
The AirMapper Site Survey app is very accurate in its ability to gather WiFi site survey data. We have some more expensive site survey equipment, and this solution has been in line with that equipment, i.e., matching the more expensive stuff.
The AirMapper Site Survey app works well to create heat maps in the vendor’s Link-Live Cloud Service. One of our favorite things is to hand that visualization to the client so they can see exactly what we know.
The AirMapper Site Survey app works well when validating changes or troubleshooting problems.
What needs improvement?
The largest complaint that we get is the battery life on the unit. If you are using it heavily, you get about five hours of usage out of it. In an eight hour day, that is not perfect for us. We would like more battery usage. The battery thing is annoying.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been working with NetAlly for about two years. We purchased EtherScope about a year ago.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have had zero issues.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have two of them. We have a total of two field techs and one engineer, and the solution will bounce between them, depending on what the problem is that day. We are a small company.
How are customer service and support?
We send it out for Ally Care. NetAlly offers the maintenance for anything that is not just wiping the screen down every now and then.
We have never had to use the tech support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously, we had a bunch of little things that did similar work. We had something that did WiFi heat maps. We could pull out a laptop to do a network scan and have a WiFi scanner analyzer on our phone. Before, we never really had anything that was multipurpose on one tool.
Fluke Networks makes most of our network meters that we own. We have been with them for years, and they have recently changed. Some of their stuff is not available anymore. So, we were just out there looking for something similar. We actually purchased some of NetAlly's competitive equipment that is on the lower-end stuff about two years ago. We have kind of started to fall in love with the NetAlly brand. We have grown into EtherScope, which was just the next step in our evolution.
How was the initial setup?
It was very quick to set up. If we are using it on the field, it turns on in about a minute. It is good to go as soon as that happens.
It took us two months to even want to go grab it. We didn't really go through any of the training processes that they offered. We just bought it because it checked a bunch of boxes. Therefore, for about two months, it just sat in its bag. We might have pulled it out two or three times, until we were like, "Huh, that will work for this."
What was our ROI?
This solution has provided visibility into our network that we could only get by using many other tools. It allows us to service more clients. I don't know if we have seen cost savings. We have just been able to increase our income. It makes us more money because we can do more jobs in a day.
We saw value from the product within the first six months.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
If we were to purchase separate meters to do similar things, it would be double or triple the cost for us to have each toolkit available. Being a small business, putting that much money on a single truck is not cost-effective. Instead, we could put the analyzer, network heat map, and cable tester all in one meter. That is why we went for it.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We looked at Fluke Networks and a couple other brands. The reason that we went for NetAlly was the price point.
What other advice do I have?
I didn't like its multi-use technology in the beginning. I was like, "Oh, this is way too much." However, we keep finding features that solve things for us. We have really enjoyed it.
The learning curve is minimal. It is an Android-based app. Anybody who is familiar with Android can click on the apps and run through what is there.
It definitely pairs well with its little brother. There is the EtherScope nXG, then there is its little brother for 10 gig testing. I definitely recommend that.
Disclaimer: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
Date published: 2022-04-06T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
reviewer1768290 from
Well-suited for everything that a technician would want to do for testing an active network, and is the only device I have seen that can test 10 gigabit fiber
What is our primary use case?
Initially, the primary use case was to troubleshoot and test 10 gigabit fiber. However, since then, we have mainly been using it for the ability to do wireless surveys on the device.
How has it helped my organization?
It is quite useful to have everything in one unit—from copper to fiber to wireless and all of the tests in between. Not having to carry multiple devices is very useful. It is a great feature of the tool.
We use the pre-programmed AutoTest feature in certain situations. It's capable of finding basic network problems very quickly. The key information is almost immediately presented to you with no messing around.
The AirMapper Site Survey app's ability to gather WiFi site survey data is fantastic. It does the exact job of what the bigger clients on the laptops do, but it does it a lot easier and a lot more streamlined. It is definitely better for the techs to not have to carry around the laptop to do that work.
We do use the Link-Live service. We've used it for looking at the data from a troubleshooting perspective in the cloud and for using that data in the AirMagnet tool on a laptop. Its ability to visualize key performance metrics is pretty good. It's better than some of the stuff that I've seen out there today in this kind of platform and small package. It is definitely a cut above everybody else.
Troubleshooting of problems has certainly been a lot more streamlined. It's able to gather a tremendous amount of data in a small amount of time for quick assessment. In addition, with more than half of our network department working remotely, it allows our onsite technicians to gather data very easily and have it uploaded to the cloud so that those of us who are not in the office can access that data immediately. We don't really use it much to validate any changes.
The ability to see into our network with one device affects the efficiency and the cost of our network troubleshooting. With AirMapper, there are definitely cost and efficiency savings. We have quite a large campus, and taking this one device and doing troubleshooting with that one device saves trips back to the office to get another tool if one was forgotten. Basically, it is all in one, so when you leave the office and go to the plant floor, you know that you're not going to have to go back and waste more time.
What is most valuable?
The wireless aspect of it has been super valuable. The AirMagnet Survey feature is very useful for site surveys. For a long time, it used to be done on laptops, and now, we can do this simply on a handheld with one technician. The data automatically gets uploaded to the cloud so that our more experienced technicians can review the data and pull it into AirMagnet. This feature has saved tons of time. It's not easy to approximate the time saved, but for each survey, I'm taking a junior technician and getting him to do a role that a senior technician used to do. So, there is a cost-saving of at least 50%.
It is the only device I've seen that can test 10 gigabit fiber at this point. Nothing else can test that. It is a very important feature to us. It was one of the driving features that led us to use it.
What needs improvement?
I don't really have any suggestions for improvement. Based on what is advertised and what we're using it for, it is not lacking anything that we would like it to do. It does everything that its little counterparts or little LinkRunners do, but it does a way better job at being able to do all things at once.
One point of contention might be that when we were starting it up for the first time, there was a little bit of confusion about registration and getting the proper support plans applied. So, that could be more streamlined, but that's not uncommon in the industry.
For how long have I used the solution?
We purchased EtherScope nXG in Q3 of 2021.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability and performance are spot-on for this type of tool in this type of realm.
In terms of its users, six people potentially have access to this tool. Typically, one or two guys have taken it and kept it as their own.
How are customer service and support?
I handle the maintenance for these devices. I'm the one who's responsible for renewing the maintenance contract on these. We have not opened up any tickets or support for this product.
From a sales perspective, everything has been great. They're very responsive and very good at keeping us up to date about what's going on, what options are available, and how everything breaks down. From a support perspective, I can't really comment because we haven't had the need to have any support interactions with them.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We had AirCheck G2 as well as a LinkRunner AT. Those are the devices that we used before EtherScope. We still use them but for very basic troubleshooting.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing can be a little bit high for a handheld tool, mostly because, potentially, people do not understand what's in the package. However, NetAlly offers great bundled deals. We got a significantly good deal by ordering a package of these devices that had a whole test kit together. So, while it's very high, the value is certainly there, and the vendor does offer value-added features to offset that cost.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We haven't evaluated anything other than what we've had previously. It just seemed like a natural progression to EtherScope nXG. There were no other vendors and no other tools that we even considered. We went after this one, and this was the one we wanted.
What other advice do I have?
There are not a lot of other tools in the industry that can do everything that this solution can do in one package. It's very well suited for pretty much everything that a technician would want to do for testing an active network. Whether it's a passive test to make sure of connectivity or whether it is doing more throughput tests or gathering basic information from the network, it does at all. If you're looking for something that can do all of these things in one, there's no tool that would probably come close to matching the ability that this tool has in terms of function, features, and ease of use.
Its learning curve is hard to quantify for us. We've been using LinkRunner type of tools since they were owned by Fluke Networks. So, we've grown up on this technology. We have LinkRunner from NetAlly and AirChecker from NetAlly. We have AirCheck G2 from NetAlly and now EtherScope nXG from NetAlly. So, the learning curve is hard to quantify because we've been growing with this product. For coming from AirCheck G2 to this one, there was no learning curve at all. Using the new feature of AirMapper was very straightforward as well. It was not a big deal for our technicians to figure that out on their own.
I would rate it an eight out of 10, and that's simply because it's sometimes cost-prohibitive depending on the industry you're in.
Disclaimer: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
Date published: 2022-02-22T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Juan Wesson from
Creates simplicity and time savings by reducing troubleshooting tools
What is our primary use case?
My primary concern was wireless networking troubleshooting capabilities.
How has it helped my organization?
EtherScope has made our networking staff more productive. We have remote locations and can use the tools to collaborate. I have other people looking at it at the same time that I am looking at it. With the uploading ability, I can have more eyes on the project at the same time, instead of just one set of eyes.
I may have to go into a situation that I don't know. By plugging the solution in, I can get a footprint of what that facility is doing or has, without having documentation. I can see how many potential clients that I have, how many are in line with what we have set up, and how many are not seeing what is on the various networks. Also, I can find misaligned or unprepared equipment that is on the network. As a project technician, when I use the solution, I am looking for something specific, such as the number of devices on the network and the number of devices connected through the wireless networks.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are:
* Its network troubleshooting capabilities.
* The applications available to you where you don't have to switch tools or devices.
* Running Pings, testing network configurations, and connectivity.
* Heatmapping.
* Seeing the wireless interfaces that are running.
I like the multi-technology functionality of the solution. It has helped me cut down on troubleshooting time because I don't have to switch between tools. It has also advanced my knowledge in some areas that I wasn't as familiar with.
I use the pre-programmed AutoTest feature. However, I am still learning all its capabilities. When we purchased it, I had certain things in mind that I wanted to test. As I am learning the tool, it provides the feasibility of just being able to document and have other people take a look at the configuration. So, our time is cut in half from the field to our NOC.
One of the things that I like about it is that I can have people train other people on it. Even though I am not familiar with all of the tools, I have been able to train them so they can use it in the field when needed.
What needs improvement?
The training aspect needs improvement. They provide training, but if I am looking for something specific, then I have to sit through about an hour of training to learn about something that I may not have time to do. So, I probably have 40 hours of training for something that was five minutes of use.
From the demo, they show you a great deal of what the tool does. To actually learn how to do it, you probably have a learning curve that depends on what other tools you have used in the industry. That could go from 45 minutes to 4 hours just to learn how to use one of the applications.
For all its flexibility, make sure that you are prepared to spend the training time. While the training is available, it is just making sure that the person who will be working on it has the time available to train on it.
I am still learning the tool. The main reason that I purchased it was for the wireless troubleshooting capabilities and heatmapping. Those took me probably about six hours to properly learn everything that could be done with them, and I probably still don't know everything that can be done with them.
For my usage, I thought the training would be maybe an hour, but I ended up having to spend an additional four to eight hours just to make sure I could adequately translate the data. So, using the tool was not that difficult, but translating the data is where there is a breakdown in what you are demonstrated and what you can actually do.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using it for a year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I love the solution's stability.
What about the implementation team?
I handle the device's maintenance. I make sure that everything is downloaded when I see a pop up that I have something new available.
What was our ROI?
We have seen ROI. It reduced the number of tools and the amount of software that I had downloaded onto my computer to gather the same amount of data. The portability of the tool has allowed me to cut down my time.
It cuts down on time by reducing my troubleshooting tools. There is simplicity in not having to carry five or six different sets of tools to do the same thing that you can do with NetAlly. For example, when I go into a building, I can plug into the E-port and get probably about an hour and a half to two hours of time per day when I use it. Therefore, it has probably cut my time down from three and a half hours to an hour.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing was a little bit high, but I understand that when you are getting multiple tools.
What other advice do I have?
There are three people using EtherScope and 10 people who review the data. Right now, I am primarily using it three times a week, but there are other sites that I want to get taken care of. I have recommended that we purchase two more devices since we have three technicians in the field.
I would rate EtherScope as nine out of 10.
Disclaimer: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
Date published: 2022-02-06T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Doug Dickerson from
Handheld form factor, intuitive interface that is easy to use, helps us quickly troubleshoot network problems
What is our primary use case?
Network port troubleshooting is probably the best use case that we have. We test the performance and configuration of network ports across two campuses.
With respect to using the tool to troubleshoot, we've located several network extensions and several network loops. We've used it to confirm performance at 10Gig, 5Gig, and 1Gig, which are the various core configurations that we offer.
How has it helped my organization?
Prior to using this product, we were unable to verify a user's claim that their 10Gig service was not working. We didn't have a tool to prove that it was. It has added this capability to our network staff. This gives us the ammunition to tell the user that their port and cable are configured for 10Gig service and if there's a problem then their network card or other equipment needs to be changed or upgraded in order to get the 10Gig performance that they're looking for.
This tool is what we now use for troubleshooting and solving a network outage. Soon after we obtained it, we were able to zero in on a port that was looping and taking down a portion of our network. This tool was able to identify where that was, and we were able to rectify and restore service much faster than with previous tools.
This product has definitely reduced our troubleshooting time. It gives us better information on the latest protocols that we're deploying. It has reduced the time needed to both verify and troubleshoot issues.
What is most valuable?
We bought this solution for the 10gig testing capability, which is the most valuable feature for us. It clearly depicts the information we're looking for on a 10Gig testing, and we can also verify 100Gig links with it between our routing sites.
The multi-functionality testing has been helpful for us. For example, we have used the Wi-Fi feature to help us map things out, and it's better than some other tools that we've seen. We're learning more about this tool every time we see a possible use case. We use it for more than just 10Gig testing.
We've used the AirMapper site survey app to troubleshoot small areas. It helps us to zero in on a gap in wireless coverage that our larger application, AirWave, may have missed. It's very complete in capturing the signals that it receives.
For heat maps, we use a competing product, AirWave, that simulates data. AirMapper is something that we use for problem-solving with real data, and it gives us a concrete tool to recommend additional coverage or the relocation of existing access points. It has an intuitive, color-coded interface, which makes it easy to use.
We did not have to take a huge training class in order to understand what it was trying to tell us. We had several one-hour meetings with the sales team and that's all it took for us to understand what we needed to do to pick up the tool and be comfortable with it.
At the same time, it has deep diagnostics for our experts on staff. Our engineers get more information that is meaningful for them than the technician does.
Because of the increased capabilities of this testing device, we've begun to replace all of our older testing equipment. Amongst our staff, we are in the middle of this now. Once this is complete, it will mean quicker verifications for our customers of port configurations in a handheld device, as opposed to carrying a laptop around. It gives our technicians the credibility and the tool to check on each port of our network. We also use it in deploying new network components, such as uplinks.
We have used the pre-programmed Auto Test feature and although I don't always default to it, it's a good starting point. It definitely helps us to find problems quickly and it's the best tool in our arsenal for troubleshooting problem ports.
What needs improvement?
It would be helpful if this product interfaced with AirWave.
The battery life should be improved. The real negative to the product is the horrible battery life.
We had hoped for it to be able to deliver configurations to our network switches, and I think they're developing something for that. However, it doesn't do that now. We were hoping that we would, as we replace or refresh network components, be able to use this tool to push a config file to the switch. For example, the Aruba switches that we're deploying come with a Bluetooth function where we can push configs from our phones. It would be much more convenient to use this device, rather than using our personal cell phones to do it. I think that the capability is there, but it just hasn't been figured out yet.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using NetAlly EtherScope nXG for approximately three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's fairly stable. Being on an Android platform, it has some of the same problems that other Android devices have.
It's used several times per day and we hope to have it be the only tool that our technicians use.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It seems like a scalable platform. Their app developers could definitely write new tools for it.
We have four network field technicians that use these devices.
How are customer service and support?
The few times that I've interfaced with technical support, I've found them to be knowledgeable on their product. This includes both its capabilities and its limitations. If we're trying to have it do something that they know it can't do, they'll quickly tell us that it's not possible. We'll need to find another way to do it.
I would rate the customer support a nine out of ten. It's well supported, especially if you have an annual agreement with them.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We still use an older version of a NetAlly device because the batteries last longer. We pull this out when we know we have a 10Gig issue to troubleshoot, and we're in the middle of deploying more. We're seeing more 10Gig requests, so I think it's only going to increase in its use.
Another advantage of the newer device is that we like the cell phone-like, Android environment. We saw the possibility for it to grow and expand its capabilities once they moved to that standard platform.
What about the implementation team?
Our field supervisor is responsible for the maintenance, making sure that the devices are up to date.
What was our ROI?
The product is worth the investment and the upkeep to have such a capable tool in your arsenal.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's the best 10Gig network tester for the price on the market. We're moving to replace all of our testers with this tool. We're buying a total of six this year and the plan is to buy two units each year.
We purchase an annual service contract for the devices.
This is one of the best-valued tools on the market, in this space, and with the most flexibility. Some of the other tools lock you into one or two applications. This one, we saw as having the capability of adding multiple features to it. We'd like to see more apps developed for it.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
The ease of use beats other industry-standard applications.
What other advice do I have?
The features that we get from this product would only be available in a new, custom-created tool. This is a nice standard, out-of-the-box, capable handheld tester.
My advice for anybody who is considering this product is to do your homework. Make sure that you're getting a tool that gives you what you're looking for.
The biggest lesson that I have learned from using this tool is that being on the Android platform, there is a small learning curve if you're not familiar with it. That said, it's got a lot of capabilities and a lot of apps that you can add to it. You just need to have the time to be able to figure out what apps are applicable to your job.
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.
Disclaimer: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
Date published: 2022-03-16T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
John D'Amico from
You can do almost everything with one person and this tool
What is our primary use case?
We do a lot of network testing and network installs. We also do a lot of wireless installs.
How has it helped my organization?
It has given us the ability to properly map an area and ensure our wireless was done correctly. We were used to doing regular testing of Wi-Fi in areas, but when we would come back to check and make sure our access points were put in the proper locations, we could never really know 100% without a device like this. Now that we have this device, we can test, modify, move things, and change things to the best of the business's ability. We know we are actually doing it correctly because we can visually see the wireless and that areas are covered properly without trying to take educated guesses.
What is most valuable?
We use the solution’s AirMapper Site Survey app to create heat maps in the vendor’s Link-Live Cloud Service. It works really well. It allows you to change things live after you take the mapping and see how those heat maps would change based on your changes. It works really well to view all the different functions once you have taken in all the data. It is great for visualizing key performance metrics. It shows us a metrics screen that gives you the ability to modify the way you are looking at different metrics as well as how they overlay with each other.
The AirMapper Site Survey app helps you validate changes because you can see where your problem areas are, make the modifications, and then retest and review based on the changes that you have made. Therefore, it gives you great visual mapping of any changes that you need to make or have made.
If you are trying to troubleshoot because you are not getting enough wireless in one area, the AirMapper Site Survey app allows you to visualize all the areas on a map in your business or client's location. It allows you to make changes based on that map. You can then retest to ensure the changes have taken effect.
What needs improvement?
We have had to use a battery pack unit, bringing it with us, when we are doing long testing or a lot of testing. It is like a mini computer, so it does use a lot of battery life.
It is great that both skilled and less skilled individuals can use it. While both can use it, the unskilled staff still needs a little bit of knowledge and training to use it. It is not a simple, test-and-go type of solution. They still need to understand a little bit about what they are testing and where they are going.
I would like a little bit more online training. Some more video training would be a little more helpful so we can send somebody to the training and have them actually review it a little bit. However, there is a lot of training. If they could make the training a little bit easier to find and use, it might be helpful.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It has been very stable. Even though it is a mini computer, I have never had any crashes, errors, or problems with it. It always just works.
How are customer service and support?
We have the maintenance service through NetAlly. We pay for their support. It has always been good when I have had to call. When we first got it, we had to call a couple times to work out some issues. The support was very good and responsive. However, the device works so well that we haven't really had to use the support with it. Originally, it was just some software support on how to do a few things, and that is all. I would rate their support as nine or 10 out of 10. They have been great.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
EtherScope shows you a lot of data. You will sometimes need other tools with it to do certain things, but the majority of the data can be seen with just this one tool. Before, we had to use multiple tools to map out the network or gather data the correct way. At least with this, it can gather all of that with one interface.
We have used Fluke tools. We still have some Fluke network stuff, but they were originally the same company, so we have Fluke equipment. We also have some very cheap equipment that we were using for line testing.
We needed something that could work when testing 10 gigs. We also needed the Wi-Fi survey abilities. That is why we switched over to using this device. It was an all-in-one type of device that could do everything that we needed when we had to go out to a site. We didn't have to worry about bringing multiple tools or a laptop plus our line testers. We can do everything from one device.
What was our ROI?
We saw a return on our investment in the first year. We probably saved about 50% of our time on just troubleshooting different things. We also saw a return on investment from being able to do Wi-Fi surveys. Originally, we didn't have any survey equipment or tools. We would do as much as we could with laptops, cheap software, and testing. This device allowed us to do high quality Wi-Fi surveys, especially for our large businesses. It also helped us cut down on costs when we were doing Wi-Fi access points and installations. Now we can see, "Well, we really don't need this many. We can do this many." Then, we can test afterwards and make sure that we have deployed everything correctly. So, we have gained money and time from it.
It cuts the time down in half. You don't need to get a laptop out and do different testing. We can just grab this one tool, bring it, and do all our network testing, surveying, and reviews to figure out what the problems are with just one device, instead of having to use multiple people and devices to do that. You cut down time by 50% because you won't normally need multiple people onsite. A lot of times, you can do everything with one person and one tool.
EtherScope has made our networking staff 100% more productive. It has saved us numerous hours.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
As a business owner, it was a high price. However, it was well worth it. We have gotten our money out of it and continue to get our money out of it. For the price and usability, it is definitely worth it. The Wi-Fi survey capabilities alone justifies the price. Having all the other tools in it really adds to that.
There is other software that you can buy to integrate with the surveys for other testing. While it is an additional cost for some of the other software, it is still worth it if you will be doing all that stuff for clients and installations.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We looked at some other tools. We looked at some of the Fluke equipment again, and then some other cheaper versions, to see if we could save some money and buy these. We then decided that we were better off going with a device where we knew we could get good support, and it was. These devices were made well and had great reviews. So, we decided to go with NetAlly equipment.
The device is like a mini computer so we can do multiple things from it that a lot of these other devices couldn't do. It is a company who has been doing this for a long time so they make really good equipment. That is why we went with NetAlly. We'd rather stick with a company that makes good equipment and has been around for a while doing it. We didn't want to take a chance with a cheaper third-party device that was going to give us problems a year down the road.
What other advice do I have?
Since I have used other tools before, I don't think it has a high learning curve. You will need to know networks and what you are doing before you just dive into it. Some general training is helpful, unless you have used some of NetAlly's products. It is a little more extensive than using just a simple line tester because it is actually more of a computer with applications and configurations of applications. So, there is a little bit higher of a learning curve than just a standard test this line and go.
Generally, we have anywhere from five to six users at a time, though not at the same time. They are testing during different periods of time for different types of things, doing testing, Wi-Fi surveys, etc. Only two of them are network engineers. The other ones are more computer and testing guys. Sometimes, they will have to test a line or they are running wire. So, we have wiring techs, who will use it to do some line tests, ensure lines are good as well as the signals are great over them, etc.
I would advise you to get Etherscope. We originally bought it for the Wi-Fi surveys. If you are planning to do a Wi-Fi survey, this is probably one of the best products that I have ever used for it. I know there is software out there that you still need to use a laptop and carry it around or buy devices with it. However, this product is really great for just walking around and doing your survey right on the device. You can then upload it to the web and have this great heat map, which you can then check out. You can even give your clients access to it. You can send them PDF files for it. It is done very well.
Other than maybe the battery and some of the cost of it, it is a great product and definitely worth it. I would rate it as nine out of 10.
Disclaimer: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
Date published: 2022-03-23T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
reviewer1806054 from
AutoTest definitely reduces troubleshooting time and makes us more effective
What is our primary use case?
Our biggest use case is the heat map. We also use it for testing cable length, and/or verifying what port an unmarked data drop is going to.
We're in a big push to get proper network documentation. When we go to a site, we take a NetAlly with us and we try to do both a heat map and use the discovery function. Additionally, if we're onsite and we're troubleshooting some issues, we might use both the AutoTest and Cable Tester to identify problems that we need to fix. For example, we tend to have long cable runs that sites need to be replaced or addressed.
The NetAlly product is still relatively new for us and we are exploring what other functions it will do for us. It's not a tool we use daily. We use it three or four times a month at this point.
How has it helped my organization?
The AutoTest feature has definitely reduced troubleshooting time. Given the fact that there's a lack of documentation about our environment—nobody's marking data drops—it's an awesome little feature. It has reduced my typical troubleshooting time on a data drop by somewhere between 15 and 30 minutes.
Overall, the nXG has helped us to be more effective when it comes to troubleshooting. It helps us identify issues in our network more quickly.
What is most valuable?
The functions we're using currently are AutoTest, Cable Test, discovery, and the AirMapper.
I love the AutoTest feature. It's my favorite feature. Finding a network problem is not the biggest deal for us. Our problem is that we usually go to a port and it's undocumented, regarding how or where it's connected. AutoTest allows us to find out what port it is on the switch and to trace it back to a particular patch panel. We can then document it, if necessary, or use that information for connecting a device or for re-VLANing a switch to the appropriate VLAN.
I'm still on the amateur side when it comes to doing heat maps and the AirMapper Site Survey app is a tool that is designed for somebody who does professional heat maps and really gets into the minutiae. It probably gives me more information than I realize. But its ability to visualize key performance metrics from the map, with the color-coding, is great. I like all the information that I get. It's easy to understand, especially by the time you weed out all the unnecessary SSIDs. That's great.
What needs improvement?
I use the NetAlly site and one of the things I don't like about the topology map, something I wish I could fix, is that the map kind of jiggles if you don't adjust any of the settings.
One of the things I'd like to be able to do with that feature is to grab a group of devices and drag them. For example, if you drag a switch, all the devices that are attached to that switch stay in the same spot. Your switch can be dragged all the way out to the far side of the page, but all the devices are still back in their original spot. That means there are all these lines and you have to go back and move all the individual devices. I wish there was a way to drag the device and its attached devices.
Another thing that I would love for the EtherScope nXG to be able to do is when I'm looking at a topology map. A lot of times it will say, "Unknown switch," and I'm pretty sure it's a phone that probably has a PC attached to it. I would love it if it could identify that.
Also, when running a discovery, it would help if there were something that makes it a little more obvious when the NetAlly device determines that the discovery is complete. There's a little percentage sign that runs up towards the top when the discovery is going, but I'd like a little more obvious sign that indicates, "Hey, we're still running. We're still trying to discover things." That way we won't pull it off before it's done.
Another point is that this product needs to come with a stylus. It doesn't work well with fat fingers.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've had NetAlly EtherScope nXG for about a year, and I've started using it within the last nine months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I had to do an update because my original EtherScope had a problem with one of its WiFi radios not turning on. I couldn't use WiFi to upload things. That created a little bit of a hassle, but they replaced it really quickly.
How are customer service and support?
NetAlly's customer support has been good. I haven't had any complaints.
I brought one of our engineers who works a lot with these tools and we sat down with a couple of the salesmen. I showed one of them my EtherScope and when I talked to him about my wireless issue, he was the one who said, "Yes, you need to have them replace this." I contacted support and they looked at the unit and said, "You realize that it's not up to date?" and they asked me to update it. I updated it but that didn't fix my problem. We then moved to the step of replacing it.
When it's one of the guys who knows the product best who identifies the problem and says, "You just need it replaced," at that point, I would expect customer service to just follow the engineer's lead.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I previously used AirMapper. I like the fact that this is easier to handle than walking around with a PC with a dongle hanging off of it. The nXG gives me multiple tools in one handheld device.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We're still trying to figure out how the discovery in NetAlly differs from SolarWinds, which we also use. We do gain some additional information from NetAlly compared to SolarWinds, but we still have to figure out how we can utilize that information.
What other advice do I have?
EtherScope will work for less skilled staff and experts on staff, but you better be prepared to grow your skills. Some of the smaller apps are pretty intuitive. I did heat maps using a different AirMapper tool before. But I still have to learn Performance, iPerf, and LANBERT. I don't even think I've touched a Path Analysis. I'm not even sure what it does. I have watched some of the videos that are available. It is just a matter of dedicating your time to learning all the features that the tool offers. Sometimes that's hard, given the typical "IT is overwhelmed" situation.
Overall, if you've got an ugly network, this is the device for you. If you lack cable management documentation or labeling on your drops, this is the device for you.
Disclaimer: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
Date published: 2022-03-21T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Dan Jones from
Works well for wired and wireless networks, massively affects the efficiency and cost of troubleshooting, and pays for itself when you use it onsite just once or twice
What is our primary use case?
I'm a wireless engineer. I do both troubleshooting and design. I use NetAlly EtherScope nXG mainly as a troubleshooting device, and I also use it to collect data so that when I do my designs, I have all of the data that I need.
How has it helped my organization?
One of the great things about it is that it is a small and portable device. We're based in London, and we had a customer in New York. We were finding it really difficult to troubleshoot a problem remotely even though we had cloud-based controllers and other things for wireless. It was an intermittent problem that was difficult for us to replicate. So, I ended up sending the device to the customer. They were able to set it up and plug it in. Because it can charge over PoE, they were able to just leave it there, and then effectively, I could log into that device through Link-Live. I could run all the tests that I needed to run. I could have the AutoTest running for 24 hours, and then I could look at that data. We figured out what the problem was. I was able to do remote packet captures and other things. We were able to fix the problem, and they just shipped the unit back to us. That was obviously much cheaper than me flying over to New York for two weeks. I could carry on with the work that I was booked into day to day, but I was also able to log in and look at things over there. It was really useful to be able to just send that device and get that fixed. It has basically enabled me to be in two places at once, which is invaluable. There aren't a lot of wireless engineers. So, the fact that I can be both in New York and in London at the same time is the value that we are getting from it.
It is easy to use for less skilled staff but has deep diagnostics for experts on staff. I told the customer at the New York site to just walk around with it and let it do everything it needs to do because I'm connected via wireless. After walking around, they said that this is a problem area, and then effectively, I could just run the device. For something simple, I could get them to click on something, but if I wanted to run more of a test, I could just remotely use the device. I told them, "Stick this in the middle somewhere and make sure it has got PoE power. I can run everything I need to run. Don't worry about it, and when I've got everything I need, just ship it back to me."
Its multi-technology functionality when it comes to validating network changes, troubleshooting connectivity, and detecting performance issues is very helpful. A lot of the time, it is proving that it isn't a Wi-Fi problem. The nice thing about having a product that has all of it in there is that I can test not just the wireless; I can also test up the stack. If everything looks good from the wireless side, I can then start to troubleshoot up the stack. No other product that I have gives me that flexibility.
I create my own tests. The test is different for each site depending on what I am troubleshooting or what applications they're using. To be able to just leave something and collect data over time is really valuable.
I have made use of its full line-rate 10 Gig capability. Because I've two nXGs, I can use the LANBERT tester as well. I've done that a few times where customers have got pre-existing cabling, and they said that they will have to completely rip out the cabling to be able to go with the new 6 GHz APs and things like that. In such cases, I've been able to just test that cabling and tell them that this cabling will be absolutely fine. There is no need to rip it out, which obviously makes the customer quite happy because it means that they don't have an additional cost of re-cabling everything.
It is a handheld tool, which makes it easy to use, and you do use it. Some of the other tools that we have are great tools, but because they're cumbersome and they require you to put lots of things in and have lots of extra things attached to them, you only use them if you absolutely have to, whereas you can use this tool every time because it is portable and easy.
The AirMapper Site Survey app is brilliant at gathering WiFi site survey data, and the Link-Live service that you have afterward is the crown jewel of it. You can easily share that with customers. All that data is readily available on any platform, which is really good. I can use an iPad, I can use a Mac, or I can use a Windows device. It doesn't matter.
The Link-Live part of the whole system is very good. You can build up reports. You can create heat maps, and you can have all that other data in there as well. You can have raw test data, and you can have your discovery data. It is all there in one place, and then you can easily share that with customers. It is very good in terms of the ability to visualize key performance metrics. It has got everything we need, and it is clear for customers too.
It impacts our ability to validate changes or troubleshoot problems. I use it for both. It has the data, and I can also see the before and after. I can go onsite really easily and collect that data. I can then make changes based on the recommendations and then go back to the site and see the difference between how it was before and how it is afterward. Being able to display that and easily show that to the customer is a great thing, and I'm not printing off 100-page reports. I can just send a link.
It has provided visibility into the network that we could only get by using many other tools. It has both the wireless and the wired in one device, and that's the thing that separates it from anything else on the market. You get some really good wired devices. You get some really good wireless-only devices. This is the only one that I've come across that has not just both of them but also a lot of detail and a lot of expertise in both of those areas. It has affected the efficiency and cost of our network troubleshooting massively. I didn't have to fly to New York for two weeks. It is helpful for the remote support that we can offer to customers. It is so much easier for us to send that device than it is for us to send a Level 3 or Level 4 engineer.
It has reduced the troubleshooting time. Now, I can walk onto the site and within a couple of minutes, I'm able to determine if this is a wireless problem or a wired problem. I still have everything I need to fix that problem, whereas previously, I would either have to take a lot of equipment with me, which is expensive and a hassle, or I would turn up thinking it is a wireless problem and not have the other equipment with me, and then I would have to come back another day or book in another session. I don't have the actual number of time saved, but I wouldn't go anywhere without this equipment now.
What is most valuable?
The things that I find most valuable are the Wi-Fi app and the Discovery app. Those two things help a lot when I'm doing the initial discovery of a space. I also use the AutoTest feature quite a lot, especially if I'm troubleshooting.
It is one of the best solutions for finding network problems quickly. The Discovery app that I use as I'm walking around the site picks up loads of things such as retries, APs that are using wrong channels, APs that are moving channels regularly because of DSS events, etc. That's one of the best features that I use the most.
What needs improvement?
We should be able to do online wireless design through Link-Live. We should be able to take the information that we've gathered and send a customer the way to fix it, in terms of moving APs and how that would affect things, within Link-Live.
The ease of use of AirMapper could do with some improvements. I don't use the AirMapper Site Survey app a lot. I have used it recently with the new 6 GHz device because effectively, it is the only device I have that can do that. For most of my site surveys, I use a different tool. AirMapper is very quick and easy once everything is on there, but I would like to see an improvement on how you get things on there. Currently, rather than being able to build up buildings or a site of things, every map is an individual piece. We should be able to set up an AirMapper survey easily and more effectively. At the moment, we just have separate floor plans. It'd be great to be able to build a building and tell where different floors are so that if it hears an AP on the floor below, it doesn't put two APs, one on that floor and one on the other floor, and it knows that there are two floors here. One is on top of the other, and it won't put the AP at both places. It would put it on one of the floors where it would be strongest. This would be one of the biggest improvements.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've got two of these. I've been using them for about three years. I'm currently using the 6 GHz model.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is very stable and reliable. I've never had a crash, and I've never had it not collect data. It has always been rock solid.
How are customer service and support?
I've never had to use their support. Their documentation is good, but the main place I've gone to find out how to do things has been YouTube. When there is a new feature, or there is a webinar that's being recorded, I can just watch that back on YouTube.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I've added the NetAlly solution to what I already had. It is not replacing these, but it is better than the tools that I still take with me. I'm a wireless engineer rather than a wired engineer, and I didn't have any Fluke or Netscout products previously. I don't have a wired networking tester. I do hav...
Disclaimer: PeerSpot contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
Date published: 2022-07-11T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
JamesStout from
Helps us with Wi-Fi surveys and spectrum, but different capabilities could be added in the next release
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case for this solution is Wi-Fi surveys and spectrum. We have the spectrum analyzer module that sits on the top of the 300, which unfortunately isn't available for the other one.
What is most valuable?
The Wi-Fi analysis feature is most valuable.
What needs improvement?
The solution could be improved by enhancing the way models are sold. For example, the new models do not come with hard cases, and the old models cannot use spectrum analyzers. It's a huge investment for companies like ours and also independent companies who go out and do Wi-Fi surveys for people,
so not having a backup isn't suitable. For example, one of them took us about six or eight weeks to get a case we ordered.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using this solution as customers for approximately ten months. Currently, we have version six, version 300 and the Wi-Fi versions.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable. For example, when you are starting fresh, you can scan a picture on a wall and then do the measurements. You can then test and scan the network without any hiccups.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable. You can add users to the portal. So, for example, if you want someone collaborating on a particular site, you can add them, and they can enter via the web. I am the only one using it in my organization, but we have three or four other people collaborating, so they log in, look at the drawings, and then ensure that all the results are what they would expect.
How are customer service and support?
I rate customer service and support eight out of ten because of the different time zones. They are based in the UK.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was easy.
What was our ROI?
The solution is worth the money for what we get in return. I think it's nearly enough paid for itself already.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price for both devices was around the 20,000 mark. For the NetAlly support, some parts of it require a license to use it. With the backing for the devices, it's all wrapped up in one agreement that states you pay £500 a year, and you get accident insurance on the device and any new updates.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We chose to use this solution because one piece of hardware fits all. We can do Wi-Fi surveys, cable testing, and spectrum analysis. It took about four months to decide which unit we would get and whether to go down the Fluke group. We purchased it in November, but unfortunately, they brought out the Wi-Fi six model in January, so we were stuck with two.
What other advice do I have?
I rate this solution a seven out of ten. My advice to others deciding on a solution will be to find out if it's the right solution they need. Instead of having different equipment doing the same job, we can purchase one piece of equipment that'll be efficient. The solution is good, but another feature that could be included in the next release is cable analyzer options and different capabilities. For example, will it run 10G or 5G? What is that cable capable of running? Additionally, Fluke uses one Cable IQ, and something similar would be excellent. We only need one tool because I usually take two for the Wi-Fi and another for the cabling.
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2022-09-06T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
James_Stout from
It's easy to share reports with other people
What is our primary use case?
EtherScope is an all-in-one networking tool that replaces multiple products. I've done heat mapping and topology at about 400 sites with it so far. We have three implementation engineers using it at my company.
What is most valuable?
I like EtherScope's WiFi scanning, heat map, and load testing. It's an excellent tool that sets you straight, so you don't need to beat around the bush or wait for other people. It's easy to share the reports with other people.
What needs improvement?
The reporting could be better, with more accurate measurements of loss over cables, impedance, etc. The mapping also needs to be improved. You should be able to do free formatting of the topology.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using EtherScope for about a month.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate EtherScope 10 out of 10 for stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate EtherScope nine out of 10 for scalability. You could cover a company with a massive infrastructure with four of these devices. You can send it to the site, plug it in wherever you are, and get the test results back. I can mail it to the customer and talk them through it over the phone.
How are customer service and support?
I rate NetAlly support nine out of 10. Sometimes there are some issues with the time difference, but they always have a solution when they get back to you.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I used a tool from Fluke Networks. Fluke is used for a single purpose, whereas EtherScope can do multiple things.
How was the initial setup?
I rate EtherScope nine out of 10 for ease of setup. It's ready to go out of the box.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of EtherScope could be better, but you get a good return on investment. They should offer more discounts if you're buying multiple units. You have to pay standard licensing fees plus a subscription to gain access to the portal. I paid for two years, and the price of support goes up after that. I don't think that's right. It should be a standard fee.
What other advice do I have?
I rate NetAlly EtherScope nXG nine out of 10. It has all the tools in one product. I used to carry multiple devices, but now I only have two. I recommend EtherScope if you have several networking tools that are reaching the end of their usability and you have money to invest. It's worth its weight in gold.
Disclaimer: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Date published: 2023-04-11T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Wayne Inniss from
Eliminates the need for external resources to help troubleshoot
What is our primary use case?
We use it to troubleshoot network cabling issues as well as identify network ports and network connectivity issues from the end user to the switch. It is a device that helps us test cables and network connectivity.
How has it helped my organization?
It has reduced our internal troubleshooting time. In the cases where we could not internally solve the troubleshooting, we would have had to contact an external vendor to test cable, rerun it, etc. NetAlly EtherScope has let us eliminate that in most cases so we can resolve an issue on our own without having to call a third-party out to identify the problem. It has reduced our troubleshooting time for network cabling issues by a good 75 percent.
What is most valuable?
It has the ability to identify what VLAN the cable is connected to on the switch. If we go to an office and need to know where that other end goes, then we use it a lot for that so we can quickly trace out and identify cables. It is really good at that.
The pre-programmed AutoTest feature has been good. I have no complaints with its ability to find network problems. For example, we had these power over Ethernet devices that we use for projections. So, if folks go into a conference room, they can wirelessly project to the projector, then that device is plugged in over the Ethernet. We had a cabling company come out and put in a bunch of cabling. They had it all mislabeled and wrong, so we use this device to correct the labeling and locate where those devices were actually plugged in. We needed to have those devices on a specific VLAN. Where the cabling company told us the cabling was, it wasn't there. It was on the wrong VLAN. This device allowed me to find out, not only what VLAN it was on, but exactly what port it was plugged into. Therefore, I was able to trace the cable on the back-end.
We're able to plug this up, then do traces, get Wireshark, etc. We can do it all on this particular device. It is more efficient to be able to pull up one tool and have that tool able to be the whole solve everything, soup to nuts. It's great to do that instead of having to run around, working with two or three different tools and starting over each time.
What needs improvement?
The battery life could be better. There have been a couple of times that I used it and put it down, then I went to pick it up and the battery was dead. So, I need to take the power cord with me in order to continue using it.
Initially, one of the devices wasn't reading the information from the scans. So, we would do a scan, and it was giving us back erroneous information. Then, when we tested it on our other unit, that unit was fine. We tested the same problems with what we were troubleshooting. We tried testing it with our second unit and the second unit gave us the information that we needed, where our first unit did not. We kind of went back and forth doing that. Eventually we realized that the first unit on known, good scenarios, which were confirmed by the second unit, could not give us the right information. We knew at that point it was not working and that one of the particular unit was defective.
For how long have I used the solution?
About eight months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It seems very stable. We did get two of them. One of them had an issue that we had to get repaired, but the other seems solid. We now have the repaired one back, and it seems solid as well.
There is no maintenance for the device that I'm aware of.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have four field support technicians who use the devices. Then, we have a network administrator who guides us through usage of it as well as troubleshoots issues.
We do have plans to increase usage. It's used right now as a troubleshooting tool. Therefore, if we have an issue, we pull it out as we go forward for wireless and some other things where we're doing enhancements. We engage the tool as part of that.
How are customer service and technical support?
Our experience with the technical support was great and knowledgeable. They helped us by sending us a replacement when we realized one of the units was defective. The turnaround time was acceptable. Since I had two units, so I was able to supplement users with my other device. I might have been a bit more crankier if I only had one unit.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We didn't use anything prior to this.
What was our ROI?
We have seen reduced time for support and troubleshooting issues. So, I see value it the solution. Over eight months, they have been a little pricey. Though, in certain instances, we have had to bring out cable vendors to identify troubles, and those calls are pretty pricey as well. Because we have eliminated the need for external resources to help troubleshoot on multiple occasions, I would say there has been ROI on it.
Anybody can use it. The higher-end techs can take advantage of it to do more. We can use it for implementations and other things. This has decreased the downtime of our network operations by having us take a shorter amount of time to resolve issues. We are able to test the cable out prior to turning it over. When we are going from a build-out network, we can test every piece of it out, verifying it's all good and everything is correct before we turn it over to production. This eliminates misconfigurations and additional downtime. So, it can eliminate downtime altogether, if utilized properly, for these type of issues.
The solution has made our networking staff more productive. If we get a lot of issues, then it saves a lot of time. It saves about 75 percent of the time of what we had before, e.g., if there were a hundred hours of troubleshooting time before, then we only have 25 hours now, but this varies based on our business. Sometimes, we don't have any network issues, so we don't use it. When we do use it, it saves about 75 percent of our time.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's a pricey device, but I see value in it from a business perspective.
We paid for the additional maintenance on it (for an extra year) to get that extra coverage. This was the first time that we had this solution in-house, and it was pretty pricey. So, we wanted to make sure that anything went wrong, then we could get it repaired, which is pretty standard.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We looked at a couple of other units. We chose NetAlley because its feature did everything that we needed and checked all our boxes.
What other advice do I have?
Buy it. It is worth it. I have gotten more insight into what we are doing using the solution along with more information to make better decisions in regards to troubleshooting or wireless.
We use it anytime that we have network trouble. Now, it's one of the first tools that we pull up if we are having network connectivity issues. The first thing the we do, "Let's get NetAlly and test the cable to the switch."
If someone picks up the tool, then forgets to put it back. Usually, we hear about it, they are like, "Hey, where's the NetAlly, I know it is being used?"
The multi-technology functionality of the solution does a lot. We haven't dove into everything, but I can use it to test cables. I really like the fact that it does everything that it does. The fact that it does WiFi and wired Ethernet analysis in one device has been great.
We have the solution’s AirMapper Site Survey app in a testing environment. We have been playing with it just to get familiarized with it. We did a wireless survey for a specific area that we were looking to do some additional equipment in. The AirMapper Site Survey app is pretty straightforward. I didn't have to do too much digging. Its ability to gather WiFi site survey data is good and works as advertised.
Initially, for the simple things, the learning curve is pretty easy and quick. It's not a very big curve. However, for complex items, you want to read up on the solution. They have documentation online that you can watch to the help you. The more complex things take more time unless you're familiar with them, and I wasn't that familiar with the solution and had to do a bit more digging, but the simple things were easy.
We haven't had the need to make use of the solution’s full line-rate 10 Gig capability.
I would rate this solution as a 10 out of 10.
Disclaimer: IT Central Station contacted the reviewer to collect the review and to validate authenticity. The reviewer was referred by the vendor, but the review is not subject to editing or approval by the vendor.
Date published: 2020-11-29T00:00:00-05:00