mickey@illogica.UUCP (Michael Thompson) (11/10/85)
We have decided to buy a protocol analyzer (we currently have
a DLM-5 line analyzer).
My boss is ready to buy the HP-4953A. But I am uncomfortable about
buying the first one we look at.
Can anyone suggest any other analyzers comparable to the 4953A that
we should try? We require at least X.25 HDLC, BSC, SNA and Sync/Async.
We need to be able to write monitor/simulate programs (the menu system
of the 4953A gets in the way here), be able to monitor timing, lead
changes and be able to dump monitored data to tape.
We like the ability of the 4953A to control a slave version of
itself in the field (you can upload/download programs and monitored
data by connecting the two with modems).
I would really like to see one that can monitor a conversation and
then play back say, only the DCE's half (a cheap, quicky host
emulator) with timing and lead changes intact. I don't think the 4953A
can do that.
Thanks for your help...
Michael Thompson
{ucbvax,decwrl}!dual!vecpyr!altos86!mickey
{ucbvax,decwrl}!dual!vecpyr!altos86!illogica!mickeydennis@rlgvax.UUCP (Dennis Bednar) (11/14/85)
> We have decided to buy a protocol analyzer (we currently have > a DLM-5 line analyzer). > > > Can anyone suggest any other analyzers comparable to the 4953A that > we should try? We require at least X.25 HDLC, BSC, SNA and Sync/Async. > We need to be able to write monitor/simulate programs (the menu system > of the 4953A gets in the way here), be able to monitor timing, lead > changes and be able to dump monitored data to tape. > > I would really like to see one that can monitor a conversation and > then play back say, only the DCE's half (a cheap, quicky host > emulator) with timing and lead changes intact. I don't think the 4953A > can do that. > You should look into the TEKELEC Chameleon. Not only can you write simulation software, but you can buy already written software from them. You can analyze, simulate, and even save/replay old protocol scenerios, to see if you have fixed a bug correctly. There's X.25 certification software, a BSC test package, plus SNA test software. It costs about $20K. Our Rochester NY division used it to develop both X.25 and SNA, plus port a version of BSC to our machines. A co-worker has said that the machine is incredibly powerful, however, I have not had much first hand experience with using it. -- Dennis Bednar Computer Consoles Inc. Reston VA 703-648-3300 {decvax,ihnp4,harpo,allegra}!seismo!rlgvax!dennis