Network Instruments FOSS Overview
The Fibre Channel Observer Suite Systems (FOSS) contains all the hardware and software required to troubleshoot and manage the most advanced storage area networks. For high-end administrators tasked with travelling to different sites to solve elusive network problems, the Fibre Channel field service solution is the only portable unit that provides the technology and capability you need to solve wire-speed, full-duplex Fibre Channel problems in real time.

When portability counts, the FOSS is the unit you need to manage SAN problems. The FOSS includes Network Instruments' Gen2 Capture Card for complete and accurate captures.

The FOSS includes a 64-bit core, maximising SAN analysis with faster processing and larger capture buffers.

Portable, Compact Design

• Fully loaded, the FOSS weighs 11.3 kg
• With ATA case, the FOSS weighs 22.7 kg
• Designed for convenience in travel and shipping
• Includes all necessary hardware and software for real-time, wire-speed analysis

Complete SAN Analysis

• Full-duplex, wire-speed Fibre Channel capture
• Real-time metrics and a comprehensive Expert system
• Provides an independent look at Fibre Channel data flow
• Passive view—will not interfere with the network

High-Performance

• Ensure accurate captures with Gen2 technology
• Utilise internal Expert probe for collaboration with other consoles
• Monitor up to two full-duplex links independently or in aggregate
• Gain visibility into trunked gigabit links

The FOSS includes the Gen2 Capture Card and a 10/100/1000 adapter card for complete, wire-speed, full-duplex packet capture, network statistics, real-time Expert, web-based reporting, and an SNMP management system for your network.

The FOSS also delivers analysis port flexibility. Analyze up to four ports on a single appliance for any simultaneous combination of SPAN sessions, full-duplex connections, and trunked links.

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

Continuous visibility into your network
The FOSS not only stands on its own as a complete network analyser but also connects as a probe to any Expert Observer or Observer Suite console for advanced troubleshooting across the entire network. With the Network Instruments Distributed Network Analysis (NI-DNA™) architecture all Network Instruments products can link to each other for complete monitoring and real-time analysis across multiple locations. For example, use the FOSS to retrieve data from any remote probe or to allow a network administrator at another site to access local data. The FOSS not only offers complete portability but also maintains uninterrupted visibility into your entire network.

Proven Analysis Metrics

• Real-Time Statistics such as network summary, Fibre Channel utilisation, and top system 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