In short, NetStream can be considered to be very much related to protocols such as NetFlow, IPFIX, SNMP, and so forth. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and each certainly has its particularities.
NetStream is, more or less, a semi-proprietary implementation of more-or-less NetFlow, with the goal of mimicking the functionality of NetFlow. Similar examples would be jFlow, Cflowd, and even sFlow.
Here is our list of the best NetStream Analyzers tools:
- SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer – FREE TRIAL – An excellent choice for high-volume networks, offering compatibility with various networking technologies and insightful pre-built templates. Download a 30-day free trial.
- Telco Manager TRAFip – Great for visual metric analysis, TRAFip supports NetStream and other protocols, ideal for smaller environments with its varied alerting options.
- Plixer Scrutinizer Scrutinizer – caters to large enterprise networks, offering multiple deployment options and advanced security-related traffic analysis features.
- NGenius Collector – This physical flow collector simplifies network integration and accelerates data collection, perfect for rapid troubleshooting in complex settings.
- Flowmon Collector – Flowmon provides a centralized monitoring solution with granular filters and DDoS protection services, ideal for extensive network traffic management.
In NetStream's case, it leans strongly on the NetFlow methodology and when working with Huawei devices, though it's also worth mentioning that many 3Com/HP devices also use NetStream, it can provide an excellent range of powerful and useful data.
The nuance is that it can require slightly more specialized software – many general NetFlow collectors can also handle NetStream and other variants, but they may also miss out on some of the smaller or more nuanced aspects of the slightly different versions of implementation.
As such, below is a list of a handful of Netstream-friendly programs that do an excellent job gathering up and analyzing all the NetStream data it can provide in order to offer you all the same sort of functionality as any other NetFlow or sFlow option!
Whether you're troubleshooting or monitoring routers, determining scalability or expansion needs, performing general maintenance, ferreting out problematic systems or devices, monitoring application performance, or a variety of other tasks, NetStream is what you need if you're running on Huawei devices!
The Best NetStream Analyzers
Our methodology for selecting NetStream analyzers tools and software
We reviewed various NetStream analyzers and analyzed the options based on the following criteria:
- Support for various Flow protocols
- Alert and reporting capabilities
- A facility to analyze Flow performance over time
- Graphical interpretation of data, such as charts and graphs
- A free trial period, a demo, or a money-back guarantee for no-risk assessment
- A good price that reflects value for money when compared to the functions offered
1. SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer – FREE TRIAL
SolarWinds' offering is part of a larger suite of traffic collection and analysis and presents a huge range of compatibility with all manner of flow protocol and data points, all with full NetStream support and implementation.
Key Features:
- User-friendly, intuitive interface
- Supports multiple flow protocols
- Pre-built insight templates
- SLA tracking capabilities
Why do we recommend it?
SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is recommended for its comprehensive approach to traffic analysis. It supports a wide range of flow protocols, including NetStream, and offers an excellent user interface that simplifies navigation and analysis, even on high-volume networks. Its pre-built templates provide immediate, valuable insights, making it a top choice for enterprise environments.
As part of the NetFlow Traffic Analyzer you also gain all the other functionality of that particular software, which includes all manner of reporting, alerting, and analysis for NetStream, NetFlow, and plenty more.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is ideal for enterprise-scale organizations that require detailed traffic analysis and monitoring. It's especially beneficial for IT professionals managing diverse network technologies and seeking reliable SLA tracking and reporting features.
Pros:
- Excellent user interface, easy to navigate, and remains uncluttered even when used on high-volume networks
- Supports multiple networking technologies such as Cisco Netflow, Juniper Networks J-Flow, and Huawei Netstream, making it a hardware agnostic solution
- Pre-built templates allow you to pull insights from packet capture right away
- Installs on Windows as well as on multiple flavors of Linux
- Built for the enterprise, offers SLA tracking and monitoring features
Cons:
- Built for enterprise companies that process a lot of data, not the best fit for small LANs or home users
SolarWinds is a leader in this type of software and a favorite of our own staff!
EDITOR'S CHOICE
SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer stands out as the top choice for NetStream analysis in Huawei network environments. It offers a comprehensive set of features, including support for various flow protocols like NetStream, robust alerting and reporting capabilities, and an intuitive user interface that scales well with network size.
Additionally, its compatibility with multiple networking technologies and enterprise-grade functionalities make it an optimal choice for high-traffic networks.
Download: SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer
OS: Windows, Linux
Download Free, NOW!
2. Telco Manager TRAFip
Telco Manager TraFIP is a tab-based and heavily graphical option which has some excellent charting and graphing at first glance, and does a splendid job delineating all the desired data in various smaller subsets, making it a lot easier to peruse and assess.
Key Features:
- Graphical data visualization
- Multiple alert options
- NetStream protocol support
Why do we recommend it?
Telco Manager TRAFip is recommended for its excellent capability in visualizing network metrics and providing various alerting options. It supports NetStream and other flow protocols, making it a versatile choice for network analysis.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is particularly suitable for smaller to medium-sized environments where visual data interpretation and diverse alerting options are essential for efficient network management.
Pros:
- Does a great job visualizing metrics
- Offers a variety of alerting options
- Can monitor NetStream and multiple other Flow protocols
Cons:
- Better suited for smaller environments
It does lack some of the more robust alerting or notification features, but still enables a staggering depth of view into traffic analysis, which includes NetStream and other flow protocols!
Download:
https://www.telcomanager.com/en/trafip-netflow-collector-and-analyzer
3. Plixer Scrutinizer
Plixer's Scrutinizer software is a one-solution-fits-all network management option that handles traffic as well as flow assessment. It has fairly robust graphing and reporting and does a splendid job breaking down a huge range of data while still retaining scalability both up and down!
Key Features:
- Multiple deployment options
- Large network support
- Security traffic analysis
Why do we recommend it?
Plixer Scrutinizer is recommended for its flexibility in deployment and its ability to support large enterprise networks. It offers advanced features for security-related traffic analysis, making it a comprehensive solution for flow collection and assessment.
Who is it recommended for?
Ideal for large-scale enterprises needing a robust network management tool that can handle extensive traffic and flow data. It is also suitable for organizations focusing on security and requiring detailed traffic analysis.
Pros:
- Offers multiple deployment options
- Designed to support large enterprise networks
- Offers additional security-related traffic analysis features
Cons:
- Must reach out to sales for pricing
The software does a great job with flow collection and analysis and the Plixer site has some great write-ups specifically on Huawei NetStream and getting the most out of it via the Scrutinizer software.
Download:
https://www.plixer.com/products/scrutinizer/
4. NGenius Collector
The NGenius collector is one of many flow collection and analysis options which come in hardware form. It's a physical appliance that is placed into your network environment such that it can monitor and collect data on the fly.
Key Features:
- Wide control range
- Easy installation
- Rapid data collection
Why do we recommend it?
NGenius Collector is recommended for its ease of installation and quick data collection capabilities. It offers extensive control over network environments, making it a reliable option for real-time network troubleshooting.
The strongest upside comes in terms of performance and setup, as appliances are often simple to add into your network environment and get up and running!
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is ideal for network environments where quick deployment and fast data collection are priorities. It suits organizations preferring physical appliances for network monitoring and analysis.
Pros:
- Offers a wide range of controls and full control over your environment
- Simple to install – just plug in to the network
- Fast data collection – ideal for quick troubleshooting
Cons:
- Is a physical appliance versus a service
- Is more expensive than some competing products
The downside can be a mixture of cost as well as the added concern of another physical point of failure – software can fail but often simply needs to be reconfigured or reinstalled, but a broken appliance can be a challenging fix or take valuable time to replace.
Download/Info:
https://www.netscout.com/product/ngenius-collector
5. Flowmon Collector
Flowmon is another hardware option that boasts specific and robust NetStream support. Much like the NGenius above it does come with its own set of perks and limitations, as with most hardware appliances, but the power of an appropriate appliance configured properly can be easy to overlook.
Key Features:
- Centralized monitoring
- Granular traffic filters
- DDoS protection service
Why do we recommend it?
Flowmon Collector is recommended for its centralized monitoring capabilities and the inclusion of granular filters for traffic analysis. The added DDoS protection service is a significant advantage for network security.
Who is it recommended for?
This tool is particularly suitable for organizations seeking a centralized solution for monitoring and analyzing network traffic. It is ideal for those who prioritize network security and require a hardware-based solution.
Pros:
- Ideal for those looking for a centralized monitoring solution
- Provides granular filters for your traffic
- Includes DDoS protection as a service
Cons:
- The interface can feel cluttered at scale
- Hardware option invites a single point of failure
The Flowmon specifically acts as a centralized device that serves all manner of analysis to a variety of devices via web-based GUI, while also supplying levels of DDoS protection and mitigation on top of general monitoring of and examination of Flow traffic.
Download/Info:
https://www.flowmon.com/en/products/flowmon/netflow-collector
While often times a more generalized Netstream flow collector and analyzer can do the job, several of the options above give you just a little more edge due to the specific NetStream compatibility and functionality.
The importance of flow data gathering and assessment is something that any admin knows well, so having a software solution that encompasses all of your data collecting and aggregating needs is extremely important!
Related Post: Best Open Source Netflow Analyzers and Collectors
Huawei Network Devices NetStream Analyzers and Collectors FAQs
What is a NetStream Analyzer?
A NetStream Analyzer is a network traffic analysis tool that captures and analyzes data flowing across a network in real-time to provide insights into network traffic patterns, identify potential security threats, and monitor network performance.
What kind of information can a NetStream Analyzer capture?
A NetStream Analyzer can capture a wide range of information, including IP addresses, ports, protocols, packet size, packet headers, and payload data.
What are the key features of a NetStream Analyzer?
The key features of a NetStream Analyzer include the ability to capture and analyze network traffic in real-time, filter traffic based on specific criteria, provide detailed reports and visualizations of network traffic patterns, and identify potential security threats.
How can a NetStream Analyzer help with network performance monitoring?
A NetStream Analyzer can help with network performance monitoring by providing real-time insights into network traffic patterns, identifying bottlenecks and congestion points, and providing detailed reports on network usage and performance.
What is the difference between a NetStream Analyzer and a packet sniffer?
A NetStream Analyzer and a packet sniffer are similar tools, but a NetStream Analyzer typically provides more advanced features, such as real-time traffic analysis, detailed reporting and visualization, and the ability to filter traffic based on specific criteria.
