Deep Packet Inspection and Analysis
Deep packet inspection offers immediate insight into network slowdowns
Resolve end-user slowdowns
Resolve end-user slowdowns
When users report slowness, admins first need to identify whether the cause is the network or a specific application. The deep packet inspection solutions in Network Performance Monitor (NPM) are built to measure the network response time—also known as network path latency—and determine the amount of time required for a packet to travel across a network path from sender to receiver. Admins can quickly determine the root cause of slowdowns and identify impacted applications by accessing a clear overview...
Analyze over 1,200 applications
Analyze over 1,200 applications
With SolarWinds® deep packet inspection software, you can calculate response times for over 1,200 applications right out of the box. You’re able to monitor metrics for all relevant applications, including Skype, SQL Server, Facebook, and more. Because the deep packet inspection tools focus on the metavalues of the applications and not the packets themselves, you won’t take up space in the database with traffic data you don’t need to see. You can also go beyond the limited capabilities of programs...
Classify network traffic
Classify network traffic
The packet analyzer can automatically classify network traffic according to category and identify the associated risk level. The scanner can categorize traffic based on destination server IP addresses, ports used, and measurement of the total and relative volumes of traffic for each type. With deep packet inspection, you can identify excess levels of non-business traffic that may need to be filtered or eliminated. You can also identify traffic flowing over a network link or traffic to specific...
Improve quality of experience
Improve quality of experience
Network Performance Monitor offers deep packet inspection of critical application performance factors within its unique Quality of Experience (QoE) dashboard. Many network performance analyzers rely on simulated estimates of end-user experience, but NPM pulls actual metadata from sensors across both physical and virtual servers to provide an actual assessment of current end-user impact. The dashboard provides lists of top performance metrics, so you get at-a-glance insights, and allows you to filter...
Configure DPI alerts
Configure DPI alerts
Admins can integrate the deep packet inspection tools with the automated alert feature in NPM to receive updates on issues, even before users report them. The software polls the network for updates every five minutes, but you don’t have to check that often—to facilitate proactive network troubleshooting, set the DPI tools to analyze relevant managed agents. The QoE dashboard immediately identifies drops or changes in application performance, and you can configure the program to send you or your ...
Leverage a tool built for DPI
Leverage a tool built for DPI
NPM captures packet-level data across your network by accessing managed Windows devices and drawing on installed sensors. It then translates this data into readable, real-time metrics. The system uses minimal bandwidth, requiring low overhead on Orion servers and nodes. You’ll be able to view high-level response time metrics and configure classification and security metrics. Within the Quality of Experience module, you can use NPM’s step-by-step wizard to deploy sensors and select pre-configured...
Get More on Deep Packet Inspection
What is deep packet inspection?
Deep packet inspection is a technique for monitoring network and application traffic at the packet level. Using response time metrics for packets sent between clients and servers, admins can regulate traffic flows and differentiate between network issues and application issues.
How does deep packet inspection software work?
Deep packet inspection software relies on sensors installed on transaction servers and a network sensor attached to a TAP or mirror port. The software gathers data about the response time interactions between clients and servers for both connectivity-level and application-level transactions. This metadata allows admins to view performance across a network and quickly identify issues.
What is the purpose of deep packet inspection?
Analysis at the packet level produces a highly accurate understanding of slowdowns. Using deep packet inspection, admins can track relevant traffic across their network and gain a complete picture of both network and application performance. This enables them to quickly drill down and address issues before they cause end-user impact.
What are the features of a deep packet inspection tool?
A deep packet inspection tool includes a dashboard that captures metadata about all relevant network and application traffic, providing enhanced visibility into the system. The dashboard may include useful metrics, categorizations, and drill-down diagnostic tools to deliver further insights into performance issues.
Why is deep packet inspection important?
With a realistic overview of their network, admins can also make informed capacity planning decisions. Deep packet inspection analysis helps you answer the question, “Is the network or application causing the slowdown?” DPI is crucial for achieving an up-to-date overview of system traffic, determining root causes of performance issues, catching inappropriate traffic and security risks, and reacting to network slowdowns before they impact end users.
How does NPM support deep packet inspection?
NPM automatically performs deep packet inspections on the devices and applications you select. Use the easy step-by-step wizard to deploy both server and network packet analysis sensors on already-managed devices. You can also easily find and even bulk assign the applications you want to inspect. NPM offers deep packet inspection management tools like filtering, alerting, and key metrics.
What is deep packet inspection?
Deep packet inspection is a technique for monitoring network and application traffic at the packet level. Using response time metrics for packets sent between clients and servers, admins can regulate traffic flows and differentiate between network issues and application issues.
"With SolarWinds, we have seen improvements in availability and reductions in time-to-resolution. We are able to rectify problems faster, before users start complaining."
Michael Low
Systems Engineer
Marina Bay Sands
Look inside network and app performance using deep packet inspection
Network Performance Monitor
- Instantly view high-level packet response time metrics.
- Catch non-business traffic and security risks.
- Improve end-user experience by proactively addressing slowdowns.
Starts at
NPM, an Orion module, is built on the SolarWinds Platform
