Monitoring network traffic on our server

[Kyle]

Can some one give me a idiot proof guide on how to monitor the traffic over a school day to our file server. I know 2003 has monitoring tools you can set up but i have never done it or used it.

Or point me to a few helpful sites as i don't have the foggiest when it comes to doing this.

[Ric_]

It depends on what you want to monitor really... if you want to know about all the traffic being seen by the server, either use 'netmon' (Windows tool) or Ethereal. This will capture all those lovely packets and allow you to analyse them.

If you want to simply know about load, use Performance Monitor and select the details you want to monitor.

[Geoff]

FYI Ethereal changed it's name to Wireshark a little while back due to trademark issues.

http://www.wireshark.org/

[kingswood]

Have you tried Microsoft's new Network Analysis tool (though in Beta it is pretty cool a la ethereal)?

Worth a look for free!

Paul

[GrumbleDook]

And for the lazy people like me ... can you provide a link please, Paul?

[ind13]

In order to download Network Monitor 3.0 you will need to sign in to the Microsoft Connect website and participate in the product. You will then get to download Network Monitor 3.0 for free.

Go to http://connect.microsoft.com

Sign in with your passport account.

Choose "Available Connections" on the left.

Choose "Apply" for Network Monitor 3.0 (once you've finished with the application, the selection appears in your "My Participation" page).

Go to the Downloads page (On the left side), and select the appropriate build 32 or 64 bit build.

[SpuffMonkey]

Nagois and Cacti are your friends. You can find preconfigured appliances at the vmare site