SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer Reviews

Name: SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer
Brand: SolarWinds
Rating: 3.8 (38 reviews)

3.8 out of 5

38 reviews
81% willing to recommend

1,765 followers

What is SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer?

SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer enables you to capture data from continuous streams of network traffic and convert those raw numbers into easy-to-interpret charts and tables that quantify exactly how the corporate network is being used, by whom, and for what purpose.

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SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is the #5 ranked solution in Network Traffic Analysis tools. PeerSpot users give SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer an average rating of 7.6 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 38 most recent SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 6.9. (Among the lowest in the category). SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is most commonly compared to Darktrace: SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer vs Darktrace. SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is popular among the midsize enterprise segment, accounting for 74% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 70% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer

October 2024

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Featured reviews

Edmar Silva

Engineer at AGCO Corporation

We use SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer primarily for monitoring our network traffic. We are exporting the flows from our network devices to SolarWinds, which then creates graphs showing the amount of traffic and the types of protocols in use, such as HTTP, TCP, and UDP SolarWinds NetFlow…

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Dr. SureshHungenahally

Chief Executive Officer at a consultancy with 1-10 employees

We conduct network traffic analysis for a couple of key reasons. First, we look for traffic anomalies, such as unexpected increases or decreases in network traffic within specific segments. This helps us determine if the network needs to be re-architected. We also analyze peak bandwidth and bandwidth consumption across various network segments, which is crucial if someone is planning to transition to software-defined networks. The network traffic analyzer tool allows us to simulate scenarios and compare before-and-after results. Additionally, it supports traffic sources like NetFlow and SFlow, and we regularly check the quality of service using NetFlow. The tool handles a variety of protocols, such as NetFlow version 5 and version 9, JFlow, and SFlow, making it independent of the underlying technology.

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Arsene Feudjio Tsopgue

Consultant at AC Consulting

An area for improvement in SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is application visibility because some applications aren't being recognized correctly. You can see applications such as Facebook and YouTube, but SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer needs to have more visibility into more applications. Currently, SolarWinds fails to detect more powerful applications, such as Zoom and Teams. If SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer can recognize every application and be able to report on each in terms of bandwidth, then that would be good. This is what I'd like to see in the next release of the solution.

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SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer mindshare

As of November 2024, the mindshare of SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer in the Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) category stands at 8.2%, down from 10.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Traffic Analysis (NTA)

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 21, 2024

Valuable Features

Traffic and bandwidth analysis, network monitoring, performance analysis, and ease of deployment are key features of SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer. Users value gauge bandwidth consumption, track errant users, halt traffic spikes, and real-time reports. The alarms trigger based on bandwidth utilization. The interface is user-friendly, easy to integrate, and provides comprehensive data visualization. Users appreciate application visibility and the ability to monitor and troubleshoot traffic routes.

"It allows us to pinpoint which protocol is overloading the link."
"We conduct network traffic analysis for a couple of key reasons. First, we look for traffic anomalies, such as unexpected increases or decreases in network traffic within specific segments. This helps us determine if the network needs to be re-architected."
"I can point out the exact root cause 'why.' If there is a slowness, I can point out what was before the issue or before the slowness, what it is, and what is now."

Room for Improvement

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer needs better licensing flexibility, stability, and support response times. Users find the product complex and costly, with unclear reporting integration. They suggest improved customization, application visibility, automation, and AI capabilities. Performance issues, particularly with data collection and network dynamics, plus challenges with dashboard configuration and IP visibility, also require attention.

"SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer could improve its flexibility and integration with AI to provide analytics beyond just showing up/down statuses and traffic volumes."
"The analysis can utilize algorithms like K-means clustering or associative neural networks for predictions rather than relying on generative AI, which is more suited for text."
"There is a lack of documentation ......as well as a lack of dashboards."

ROI

Users noted significant efficiency improvements with SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer. Reduced troubleshooting times and better bandwidth management were highlighted, positively impacting resource allocation. Network visibility enhancements led to more proactive monitoring, resulting in fewer network outages. Improved decision-making on resource investments and optimizations were repeatedly mentioned. Enhanced reporting features facilitated better analysis and understanding of data traffic patterns, leading to streamlined operations and cost savings. Overall satisfaction with the tool's effectiveness in meeting business goals was evident.

Pricing

Users report that SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer's licensing is based on the number of nodes, with optional additional costs for extra functionality. While some find the pricing reasonable and fair, others note it is high compared to competitors like ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer. Overall, the product is seen as cost-effective if kept within current license limits but can get expensive when scaling infrastructure. Despite this, many users find it competitively priced and worth the functionality it offers.

"The pricing is really good."
"The solution's licensing is high-priced."
"NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is reasonably priced."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer for monitoring network performance, analyzing bandwidth utilization, and identifying high-usage devices. It helps predict and prevent issues, manage traffic flow, and ensure network stability. They deploy it on-premises for security and use it daily to maintain and troubleshoot their infrastructure. Users analyze network traffic to determine sources of excessive bandwidth usage, monitor internal and external endpoints, and generate traffic reports.

Service and Support

Customer service and support for SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer are generally good, though response times and support quality can be inconsistent. The support team is often knowledgeable and responsive, but some users experience delays and find initial support less experienced. Support through email is slower compared to phone calls, and users in the Middle East face challenges due to reliance on partners. Despite these issues, many users praise the helpfulness and expertise of senior support engineers.

Deployment

Most users found SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer's initial setup straightforward and user-friendly. Deployment usually took a couple of hours, although some needed additional time for configurations based on network size. Feedback highlighted no major issues during installation, with several users noting that deployment could be managed by a small team or even a single person. Some users mentioned it was a complex product but manageable with familiarization. Some also noted the need for heavy resources for cloud setups.

Scalability

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is scalable but expensive to scale due to the licensing structure. Users report positive scalability for large environments, though some note high costs when adding pollers. It is effective for many enterprise-level clients with thousands of nodes, though smaller organizations might find it less cost-effective. The program adjusts well to larger user bases but involves significant expense to extend capacity, requiring additional architecture and license purchases.

Stability

Users find SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer stable with efficient performance in monitoring and analyzing network traffic. It consistently provides accurate data and reliable network insights, though some encounter occasional issues with system crashes or resource consumption. Many appreciate its stable operation in large deployments and varied network environments. Users also note its robustness in handling complex traffic patterns, with quick resolution of any technical glitches.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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