Network Analyzers

Paper Summary:

The paper explains the functions of network analyzers in the context of the open systems interconnection (OSI) model and the TCP/IP protocol stack and shows the significance of their contributions to compliance, network performance optimization across multiple paths and increasingly higher levels of security within and between networks. The paper discusses the many business and organizational elements driving the development of network analyzers, notably the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and the need to define benchmarks and performance levels for a network. The paper includes several figures and graphs.

Outline:
Executive Summary
Essentials of Security Technology
Using the TCP/IP Model as a Frame of Reference
Business and Organizational Implications
Summary

From the Paper:

"Network analyzers are electronically-based devices that can interpret, analyze and data mine Internet traffic for specific periods of time or continuously. As their function is to evaluate asynchronous traffic, they are also known of as packet sniffers in that they can read and interpret packets of data traversing the Internet. Network analyzers or sniffers are used for troubleshooting network integration and connectivity problems, yet also can be used for ensuring compliance to reporting standards including Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), tracking network intrusion attempts and patterns, in addition to optimizing network traffic routing and performance. Network analyzers are also intensively used for completing fault analysis on a network and for network traffic logging as well."

Sample of Sources Used:

• AMR Research (2005)- SOX Spending for 2006 to Exceed $6B. John Hagerty and Fenella Sirkisoon. Tuesday November 29, 2005. Accessed from the Internet on February 10, 2008: http://www.amrresearch.com/Content/View.asp?pmillid=18967
• Chou, W (2002). "Inside SSL: Accelerating Secure Transactions and analyzing them using Network Analyzers" IT Professional. Sep/Oct. 2002: 37- 41.
• Ciampa, Mark (2005). Security+ Guide to Network Security Fundamentals. 2nd Edition.Massachusetts: Thomson Course Technology, 2005
• Cisco Tutorial (2007). Basics of the OSI Model and associated documents related to network analysis. Accessed from the Internet on February 1, 2008from location: http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/cisintwk/ito_doc/introint.htm
• Cisco Systems. (2007). White Paper on Security and Network Analyzers. Retrieved February 1, 2008 from location:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/security/pix/pix62/configuration/guide/config.html

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