[c-nsp] Network Analyser with n-way support

[Thomas Kernen]

>> Currently debugging an issue with autonegociation (n-way) between 2
>> network devices for which it appears that neither vendor can solve 
>> the
>> issue directly. We are now trying to locate an analyser that will 
>> allow
>> us to sniff the n-way negociation from both devices but without the
>> ports on the analyser doing their own negociation with the end 
>> devices,
>> so basically I'm looking for a "pass through" analyser.
>
> One option could be Tektronix 6000, I recall seeing somewhere a module 
> for
> protocol intelligence, but that might not be the right solution, it is 
> a
> perfect tool for messing with PHYs, but too dumb for anything above. I
> would suggest taking two ordinary ethernet interfaces for PC and tap 
> their
> RX pairs onto the line between your devices. I use Intel 545s in this 
> way
> for testing some devices under development, with analyser host running
> Linux with slightly modified driver for reporting what is happening on 
> the
> line.
>

Will look into the Tektronics 6000 thanks, ideally I would like a field 
device since we have 600 installed ports that need to be checked so the 
Linux with the modified drive may work for the lab but unfortunally I 
unlikely to work in our case methinks.

Thomas