Fluke Networks Etherscope vs. Observium

We used ours mainly to test the wireless. Wireless could be several different things so the preconfigured tests on this device allowed us to quickly eliminate certain areas and allowed us to focus on the real problem. It’s easy enough a PC Technician could use it.

Incentivized

• If you are on a budget, this is one heck of a tool for the price (including the ~$200/year for the Pro subscription).
• If you are OK with maintaining and updating open source tools, this is a great tool.
• If you are afraid of the Linux command line or live in a Windows-centric world, this might not be the tool for you.
• If you can't stand things occasionally not working, this is probably not a good fit.

Incentivized

• The Fluke Networks Etherscope can test network speed performance on copper and fiber networks
• The Fluke Networks Etherscope can detect network switches and also available and active ports.
• The Fluke Networks Etherscope can check for bandwidth between two points quick and easy.

Incentivized

• Automatic device discovery.
• Scalability
• Real-time monitoring.

Incentivized

• Battery life
• Touch screen is slow to respond.
• Operating System is slow.

Incentivized

• Documentation
• Community support
• Easy to set up but hard to customise fully

Incentivized

It's open source. Your mileage may vary. Sometimes the provided documentation is beyond frustrating, other times it's right on the mark.

Incentivized

We briefly tested a NetAlly LSPRNTR-300 LinkSprinter 300 Network Tester with WIFI and Distance to Cable Fault Indication and it was a worthy testing unit it but we quickly discovered that it did not offer the large range of testing in both the copper and fiber network drops, nor was it as complete with regard to wireless testing. But in it's defense it was not quite as pricy as the Fluke.

Incentivized

I haven't used other products that are similar to Observium. Observium is an open tool, with a robust feature set. There are elements of comparable monitoring across other tools, but nothing I've seen that is a complete parallel in terms of feature set and visualizations. If I were asked, I wouldn't have another tool to recommend over Observium.

Incentivized

• Very expensive for small business or school districts.
• Battery Life is terrible not able to use it for an entire day.

Incentivized

• It is good for DC admin.
• Only positive impact.
• Highly recommended.

Incentivized