Plixer Scrutinizer vs. SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Plixer Scrutinizer
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
Plixer is a developer of network management software with a focus on network traffic analysis, network security, threat detection and network optimization, headquartered in Kennebunk, Maine. Plixer Scrutinizer collects, analyzes, visualizes, and reports on data from every network conversation and digital transaction to deliver security and network intelligence.N/A
SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA)
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer is a network monitoring tool within the broader SolarWinds ecosystem. It includes core traffic monitoring features, as well as customizable traffic reports and alerts.N/A
Pricing
Plixer ScrutinizerSolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA)
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Plixer ScrutinizerSolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA)
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Plixer ScrutinizerSolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA)
Top Pros
Top Cons
Best Alternatives
Plixer ScrutinizerSolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA)
Small Businesses
Auvik
Auvik
Score 8.4 out of 10
Auvik
Auvik
Score 8.4 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Darktrace
Darktrace
Score 8.6 out of 10
Darktrace
Darktrace
Score 8.6 out of 10
Enterprises
Darktrace
Darktrace
Score 8.6 out of 10
Darktrace
Darktrace
Score 8.6 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Plixer ScrutinizerSolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA)
Likelihood to Recommend
7.0
(1 ratings)
8.1
(61 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(10 ratings)
Support Rating
7.0
(1 ratings)
8.1
(49 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(1 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(1 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Plixer ScrutinizerSolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA)
Likelihood to Recommend
Plixer International
If you need a network security forensic tool, this is a great fit. Scrutinizer collects everything you have configured as a target without losing data. If you need an in-depth analysis of your network flows, as in who is doing what with what this is a good fit. Scrutinizer translates a massive about of data into readable tables and reports.
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SolarWinds
I would suggest this tool to any user that has to monitor multiple sites and locations where bandwidth monitoring can be a labor. This software works really well for central monitoring of multiple sites and services where having a technician onsite isn't feasible. I really like the reporting, though, and would recommend this for someone wanting to keep an eye on bandwidth usage for replication of data across sites.
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Pros
Plixer International
  • Once configured, Scrutinizer gives an accurate overview of network activity.
  • Scrutinizer is able to collect flows from a variety of devices, you are not limited to Cisco.
  • DSCP based reporting, which is helpful when attempting to determine how good your wireless network is from a QoS perspective.
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SolarWinds
  • The level of customization possible with Network Bandwidth Analyzer is very valuable. Rather than being stuck with a "one-size-fits-all" presentation, an administrator can easily create customized views, reports, and alerts so that users can have a more tailored view of the data provided by Network Bandwidth Analyzer. This has the effect of making the tool more attractive to the end user.
  • The NetFlow Traffic Analyzer piece of Network Bandwidth Analyzer provides the details on bandwidth usage on the network. More than knowing how much bandwidth is being used, one is provided with detailed information on how that bandwidth is being used. This provides invaluable information for capacity planning and even certain forensic tasks faced by the network engineer.
  • The ability to produce network maps provides an easy way to create an attractive and functional NOC/SOC view of the entire network. Both technician and the occasional passerby can quickly determine if there are issues to be addressed. The ability to customize a map with background images and custom icons and stencils can make these maps really pop.
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Cons
Plixer International
  • The free version has some limitations that make an accurate evaluation difficult, every day at midnight the data is flushed and you start over.
  • If you are purchasing the appliance, you won't have admin access to it.
  • Reporting could use some polished graphics and advance filtering features.
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SolarWinds
  • The ability to intuitively and quickly serve up specified information up to a dashboard for general “public” consumption, that cycles through several pages of information.
  • The ability to intuitively set up alerting on bandwidth levels, instead of having to dig through all types of alerts available to find the one needed.
  • Provide a pricing model based on different support levels: if I want only available update installations, don’t make me pay the same amount as those wanting full support.
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Usability
Plixer International
No answers on this topic
SolarWinds
As far as rating for usability is concerned I would give 10/10 as NTA is very easy to use. All you need to do is install that module and ask network Team to configure the Netflow towards Server IP. [The] rest is pre-configured and reports are pre-built. Moment you receive the flows from Network all you will have is information about traffic.
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Support Rating
Plixer International
Support is support, they are either there or they are not. Scrutinizer support has been there every time I've needed them. They rely a bit too much on email correspondence, sometimes I want a voice to tell me what to do, and fast
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SolarWinds
It is useful for our Infrastructure team and also provides valuable insights to our application team regarding the traffic being sent from various endpoints. They can monitor their applications and ensure there are no network issues that may impact their application.
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Online Training
Plixer International
No answers on this topic
SolarWinds
The training offered by SolarWinds is some of the best out there. They have several different videos that go into great detail from initial setup to advanced configurations. In addition to the view at your own pace video, they also have live training for customers that focus on a single product and you can ask questions with the folks who develop the software. I have had good success with their live sessions and getting questions answered.
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Alternatives Considered
Plixer International
Scrutinizer is a faster and simpler deployment while still delivering the tools and reports needed to gain accurate view traffic and network usage. Its cheaper than most alternatives and daily use is focused on understanding data, not making config changes so you can understand data. Risk reduction and elimination is the primary focus, Scrutinizer helps you do that.
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SolarWinds
SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer compared to Wireshark and PRTG Network Monitor beats it by just the simple interface. Though all are manual setup, NTA takes it a step further with graphs and reports that analyze the data for you. In comparing to Extrahop from a bandwidth comparison, Extrahop wins but Extrahop is a lot more than just a bandwidth monitoring and cost.
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Return on Investment
Plixer International
  • Scrutinizer is a great tool, extremely easy to implement, it lets you see your NetFlow without a large outlay.
  • WAN traffic monitoring gives you the ability to accurately predict the necessary bandwidth volume, you can now stop over buying.
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SolarWinds
  • Be prepared to answer lots of questions. When people see the data in NTA they are going to want to know why App A is talking to App B. Be ready to explain!
  • Hand the keys to the NTA kingdom to the network team. They will thank you. Everyone wants to have friends on the network team, right?
  • Be prepared to invest in some significant compute and storage performance to keep up with your NTA monitoring
  • Running the latest firmware for your network gear is (often) required to take advantage of all the flow-monitoring. You upgrade regularly, right??
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ScreenShots