Is a protocol analyzer useful in a switched environment?
Yes. If your protocol analyzer supports switches (like Observer, Expert Observer and the Observer Suite) it will be able to see all ports on your switch. An analyzer in a switched environment will develop a statistical picture of the total traffic flowing through your switch. For packet capture protocol analyzers (that supports switches) will modify your switch setup automatically prior to capture. You may then view all traffic on a single port, or multiple ports on your switch. Using a protocol analyzer in a switched environment is common, and can provide both global port balancing information (using station statistics) and specific conversation troubleshooting information (using packet capture and decode).
