Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

tcpdump VS SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer

Compare tcpdump VS SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer and see what are their differences

tcpdump logo tcpdump

tcpdump is a common packet analyzer that runs under the command line.

SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer logo SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer

Identify how bandwidth is being used with NetFlow Traffic Analyzer for SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor. Download free 30-day analyzer software trial!
  • tcpdump Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-27
  • SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17

tcpdump features and specs

  • Powerful packet capturing
    tcpdump offers comprehensive capabilities for capturing network packets, providing detailed insights into network traffic, which makes it a powerful tool for network diagnostics and analysis.
  • Wide compatibility
    Being a widely used tool, tcpdump is compatible with numerous operating systems, including Linux, Unix, and macOS, ensuring accessibility across different platforms.
  • Filter flexibility
    tcpdump supports a wide range of filtering options that allow users to capture specific types of traffic, ensuring efficient and targeted packet capture.
  • Command-line interface
    tcpdump is a command-line tool, which provides advanced users the ability to script and automate tasks, making it highly efficient for those familiar with command-line operations.
  • Free and open-source
    tcpdump is open-source software, which means it is freely available for use and can be modified and distributed by anyone, fostering a community of users and contributors.

Possible disadvantages of tcpdump

  • Steep learning curve
    For users unfamiliar with command-line interfaces and packet-level networking, tcpdump can be difficult to learn due to its complex commands and options.
  • Minimal graphical interface
    tcpdump lacks a graphical user interface (GUI), which can make it less accessible for users who prefer visual tools over text-based interfaces.
  • Limited analysis capability
    While tcpdump is excellent for capturing packets, it offers limited built-in analysis features, requiring additional tools for comprehensive analysis of captured data.
  • High resource usage
    Running tcpdump with extensive capture options or on high-traffic networks can result in significant CPU and memory usage, potentially impacting system performance.
  • Security risks
    tcpdump requires root or elevated privileges to capture packets, which could pose security risks if not managed correctly, especially on sensitive systems.

SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer features and specs

  • Comprehensive Network Traffic Analysis
    SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer offers detailed insights into bandwidth usage, traffic patterns, and network performance, which helps in identifying network bottlenecks and optimizing traffic flow.
  • Customizable Alerts and Reports
    The tool provides customizable alerts and reporting features, allowing administrators to tailor notifications and reports to specific network conditions and needs.
  • Intuitive User Interface
    The software features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easier for network administrators to monitor and analyze traffic without a steep learning curve.
  • Integration with Other SolarWinds Tools
    Seamless integration with other SolarWinds products enhances its functionality and provides a comprehensive network monitoring solution.
  • Support for Multiple Flow Technologies
    Supports a wide range of flow technologies, including NetFlow, J-Flow, sFlow, IPFIX, and more, allowing for versatile monitoring capabilities across different network devices.

Possible disadvantages of SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer

  • High Cost
    The solution can be expensive, especially for small to medium-sized businesses, due to licensing fees and additional costs for complementary SolarWinds products.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software requires significant system resources for optimal performance, which might necessitate investment in higher-end infrastructure.
  • Complex Initial Setup
    Setting up and configuring the tool can be complex and time-consuming, potentially requiring skilled personnel for successful deployment.
  • Overwhelming for Smaller Networks
    The comprehensive features can be overwhelming for smaller networks that may not require such depth in traffic analysis, leading to underutilization of the software's capabilities.
  • Customer Support Issues
    Some users report difficulties in getting timely and effective responses from customer support, which can be a concern during critical network issues.

tcpdump videos

Tcpdump - Protocol Review 5 (TCP)

More videos:

  • Review - Tcpdump - Protocol Review 3 (UDP)
  • Review - Tcpdump - Protocol Review 4 (DNS) - Draft

SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer videos

No SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to tcpdump and SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer)
Monitoring Tools
59 59%
41% 41
Log Management
57 57%
43% 43
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Performance Monitoring
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare tcpdump and SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer

tcpdump Reviews

6 Best Wireshark Alternatives for Windows and macOS
The quickness that you can have with tcpdump over Wireshark is awesome. It is one of those tools that many network administrators prefer whenever they need to take a look at the actual network packets that are being transmitted. The Tcpdump is not as feature rich as Wireshark but the output of its packet dump can be used as input by other programs. Moreover, It can be used...
Source: techwiser.com

SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer Reviews

Best Linux Network Monitoring Tools for 2020
Though this list accounts for both open-source and closed-source products, it focuses on Linux-based network monitoring tools. A handful of common tools only operate on Windows, Pandora, or other systems, but most network monitoring tools run on Linux systems since Linux—with its higher degree of user input and easily recodeable security bugs—is often the choice for IT...

What are some alternatives?

When comparing tcpdump and SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer, you can also consider the following products

Wireshark - Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer for Unix and Windows. It lets you capture and interactively browse the traffic running on a computer network.

Microsoft System Center - Microsoft System Center provides solutions to simplify the deployment, configuration, management, and monitoring of the infrastructure.

Ettercap - Ettercap is a suite for man in the middle attacks on LAN.

SolarWinds NPM - Advanced network monitoring for on-premises, hybrid, and cloud. Download a FREE 30-day trial of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) today!

netcat - Netcat is a featured networking utility which reads and writes data across network connections...

Datadog - See metrics from all of your apps, tools & services in one place with Datadog's cloud monitoring as a service solution. Try it for free.