Network professionals are used to the process of getting meaningful results out of their network diagnostic tool as being tedious and time-consuming: extensive onboarding, configuration, network access, device adoption, etc. But with OptigoVN, not only is getting up and running easy, you’ll also start getting highly actionable results the first time you upload a packet capture file.
To highlight this, we’ve compiled a short list of some of the most valuable results you’ll see from OptigoVN to start improving your OT network performance and reliability. From slow networks to instant device inventories, OptigoVN can start delivering value in minutes.
1. Slow Responses and Traffic Issues
Like any network, OT networks can also experience traffic issues leading to slow response times. The hardware in an OT network was designed to last a long time, so it’s not uncommon to find a mix of newer, BACnet/IP hardware running alongside older MS/TP devices. That mix can lead to overloads and bottlenecks, as older devices struggle to keep up with the increased processing demands for real-time data that modern building automation networks require.
Maybe you’ve noticed these scenarios yourself: read requests are taking longer to come back, or devices in your environment aren’t acting (or reacting) to changes as quickly as they used to. All these point to signs of traffic issues.
OpitgoVN lets you know about them straight away through its many diagnostic results aimed specifically at identifying the source of your slowdowns, including:
- Which devices are generating too much traffic, like excess global WHO-IS, COV, or read/write messages.
- Too many devices on one MS/TP network.
- Legacy devices that are having trouble keeping up (i.e. token hold times).
- TrendLog and buffer issues – big flags for traffic issues.
From your first packet capture upload, OptigoVN helps you quickly surface potential traffic issues causing overall slowdowns on your network. And with optional Site Scope+ add-ons, you can instantly identify the devices responsible.
2. Duplicate Devices
We’ve talked a lot about how duplication issues can be some of the toughest problems to fix—mostly because they are so hard to diagnose. One of the most common duplication issues you’ll come across is duplicate devices—usually duplicate addresses. From adding new equipment to changing configurations, because BACnet requires manual assignment for devices, it’s easy to end up with two devices with the same MAC or IP address.
OptigoVN is one of the industry’s only network diagnostic tools that will not only alert you to duplicated device addresses, device ID numbers, and even network numbers (for free) -it’ll identify the MAC addresses of the individual devices themselves that are the culprits. No more duplicate BBMDs or conflicting data from competing sensors, OptigoVN surfaces these issues from the outset.
How many issues will you solve today?
3. Physical Problems
Got devices that are here one minute, gone the next? Hardware that isn’t showing up anymore, but you know hasn’t been removed from the network? Physical connectivity issues can often manifest as “ghosts in the machine”: garbled packet data, inconsistent messaging, checksum errors, and general system faults. And receiving just an “unknown error” message from your BMS or network diagnostic tool isn’t the most helpful information when you’re trying to troubleshoot.
What you need are diagnostics that narrow down the possibilities. Site Scope+ advanced diagnostics can help make the task of manually checking for connection issues faster than ever. Skip the painful process of bifurcating networks, again and again, to try and track down a possible bad connection. Go from broad to narrow with device-specific results like:
- Source and destination devices with lost tokens.
- Devices with operational and unknown-type issue results.
- Devices with excessive round-trip times.
- Devices flagged as partially or fully unreachable.
- Devices that have unacknowledged requests.
Just one PCAP file is all OptigoVN needs to get this level of diagnostic insight. With that kind of power, it’s easy to ID, fix, and check your results to ensure you’ve caught your “ghost” for good.
4. Accurate Device Inventories
How many devices do you have on your OT network? You’d be surprised that a lot of network managers can’t answer that question with 100% confidence. An up-to-date device inventory is crucial. Knowing exactly which devices are connected helps you identify unauthorized or malfunctioning equipment quickly, reducing your risk of downtime or breaches. It also ensures accurate monitoring, allowing you to track performance and pinpoint issues effectively.
With systems installed and modified over time by a rotating cast of vendors and facilities staff, it’s tough to trust any manual inventory lists you have. OptigoVN’s network details can give you a list of currently active devices on your network right from your menu bar. It instantly generates an asset list when parsing your packet file uploads.
With a current inventory, you can plan upgrades, enforce compliance, and implement security measures more efficiently, all while maintaining a clear understanding of your network’s capacity and needs. In short, a comprehensive inventory is the foundation of proactive network management and troubleshooting.
See Big Results, Fast
OptigoVN users often see a big jump in network performance and stability after implementing the fixes from just one diagnostic run. It’s never been faster to not only uncover the root causes of issues that may have been dogging your OT networks but zero in on problems without having to employ slower manual troubleshooting processes. Find it and fix it fast with OptigoVN right out of the box.
Want to see what OptigoVN can fix for you? There’s never been a better time to get started with the industry’s most powerful OT network diagnostic tool. Sign up for a free trial of OptigoVN today or contact us to schedule a personalized demo and see how our platform can empower your team.
FAQ for “4 Things OptigoVN Can Fix for You (Right Now)”
1. What is OptigoVN and how does it help with network diagnostics?
OptigoVN is a network diagnostic tool designed to identify and resolve network performance issues quickly. It provides actionable insights from the first packet capture or real-time monitoring, helping network professionals troubleshoot and optimize OT networks effectively.
2. What types of network issues can OptigoVN resolve?
OptigoVN can address a range of network problems, including:
- Slow response times caused by traffic issues.
- Duplicate devices with conflicting configurations.
- Physical connectivity problems, like unreachable devices or lost tokens.
- Inaccurate or outdated device inventories.
3. How does OptigoVN identify slow response and traffic issues?
OptigoVN measures the time between WHO-IS and I-AM responses among devices in an OT network to detect bottlenecks and overloads. It flags problematic devices, such as those generating excessive traffic or struggling to keep up with demands. This helps pinpoint the root cause of slowdowns quickly.
4. Can OptigoVN help with duplicate device issues?
Yes! OptigoVN identifies duplicate device addresses, IDs, BBMDs, and network numbers. It even provides the MAC/IP addresses of the devices in conflict, making it easier to resolve duplication issues.
5. How does OptigoVN detect physical connectivity problems?
Using advanced diagnostics, OptigoVN highlights devices with lost tokens, excessive round-trip times, and unacknowledged requests. It narrows down potential connection issues to specific devices, saving time on manual troubleshooting.
6. Why is maintaining an accurate device inventory important?
An up-to-date device inventory helps ensure network security, compliance, and efficient troubleshooting. OptigoVN provides instant, real-time inventory reports, so you always know which devices are connected to your network.
7. What is required to start using OptigoVN?
All you need is a packet capture file or a connection to real-time monitoring using our free capture application. From the first upload, OptigoVN delivers diagnostic insights to help improve your network immediately.
*Article FAQs are created with the help of AI
