| This article is the topic of Episode 5 of "The Sniffer | | | | Reports to Client's Management |
| Guy" podcast series available through iTunes. | | | | Technical Writer - Creates deliverable documentation |
| INTRODUCTION: | | | | showing work & resolutions provided by |
| Application & Network Performance Analysis is a | | | | Network Application Performance Analysis Team. This |
| team sport. Rarely are all the required skills in one | | | | person does not need to have a solid technical |
| skull. Perhaps it is best understood once you think in | | | | understanding but must be able to follow the gist of |
| terms of functions and skill-sets within a | | | | it when interviewing the technical team in order to |
| Troubleshooting process. In order to be able to | | | | "translate" the information into a document that is |
| handle ANYTHING that comes along, you will need | | | | understandable to both a technical and NON-technical |
| team members with high level skills in Enterprise | | | | reader. |
| Applications--Operating Systems--Databases--Server | | | | Network & Application performance Analysis |
| Issues and a detailed understanding of Protocols and | | | | troubleshooting doesn't require separate people in |
| Packet-Level transactions. But, to expect one or two | | | | each role - single individuals can perform multiple roles. |
| people to have detailed knowledge of all these areas | | | | The Senior NAPA may be able to perform all roles--at |
| is unrealistic. | | | | a high level. However, the Client's Subject Matter |
| The Senior Network and Application Performance | | | | Experts (SME) will still be required. Consider them a |
| Analyst (NAPA)Â (TM) will need to be able to | | | | guest member of the team. |
| communicate with all these individuals, teams and | | | | FREQUENT ROLE COMBINATIONS: |
| managers. Communication & interviewing abilities | | | | Project Manager--Technical Writer |
| are mandatory. If, even by some chance, you have | | | | Network & Application performance Analysis -- |
| the world's best troubleshooter--what if they leave? | | | | Protocol Analysis |
| This Team approach is practical and stable. | | | | Enterprise Application Specialist -- Operating System |
| THE 7 PRIMARY TEAM ROLES: | | | | Specialist |
| Network & Application Performance Analyst | | | | INTIAL STEPS: |
| (NAPA)Â (TM) - Team Manager & | | | | 1) NAPA meets with Client Management - determines |
| Technical Team Lead. This person needs to | | | | goals. |
| understand all the various technical issues and be able | | | | 2) EAS meets with Application Subject Matter |
| to discuss them and ask the right questions of the | | | | Experts (SME) - begins to map out the Interpath. |
| individual experts. They are the hub of the team's | | | | 3) NAPA gathers all applicable documentation - begins |
| wheel. The NAPA must learn all the Client's goals - | | | | environmental overview. |
| Technical - Political - Management - Budgetary and | | | | 4) NAPA- EAS determine test goals. |
| then is able to scale the team accordingly. | | | | 5) NAPA- EAS - Client SME design test plan - select |
| Enterprise Application Specialist (EAS) - Able to map | | | | test transactions. |
| Application flow from functional & transactional | | | | 6) NAPA- Network Engineer - Client Network SME. |
| basis. Understands Database interactions - Multi-Tiered | | | | 7) Map out Interpath within Network Infrastructure. |
| Architecture - Web Servers. | | | | 8) Plan how to place Sniffer, Ethereal - WireShark. |
| Protocol Analyst - Packet-Sniffer Guru. Understands | | | | Mirrors (SPANs) - Taps - Host Based - Wire Speed, |
| Network Protocols - Topology Framing - | | | | etc. |
| Troubleshooting from the Packet Level. This individual | | | | 9) Implement plan & deploy tools. |
| will be capturing trace files and analyzing the traffic at | | | | 10) Protocol Analyst - NAPA executes selected |
| the protocol and packet-level. | | | | Application Transaction for performance analysis - |
| Network Engineer - Familiar with wide variety of | | | | captures appropriate trace files - log User experience. |
| vendors i.e. Cisco--Foundry-- Nortel--Troubleshooting | | | | 11) Protocol Analyst performs analysis of trace files |
| Layers 1-3. If this team member is part of an | | | | & begins Documentation. |
| in-house team, they need only be up to date on the | | | | 12) Theories are developed - Test Plan modified - |
| manufacture's equipment in place within the | | | | second round of analysis testing (where needed). |
| organization. However, if your team is a consulting | | | | Having a Champion within Client's organization is |
| team...this individual has to have experience with a | | | | critical. Organization's staff members are not |
| wide range of manufactures. | | | | accountable to The NAPA Team - does not have to |
| Operating Systems Specialist - UNIX & | | | | provide information or perform tasks. Will not do so |
| Windows, Other... | | | | when busy - but always busy! A Champion will help |
| Project Manager - Maintains Task List - Gant Chart - | | | | clear the path of internal escalation. |