Use HP's JetDirect printer server to count bad packets

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Bad packets are not detected by software packet inspection tools such as "Ethereal," but they still degrade network performance.

Hewlett Packard's JetDirect printer server counts bad packets and the printer server will print out a report showing the number of packets detected since the last boot. It is a lot cheaper than a dedicated hardware packet analyzer. In addition, it's quicker to cobble together in the middle of the night and will help you track down a rogue network card or poor connection. Just remember that you will need to connect the printer server to the rogue device with a hub (switches filter out bad packets).

This was first published in July 2005

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