Agilent/Keysight 4972A

The Agilent/Keysight 4972A is a protocol analyzer designed for in-depth analysis and troubleshooting of network communications. It captures, decodes, and displays network frames across multiple protocols, identify performance issues and optimize network operations. The instrument provides real-time traffic monitoring, statistical characterization, and traffic generation capabilities for comprehensive network diagnostics.

Technical Specifications

• Data Capture Rate: Up to 100 Mbps


• Maximum Data Capture Depth: 16 MB


• Operating Temperature: 0–50°C


• Power Supply: AC 100–240 V


• Dimensions: 17.4 × 6.9 × 20.2 inches


• Weight: 28.2 pounds


• Connectivity: Ethernet port for network or PC connection

Key Features

• Protocol Analysis: Captures and displays network frames for detailed inspection of communication flows


• Network Performance Monitoring: Provides statistical measurements to characterize network performance and identify bottlenecks


• Traffic Generation: Transmits test messages to evaluate system responses and simulate network load conditions


• Real-time Analysis: Monitors network traffic with configurable statistics and graphical representations


• Filtering and Triggering: Advanced filtering by MAC address, IP address, port number, and protocol; triggering by time-based, event-based, or pattern-based criteria


• Protocol Support: Ethernet, TCP/IP, UDP/IP, IPv4, IPv6, ARP, ICMP, IGMP, DHCP, DNS, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, Telnet, SNMP, SMTP, POP3, NTP, DHCPv6, SIP, RTP, RTCP, SSL/TLS, SSH

Typical Applications

• Network troubleshooting and performance analysis


• Protocol validation and compliance testing


• Real-time traffic monitoring and statistical analysis


• System response characterization under simulated load conditions

Compatibility & Integration Compatible with Ethernet, IEEE 802.3, and StarLAN local area networks. Supports extensive higher-layer protocol stack for telecommunications circuit analysis.