NeoTrace Pro

NeoTrace Pro lets you visualize the information provided by Windows’ network analysis tools.

This is a trial version of NeoTrace Pro. You can install it and use it for a time, and if you want to continue using it, you can then pay to upgrade to the full version. The purpose of this application is to provide users with a graphical user interface to the network tools that the Windows OS provides. Rather than enter tracert, ping or whois into a command line, you can use this program instead and have simple, visual access to these commands as well as all of the command line options.

NeoTrace Pro also allows you to visualize the responses from these mechanisms as well. Tracert, for instance, will display a series of IP addresses along with the milliseconds it took to make each hop. With this program, you can see that progression from one server to the next drawn on a map of the world. This can help you determine if a network problem is local or remote.

Visualization of network data makes analysis much easier often and can help crystalize what’s transpiring. It also simplifies networking troubleshooting, and if there’s a problem on your end, this program provides the information you need to correct it or at least know where to look.

A lot has changed since NeoTrace was released. Most of us aren’t on dial-up any longer. Our routers are more sophisticated, and we have many tools available that do what this program does. In fact, there are websites you can use for free to visualize your Internet connection in this manner. This is compounded by the fact that NeoTrace hasn’t been updated to support newer Windows versions. It was last updated when people we’re still using Windows 98, and compatibility mode can be hit or miss.

Pros

• A GUI for primary networking commands
• Simplifies network troubleshooting
• Helps visualize network performance

Cons

• No support for newer OS versions
• More accessible solutions exist now