Validate IP route using TraceRoute and ActiveXperts

Monitor an IP route
    Figure 1: ActiveXperts Network Monitor IP Route Check

ActiveXperts solution to monitor a an IP route

ActiveXperts Network Monitor can monitor packet-routing, where packets are routed from an IP network on their way to a given host. Traceroute, also called tracepath or tracert, is a well-known network tool used to determine the path packets take from one IP address to another. ActiveXperts Network Monitor's TraceRoute check sends packets with low TTL (time-to-live) fields. The TTL value specifies how many hops the packet is allowed before it is returned. When a packet can't reach its destination because the TTL value is too low, the last host returns the packet and identifies itself. By sending a series of packets and incrementing the TTL value with each successive packet, traceroute finds out who all the intermediary hosts are.

A TraceRoute check takes the following parameters:

  • Host - Hostname or IP address of the remote destination;
  • Max. Hops - How many hops are allowed before a packet is returned;
  • Resolve addresses to hostnames - If set, hops will be reported as hostnames instead of IP addresses. Resolving a hostname can slowdown the performance of the check;
  • Maximum response time of a hop - Maximum number of milliseconds it can take for a hop to respond;
  • Hops in route - Specifiy whether or not to check for hops on the route. You can choose: either do allow specific hops, or disallow specific hops.