The Howdy Glossary

Kentik is a network analytics and performance monitoring platform that harnesses real-time flow analysis and packet capture to provide insights into network traffic, bandwidth usage, server latency, and security. By visualizing data through dashboards and reports, it aids in identifying issues like DDoS attacks or device misconfigurations while optimizing network capacity planning by analyzing trends over time. Kentik’s cloud-based nature and scale-out architecture make it capable of managing complex networks across multiple global locations.

Founded in 2014 by Avi Freedman, Jim Frey, and Ian Pye, Kentik leverages the founders' expertise in networking, analytics, and cloud technologies to serve service providers, internet enterprises, large data centers, and cloud providers. The platform offers unique features such as real-time flow analysis through Kentik Cloud Agents for detailed insights into traffic patterns. Its visualization capabilities facilitate quick issue identification and resolution, enhancing its value in efficiently managing large-scale networks.

Kentik competes with companies like SolarWinds, Cisco Systems (Cisco Tetration/Cisco Stealthwatch), Plixer, ExtraHop, and ThousandEyes. It distinguishes itself with comprehensive solutions combining real-time analysis with robust reporting tools for swift issue mitigation. Further setting it apart is its focus on optimizing network capacity planning via trend analysis over time. Its adaptable cloud-based infrastructure makes it particularly suitable for entities managing extensive global networks such as service providers or large data centers looking to enhance performance metrics through informed decision-making based on real-time data insights.