Catchpoint operates a worldwide fleet of public test nodes which you can use for active monitoring. You can also stand up your own internal nodes, referred to as Enterprise Nodes. Each Node consists of a cluster of redundant Instances (physical or virtual machines) running Catchpoint's Agent software. When configuring your Tests in the Catchpoint Portal, you will select which Node(s) to target, and how frequently each Test should run.
Node Types
Catchpoint provides several types of Nodes, differentiated by the type of network they are connected to. In order to create an effective monitoring strategy, it is important to understand each type of Node, and in what situations it is most effective.
Backbone Nodes
These nodes are located in Tier 1 Data Centers and connect directly to major internet providers. The majority of these nodes are single-homed, meaning that each Node connects to a single provider, enabling you to isolate performance by ISP. The Backbone agents have local DNS resolvers deployed in the same datacenter and ISP to provide accurate DNS performance data for that location. Most monitoring scenarios will include Backbone nodes, as they provide insight into the baseline performance that end users in a region can expect without including the variability of the end-users' own ISPs and networks.
Cloud Nodes
These nodes are located within major cloud-providers such as AWS, Azure, Google, Oracle, Tencent, AliCloud, and IBM. As such, they will not detect issues from ISPs, CDNs, or other issues directly impacting the end-user. They are intended to focus specifically on the availability of applications hosted by the provider. They rely on the cloud providers’ default networks, which are multi-homed, and they use the cloud providers' DNS resolvers.
Last Mile Nodes
These nodes are located within end-users' home networks to monitor application performance when connecting via consumer ISPs. Unlike Backbone nodes which use local DNS resolvers, Last Mile Nodes rely on consumer ISPs to resolve DNS queries, reflecting the DNS performance consumers may experience. These nodes are good for checking on regional issues or to corroborate observations made from Backbone nodes.
Wireless Nodes
These nodes are functionally similar to Last Mile Nodes, but rather than connecting to consumer ISPs, they connect to regional 3g and 4g networks, enabling you to isolate mobile users' experiences. Like Last-Mile nodes, Wireless nodes rely on the carrier to resolve DNS queries.
Enterprise Nodes
These are Nodes which you can install and run within networks you control. They enable you to test your internal systems independently of any outside connection, so they can be useful for pre-launch testing, or to simply be able to confirm that an internal server is running. There are three types - "Enterprise" , "Enterprise (pt)" and "Enterprise Branch" They are functionally similar; the difference is simply in the pricing model for pt nodes. Enterprise Nodes cost a fixed amount (flat rate) per month regardless of the amount or type of usage; Enterprise Nodes (pt) consume points based on the number and type of Test Runs performed. Enterpise Branch nodes typically use flat rate pricing and function like Enterprise nodes but allow you to deploy a large volume (500+) by removing some UI reporting capabilities like breakdown by node in analytics. For clarification on which type of Enterprise Node makes the most sense for your use-case, please contact your Catchpoint Sales Representative.