GL Communications launches browser-based PacketScan Web platform
GL Communications has introduced PacketScan Web, a browser-based packet analysis platform designed to replace locally installed analysis tools with a centralised, web-accessible alternative. The Gaithersburg, Maryland-based network testing vendor says the product supports deep packet inspection, protocol decoding, live and offline traffic analysis, and network troubleshooting across enterprise, telecom, cloud, data centre and 5G environments, with no client-side software installation required.
The release positions PacketScan Web as an extension of GL's existing PacketScan platform, bringing its packet data analysis engine to a browser interface compatible with both Windows and Linux deployments. Open REST APIs are included to allow integration with third-party network management systems and custom automation workflows.
What the platform does
At the technical core is GL's Packet Data Analysis engine, which the company says handles multi-layer protocol decoding and supports a broad range of standards including 5G NR, LTE, IMS, VoIP, SIGTRAN, GSM, UMTS, Diameter and RTP. Engineers can export captured traffic in HDL, PCAP, PCAPNG and CSV formats, view signaling call flows via graphical ladder diagrams, and run voice quality analysis using MOS metrics.
The platform also integrates with GL's existing IP Analytics product, which converts raw capture data into session-level dashboards covering TCP and UDP throughput, round-trip time, retransmissions, packet loss, and congestion indicators. The company says this combination is intended to accelerate root-cause analysis in distributed or multi-site network environments.
Vikram Kulkarni, Sales Director at GL Communications, said the product "combines browser-based accessibility with powerful packet analysis, enabling engineers to investigate network problems from anywhere."
Market context
Browser-native network analysis tools represent a growing niche within the broader network performance management market, which has seen increasing demand as infrastructure teams become more distributed and hybrid-working norms reduce reliance on dedicated analyst workstations. Wireshark remains the dominant open-source standard for packet capture and inspection, while vendors such as NETSCOUT, Savvius and Riverbed compete in the commercial segment with appliance and software-based offerings.
GL Communications occupies a relatively specialised position, with a long-standing focus on telecom network testing rather than general-purpose enterprise networking. The addition of 5G protocol support, including Diameter and SIGTRAN alongside newer 5G NR stacks, reflects the reality that many operators are running multi-generational networks simultaneously, requiring tools that can decode both legacy signaling and modern core protocols in a single session.
The move to a browser-delivered model also aligns with a wider industry shift toward SaaS-style deployment for traditionally on-premises tooling. However, GL has not disclosed pricing, licensing terms, or any named customer deployments for PacketScan Web, making it difficult to assess commercial traction at this stage.
Regulatory and standards considerations
Network analysis tools that handle live packet capture in telecom environments intersect with data protection obligations in several jurisdictions, including GDPR in Europe and various national lawful intercept frameworks. Enterprises deploying centralised packet capture infrastructure will need to ensure that access controls, audit logging and data retention policies align with applicable compliance requirements, particularly where voice traffic and signaling data are captured and stored. GL's REST API integration capability could also require scrutiny in FedRAMP-scoped deployments if the tool is used within US federal network environments.
GL Communications has not published independent benchmark results comparing PacketScan Web against competing platforms, and the release does not reference third-party validation of its performance claims. Prospective buyers should request a proof-of-concept evaluation against their own protocol mix before committing.