Riverbed APM

What differentiates Riverbed APM from other similar products?

Riverbed APM stands out by combining network and application monitoring in one tool. Unlike most solutions that focus only on apps or infrastructure, it tracks performance across both layers - showing how network issues impact application response times. Its deep packet inspection helps pinpoint whether problems are in the code, servers, or network. The SteelHead integration accelerates data capture without overloading systems. It's particularly strong for hybrid environments with both on-prem and cloud components. However, it's less optimized for pure cloud-native architectures compared to newer APM tools.

What is your favorite aspect of this product?

My favorite part of Riverbed APM is how it connects network performance to application issues. Unlike other tools that look at these separately, it shows exactly how network problems like latency or packet loss affect application response times. The deep integration with SteelHead hardware gives precise monitoring data without slowing down systems. I especially like the transaction tracing feature that quickly pinpoints where bottlenecks occur - whether in the code, servers, or network. This makes troubleshooting much faster in complex hybrid environments.

What do you dislike most about this product?

The biggest pain point is limited cloud-native support—it struggles with serverless (Lambda) and containerized environments, forcing us to use workarounds. The UI feels outdated (slow to load, clunky navigation), and alert configuration is overly complex, requiring excessive tuning to reduce false positives. The lack of distributed tracing for microservices means we still need supplemental tools. For modern architectures, it feels behind competitors.

What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?

If considering Riverbed APM, first test it with your specific environment—it excels for hybrid networks where app performance depends on infrastructure. Be prepared to invest time configuring alerts and dashboards, as defaults need tuning. The SteelHead integration is valuable for WAN-optimized networks. However, if you're mostly cloud-based or use serverless heavily, evaluate alternatives. For traditional applications with network dependencies, it provides unique visibility others can't match.

What differentiates Riverbed APM from other similar products?

Riverbed APM’s deep-dive analytics into application performance metrics make it a standout tool for pinpointing issues in complex environments

What is your favorite aspect of this product?

The transaction tracing feature because it lets you follow a request’s journey through your application stack.

What do you dislike most about this product?

Setting up agents and configuring monitoring for distributed systems can take significant time and effort.

What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?

For teams managing high-traffic or mission-critical applications, Riverbed APM is a solid investment. However, ensure you allocate time and resources for the initial setup and training