Essential Software Tools For Network Management

ESSENTIAL SOFTWARE TOOLS FOR NETWORK MANAGEMENT

Overview Of Tools And Software That Help In Managing And Monitoring Network Performance.

To guarantee a dependable and effective IT infrastructure, network administration is essential. A collection of specialist software tools is required in order to monitor, debug, and optimize network performance. Here's a summary of some important areas and particular instruments:

NETWORK MONITORING TOOLS

Nagios

A widely used open-source tool that monitors network devices, services, and applications. It offers customizable alerts and notifications, making it easy to identify and address potential issues.

Nagios XI provides your IT network with enterprise-level monitoring, alarms, and analysis. The Nagios Core 4 monitoring engine, which employs high-efficiency procedures for scalability and efficacy, powers the system.

Its ability to provide proactive monitoring, detection, and problem-solving by IT teams via email, SMS, Slack, or Microsoft Teams notifications is one of its key marketing points. Plans for Nagios XI are mostly determined by the number of license nodes.

Domotz

IT professionals may remotely monitor, administer, and troubleshoot networks and associated devices with the aid of Domotz, a cloud-based program. The software as a service provider markets itself as a strong solution for MSPs and IT teams of all sizes operating in any industry.

Features like network configuration management, backup and versioning, network topology mapping, PSA connectors, documentation, and ticketing systems are all included within its solution.

Zabbix

Another popular open-source option, Zabbix provides comprehensive network monitoring capabilities, including support for a wide range of devices and protocols. It also offers advanced features like auto-discovery and distributed monitoring.

Zabbix is an enterprise-level program that keeps an eye on the integrity and functionality of servers, virtual machines, networks, and apps, among other things. IT business leaders are promptly informed of any technical issue or vulnerability due to the flexible notification structure, enabling them to promptly address issues.

Zabbix is generally used for conventional server monitoring, while some users also use it for alerting and backup purposes.

Datadog

A well-known network management tool that provides end-to-end insight into on-premises and cloud networks is Datadog Network Performance Monitoring (NPM). Datadog not only gives you real-time network insights but also lets you monitor important network metrics like connection churn and TCP retransmissions.

Windows, Linux, and containerized environments controlled by the Istio service mesh may all be seen using its NPM.

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

A commercial tool that offers in-depth network performance monitoring and analysis. It provides detailed insights into network traffic, bandwidth utilization, and application performance, making it ideal for identifying bottlenecks and optimizing network performance.

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, that markets itself as "Geekbuilt," provides sophisticated network troubleshooting for cloud, hybrid, and on-premises services. For SNMP, API, or WMI-enabled devices, it offers thorough network fault monitoring and performance control.

With its NPM, you may have total control over your IT network thanks to a variety of network topology mapping tools and a network device scanner that finds devices on your network automatically. A thirty-day free trial is available.

PRTG Network Monitor

A user-friendly commercial tool that offers a wide range of monitoring capabilities, including support for network devices, servers, and applications. It provides customizable dashboards and alerts, making it easy to visualize network performance and identify issues.

The program is used to keep an eye on servers, online pages, mobile applications, and both local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs). PRTG is a traditional on-premises monitoring system, in contrast to other software suppliers.

Because PRTG Network Monitor is reasonably priced, it is more appropriate for small to medium-sized settings. It offers IoT infrastructures great flexibility and scalability in addition to central monitoring.

Auvik

A variety of time-consuming tasks, including documentation and monitoring, may be automated with Auvik, a cloud-based network administration and monitoring tool. The business positions itself as a provider of proactive management and troubleshooting software.

Even if you're dealing with a remote or hybrid workforce, the business says it can provide full visibility and management in less than an hour from launch. This might be the reason why so many people like how simple it is to set up and operate on G2.

NinjaOne

In order to give you an integrated solution at a reasonable price, NinjaOne integrates native network monitoring software into its endpoint management solution, which has been ranked #1 on G2 for years. Its network management tool's single-pane visibility into all of your SNMP devicesΓÇöfirewalls, switches, and routersΓÇöis one of its primary features. You can increase the productivity of your team by having total insight into the state and functionality of your IT network with NinjaOne.

The finest aspect? More than fifty OID templates for popular device types, such as Dell, iDRAC, HP iLO, Synology NAS, and APC UPS devices, are included in Ninja's network monitoring. The Ninja team has created a robust and lightweight solution that automates the most laborious aspects of IT so that you and your team may worry-free concentrate on your core skills. This solution was designed by IT for IT.

You may optimize your IT network using the capabilities and features provided by NinjaOne network monitoring software. With its round-the-clock monitoring feature, you may be alerted as soon as there are anomalies in the network. This enables you to address any problem in a proactive manner. Additionally, its network monitoring system encrypts all data, both in transit and at rest. MFA is sometimes used as an additional security measure.

NETWORK TROUBLESHOOTING TOOLS

Wireshark: A powerful packet analyzer that allows you to capture and analyze network traffic in real time. This is invaluable for troubleshooting network connectivity problems, identifying security threats, and understanding application behavior.

PingPlotter: A network diagnostic tool that measures latency, packet loss, and route tracing. It helps you identify network bottlenecks and isolate problems by tracing the path of packets through your network.

MTR (Mean Time to Repair): A hybrid ping and traceroute tool that combines the functionality of both to provide a more comprehensive view of network performance. It is particularly useful for troubleshooting long-distance network connections and identifying issues with routers or other network devices.

NETWORK CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT TOOLS

Ansible: An open-source configuration management tool that automates tasks like deploying software, configuring devices, and managing network infrastructure. It uses a declarative approach, allowing you to define the desired state of your network and let Ansible handle the configuration.

Puppet: Another open-source configuration management tool that offers a similar approach to Ansible. It provides a robust framework for managing complex network infrastructures and ensures consistency across multiple devices.

Chef: A commercial configuration management tool that offers a comprehensive set of features for automating network infrastructure management. It provides a powerful scripting language and a strong focus on infrastructure as code, making it suitable for large-scale deployments.

NETWORK PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION TOOLS

SolarWinds NetFlow Analyzer: A tool that analyzes network traffic data to identify performance bottlenecks and optimize network usage. It provides detailed insights into application traffic, bandwidth utilization, and protocol usage, helping you optimize network resources and improve performance.

Cisco NetFlow Analyzer: A similar tool from Cisco that offers comprehensive network traffic analysis and optimization. It provides advanced features like flow sampling, export, and analysis, making it suitable for large-scale networks.

Riverbed SteelCentral NetProfiler: A comprehensive network performance optimization platform that offers features like application performance monitoring, WAN optimization, and caching. It helps you improve application performance, reduce latency, and optimize network resources.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Open-source vs. commercial: Choose tools based on your budget, specific requirements, and level of technical expertise.

Integration: Ensure the tools you select can integrate with your existing network infrastructure and other software tools.

Scalability: Consider the scalability of the tools to accommodate your network's growth and changing needs.

Ease of use: A user-friendly interface can save time and effort when managing your network.