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What are network monitoring tools?
Network monitoring tools track your network’s performance. There are two types of network monitoring services: network device monitors and traffic analyzers. You can get a basic free network monitor showing traffic throughput through your internet gateway, but the best network monitoring tools provide more comprehensive services.
A network device monitor continuously checks on the statuses of network devices, such as switches and routers. This automates network monitoring because these tools discover and monitor all devices. Such a tool will document each discovered device in an inventory. The network monitoring services frequently sweep the network and recheck on the presence of devices, keeping the network inventory up to date.
Device agents will send out a warning if the switch or router that hosts it develops a fault. This warning appears as an alert in the monitoring dashboard, and the best network monitoring tools let you set up alert forwarding by email, SMS, or messaging system.
Traffic analyzers query switches and routers using special languages called flow protocols. These provide traffic details such as packet throughput rates, traffic volumes, and interface capacity. Traffic analyzers use utilization thresholds that trigger alerts if demand approaches an interface’s full capacity.
Why is network monitoring important?
It is important to use a network monitoring tool because this will warn system administrators of impending problems. Both device monitors and traffic analyzers will raise alerts for encountered problems. This means that support technicians don’t have to spend time watching the network because they can assume that everything is working well unless they receive a notification otherwise.
Catching network problems early enables technicians to head off issues before they impact on the applications that users access. Thus, many of the computer problems that businesses used to experience have just disappeared – they don’t happen anymore. Although that seems like magic, it is in fact all down to network monitoring services.
What to look for in network monitoring tools
Many network monitoring services are available, and the best monitoring tools will provide both device monitoring and traffic analysis. When you are searching for a tool for network monitoring at your company, pay attention to the following attributes:
- Network Discovery: A system that scans the network and identifies all devices, sets itself up, and keeps system information up to date.
- Network Documentation: The network monitor should be able to maintain an inventory with details of all devices and also draw up a network map.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Continuous, real-time monitoring of network traffic, bandwidth, device status, and performance. You might have to buy two tools for complete coverage: device monitoring and traffic analysis.
- Performance and Fault Alerts: The tool should notify you immediately about network slowdowns, device failures, or security threats. Customizable email, SMS, or app notifications help IT teams respond quickly to potential problems.
- Comprehensive Coverage: The tool should be able to monitor all network devices, including routers, switches, firewalls, servers, virtual machines, and endpoints.
- Customizable Dashboards and Reports: The ability to rearrange dashboard screens and write new report formats lets you target the specific metrics that help you manage your network.
- Traffic Analysis and Bandwidth Monitoring: Look for a tool that uses a range of flow protocols to monitor traffic on a multi-vendor network.
- Integration with Other Tools: It can be helpful if the network monitor integrates with other IT management systems, such as RMM (remote monitoring and management) tools, security platforms, or helpdesk/ticketing systems.
- User-Friendly Interface: A simple and intuitive user interface is important, allowing network administrators to quickly navigate the system, analyze data, and troubleshoot issues.
Focusing on these critical features can help you select a network monitoring tool that ensures real-time visibility, security, and efficiency for your network operations.
FAQs
What is the best network monitoring system?
You will probably use the same core system, no matter which network monitoring tool you get. This will be the Simple Network Monitoring Protocol (SNMP) for network device monitoring. Traffic analyzers use flow protocols, which include NetFlow, IPFIX, sFlow, and J-Flow.
What is network device monitoring?
Network device monitoring continuously polls all devices on a network, including switches and routers. This is done by broadcasting status report requests. A broadcast doesn’t have a specific address, and all systems listening to the network, including device reporting agents, will pick it up.
How do I monitor all traffic on my network?
To monitor traffic on your network, you need a special tool, which will have a different name according to the provider. It can be called a traffic monitor, a NetFlow monitor, a NetFlow analyzer, a bandwidth analyzer, or a traffic analyzer.