As the name suggests, network monitoring tools regulate network components like servers, firewalls, routers, switches, etc. Network Monitoring Tool is an application that collects valuable data from different parts of the network.
It helps in directing and controlling the network. The focal point of network monitoring will be performance monitoring, issue monitoring, and account monitoring.
Network monitoring is something vital that every company should be doing. But with the ever-expanding market for software and new releases dropping every other year, it could be overwhelming trying to decide which one best suits your requirements.
Fear not, as here is a list of the best network monitoring tools and software that are listed based on features such as SNMP, uptime/downtime, budget, network mapping, bandwidth monitoring, and much more. Read the article about how to change networks from public to private.
Network Software
Network monitoring software helps organizations track performance like uptime and downtime while alerting the department heads if there’s a problem. With network monitoring software, you can distinguish network issues in the beginning phases before those issues cause prolonged downtime or network failures.
List Of The Top 7 Best Network Monitoring Tools
With new software, tools, and technology being introduced consistently, you have to discover a network monitoring solution that can keep up with the ever-evolving commercial center. These inside and out surveys contain the highlights, advantages, evaluating, and potential use cases for each device on our rundown.
Listed below are the best Network Monitoring Tools that are accessible in the market.
1. PRTG Network Monitor from Paessler
The PRTG network monitor is one of the best options for organizations with little network monitoring experience. It is easy to set up, and the user interface is robust while also being user-friendly. The software offers a wide range of sensors that monitor various aspects of your network.
The sensors can be used for bandwidth monitoring, application monitoring, virtual server monitoring, SNMP, VOIP, and QoS monitoring. A key feature is the availability of a mobile app that can be used to monitor devices in the data center.
PRTG is a must-have for companies looking for a cost-effective but impactful network monitoring software. PRTG is available for free for less than 100 sensors. The paid version starts at Rs.1.18 lakhs ($1600) for 500 sensors and one server installation.
PRTG gives the network monitoring arrangement that monitors your total framework, including LAN, WAN, Cloud Services, Application Monitoring, and so on. It provides map architects to make a dashboard and coordinates the network parts according to your requirement. It has the ability for dispersed monitoring.
Features
- SNMP monitoring
- Transfer speed monitoring
- Sweep for network gadgets by IP fragment
- Custom dashboards
- Edge-based cautions framework
- Reports framework
- Adaptable network maps
2. Solarwinds Network Performance Monitor
Solarwinds Network Performance Monitor is a paid software but is worth every penny. Starting from setup, the tool automatically detects network devices and initializes within an hour for use.
SolarWinds gives the Network Performance monitor that can minimize network blackouts and improve performance. It is an adaptable arrangement with more brilliant adaptability for huge conditions.
Discovered devices or services can be viewed on a network topology map, facilitating extensive network monitoring with ease. The performance reports and graphs generated are fully customizable, and the interface is easy to manage as it is very intuitive.
The platform also allows for a custom alert system that enables the user to set personalized trigger conditions for alerts. This is convenient as it helps resolve issues much more efficiently. The pricing starts at Rs.1.17 lakhs ($1583) for a one-time license. The software also has a free 30-day trial.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is a top network monitoring framework in light of its different features. It can turn between SNMP monitoring to packet analysis effortlessly, giving you authority over what fragments of your network you monitor.
Features
- It has functionalities for remote network monitoring and management.
- It will permit you to see the performance measurements for autonomous access points.
- It has highlighted advanced alarming and auto-generating maps.
- For the necessary network firewalls, switches, and load balancers, SolarWinds will give a visual portrayal of performance.
3. Datadog
The Datadog network performance monitor is the perfect tool for small companies and start-ups. The platform is cloud-based and, therefore, does not require a server. Since information is stored in the cloud, the network can be monitored from anywhere as long as an agent program is installed in the monitored system.
This helps the user to observe any structure with equal efficiency. The tool relies on SNMP for live statistics. It connects to every device in the network during setup and monitors changes as data is added or removed from the network. The data can be filtered to give the desired graphs for analysis. The service is charged per subscription but is free for up to 5 hosts.
The software is marked as an “advanced monitoring and security” arrangement. With endless associations depending on the cloud to work, Datadog has been developing in prominence.
Likewise, with most network screens, the Datadog administration depends on SNMP for live insights. This likewise empowers the monitor to search out all gadgets when it initially gets into administration. It will spot changes as resources are included, moved, or eliminated from the network.
Features
- Adaptable, cloud-based assistance appropriate for all network sizes and topologies
- SNMP-based monitoring with an autodiscovery highlight
- Computer-based intelligence-based AI that gives limit forecasts
4. ManageEngine OpManager
The ManageEngine OpManager is a network monitoring tool that uses SNMP monitoring, which updates network devices’ performance in real-time. The platform is recommended for users who need a simple infrastructure monitoring tool that minimizes constant attention.
This is possible as the OpManager’s alerts system adapts to performance changes and presents only relevant issues to the user. It also has a network mapping feature that automatically identifies new devices connected to the network and automatically maps them. The product’s essential edition allows for 25 devices and can be purchased for Rs.44,200 ($595).
OpManager investigates every possibility while monitoring an association’s/organization’s whole network framework.
Features
- Ongoing network monitoring
- Programmed revelation
- Network planning
- SNMP monitoring
- Email and SMS alarms
- Adjustable dashboards
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5. Icinga
Icinga is an open-source network monitoring tool that can be configured to the user’s preference. Since Icinga is open-source, it is entirely free. The platform is straightforward to use and focuses mostly on monitoring infrastructure and services.
It has a great alert system that displays any discrepancies in the dashboard with errors color-coded to distinguish problems that might require immediate attention. Icinga also features extensions that add more functions.
With the expansive community and forums, it is easy to download free community-created extensions that suit your network monitoring requirements.
It has highlighted caution and gives important information. It gives an On-Premises arrangement. It can screen any host and application. The software is electronic and can be arranged through the GUI or with the Domain Specific Language (DSL). Having the decision between the two enables you to screen any way you need.
Features
- Icinga modules will permit you to expand your monitoring climate. It will permit you to manufacture a customized arrangement.
- It tends to be incorporated with the VMware environment.
- It has a certificate monitoring module that will perform a programmed examination of the network for SSL endorsements.
- Icinga Business Process will give you a consolidated view of your current information and will develop a high-level view.
6. Nagios XI
Nagios XI is a very flexible network monitoring platform as it targets a wide range of users. Different versions include an open-source, free, subscription, and one-time license. It is a potent monitoring tool that takes time to set up, as each device must be configured individually.
You can find a wide array of adaptable plug-ins (APIs) to add additional functions. The optimized dashboard helps identify problems in the infrastructure before they affect critical business developments. The platform also allows the user to keep track of subsets of network flow information to get insights into every network aspect. Only Linux based systems support the platform.
Features
- It is highly customizable
- User-friendly
- Monitors your server performance
7. Zabbix
Zabbix is also an open-source network monitor that uses SNMP and IPMP to monitor your network. It is highly recommended for small to medium scale businesses to offer some neat features that are easy to use. It has an automatic discovery feature, one similar to the OpManager that helps identify new devices connected to the network.
The tool can also identify changes in configuration to notify whether a device has been updated. Network monitoring templates can be used for a more straightforward design of the monitoring program. Different templates can be downloaded based on your liking from community sites.
The auto-discovery feature consequently finds network gadgets and adds them to be checked. This, too, can likewise distinguish design changes consequently so you can tell if a network gadget has been updated. It offers its answers for different businesses like aviation, retail, government, and so forth.
Features
- Information on social occasions will be adaptable and extendable.
- It can auto-identify network gadgets and gadget design changes.
- It gives a variety of choices for notification.
- It will permit you to assemble adaptable heightening situations.