Alexis Kestler
Running a successful business today means having a robust and secure digital infrastructure. However, far too often companies fail to effectively monitor their networks, opening themselves to a myriad of issues that can seriously impact operations and the bottom line.
Implementing an effective network monitoring strategy is critical. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from the basics of network monitoring to an in-depth look at some of the top tools available.
What is Network Monitoring and Why it Matters
Network monitoring refers to the process of tracking, analyzing, and managing a company‘s entire network infrastructure. This includes keeping tabs on servers, routers, switches, firewalls, and more to ensure optimal performance.
The goal of network monitoring is to identify weak points or issues before they cause interruptions. This allows IT teams to address problems promptly and avoid the major headaches associated with outages.
According to a MarketsandMarkets report, the network monitoring market size was valued at USD 2.05 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 4.34 billion by 2025. This growth underscores the increasing need for visibility and control across complex network environments.
How Network Monitoring Differs from Application Performance Monitoring
While related, network and application monitoring serve different primary functions:
Network monitoring focuses on tracking the availability, utilization, and performance of networking infrastructure and devices.
Application performance monitoring (APM) centers on measuring the response time, function, and resource utilization of specific applications.
So in short, network monitoring aims to ensure the foundational connectivity and communications between devices and systems is sound, while APM seeks to optimize application code and workflows leveraging that network.
Benefits of Network Monitoring
There are many advantages to deploying network monitoring for your business:
Pinpoints Weak Points
By constantly gathering performance data and activity metrics, network monitoring platforms can quickly identify overloaded equipment, bandwidth bottlenecks, and other weak points threatening network stability. This allows IT teams to proactively adjust configurations before small issues snowball into catastrophic failures.
Detects Traffic Patterns
Sophisticated monitoring tools track usage trends over time. If any network device or system begins underperforming, the underlying cause can be determined and addressed in the early stages based on historical traffic analysis.
Enables Real-Time Notifications
Instead of needing technicians to manually inspect systems, advanced monitoring platforms immediately dispatch alerts when predefined thresholds are exceeded or problems emerge. This dramatically minimizes detection and reaction times.
Reduces Data Loss Risks
When networks face congestion or errors, important business data can quickly be lost, corrupted, or compromised. By quickly recognizing risks and allowing technicians to respond instantly, network monitoring practically eliminates unnecessary data loss scenarios.
Maintains Compliance
Monitoring tools log volumes of network traffic stats and event data useful for upholding security and data standards. If any potential compliance problems arise, alerts inform administrators so issues can be tackled before penalties result.
Top Network Monitoring Tools
Many solutions exist in the network monitoring realm. Here are some of the most popular and capable options:
1. Paessler PRTG
Paessler PRTG is an intuitive, unified network monitoring tool suitable for organizations of all sizes.
It auto-discovers devices and provides mapping, customizable dashboards, and robust monitoring for servers, cloud apps, network infrastructure, IoT systems, and more.
Key Highlights:
- Broad device support via SNMP, packet inspection, and agents
- Real-time maps with status indicators
- Flexible, built-in alerting mechanisms
- In-depth historical reporting capabilities
Pricing starts at $1,750. Try PRTG here.
2. ManageEngine OpManager
ManageEngine OpManager centralizes visibility and troubleshooting across multi-vendor IT environments. Its optimized alerts and smart data correlation features accelerate issue resolution.
This tool can monitor traditional on-prem infrastructure alongside cloud-based assets and easily handles diverse operating systems and platforms. Traffic analysis capabilities also help optimize configurations.
Notable OpManager Features:
- Unified views correlating events, health metrics, configs, etc.
- Contextual diagnosis of performance problems
- Client network monitoring support without external access
- Flexible alerting channels
- Useful client and tech reporting
Get started with OpManager here.
3. Auvik
Auvik is a cloud-based network management system providing network mapping, monitoring, alerting, and troubleshooting functions.
It auto-discovers devices and dependencies while tracking configs, state changes, and traffic flows. Auvik also offers advanced monitoring for Cisco environments.
Standout capabilities include:
- Intuitive visualization of network dependencies
- Proactive notification of network anomalies
- Historical change tracking for configurations and components
- Visibility into host network usage patterns
- Role-based access control
4. Opsview
Opsview simplifies infrastructure monitoring across on-premise, hybrid, and cloud environments. Its unified dashboard correlates events, metrics, and topology visualizations to speed troubleshooting.
For network monitoring, Opsview utilizes packet capture and NetFlow analysis to pinpoint congestion points and abnormal traffic in real-time. It also performs significant diagnostics.
Notable aspects include:
- Dynamic auto-generated network maps
- Continuous NetFlow monitoring
- Powerful alerting functions
- Integrations with popular apps
- Customizable reporting
Learn more about Opsview here.
5. Nagios Network Analyzer
The Nagios Network Analyzer aggregates and analyzes flow records from routers, switches, and other infrastructure to assess bandwidth utilization and unusual activity.
It translates NetFlow, sFlow, J-Flow, and IPFIX data into useful visualizations indicating traffic sources, patterns, suspicious events, and more.
Key capabilities:
- Centralized network behavior awareness
- Customizable bandwidth usage calculations
- Intelligent alerting for anomalies
- Simplified deployment with minimal dependencies
- Open API for integration with other solutions
Start monitoring your network with Nagios here.
6. Ntopng
Ntopng is an open-source and cross-platform traffic analyzer that facilitates superior network monitoring.
It captures and examines network flows in real-time, generating detailed metrics on a granular level. Customizable dashboards allow operators to instantly assess traffic volumes, patterns, and bandwidth demands.
Notable elements:
- Web-based interface for advanced monitoring
- Continuous examination of packet streams
- Extensive historical reporting
- Geolocation of hosts
- Open data access capabilities
7. SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer
Part of SolarWinds‘ robust Orion suite, this network analyzer tool consumes flow data from routers, switches, and firewalls to provide meaningful visibility into traffic and bandwidth utilization.
Configurable charts and tables offer precise measurements for segments and applications over custom periods. The dashboard also highlights top talkers and anomalous events.
Great for:
- Identifying application activity and demands
- Isolating suspicious traffic spikes
- Calculations for traffic optimization needs
- Planning network infrastructure expansions
- Troubleshooting slow applications
Start analyzing your network traffic flows with SolarWinds today.
8. Pandora FMS
Pandora FMS is an end-to-end monitoring solution capable of examining huge, complex IT environments in a unified view.
For network infrastructure visibility, it leverages standardized protocols like SNMP along with custom data sources to feed its dashboard correlating events, metrics, and traffic visuals.
Useful for:
- Tracking performance of devices individually
- Generating advanced reports on uptime, SLAs, etc.
- Monitoring flow-based network traffic
- Alerting for devices state changes
- Maintaining desired operational standards
Explore Pandora FMS capabilities here.
9. NetCrunch
NetCrunch is an intelligent monitoring platform designed for modern, dynamic business IT environments. It auto-discovers network infrastructure and dependencies, mapping connections in customizable topology views.
Performance metrics and events are correlated to speed fault and bottleneck identification. This helps teams avoid disruption and optimize configurations.
Notable aspects:
- Broad network device support without agents
- Continuous ping monitoring for availability
- Real-time traffic analytics and event processing
- Configurable triggers for smart alerting
- Integrations with ManageEngine, Azure, and Google Cloud
Learn more about NetCrunch here.
10. OpenNMS
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies and large carriers, OpenNMS is an open-source network monitoring platform with extensive data collection, analysis, and correlation capabilities.
It supports numerous protocols for discovering devices and collecting metrics across dynamic environments. The alert engine detects problems fast and can integrate with popular ticketing apps.
Why OpenNMS:
- Highly customizable via native Java API
- Normalization of data from diverse devices/apps
- Horizon scanning for performance trends
- Feature-rich notification options
- Commercial support available
Best Practices for Network Monitoring
To build an effective network monitoring strategy, keep these guidelines in mind:
Know Your Infrastructure – Map all network segments, remote gear, traffic patterns and dependencies. Monitoring blind spots leave exposure.
Plan Alert Rules – Define appropriate thresholds for events, faults, etc. and designate personnel to handle different issues. Disorganized alerting causes delays.
Assess Regularly – Reevaluate visibility gaps as networks evolve. Make sure monitoring capabilities align with current infrastructure.
Start Small – Begin monitoring critical devices and systems. Expand capabilities over time for smoother adoption.
Consider Future Needs – Seek monitoring platforms offering ample room for growth or integration with other tools.
Conclusion
Network disruptions inflict tremendous damage across digital business functions today. But armed with the right monitoring solution and best practices, IT teams can move from reactive, chaotic firefighting to proactive optimization and risk mitigation.
There are many enterprise-grade options available offering advanced auto-discovery, intelligent diagnosis, customizable reporting, and more. Evaluating key capabilities in relation to current visibility gaps helps determine which platform suits your needs.
By leveraging these purpose-built network monitoring tools and tactics highlighted here, organizations can rest easy knowing even the most complex networks are safeguarded from the risks of downtime.
