Network monitoring is just one piece of the management model, and different capabilities are used for different levels.
Before you pick a tool, you need to understand what you’re measuring and what ‘normal’ is in your environment so you can identify problems as they happen. Here’s a few network monitoring tools to consider when selecting the one that’s right for you.
1. HP OpenView
HP OpenView is customizable to meet any service level. It improves service levels by allowing you to monitor all incidents and changes. HP allows you to implement a comprehensive management solution that will prevent downtime, allow you to resolve problems faster, and keep your systems running.
2. Tivoli
Tivoli manages your IT infrastructure, including operating systems, databases and servers with a single work portal.
Tivoli allows you to retrieve data quickly, and detects potential issues and automatically recovers from situations to keep your key applications running with minimal risk of loss due to unforeseen circumstances.
3. OpenNMS
Open NMS is an open source network monitoring platform. OpenNMS provides commercial-level support and services and because its open source, it’s fully customizable.
4. WhatsUp
WhatsUp monitors the availability of your network devices, such as the router, network switch, at a glance using a graphical display.
It provides a variety of views of your network status in real-time and alerts you when a device goes down.
5. CA Unicenter
CA Unicenter NSM supports your critical business processes, identifies and predicts problems, and prioritizes issues based on how they impact your business.
With advanced capabilities in visualization, you’re alerted as issues arise, streamlining your IT management functions.
6. Big Brother
Big Brother, a web-based network monitoring solution, is customizable and easy to maintain system. It monitors the availability of your network devices and servers. Administrators can monitor hundreds of servers and network devices simultaneously.
It notifies you of immediate problems via email, text message, or pager.
7. Look@LAN
Look@LAN network monitor allows you to monitor networks of any size and configuration. It autos-detect network configuration, monitoring, reporting, network log…etc.
This application tells you which PC’s are online/offline, which services are running on the network, ping times for each workstation and much more.
8. Peribit Networks
Peribit streamlines network processes by resolving the technical limitations of WANs. It accelerates application performance, simplifies application rollouts, improves disaster recovery, and backup. With Peribit, you have sharper visibility of the WAN performance resulting in more efficient use of WAN resources and higher productivity levels.
9. GFILanguard
GFI Languard solution helps you to address issues quickly and effectively. It allows you to scan, detect, assess and repair security issues on your network. Administrators often use more than one tool to deal with and solve network problems, but with GFI, all areas of vulnerability are addressed in one package.
10. CHEOPS
Cheops is a network management tool that allows you to map and monitor your network. It has host/network discovery functionality as well as OS detection of hosts. It has the ability to probe hosts to see what services are running.
So whether you are running a small or large business you first need to identify what environment you are working with and what problems may arise before deciding on the right Network Monitoring Tool for you.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 am
You left off SolarWinds’ Orion Network Performance Monitor. I’m reluctant to blow our own horn since I’m the product manager for Orion, but it’s a very widely-used network management application that monitors network devices SNMP, Syslog, and Trap. Orion has a simple walk-up-and-use interface that includes built-in reports and alerts. Orion scales to very large environments but is priced for accessibility for mid-sized and smaller businesses. Apologies for the blatant plug.
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:14 am
Hi Denny,
Thanks for the input. That’s the purpose for our blog to solicit feedback from the community, and fill in the gaps. I’ve used some of the free SolarWind tools for years, and they’re great!
Thanks again for the input.
Christopher Rees
Palaestra Training
November 9th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Hi, I am also a big fan of Solanwind network perf monitor. its a great tool providing very wide/accurate reports. I think the list should include solarwind also.
July 4th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Thanks for listing these great tools.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I think ManageEngine an emerging vendor was left out. In terms of cost-effectiveness and combined data center and network monitoring, we get best of both worlds.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Solarwinds is a great great product too.
July 30th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Yup, I agree. They actually were the first to comment on the article, and I think they make some great tools as well! Thanks for the comment.
July 30th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I’ll check them out and perhaps add them to a future list.. thanks for the info!
August 17th, 2009 at 5:34 am
I think you missed out NAGIOS , it should be in TOP 1 In your future list
August 21st, 2009 at 9:57 am
I will definitely check that out, thanks for the info.
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor
September 4th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
NAGIOS on the top and one more Network Monitoring software – Careful Observer – Network Monitor