The Best Network Monitoring Solutions of 2024

What is network monitoring?

Network monitoring is the practice of scanning for network devices and recording their statuses. You might also encounter bandwidth analyzers, another network monitoring system type. These services extract network traffic statistics from switches and routers and look out for throughput volumes that rise too high for switch interfaces to handle.

Network monitoring is an important task for any IT management team. A network failure will affect all systems above it. If the network performs badly, user applications will splutter or seize up. Thus, network issues can bring the work of an entire organization to a halt. It is very difficult to monitor a network manually, but fortunately, there are many automated network monitoring tools available on the market. 

Some network monitoring systems are part of wider packages. For example, you can get a full-stack monitoring tool like Nagios or Zabbix. The systems give you server and application monitoring as well. Other examples provide module monitoring packages like Datadog, SolarWinds, or ManageEngine. These providers produce monitoring units that slot together, so you can include your network monitoring service in a systemwide monitoring service that you chose unit-by-unit. 

What are the best network monitoring tools?

There are many network monitoring systems available on the market right now. Many of them are excellent, but nominating the best network monitoring solutions is difficult. This is because each provider has created a slightly different system, and each will appeal to potential buyers with different needs. For example, many network monitors are hosted on the cloud, and many buyers prefer that. 

Some businesses don’t like using cloud-based systems, so downloadable network monitoring software packages are available. The best network monitoring tool for you depends on your business’s needs and personal preferences. 

Many network monitors will track activity on multiple sites and the internet connections between them, but those packages are not the best choice for single-site businesses. Similarly, if your business uses cloud-based applications, the best network monitor for you will include monitoring connections to those services. Companies that don’t use cloud systems would be wasting their money paying for a package that provides capabilities tht they don’t need. 

How to compare network monitoring software?

Unless you are running a comparison website or writing a blog, there isn’t much point in comparing network monitoring tools on their specifications. You should define your requirements and then rank a shortlist of network monitoring tools according to how well they meet those needs. When you are compiling your list, here are some categories that you could score the candidate network monitoring tools that you have shortlisted:

1. Network Discovery: Is the ability to automatically identify and map all devices and connections within the network included in the core package without extra charges?
2. Real-Time Monitoring: Does the tool continuously monitor network performance and health to detect issues promptly?
3. Data Interpretation: Graphs, charts, and short tables in the monitoring console really help.
4. Scalability: Does the system have the capacity to handle growing network sizes and increased data traffic without performance degradation?
5. Alerting and Notifications: Advanced alerting systems that notify administrators of potential issues before they escalate are essential
6. Reporting and Analytics: Can the package be used for capacity planning and SLA reporting?
7. Integration Capabilities: Compatibility with existing IT infrastructure and other tools, such as security solutions and cloud services.
8. Protocol Compatibility: Does the traffic analyzer use the flow protocols that your switches and routers are loaded with?
9. Security Features: Are the connections of the package protected by encryption?  This is particularly important for cloud-based network monitors.

Once again, discard those categories that don’t apply to your requirements.

FAQs

What is the best way to monitor your network?

The best way to monitor your network is with an automated monitoring tool. You can get a network device monitor to keep an eye on your network hardware or you can choose a network traffic monitor to identify when traffic volumes are rising too high for your switches to cope. It is also possible to find some packages or cloud platforms that will provide you with both. 

Which one is network monitoring tool?

Network monitoring tools are available in different formats. Not all of them are primarily known as network monitors. For example, a bandwidth analyzer and a protocol analyzer are actually network monitors. A Ping monitor is another network monitoring tool without the word “network” in its name.

How do I monitor a network device?

The best way to monitor a network device is with a tool called a network performance monitor, also known as a network device monitor. This system will automatically document all of the equipment connected to your network. The service will then continuously monitor all of your devices to spot faults and raise an alert when a problem is detected.