Network Monitoring ToolsTop Network monitoring tools deliver valuable network insights to improve performance.

Network monitoring provides the information that network administrators need to determine, in real-time, whether a network is running optimally. Network monitoring is part of network management. It is a critical IT process where all networking components like routers, switches, firewalls, servers, and VMs are monitored for fault. Network monitoring tools offer multiple technologies to monitor all the network layers and different types of devices in the network. With so many different considerations in network management, there is a very wide range of tools that qualify as network management tools or network monitoring software.

Here is our list of the best network monitoring tools:

Nagios XI:  One of the top open-source network monitoring tools. Includes a dashboard view, alerts system, community plugins, and more. The Nagios Core software is open source and free, and Nagios XI is a proprietary interface that uses Nagios Core as the back end. Nagios XI does almost anything that system and network administrators might need from a network monitoring utility.

PRTG Network Monitor: It is a free network monitoring suite that uses SNMP, packet sniffing, and WMI to monitor your network. PRTG Network Monitor is a must-try for enterprises looking for cost-effective but comprehensive network monitoring tools. It is compatible with all network protocols and significant devices, including IoT.

Datadog: Datadog is a platform that provides monitoring and analytics for software developers, operations teams, and business leaders in the cloud era. Datadog sends real-time alerts when anomalies are detected and forecasts results. It is partnered with a Network Device Monitoring service, which focuses on the statuses of each device on the network, such as switches, routers, and appliances.

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is a comprehensive network performance monitoring tool that can monitor the status of devices with SNMP. It can automatically discover network devices connected to the network. It has a robust mobile web interface. SolarWinds offers you several proprietary technologies and alliances with key vendors. It also helps visualize and analyze critical network pathways.

Auvik: Auvik is a cloud-based network monitoring system that includes several system management tools. The service provided by Auvik begins with a network discovery process. It has smartly designed dashboards that present the most relevant insights at a glance.

ManageEngine OpManager: ManageEngine is the IT management software division of the Indian technology company Zoho. ManageEngine OpManager is an all-in-one network monitor that is recommended for users that want a simple infrastructure monitoring tool. It is compatible with physical and virtual servers, network appliances, and storage devices.

WhatsUp Gold: WhatsUp Gold is a powerful, easy-to-use software tool for comprehensive monitoring of applications, networks, and systems. It allows you to troubleshoot problems before they affect the user experience. It is compatible with many infrastructure components, configurations, and cloud environments.

Domotz: Domotz is a cloud-based system that offers network monitoring. It can unify the supervision of multiple networks and also has a multi-tenant configuration for use by managed service providers. Domotz is a plug-and-play solution and among the few to support non-IP gateway-connected devices. This means that customers can benefit from a 10-minute setup process and automated discovery.

Zabbix: Zabbix is a full-scale tool for network and system monitoring that combines several options in one web console. It is one of the top Linux network monitoring tools on the market. Zabbix must be installed and configured manually, component by component, on a Linux system or a virtual machine on a hypervisor.

Icinga: Icinga is an open-source network monitoring tool that monitors the performance of the network, cloud services, and data center. It has acquired a huge fan base amongst monitoring audiences, and it has features that might expect to see only in a costly business solution. The user interface can be accessed in graphic or command mode.