Having a network layout is quite helpful for planning and administration procedures. We demonstrate the top network mapping tools designed with network managers in mind.
The fundamental duty you must complete while managing and monitoring your network is network mapping.
The ability to map your network is crucial for monitoring its performance, identifying bottlenecks or other network difficulties, and troubleshooting issues. With a large or complicated network, however, going about this process manually can easily become daunting.
What is Network Mapping?
In order to aid in network monitoring and troubleshooting, network mapping involves developing maps of network devices, virtual domains, mobile components, and device interdependencies.
A network mapping tool uses automatic component and topology discovery to build a visual representation of the network architecture and the relationships between its many components.
The main criteria businesses should consider when choosing a network mapping tool are covered in this article.
Best Network Mapping Software Tools
- Auvik
- Datadog Live Network Mapping
- OpManager Network Mapping
- Paessler PRTG
- Faddom
- SolarWinds
Auvik
A remote agent is used by the SaaS platform Auvik to implement network monitoring and asset management operations. This package’s network discovery system, which also generates a network asset inventory and a network map, serves as the main detection service.
The automated network discovery, mapping, and inventory platform is called Auvik. It’s one of the best Network Mapping Software. With the aid of the traffic analysis capabilities in this cloud-based network management solution, you can identify anomalies more quickly.
The features which make it a great Network Mapping software are 2FA, permission configurations, audit logs, and other privacy and security measures. Auvik APIs have functionalities for creating powerful workflows.
Features:
- Through automated network detection, inventory, and documentation, Auvik offers real-time insights into a network picture.
- Real-time network problem response is made easier with the aid of Syslog.
- It provides features for automatically backing up and recovering configurations.
Pricing:
Auvik is available in two editions: Essentials and Performance.
The Performance plan has more features and so is more expensive. However, Auvik doesn’t publish its price list, so you have to contact the company and request a quote.
Datadog Live Network Mapping
In its two network monitoring packages, Datadog offers live network mapping services. These programs include the Network Device Monitor, which continuously monitors switches, routers, and other network appliances, and the Network Performance Monitor, which offers network data flow analysis.
These two services are both provided using a cloud platform making it one of the best Network Mapping.
An automatic device-finding method is one of the Network Performance Monitor’s core features. Not just when you first sign up for the service, this occurs continuously.
Any changes to your network will be immediately detected by IT, which will also update its network inventory. Based on the inventory, the service also creates a number of network visualizations.
Features:
- Draws in new devices using live network mapping and immediately updates to reflect network changes.
- enables data flow analysis to assist administrators in understanding device dependencies and performance indicators.
- Any size business can use DataDog thanks to the subscription model.
Pricing:
The cost per host each month begins at $5. Depending on the solution, such as network monitoring, security monitoring, log management, etc., Datadog’s pricing may vary. The platform has a free trial period.
Read Also: Best OutSystems Alternatives
OpManager Network Mapping
When talking about network mapping software the next reliable Network mapper is OpManager. You may configure network maps with the automatic network mapping solution offered by OpManager quickly and easily.
OpManager categorizes network devices and assigns them to a core router in order to produce an accurate picture of your IT infrastructure. With the help of this application, you can make intricate topological maps, 3-D visualizations of server racks, and much more.
OpManager’s network maps show the most recent state of your network and make interpretation simple by using color-coded icons. This application enables you to properly prioritize network issues so you can rapidly begin remediation by assisting you in understanding the link between parent and dependent devices.
Features:
- By categorizing devices and assigning them to the core router, it automatically creates a whole map of the IT infrastructure.
- In accordance with the desired layout type, it supports all device types and manufacturers.
- It assists in spatially organizing an enterprise network and maintains the inventory with current network data.
Pricing:
It is free for up to three devices and is custom-priced after that.
Read Also: Best Windows Server Monitoring Tools
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor
Your infrastructure’s systems, devices, traffic, and applications may all be monitored with Paessler PRTG Network Monitor. There won’t be a need for plugins since it offers all the capabilities. It assists you in monitoring the entire local network making it the best Network mapping software.
The features of this program go far beyond network topology mapping, making it incredibly adaptable. Because of this, businesses looking to combine network mapping tools with other monitoring solutions, such as server performance monitoring, virtual environment monitoring, or LAN monitoring, should use PRTG Network Monitor.
Features:
- Your devices’ and applications’ bandwidth utilization is disclosed by PRTG Network Monitor.
- You can track particular databases’ data sets.
- It can keep track of any kind of server’s accessibility, capacity, and overall dependability in real time.
Pricing:
Paessler offers a free trial of an unlimited version for 30 days. A free version is also available.
PRTG offers six pricing plans –
- PRTG 500 (Starts from $1600)
- PRTG 1000 (Starts from $2850)
- PRTG 2500 (Starts from $5950)
- PRTG 5000 (Starts from $10500)
- PRTG XL1 (Starts from $14500)
- PRTG XL5 (Starts from $60000).
Faddom
Faddom is a system description and monitoring tool that can recognize internet resources and microservices-based applications. Network maps and inventories of IT assets are provided by the service.
An asset inventory that contains information about each device found during the discovery phase is created. A topology mapper in the package uses this inventory as a reference foundation.
Every node on the map can be clicked to see the device details page making it the best Network mapping software in the list.
Since the discovery process automatically repeats, it can detect network changes. The inventory automatically updates the network topology map in response to those changes.
The map can also be used to continuously monitor the system. The service offers real-time updates on network traffic flows and device health.
Features:
- A network detection and mapping service
- A system that iteratively updates topology maps and asserts inventories
- Keeping track of software for patch and license management.
Pricing:
- Faddom is available for a 30-day free trial.
- There are two editions with scalable pricing according to the number of nodes that you want to monitor.
- For 100 nodes, the Basic edition costs $150 per month and the Standard edition costs $600 per month.
SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper
You can use the Network Mapping software to plot your network with the help of Network Topology Mapper (NTM). The program supports a number of discovery techniques, including ICMP, WMI, SNMP versions 1 through 3, and more. It is able to automatically identify changes in network topology.
With the help of industry-specific iconography and graphics, this program automatically creates network maps from individual scans. It also generates reports for VLANs, subnet scanning, switch ports, and other topics.
Through the Wizard, you can also exclude specific IP ranges and Subnets as necessary. You can now group components based on roles, vendors, machine types, locations, subnets, VLANs, or unknown nodes.
For more extensive views, additional functionality—such as the ability to examine only particular Layers—is an added plus.
Features:
- Instance Topology A single scan by the mapper can produce multiple maps.
- Device finding and mapping will be automated.
- It offers the capability of multi-level network discovery.
- You can schedule updated map exports to Orion Network Atlas using the tool.
Pricing:
FREE Trial for 14 Days and $1495 thereafter. Get a Quote on Professional Version.
Read Also: Best SolarWinds Alternative and Competitors
Conclusion
As you can see from our list, you have access to a variety of Network mapping tools. Whether you are building a new network from scratch or modifying an existing one will determine the appropriate tool for your project.
Overall, SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper is the most adaptable and dependable of these solutions.
You may access all the features required to assist and streamline your network monitoring and management activities with the help of this application, which provides a specialized and thorough approach to network mapping. A 14-day free trial of SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper is offered if you’d like to give it a try.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I map my network?
Windows File Explorer may access a network disk that has been mapped without having to search for it or type in its network address each time. Use the taskbar, Start menu, or Windows logo key + E to launch File Explorer. Choosing This PC in the left pane. Select Map network drive under the Computer tab after that.
Is SolarWinds a network mapping tool?
In addition to providing a variety of tools for automatic network mapping, SolarWinds NPM gives administrators the ability to monitor network performance with sophisticated alerts and cross-stack data correlation from SolarWinds PerfStack.
How does network mapping work?
Your network’s connections to each connected device are represented graphically through network mapping. A tool that creates or shows network maps is a common feature of network performance monitors (NPMs). These maps offer simple-to-read images that display the functionality of the network’s devices.
What is network topology mapping?
The process of charting a communication network’s topology and expressing all of its nodes and linkages is known as network topology mapping. Using software for network topology is simple to accomplish.
