introduction

Introduction [Contents]
The following Network Monitoring Tools grew out of a list that were reported to be in use at 11 ESnet sites in a survey made by the ESnet Network Monitoring Task Force (NMTF) and completed in October 1995. For some snapshots of earlier web pages see the Internet Archive Wayback site. Where possible I have provided hypertext links to further sources of information on the tool. These links vary in quality ranging from a pointer to the vendors home page, to the man pages entry, and to how to download the code. We welcome corrections such as identifying broken links.

Suggesting Additions/Corrections etc.
This is a volunteer, unfunded effort. This helps assure its independence. Increasingly new additions are from reader suggestions/recommendations. If you have a suggestion for adding something: please make sure that you indicate where the tool fits in the hierarchy, provide a URL to get more information on the tool, and provide a short one sentence description of the tool's purpose with no marketing hyperbole. Also if you notice out of date or incorrect links please report.

Network Monitoring Platforms (NMPs) [Contents]

* Aggregate Network Manager is an enterprise-grade network/application/performance monitoring platform. It tightly integrates with other smart building management systems, such as physical access control, HVAC, lighting, and time/attendance control.
* Airwave Management PlatformT (AMP) wireless network management software provides centralized control for Wi-Fi networks. Features include: access point configuration management, reporting, user tracking, help desk views, and rogue AP discovery.
* akk@da is a simple network monitoring system designed for small and middle size computer networks. Its purpose is to quick detect system or network fault and to display information about detected problems for administrators. akk@da is designed as a pro-active network monitor. It does not wait for information from any agents, systems, etc. It collects information every single minute (you can decrease this period to 1 second). Almost all services of the monitored hosts are discovered automatically.
* Andrisoft WANGuard Platform provides solutions for WAN links monitoring, DDoS detection and mitigation, traffic accounting and graphing.
* Axence nVision monitors network infrastructure: Windows, TCP/IP services, web and mail servers, URLs, applications (MS Exchange, SQL etc.). It also monitors routers and switches: network traffic, interface status, connected computers. nVision collects network inventory and audit license usage - it can alert in case of a program installation or any configuration change on a remote node. With the agent you can monitor user activity and access computers remotely.
* Castle Rock
* CITTIO Watchtower WatchTower is an automated network and systems monitoring platform. It automatically discovers, configures, thresholds, and monitors IP-enabled devices from servers and switches to security cameras and HVAC.
* CommandCenter NOC from Raritan provides polling, Windows and UNIX/Linux server management, intrusion detection, vulnerability scanning, and traffic analysis in an integrated appliance.
* Cymphonix Network Composer monitors Internet traffic by user, application, and threat. Includes controls to shape access to Internet resources by user, group, and/or time of day. Also featuring anonymous proxy blocking, policy management, and real time monitoring.
* David system allows you to manage your resources and services through both Intranet and Internet. provide auto-discovering and network topology building features to help keep an intuitive view of your IT infrastructure. Resources, real-time monitoring and accessibility of historical data enable reaction to failures. Configured interfaces for monitored devices allow you to focus on the most important aspects of their work.
* dopplerVUe provides network discovery, mapping and rules system enables monitoring of Ping, SNMP, syslog, and WMI performance metrics. Can be used to monitor IPv6 devices. Monitors services such as DNS, http and email.
* eBox is an open source distribution and development framework, based on Ubuntu Linux, intended to manage services in a computer network.
* EM7 from Sciencelogic is an NMS integrated with trouble-ticketing, event management, reporting, IP management, DNS and monitoring.
* Fidelia also has the Helix entry level tool for small enterprises.
* FreeNATS, is an open-source network monitoring, alerting and reporting system available as PHP source and as a virtual appliance.
* GEM Network Monitoring a network monitoring tool that provide SLA reports, dashboards, also monitors anything within a IT network, performance graphs, notifications prior to device failures.
* Hounddog provides easy & affordable tools for IT Companies/MSP.s to monitor, manage and support their customers networks, servers and workstations.
* Intellipool Network Monitor is a solution for monitoring, notification, and reporting. It includes agentless monitoring of Windows, Unix, Linux, and BSD operating system. It also includes distributed testing, a unique feature that makes it possible to monitor servers, routers and other network connected equipment that are behind a firewall or only accessible trough a VPN.
* InterMapper Networking monitoring and alerting software for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Solaris.
* IP Host Network Monitor is a network and server monitoring tool that lets you monitor availability and performance of mail servers, internet hosts, database servers, and other network resources. Performance counters on Windows computers can be monitored using WMI. Other supported protocols are HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, POP3, IMAP, ODBC, PING...
* ipMonitor is a network monitoring solution that allows network administrators, webmasters, and Internet service providers to monitor any networked device on the Internet, corporate intranet, or TCP/IP LAN and receive alerts immediately via audible alarm, message, e-mail, or third-party software when a connection fails. It is a powerful personal monitoring product delivering low cost, simplicity of operation, and round-the-clock coverage.
* Just For Fun Network Monitoring System (JFFNMS) is FREE and designed to maintain a IP SNMP / Syslog / Tacacs+ Network. It can be used to monitor any standards compilant SNMP device, Server, TCP port or Custom Poller, also it has some Cisco oriented features.
* Klogie a commercial remote network monitoring system that designed for ease of use.
* LANsurveyor network and desktop management software providing automatic network maps, asset management reports, network monitor and remote administration and distribution.
* is a server/client based monitoring system. On every monitored node, a monitoring agent launches and communicates using a push/pull protocol with sensors which are responsible for retrieving monitoring information. The extracted samples are stored on a local cache and forwarded to a central Measurement Repository using UDP or TCP transport protocol with or without authentication/encryption of data samples. Sensors can collect information on behalf of remote entities like switches or power supplies. The Measurement Repository can interface to a relational database or a flat-file backend for storing the received samples. Web based interface is provided for visualizing the data.
* LITHIUM LITHIUM|Core is an integrated device and service monitoring platform with a tightly coupled incident tracking and case management system and incorporates a web-based interface as well as Windows XP/Vista and Mac OS X monitoring consoles.
* Little:eye, for management of IT infrastructure of enterprise provides management of fault, performance, inventory and configuration.
* LogisoftAR provides is an NMP running under Windows providing device discovery, mapping, fault (using SNMP traps and syslog) and performance management. Reporting is provided in HTML pages.
* MetaNAV Network Administration Visualized is a software suite to monitor large computer networks. It automatically discovers network topology, monitors network load and outages, and can send alerts on network events by e-mail and SMS, allowing for flexible configuration of alert profiles.
* MoniTiL continuously monitors applications, services, networks and events using WMI, snmp, web, tcp and ping.
* Monitoring Genie is a large scale data collection and monitoring platform built for telcos and large service providedrs, able to monitor multiple parameters in 100Ks of nodes in very shory cycles of about a minute using multiple protocols (icmp,snmp,sql,http,telnet,ssh,wmi,registry,open ports...). It can perform actions based on monitoring status changes using conditions and correlation rules. The platform comes with a builtin reporting system and pre made reports, and can extended to monitor any parameter in the supported protocols. The platform can work as a stand alone product or connect to existing management platforms (hpov, tivoli & micromuse, unictenter, etc).
* MTD Sentry brings information from SNMP and non-SNMP devices alike together into an enterprise monitoring system with extensions for video based devices.
* Monolith creates customized event management, netflow and performance solutions with a browser-based interface, a single, organic code-set and a dashboarding engine.
* Netcool suite offers five product families that support domain-specific IT management, end-to-end consolidated operations and business service management.
* OPNET nCompass visualizes network performance metrics in real-time, consolidating topology, traffic & events in a unified view. It automates response to network events and contextually launches 3rd party tools for assisted troubleshooting.
* NetGong is a network monitoring solution allowing network administrators, webmasters, and Internet service providers to monitor any networked device on the Internet, corporate intranet, or TCP/IP LAN and receive alerts via audible alarm, message, e-mail, or third-party software when a connection fails.
* NetInfo is a collection of 15 network tools on a single, interface. NetInfo allows businesses to combat network downtime by allowing network administrators, webmasters, and Internet service providers to isolate faults, process diagnostic data and increase internal network security.
* NetMapper creates automated up-to-date Microsoft Visio® network diagrams, combining multiple physical (Layer 2/3) and logical views of the network with detailed device configurations and topology overlays like BGP, OSPF, VLANs & VPNs
* NetMRI from Netcordia automates much of Network Change & Configuration Management (NCCM)by collecting and analyzing network configuration, snmp, and syslong/event data, and providing daily actionable issues.
* NetPrefect is an enterprise class management and monitoring solution designed primarily for managed service providers that uses a variety of mechanisms to communicate with managed entities including but not limited to snmp, wmi, rs232 and icmp in order to collect statistical and state information (e.g. cpu usage, device/service availability etc) as well as executing management functions on the device.
* NetQoS Performance Center Monitors and provides insight into: end-to-end performance, traffic analysis, VoIP quality, and device performance.
* N-vision provides availability, performance, security and service management to multiple customers from one central Web console.
* NetCrunch from AdRem, provides visualization of physical network topology; flexible performance monitoring, trending and reporting; event filtering and escalation; SNMP management; web access.
* NetMechanica provides low-cost network masnagement services.
* Netview
* NimBUS for Network Monitoring solution verifies network connectivity to devices (routers, switches, servers, etc.) and application services (FTP, SMTP, HTTP, etc.) revealing accessibility and network latency. The solution auto-discovers network interfaces, monitors interface traffic and calculates bandwidth utilization. Uses SNMP and if not available then syslog can be used.
* op5 Monitor provides active monitoring of the IT infrastructure - hardware, traffic & services. This includes connected components from servers, routers and printers services such as mail services, web servers and virus programmes. It is based on Nagios.
* OpenNMS
* OpenView
* Opsview is enterprise network and application monitoring software designed for scalability, flexibility and ease of use. Opsview has been in development since 2003 (originally based on Nagios) and is released under the GNU GPL license.
* Opsview is enterprise network and application monitoring software designed for scalability, flexibility and ease of use. Opsview has been in development since 2003 (originally based on Nagios) and is released under the GNU GPL license.
* Orion SolarWinds Orion Network Performance Monitor enables you to detect, diagnose, and resolve network outages and performance issues. It offers network-centric views that are designed to deliver the critical information you need.
* Pandetix MSOware is a web based service for monitoring, managing, reporting and notification of events for IP enabled devices. MSOware monitors your host with the selected tool. There is a free trial version.
* Pandora the Free Monitoring System is a Free Software set of programs, set under the GPL license, that monitors and detects network systems using remote tests (ICMP, TCP Sweep, Network scan, SNMP monitoring...), or using local agents to grab application/system datga (has agents for Linux, AIX, HP-UX, Solaris and Windows XP,2000/2003). Pandora FMS is able to fire alarms, draw graphs and keep event history for each element using a SQL backend
* Q3ADE
* Redcell from Dorado Software includes: Discovery, Resynchronization, Topology, Database Services, Data Archiving, Scheduling, Auditing and Logging, Group Operations, CMDB and Event Monitoring. Automated Remediation and Configuration lets administrators find, configure and monitor applications and services, plus converging technologies.networking, security, systems, and storage.from a single console.
* SecureMyCompany provides hosted, On Demand network and systems management software for a low monthly fee. Solutions include SNMP, WMI, Event Log and many more monitoring features.
* ServersCheck is a web based monitoring tool for monitoring networks and servers (e.g. temperatures etc.)
* Smarts from EMC is an automated root cause tool with topology views of the network infrastructure, applications and the business layer. -->
* Spectrum (ex Cabletron, then Aprisma then Concord Communications then CA). Network Tool specialized in Fault Management and Root Cause Analysis engine. Helps optimize MTTR and MTBF.The tool is modular in that it can also monitor/manage QOS,MPLS/VPN,Multicast Network, Device Configurations.
* StableNet PME Carrier-Grade performance management tool, built upon open standards. Supports active (Ping, SAA) and passive (SNMP, RMON, NetFlow, SFlow) measurements. Integrated topology/inventory, SLA/SLM, reporting.
* Sun Solstice
* SwitchMonitor from NetLatency is a network performance monitoring system that runs on Windows and is designed to monitor network devices for utilization and errors using SNMP.
* SysOrb monitors both network equipment and servers/applications and is accessed via a web interface. Monitoring is done with Agents and IP and SNMP polling. SysOrb comes with an embedded database for stats, alert notification module, report generator etc.
* SysUpTime is a free distributed network/systems management product. It provides users out-of-box capabilities to efficiently and proactively manage networks of any size.
* Tembria Tembria Server Monitor is an affordable server monitoring platform with deep support for Windows server monitoring plus support for Linux and SNMP devices too.
* The Dude is a free network monitor will automatically scan all devices within specified subnets, draw and layout a map of your networks, monitor services of your devices and alert you in case some service has problems.
* VitalNet from Lucent provides on-demand access to data to track, analyze, manage and predict problems, improve capacity utilization and meet service quality commitments. It provides Web-based graphical visibility into wireless or wireline multi-vendor network for DSL, VPN, IP Centrex, streaming video, GigE and diverse 3G wireless services.
* WhatsUp Gold discovers and maps your network, uses SNMP v1-3, WMI and custom scripts to monitor resources and applications on your devices, notifies you via email, SMS, pager, etc., when problems occur, and provides historical and real-time reporting through a Windows console interface, full Web interface, and mobile interface. WhatsUp Gold is available for single networks and as a distributed solution for managing large, geographically dispersed networks
* ZettaView is a 24/7 monitoring, trend analysis, reporting, and alarm management system for LAN, WAN, and ATM that stores information at a 10 second granularity on local probes.
* Zoho Corp ManageEngine OpManager
* Zyrion Traverse a network, application & server monitoring platform with open API, correlated views of IT "services" and integration with flow analysis tools.


Monitoring Tools Integrated with NMP [Contents]

* Cabletron Remote LAN Manager
* Ciscoworks
* Optimal Networks.
* Solarwinds has several tools including: Application Performance Monitor, NetFlow Traffic Analyzer, VoIP Monitor, Wireless Network Monitor.

Commercial Monitoring Tools, not integrated with an NMP [Contents]
Analyzer/Sniffer | Application/Services/Systems monitoring | Emulators | Flow Monitoring | FTP | IT Search | Network Security tools | SNMP Tools | Topology/Traceroute | VOIP

* ActivXperts Network Monitor monitors servers and workstations in your LAN and WAN. The software monitors Windows, UNIX, LINUX and Novell servers for availability.
* AlertCenter provides monitoring, alerting and corrective action automation scheduling. It is part of the MKS Toolkit.
* AlertSite measures, diagnoses, notifies and reports on the availability and performance of servers, URLs, web applications and virtually any Internet connected device or application.
* Analyzer/Sniffers, see also public domain capture tools.
o ACE Analyst from OPnet is a transactional analysis solution, based on network packet captures.
o Anritsu provide the MD1230 portable network and IP network performance monitor.
o Anasil Analyzer is a software network analyzer of Ethernet networks for Windows 95/98/NT/2000. Anue Systems, makes a Net Tool Optimizer that is used to connect multiple monitoring tools to a network link, or one tool to multiple links. This is a hardware device. It is similar to Gigamon.
o APCON, manufactures a physical layer matrix switch to remotely move and share network monitoring tools using a software interface or scripting.
o ClearSight provide a Monitoring/Analysis/Network Recording/Sniffer (up through 10Gbits/s), Packet generator. ClearSight's solutions are graphically oriented.
o Capsa performs real-time packet capturing, 24/7 network monitoring, protocol analysis, in-depth packet decoding, and automatic expert diagnosis.
o CommView is a program for monitoring Internet and Local Area Network (LAN) activity capable of capturing and analyzing network packets. It gathers information about data passing through your dial-up connection or Ethernet card and decodes the analyzed data.
o Distinct Network Monitor is a software packet capture and network protocol analyzer for Windows that translates complex protocol negotiation into natural language, pinpointing where errors occurred.
o Easy Service Monitor (ESM) will monitor network services to see if they can work properly with a predefined time interval. It runs on Windows.
o EffeDetect an HTTP packet sniffer, protocol analyzer and file reassembly software based on windows platform. Unlike most other sniffers, it is dedicated to capture IP packets containing HTTP protocol, rebuild the HTTP sessions, and reassemble files sent through HTTP protocol. Its smart real-time analyzer enables on-the-fly content viewing while capture, analyze, parse and decode HTTP protocol.
o EtherDetect provides a connection-oriented view for analyzing packets.
o Etherpeek for Windows is an Ethernet network traffic and protocol analyzer designed to assist in troubleshooting and debugging mixed-platform, multi-protocol networks.
o Finisar provide sniffer like stand alone network test and monitoring devices for 10/100/1G and iSCSI, Infiniband and Fiber Channel.
o GigaMon Provide a hardware switch to enable connecting a sniffer to multiple links.
o Javvin Packet Analyzer software-based network analyzer monitors Ethernet and WLAN traffic in real time, and decode packets and displays in.
o LANExplorer provides packet capture, decode, filtering, matrix, host table, statistics, theresholding and alarms for Windows hosts.
o LANSurveyor SolarWinds automatically discovers your LAN or WAN and produces comprehensive, easy-to-view network diagrams that integrate OSI Layer 2 and Layer 3 topology data including switch-to-switch, switch-to-node, and switch-to-router port connections.
o LANWarch Windows software-based network packet analyzer monitors traffic in real time and displays a wide range of statistics in graphical form.
o LinkFerret tools are designed to provide a comprehensive set of monitoring utilities and packet sniffers to be used for capture, statistical analysis, and protocol decoding in your Ethernet network. It runs on Windows 98/NT4/2000/XP.
o Netquest OptiCop Converger: Optimizes Network traffic for better utilization of network monitoring tools through the use of link aggregation, packet filtering and interface/protocol translations capabilities.
o Network Probe is a Windows or Unix network monitor and protocol analyzer providing a picture of the traffic situation on your network and enables you to monitor network traffic in real time, hunt down, identify, and isolate traffic problems and congestions on your network.
o NetworkActive PIAFCTM (Packet Intercepting, Analyzing, File Constructing Traffic Monitor) network traffic analyzer; packet/protocol analyzer, HTTP file rebuilder, graphical traffic mode (graphical overview of current network communications), and traffic statistics mode. There is also a free for personal and commercial use version that provides a network traffic analyzer plus a packet/protocol analyzer and HTTP file rebuilder.
o NetScope Graphical network visualisation tool with per-second resolution, real-time and historical data.
o Observer from Network Instruments is a network analyser (Packet sniffer) for 10/100/1000 100/1000 Full Duplex and Multi truncked Ethernet links, wireless a,b an d g, token ring and FDDI.
o PacketBoy is a Win9x/NT & Unix packet sniffer analyzer decoder package capable of decoding many of the commonly used LAN protocols.
o PRTG Traffic Grapher Windows software to monitor bandwidth usage and other network parameters via SNMP. Has a builit in packet sniffer. Freeware also available.
o Sniffer resource for product information on both portable and distributed Sniffer protocol analyzers, network troubleshooting white papers, Sniffer University training courses, and free protocol stack posters.
o Sniff'em is a Windows based Packet sniffer, Network analyzer and Network sniffer.
o Ultra Network Sniffer for Windows lists network packets in real-time from multiple network cards and also supports packet capture.
o Unsniff Network Analyzer. Scriptable and extensible network analyzer with fresh new views of protocols URL.
o VSS Monitoring provides a range of distributed traffic capture systems and taps from 10/100 to 10 GigE for complete, selectable and centralized visibility of networks, improving network analyzer reach and efficiency.
o WildPackets Omni fault analysis platform for optimizing network services and improving uptime on enterprise networks.