11 Best Network Topology and Mapping Software

In any organization, a computer network diagram plays an important role. This design is generally used to set up a multi-computer internet network, starting with the server and working down to the PC. Network Mapping is the process of developing network maps to support network monitoring and troubleshooting by visualizing network devices, virtual domains, mobile components, and device inter-dependencies.

When selecting a Network Mapping tool, take into account the tool’s installation method, simplicity of use and customization, platform support, tool pricing, and additional capabilities such as monitoring and alerting.

Here is our list of 11 best network mapping tools:

1. SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper – FREE TRIAL A topology program that allows you to create network diagrams. It offers automated device discovery, which removes the need for manual device identification. Get a fully functional 14-day free trial.
2. Faddom – FREE TRIAL A hybrid system discovery and mapping tool that is able to link together dependencies and document all assets both on premise and in the cloud. Runs as a virtual appliance. Start a free trial.
3. ManageEngine Network Mapping with OpManager A network monitor that can manage your network from start to finish. It monitors the network in real-time. It involves topology mapping and automatic network discovery.
4. Lucid Chart A diagramming, data visualization, and collaboration tool with a variety of features and functions. It is a topology-creation tool for generic flowcharts with specific icon libraries for a variety of sectors, including network topology.
5. Intermapper A network diagram and topology tool as well as network monitoring software for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its auto-discovery function allows for the production of detailed network diagrams.
6. Microsoft Visio A high-end chart and map-producing tool that is extensively used throughout enterprises for a variety of tasks. It is one of the most prominent networking diagram tools known in the IT world.
7. Edraw Max The perfect tool for network engineers and designers that need to create detailed network diagrams. It’s a tool for making general maps, plans, and charts that contains certain useful formats for network topology mapping.
8. ConceptDraw Pro A diagramming software that allows you to create business designs and infographics. It contains a map-creating tool with specific templates and icons for network mapping, which is a wonderful tool for network managers.
9. Lanflow A well-balanced network diagram tool that can also be used to draw business diagrams. It’s a specialist network diagramming program.
10. Datadog Network Performance Monitoring Its two network monitoring packages feature live network mapping services. If any devices are added, relocated, or removed from the network, the plan will immediately redraw the network topology map.
11. Network Notepad Another basic network diagram tool that stands out due to its simplicity and interactive visualization capabilities. This is a tool that allows you to scale your diagrams before printing them.

The Best Network Mapping Tools

Our top pick for the finest network diagramming tool for administrators is SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper. Solarwinds Network Topology Mapper is a topology program that allows you to create network diagrams. It offers automated device discovery, which removes the need for manual device identification. When devices are recognized, icons are allocated automatically, and VLANs and subnets are tagged automatically, saving you time.

Key features

Following are the salient features of the SolarWinds network topology mapper:

• For Visio compatibility, maps may be exported to PDF, PNG, Sharepoint, or VDX formats.
• Regardless of network size, this application makes networking planning, mapping, and compliance reporting a breeze.
• For automatic mapping, it uses auto-discover, which is ideal for bigger, more complicated networks.
• ICMP, SNMP, WMI, and CDP are among the protocols used to detect network devices.
• Supports both VMWare and Hyper-V hosting and is designed to function in virtual environments.
• For capacity planning and testing, you may create static maps that contain devices from your network.

Drawbacks

• Would like to see a longer trial period.

For VMWare and Hyper-V implementations, the mapping discovery technique may also plot the network infrastructure that makes up virtualizations and map clients to hosts. SNMP, WMI, ICMP, CDP, and a variety of additional discovery protocols are supported by the tool. If you have a vast network, you may use the filtering options to conceal or show certain groups of devices, IP ranges, and other information.

Pros:

• Uses auto-discover for automated mapping, great for larger more complex networks
• Uses multiple protocols to identify network devices, ICMP, SNMP, WMI, and CDP
• Designed to work in virtual environments and supports both VMWare and Hyper-V hosting
• Can build static maps and include devices from your network for capacity planning and testing

Cons:

• Would like to see a longer trial period

Download: Click here to download and start using this tool.

Faddom is a hybrid asset mapping system that is able to discover applications, services, resources, and infrastructure and map the connections between them. This discovery and documentation service repeats continuously, so new assets and different relationships get updated in the company’s asset records.

Key features

• Repeated asset discover, which catches all system changes
• An IT asset inventory for ITIL processes
• A software inventory for license management and patch management
• Application dependency mapping
• Network topology mapping
• Suitable for development and operations teams
• A custom hypervisor, provided to host the Faddom software

Drawbacks

• Not available as a cloud service

You can use the Faddom tool to discover all network devices and endpoints on your LAN. The system will also map virtual systems, showing the links between virtual servers and virtual machines. The results of the network discovery service is an asset inventory, with each piece of equipment documented, showing make, model, age, and operating system or firmware.

The system then scans each device for software and creates a software inventory, which is a great base for license management. You also get to see the versions of each piece of software that is discovered. That means you will benefit from a Faddom scan for your patch management system.

Pros:

• Simple yet intuitive interface
• Maps networks out through easy-to-read line graphs
• Features automated inventory management
• Can easily visualize network changes over time

Cons:

• Best for small to mediums sized networks

You can start with a free trial.

3. ManageEngine Network Mapping with OpManager

It’s a network monitor that can manage your network from start to finish. It monitors the network in real-time. It involves topology mapping and automatic network discovery. ManageEngine OpManager monitors network and server performance. To identify every network device and endpoint on the system, the OpManager system performs a first system sweep using Ping and the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). OpManager’s scanning service runs indefinitely.

Key features

• ManageEngine can monitor both real and virtual servers.
• Multi-level standards are used to monitor network performance in real-time.
• It discovers devices using both Ping and SNMP, making it more comprehensive than other smaller programs.
• It has dashboards that may be customized.
• Both Linux and Windows versions are supported.
• Latency, jitter, RTT, and other important parameters may be tracked.
• The topology map includes network and server monitoring features.
• Has a feature that allows you to imitate and trace physical connections, which is useful for untidy switches and bigger networks.

Drawbacks

• OpManager is a comprehensive sysadmin suite that can take time to fully explore.

This implies that any updates you make to the network are displayed in the network inventory rapidly. This list of network devices serves as the foundation for the monitoring system, which uses periodic system sweeps to gather status data. It has over 2000 network performance monitors integrated into. The OpManager can keep track of health and vital parameters including packet loss, latency, speed, errors, and discards. It can keep track of every detail about each device, including the manufacturer, model, and operating system.

Pros:

• Designed to work right away, features over 200 customizable widgets to build unique dashboards and reports
• Leverages autodiscover to find, inventory, and map new devices
• Uses intelligent alerting to reduce false positives and eliminate alert fatigue across larger networks
• Supports email, SMS, and webhook for numerous alerting channels
• Integrates well in the ManageEngine ecosystem with their other products

Cons:

• Is a feature-rich tool that will require a time investment to properly learn

4. LucidChart

LucidChart is a diagramming, data visualization, and collaboration tool with a variety of features and functions. It is a topology-creation tool for generic flowcharts with specific icon libraries for a variety of sectors, including network topology. Small and medium-sized networks may be mapped out in minutes thanks to a variety of templates. In addition to Visio, you can import and export maps in a variety of formats. You don’t have to start from scratch if you have old Visio diagrams hanging around or just wish to switch.

Key features

• LucidChart’s ability to import Visio system files directly into the software is one of its most unique features.
• People management, sales, engineering, and operations are all included.
• You can make your network more efficient.
• It makes maps display look great by using a minimal color scheme and interface.
• Collaboration is possible with the team version.
• The software runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Chrome OS.
• You may import data from Excel, Zapier, Salesforce, LinkedIn, and other sources.
• Is accessible on a variety of platforms, including iOS and Android smartphones.

Drawbacks

• For seven days, you may test the premium version for free.
• There is no support for auto-discovery. It is solely a charting program and does not support live devices in any form.
• Despite the high price, we found this network topology software brings a lot to the table.

The app has a lot of functions; however, they aren’t all available and depend on your subscription plan. The basic subscription allows you to create infinite shapes and documents but only allows you to save 100MB of data. Other tiers include increased size, improved visuals and icons, and the opportunity to add team management tools. The premium version comes in three forms: Individual, Team, and Enterprise.

Pros:

• Supports a wide variety of database types
• Is highly visual and scales well even in enterprise environments
• Makes collaboration easy by integrating with tools such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Jira
• Offers four plans, making Lucidchart accessible to any size team

Cons:

• Has many different options that can take time to fully explore

5. Intermapper

Intermapper is a network diagram and topology tool as well as network monitoring software for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its auto-discovery function allows for the production of detailed network diagrams. It can simply map the devices linked to a network after detecting them. It can keep track of any device with an IP address, including servers, endpoints, and wireless devices. It shows you the status of your network in real-time.

Key features

• The tool is a wonderful approach for small to medium-sized networks to map and monitor network health without having to invest in more expensive network monitoring solutions.
• Can find new devices via auto-discovery.
• SLA compliance data is included, which is useful for MSPs and bigger networks.
• It has sophisticated Network Management capabilities, such as managing condition acknowledgments, modifying alert settings, and producing reports.

Drawbacks

• The tool’s free edition only allows you to monitor ten devices. There are very few visual choices available. A 30-day free trial of the premium version of the product is available.

To get you started, the application provides autodiscovery and automated mapping options; alternatively, you may construct your plan from the beginning. In addition to physical network topology, the autodiscovery system may map virtualization. The mapping style is hierarchical, enabling you to see the whole network from the top down while also allowing you to zoom into particular segments of the network by facility, floor, or group. For a more ordered graphic, you can also arrange the internet statuses by color.

Pros:

• Offers a free and paid version
• Is capable of using auto-discovery to find new devices
• Features SLA compliance reporting, good for MSPs and larger networks
• Available on Window, Linux, and Mac, making it a flexible option across multiple operating systems

Cons:

• The interface feels outdated, making it difficult to navigate at times
• Visual options are limited
• Maps are generally not visually appealing, not great if used in a presentation

6. Microsoft Visio

Microsoft Visio is a high-end chart and map-producing tool that is extensively used throughout enterprises for a variety of tasks. It is one of the most prominent networking diagram tools known in the IT world. Microsoft Visio includes ready-made templates and shapes to help you design professional diagrams. With hundreds of network-related design components and tools that may assist map out and explaining server setups and Active Directory architecture, Visio was developed for IT professionals.

Key features

•  More than 250000 shapes are available in Microsoft Visio.
• It’s simple to use and comes as part of the Microsoft Suite.
• Real-time data may be coupled with diagrams to help you acquire insights and make decisions.
• The file format is widely used.

Drawbacks

• The lack of native live network detection and monitoring in Microsoft Visio is a major flaw.
• Windows is the only operating system supported.
• Visio is a bit costly for a major design tool.

Visio will allow you to share and link data quickly and securely. On touch-enabled devices, it allows you to sketch using a pen or your finger. Over 70 templates are available to jump-start a diagram, allowing you to spend less time designing and more time working. It comes with IT icons and network design templates to help you complete your topology mapping duties more quickly.

Pros:

• Easy to use, part of the Microsoft Suite
• Good for network planning and theoretical designs
• Widely used file format
• Supports a wide range of export types

Cons:

• Only available in Windows
• Lacks live network auto-discovery builtin

7. Edraw Max

Edraw Max is the perfect tool for network engineers and designers that need to create detailed network diagrams. It’s a tool for making general maps, plans, and charts that contains certain useful formats for network topology mapping. It has a more modern interface and looks than some of the other tools we’ve looked at so far, and it’s more of business diagram software than a networking diagram tool.

Key features

• Microsoft-style UI to get you up and running quickly.
• Tool for creating network diagrams that is simple to use and come with a lot of examples and templates.
• Rack views, LDAP connections, and permission relationships may all be mapped out in great detail.
• Views in 2D and 3D are supported.
• Simple drag-and-drop functionality.
• Compatibility with a wide range of files.
• There are versions for Windows, macOS, Linux, and the web.

Drawbacks

• Perfect software for designing and mapping lacks a live network component hence devices on a network cannot be monitored.

When creating a network map, EDraw provides users with a large number of vector-based graphics to pick from. Because it’s a vector tool, users may scale pictures indefinitely without losing detail. The editor contains network and IT equipment libraries in a variety of styles, including Basic, Detailed, and 3D. Due to the reasonable cost and functionality, this network diagram software is one of the most popular alternatives.

Pros:

• Extremely detailed, can map out rack views, LDAP connections, and permission relationships
• Supports 2D and 3D views
• Available for Windows, Linux, and Mac

Cons:

• Dated and cluttered interface can feel overwhelming
• Lacks a live network component
• Cannot monitor devices on a network
• Lacks integrations found in similar tools

8. ConceptDraw Pro

ConceptDraw is diagramming software that allows you to create business designs and infographics. It contains a map-creating tool with specific templates and icons for network mapping, which is a wonderful tool for network managers. While the interface resembles a combination between Microsoft Word and MS Paint, its flexibility, which includes business diagramming as well as network sketching, cannot be overlooked.

Key features

• The Visio file format is supported.
• It comes with a comprehensive collection of drawing tools.
• It offers a variety of add-on options.
• It works nicely with other programs like Office and Google, giving it a versatile solution for people that utilize other programs.
• It has Live Objects Technology and a designer for building plans.
• Windows and Mac are both supported.

Drawbacks

• There is no auto-discovery feature.
• The graphics and user interface appear to be out of date.

Pros:

• Lightweight tool that uses very little system resources
• Supports Visio file format
• Integrates well with other tools like Office and Google, making it a flexible option for users who use those tools
• Supported on Windows and Mac

Cons:

• No autodiscover functionality
• Does not support live devices in any way, is strictly a charting software
• Graphics and interface feel outdated

9. Lanflow

LanFlow is a well-balanced network diagram tool that can also be used to draw business diagrams. It’s a specialist network diagramming program. It can also be used for other types of computer diagramming. Pacestar Software creates LanFlow Net Diagrammer. To enable you to design your network topology maps, the package includes libraries of 2D and 3D icons. LanFlow’s editing interface is based on drag-and-drop, which makes linking icons and snapping lines to them an easy task.

Key features

• Simple GUI for non-technical users.
• It has a variety of flow symbols to pick from, as well as simple snap-in alignments to get diagrams written up fast
• Supports both 2D and 3D modeling, which is useful for presentations.
• It’s incredibly customizable because you can create your icons.

Drawbacks

• Since this map is so basic, sophisticated functionality such as automatically detecting and propagating IP addresses, subnets, and other network data is not available.
• The general user interface is somewhat outdated.
  

Pros:

• Uses a simple, but effective interface that is easy to use even for non-technical users
• Supports 2D and 3D modeling, good for presentations
• Can build your own icons, making it highly customizable

Cons:

• Only available for Windows
• Does not support auto-discovery
• Does not support live device management

10. Datadog Network Performance Monitoring

The Datadog Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) system employs a one-of-a-kind tag-based methodology. While many people may be familiar with this program because of its monitoring features, we think its network mapping and diagram skills are among the finest on the market.

Key features

• It depicts network traffic flow between hosts, containers, availability zones, and even more abstract entities such as services, teams, or any other labeled category.
• Live network mapping is used to bring in new devices and immediately reflect network changes.
• It integrates troubleshooting into one platform by correlating network traffic data with appropriate application traces, host metrics, and logs.

Drawbacks

• Would like to see a longer 30-day trial.

Its two network monitoring packages feature live network mapping services. If any devices are added, relocated, or removed from the network, the plan will immediately redraw the network topology map. It’s based on the device inventory, and it generates a series of topological maps on its own.

Pros:

• Has one of the best interfaces for network mapping
• Uses live network mapping to pull in new devices, and reflects changes in the network right away
• Features data flow analysis to help administrators understand dependencies as well as performance metrics between devices
• Subscription model makes DataDog accessible to any size business

Cons:

• Would like to see a longer 30-day trial period

11. Network Notepad

Network Notepad is another basic network diagram tool that stands out due to its simplicity and interactive visualization capabilities. This is a tool that allows you to scale your diagrams before printing them. If the form you want is not available, you can create your own. The CDP (Cisco Discovery Protocol) Neighbor Tool is one of the add-ins that network notepad supports. The editing page provides all of the symbols you’ll need to show your network accurately, and the map is produced using drag-and-drop.

Key features

• Microsoft Windows 9x, NT, 2K, XP, and Vista are all supported by the free version.
• You may construct custom vector shapes that share the same flexibility and support two versions, one for network mapping and the other for basic charting.
• Supports detailed networking information such as VLANs, subnets, and address pools.

Drawbacks

• Only Windows is supported.
• To discover devices, just ping is used.
• The user interface may appear to be old compared to similar tools.

Pros:

• Supports two versions, one for network mapping and another for simple charting
• Barebones interface makes this a lightweight and clutter-free tool
• Supports in-depth networking details like VLANs, subnets, and address pool

Cons:

• Only available for Windows
• Only uses ping to discover devices

Summing it up!

Network diagrams can be complicated, but picking great mapping software can make life a lot easier. SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper and ManageEngine Network Mapping with OpManager are ideal for small, medium, and large networks.

Their simple interface and comprehensive network mapping save time when manually creating diagrams and allow you to construct your network diagrams while monitoring and reflecting your network in real-time.