Network Monitoring Software – Network Monitor Guide | SolarWinds

How network monitoring tools work

While network monitoring tools often have many features, they rely on a number of core functions to get the job done. Network monitoring tools work by connecting to various network elements, analyzing packet traffic, capturing relevant device metrics, and presenting this information in a useful format.

Network monitoring tools connect to various network components. Network monitoring tools can connect to the devices you’d like to manage as nodes within the program in a number of ways. One common way is through the SNMP protocol, a standard for collecting data on IP networks typically supported on modems, routers, servers, printers, workstations, switches, and more. It uses the management information base (MIB) to query variables and change them if needed.

Another option is ICMP, an error-reporting protocol that generates error messages regarding packet delivery—useful information when troubleshooting latency issues and more.

Additionally, monitoring tools may use WMI, a Microsoft-specific method of providing users with information about local or remote computer system status. WMI can allow monitoring tools to implement system setting changes. 

Network monitoring tools track traffic. Understanding network traffic often comes down to monitoring packet activity. Investigating network traffic anomalies at this level is a standard way to get to the root cause of performance issues.

By packet tracking, or packet sniffing, you can analyze packet activity using a SPAN/mirror port along with a dedicated software sensor on the server. By analyzing the header and payload, the monitor can identify and classify traffic as well as offer you the insights you need to effectively troubleshoot.

Packet information can also enable you to understand how much data is currently crossing your network, especially when compared to historical baselines. Abnormal usage can mean a security threat. You can also track traffic for applications being used on your network to understand what applications may be causing slowdowns, or whether employees are using too many traffic-heavy apps. It’s also possible to see whether the packet source and destination are causing traffic issues.

Network monitoring tools display information using visual maps. While network monitor dashboards should provide data in different ways—including charts, graphs, alerts, and reports—visual network maps are especially useful when monitoring network performance, as they’re built to provide useful, at-a-glance overviews of the relationships and current statuses of network components.

You can create a map of managed nodes by manually placing the nodes onto the background image of your choice. This background image could be anything from a regional map to an office floorplan. You can also define the relationships and connections between these nodes. Once activated, the map should automatically update to display the current status of these elements, enabling you to quickly see where a problem may be occurring. 

It’s also possible to create wireless heatmaps to see where blockages or missing equipment is creating a dead zone. Creating wireless heatmaps involve polling wireless access points and wireless-connected devices to create a highly accurate sense of how signal strength is distributed in an indoor or outdoor space. When employees come to you complaining about the Wi-Fi, simply pull up the color-coded map for more insight into the situation.