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Network diagrams are difficult to create, manage and keep up to date. Visually presenting large number of devices and interfaces across different locations can be exhausting and time-intensive. With the right software you can automate network discovery, visualize network topology, capture asset inventory, and even receive basic monitoring. This is a list of the 5 best network device mappers.
A Network Device Mapper (NDM) is a software tool or module designed to discover, identify, and map network devices within a network infrastructure automatically. NDMs are commonly used in network management systems to provide administrators with comprehensive views of their network topology.
Using Network Device Mappers offers several benefits for network administrators and organizations. These include:
1. Visibility: Network Device Mappers provide a comprehensive view of the network topology, including all connected devices and their interconnections. This visibility helps administrators understand how devices are connected and how data flows within the network.
2. Efficient Troubleshooting: When network issues arise, having a clear map of the network topology helps administrators quickly identify potential points of failure and troubleshoot problems more efficiently. With Network Device Mappers, administrators can trace connections, isolate issues, and implement solutions faster.
3. Security: Understanding the network topology is crucial for maintaining network security. Network Device Mappers help identify unauthorized devices connected to the network, detect potential security vulnerabilities, and enforce security policies effectively.
4. Capacity Planning: By analyzing the network topology and traffic patterns, administrators can anticipate future capacity requirements and plan network upgrades or expansions accordingly. Network Device Mappers provide valuable insights into network usage, helping organizations optimize their infrastructure and allocate resources more effectively.
5. Inventory Management: Network Device Mappers maintain an inventory of all network devices, including details such as device type, IP addresses, MAC addresses, firmware versions, and hardware specifications. This information facilitates asset tracking, inventory management, and lifecycle management of network devices.
6. Automation and Orchestration: Advanced Network Device Mappers may support automation and orchestration capabilities, enabling administrators to automate routine tasks, provision new devices, and implement changes across the network more efficiently. Automation reduces manual errors and increases operational efficiency.
7. Compliance and Reporting: Network Device Mappers can generate reports on network configurations, device inventories, and compliance with regulatory requirements. These reports help organizations demonstrate compliance, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions about network management and security.
We’ve reviewed the top five network device mappers that enable businesses to discover their assets, troubleshoot issues, and backup configurations. Here are the top five network device mappers:
UVexplorer is a simple, cost-effective network device mapper that helps network administrators identify, track, and troubleshoot your IT infrastructure. It is Windows-based and is on-premise. They also offer UVexplorer Server which is a WebUI console and on-premise.
UVexplorer captures detailed device inventory, and generates detailed network maps of your network’s structure and connectivity right down to the port level, including wireless and virtual infrastructure.
UVexplorer integrates directly into Paessler’s PRTG Network Monitor solution with the PRTG Connector to combine UVexplorer’s advanced discovery, inventory, and mapping features with PRTG’s powerful network monitoring capabilities. UVexplorer also integrates into Hudu, IT Glue, Asset Panda, Slack and LucidChart.
SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper is a one of the many tools provided by Solar Winds. NTM is their network mapping tool and provides very good network maps. To create these maps, NTM relies on network protocols, like SNMP, WMI, CDP, LLDP, and FDP. Solar Winds NTM also allows you to export maps to Visio, PDF, and PNG.
One of the key benefits of SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper is its integration into other Solar Winds products. With the full suite of Solar Winds products you would be able to manage every aspect of your network. These products are premium.
ManageEngine OpManager is an industry leader in network management and their offering includes network mapping, monitoring, and troubleshooting features. It supports all network devices and protocols. Their Dashboards and Reports are very popular
ManageEngine OpManager provides real-time monitoring. The monitoring incorporates industry standard protocols and credentials to accurately track devices across the infrastructure. The alerting is full-featured and will notify users of any issues immediately.
Intermapper is a low-cost network device mapper that can discover your network simply and easily. It supports network protocols like SSH, SNMP, and Telnet. It does allow customization of maps and alerts. Intermapper includes network monitoring. This offering is not as full-featured as other products on the market but it provides reasonable coverage of your network.
NetBrain is well known in the industry and has a mature, stable network management platform. It offers automated network discovery, mapping, and documentation. It also provides 24/7 network monitoring and troubleshooting. It integrates directly into ServiceNow, Splunk, and other third party tools..
One of the key benefits of NetBrain is its the automation of network management tasks. These tasks can range from simple to high technical and will save you and your team time and effort. Additionally, the software can easily scale to meet small to large enterprise.
When selecting network device mapper, and creating our list of the 5 best network device mappers there are key features we looked for. Here are four of them:
The NDM should support multiple discovery protocols such as SNMP, ICMP, CDP, LLDP, and others to accurately discover and identify devices within the network.
The ability to automatically create and maintain an accurate visual representation of the network topology, including device interconnections and relationships.
The ability to customize and tailor the network mapping and monitoring features to meet specific organizational requirements and preferences.
Compatibility with devices from different vendors and support for a wide range of networking equipment, including routers, switches, firewalls, servers, and other network devices.
By considering these key features, organizations can select a Network Device Mapper that aligns with their specific requirements, enhances network visibility, improves operational efficiency, and helps maintain the security and reliability of their network infrastructure.
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