1/5/2018 13 free network monitoring tools for IT pros - Features - Spiceworks

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13 free network monitoring tools for IT pros

by Aaron W (Spiceworks) on Nov 29, 2016 at 3:52 AM

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Whether you're a sysadmin or network administrator, knowing about issues before they become problems is vital. Network monitoring tools help you do just that, giving you
real-time insights into network and system performance that let you optimize performance and head off problems before they strike. While some of these tools offer more
features if you pay a premium, most of the free tools offer you features such as alerts, process monitoring, and real-time network performance dashboards.

Below you'll find 13 free network monitoring tools that will help you detect when your network is down — and hopefully help you prevent it from going down in the first
place.

1. Microsoft Network Monitor

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While Microsoft no longer supports it, Microsoft Network Monitor is a handy packet analyzer that captures network traffic for analysis and troubleshooting. It supports more
than "300 public and Microsoft proprietary protocols," while also offering features like "simultaneous capture sessions, a Wireless Monitor Mode and sniffing of promiscuous
mode traffic, amongst others." Microsoft has since released Microsoft Message Analyzer, which "supports the latest protocol parsers for capturing, displaying, and analyzing
protocol messaging traffic, events, and other system or application messages in troubleshooting and diagnostic scenarios. It is a significantly more powerful tool for capturing
and analyzing protocol messages."

2. Nagios

Nagios is a well-known name in the world of network monitoring software and offers a free version of its software. Full disclaimer: Nagios is free as long as you use a single
license; more than that will cost you. That aside, Nagios Core offers a comprehensive monitoring solution that tracks applications, servers, services, network protocols, and
system metrics, among other things. It also offers dynamic alerts, which you can configure to receive through email, a custom script, or SMS. Nagios Core also offers
integration with third-party applications and hundreds of free add-ons from an active community.

3. OpenNMS

Featuring automatic discovery, performance monitoring, service assurance, and custom event and notification configurations, OpenNMS is an open source and free network
monitoring solution. With two distributions of OpenNMS — Meridian and Horizon — users can choose whether they want a long-term release or a fast-paced release that
quickly gains new features and capabilities. Some new versions of OpenNMS have included a service heatmap, geographical map, an elastic search forwarder, and business
service monitoring.

4. Spiceworks Network Monitor

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Spiceworks Network Monitor is a free monitoring solution that features process and service monitoring, a dynamic dashboard, ping check, agentless monitoring, network
performance monitoring, and virtual monitoring. Spiceworks Network Monitor also allows you to set up customizable alerts and view historical data to conduct forensics
work and prevent future issues. You can monitor up to 25 devices with Spiceworks Network Monitor.

5. Spiceworks Connectivity Dashboard

A little different from other options on this list, Spiceworks Connectivity Dashbaord offers connectivity monitoring that's specifically geared towards applications and cloud-
based services. By deploying agents to specific devices, such as servers and PCs, you can configure what applications you'd like to monitor. Once configured, you'll see a
matrix grid of the applications and devices you're keeping an eye on — red means the applications is offline, yellow means it's slower than normal, and green means it's good
to go. If all the applications at one location on different devices are down, you know there's a connectivity problem there. If only one cloud-based service is down across
different locations, you can conclude it's a problem with the service provider.

6. PRTG Network Monitor Freeware

A well known name among monitoring software, PRTG Network Monitor works with up to 100 sensors and offers application monitoring, virtual server monitoring, QoS
monitoring, and SLA monitoring. PRTG Network Monitor also features nine different types of notifications, including status alerts, conditional alerts, and limit alerts. If you
want to create a report, PRTG Network Monitor supports HTML and PDF formats as well as report templates, pre-defined reports, and scheduled reports.

7. The Dude

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A simple and effective monitoring solution, The Dude supports SNMP, ICMP, DNS, and TCP monitoring and dynamic alerts. It also features auto discovery, allowing you to
automatically "scan all devices on a given subnet and then draw and layout a map of your network," according to GFI. Other features include the ability to draw your own
maps and add custom devices, gain direct access to device management tools, and discover a large number of brands and devices on your network. The Dude runs on
Windows, a Linux Wine environment, and MacOS Darwin.

8. Zabbix

Offering VMware, database, server, and network monitoring, Zabbix is a free, open-source monitoring application. Although it only works on select platforms (Linux, IBM
AIX, IBM Power8, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, HP-UX, MAC OS X, and Solaris) and only operates on Windows with an agent, Zabbix is capable of monitoring
thousands of devices at a time. It also features built-in Java Application Server Monitoring and support for encryption, SSL, and IPv4 as well as IPv6. The latest version of
Zabbix gives users a new event tag, which helps organize work flows. There's one drawback, however, for small-to-medium-sized businesses: Since Zabbix is built for
enterprises, it doesn't necessarily scale well to smaller environments.

9. Zenoss Core

Zenoss Core is an agentless monitoring solution that uses a web-based console to help you "monitor and manage the performance and availability of all devices in your IT
infrastructure (network, server, storage, applications, converged infrastructure, virtualization/cloud)." According to Zenoss Core, "The power of Zenoss Core begins with its
in-depth IT inventory and configuration database. Zenoss creates this database by discovering managed resources — networks, servers, storage, and other devices — in your
IT environment." Zenoss Core supports up to 1,000 devices and is free to download and use.

10. Icinga 2

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Icinga is a completely free network monitoring application that is Linux based and offers a real-time dashboard of network performance and resource availability. With
dynamic notifications that let you know when something goes down, Icinga offers object-based configuration, custom commands and runtime macros, and logical
dependencies to simplify how you define relationships. Icinga also offers customization options, allowing you to pick from three different interfaces.

11. Pandora FMS

A free network monitoring solution, Pandora FMS lets you watch applications, communications, and servers and set up alerts to find out when issues arise in real time. As a
Community Edition, Pandora FMS lacks some of the features that the professional version has — that said, the professional version is designed for enterprises, while the
community version is geared toward "small companies and do-it-yourself users with a complete and flexible solution."

12. WireShark

One of the more popular and widely used network monitoring tools, WireShark offers granular network packet analysis. In other words, you can use it to help troubleshoot
issues, conduct forensics work after an issue, and fine-tune system and network performance. Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, WireShark has a number of filters to
you help you focus on the information you need. "There is no denial that Wireshark features an impressive amount of features, all of them aimed at power users," Softpedia
says. "Apart from making available traffic information, it can also present statistics, which can include anything from general information about the captured file to the
number of HTTP requests and responses." In short, WireShark is an excellent tool, but one that is designed for professionals.

13. Observium

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Observium is a functional web monitoring tool that works with multiple platforms (though its developers say it focuses on Linux, UNIX, Cisco, Juniper, Foundry, and HP).
Known for its detailed graphs, its intuitive interface, and auto discovery features, Observium is a simple monitoring solution that works with large and small installations. But
there's one thing that Observium lacks: real-time alerts. Combining it with another product like Nagios, which does provide alerts, is recommended. Downloads of Observium
are available for Ubuntu and Debian installations, RHEL and CentOS 6 installations, and RHEL and CentOS 7 installations.

Are we missing anything? Share your favorite network monitor application in the comments below! Edited Aug 15, 2017 at 11:46 PM
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70 Replies
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Jalapeno

FostWare Nov 29, 2016 at 8:14 AM

NeDi is also an awesome tool for infrastructure monitoring.

Supporting network config monitoring and archiving, along with VMware, Windows, Linux, and endpoint monitoring, and a
helpful community aiding with SNMP, it's a tool I'd suggest Admins at least take a look at.

Chipotle

Kimberley (Paessler) Nov 29, 2016 at 3:25 PM

Brand Representative for Paessler AG

Thanks for the mention, Aaron!

Jalapeno

gordonbalfour Nov 29, 2016 at 11:10 PM

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1/5/2018 13 free network monitoring tools for IT pros - Features - Spiceworks
Hey Aaron, thanks for this collection of tools. Very helpful

Serrano

Michael (AdRem) Nov 30, 2016 at 12:18 AM

Brand Representative for AdRem Software

Great list! While we don't have a free version of our NetCrunch network monitoring system, we do offer two freeware tools for IT
pros:

NetCrunch Tools packs 11 powerful networking features into a slick, easy to use GUI.

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WMI Tools lets you access WMI information both locally and remotely, as well as run custom WMI queries

NetCrunch ToolsReview it:(0)

AdRem Software WMI ToolsReview it:(0)

AdRem Software1,018 FollowersFollow

Chipotle

MichaelT@ToE Nov 30, 2016 at 12:25 AM

Great article. Thanks for posting!!

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Serrano

steaksauce Nov 30, 2016 at 12:25 AM

Wooo Nagios!

Can pretty much monitor anything if it can be scripted in some way.

Mace

Neally Nov 30, 2016 at 12:31 AM

See a nice list here: https://blog.serverdensity.com/windows-monitoring-tools/

Pimiento

OrangeIT Nov 30, 2016 at 12:39 AM

I have been using 'The Dude' for years and it really does some things faster, easier than other applications. This year Mikrotik
actually updated the code and is in active development.

The one snag is that the latest server side software will only run on Mikrotik equipment. They are starting to monetize this free
offering. Having said that, I think the pricepoint for a device that will run Dude server is under $100 and, in the end, may be better
than all the constant lifecycle support that a Windows server requires.

Anaheim

Garrett2845 Nov 30, 2016 at 1:15 AM

Thumbs up for PRTG. I began using it recently and have alot of nice things to say about it!

Jalapeno

Frank Chiappetta Nov 30, 2016 at 1:24 AM

Nice list - Thank you.

Chipotle

Daffy Admin Nov 30, 2016 at 1:45 AM

Don't forget Axence by nVision. Been using the free version for about 2 years now.

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Poblano

BillTard Nov 30, 2016 at 1:48 AM

This reminds me I need to get working on setting up our PRTG monitor. :)

PRTG Network MonitorReview it:(117)

Serrano

wcfj78 Nov 30, 2016 at 1:51 AM

I used the Dude v. 3.6 for years and it was immeasurably useful. I was thinking about implementing it at the new job I just started
but I plan to also more closely evaluate the newer SpiceWorks Network Monitor also.

Cayenne

J_L Nov 30, 2016 at 2:46 AM

We used Dude for quite some time and one of the things I still like about it is the ability to do an SNMP Walk without additional
software. I'll still use it for that.

However, we now use PRTG due to it's ability to monitor Windows services and resources, folder contents, FTP servers, and for
"trending" (as in when something is unusual). For example, PRTG lets me know if Spiceworks goes down - either the service
stops or if there is a crash where apache stays up (and displays "Server Busy"), or if the Spiceworks host starts running low on
memory.

PRTG was a big step up from Dude but I wish they had more free sensors or better price points - can't get any expenditures
approved around here.

Great to see Kimberley, from the training videos, on here. Nice to have someone in development doing them rather than a paid
actor. Kudos!

Serrano

Michael (AdRem) Nov 30, 2016 at 2:52 AM

Brand Representative for AdRem Software

J_L wrote:

We used Dude for quite some time and one of the things I still like about it is the ability to do an SNMP Walk without additional
software. I'll still use it for that.

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However, we now use PRTG due to it's ability to monitor Windows services and resources, folder contents, FTP servers, and
for "trending" (as in when something is unusual). For example, PRTG lets me know if Spiceworks goes down - either the
service stops or if there is a crash where apache stays up (and displays "Server Busy"), or if the Spiceworks host starts running
low on memory.

PRTG was a big step up from Dude but I wish they had more free sensors or better price points - can't get any expenditures
approved around here.

Great to see Kimberley, from the training videos, on here. Nice to have someone in development doing them rather than a paid
actor. Kudos!

Maybe our node-based licensing can help? Unlike PRTG, we're node-based, and we can also offer a competitive cross-grade
whereby you can get an equivalent license of NetCrunch for the cost of your PRTG renewal.

NetCrunch Network MonitorReview it:(30)

AdRem Software1,018 FollowersFollow

Anaheim

Technical John Nov 30, 2016 at 2:57 AM

I like the Shinken variant of Nagios, but like Nagios core it can take a bit of trial and error to get things going...

HOWEVER, the Open Monitoring Distribution aims to package several Nagios variants together into a really nice suite.

Check it out: http://omdistro.org/

Chipotle

Dinasity Nov 30, 2016 at 2:59 AM

Thanks for posting, will be using these tools.

Jalapeno

Stupid Out Nov 30, 2016 at 3:05 AM

thanks for Sharing!

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Jalapeno

mentosan Nov 30, 2016 at 4:24 AM

LibreNMS

Anaheim

LeeJ50 Nov 30, 2016 at 5:05 AM

I used nmap from https://nmap.org/ and it got me out of a few scrapes, for monitoring network and port traffic.

Jalapeno

Explorer1979 Nov 30, 2016 at 10:09 AM

Thank you of this useful share

Habanero

chris.hone.5688 Nov 30, 2016 at 3:31 PM

Thanks for the heads up and summary about the products I currently run Nagios but one or two of the others look interesting.

Habanero

Michael (Netwrix) Nov 30, 2016 at 3:53 PM

Brand Representative for Netwrix

Great list, thanks for sharing!

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