In these four blogs, we are going to talk about the main features of NPM tools and, as far as possible, compare some popular software in this area. In these four blogs, we are going to talk about the main features of a network management and monitoring software and, as far as possible, compare some popular software in this area.
List of other blogs in this blog collection about network monitoring tools:
Network Monitoring and Performance Management (NPM) Tools – Part 1
Network Monitoring and Performance Management (NPM) Tools – Part 2
Network Monitoring and Performance Management (NPM) Tools– Part 3
VoIP Management & Monitoring
VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) is the transmission of voice and multimedia content over an internet connection. VoIP allows users to make voice calls from a computer, smartphone, other mobile devices, special VoIP phones and WebRTC-enabled browsers.
Because VoIP uses packets, much more information can be carried over the network to support and enhance your communication needs:
- audio calls
- video calls
- mobile and desktop apps
- voicemail
- instant messaging
- team chats
- SMS texts
ManageEngine
ManageEngine OPmanager through VoIP monitoring keeps track of VoIP call quality across your entire network infrastructure, letting you troubleshoot VoIP performance issues.
SolarWinds
SolarWinds is offering a product to monitor VoIP called VoIP & Network Quality Manager, which you can also use it in the SolarWinds Orion. Features of this product include:
- Real-time WAN monitoring
- Visual VoIP call path trace
- Cisco SIP and CUBE trunk monitoring
- Troubleshoot VoIP call quality problems
This photo was taken from the SolarWinds Orion ( demo online)
PRTG
PRTG monitors VoIP communications, which includes:
- Free QoS monitoring
- Free IP SLA monitoring
- Reduce workloads
- Personalizeable dashboard
- Comprehensive network monitoring
IP Address Management (IPAM)
Today, IPAM has become an inevitable part of network management. IPAM is a methodology implemented in computer software for planning and managing the assignment and use of IP addresses and closely related resources of a computer network. With IPAM software and IP tools, administrators can ensure that the inventory of assignable IP addresses remains current and sufficient with advanced IP tools and IPAM services. Data tracked by an IPAM system may include information such as IP addresses in use, and the associated devices and users.
IPAM simplifies and automates the administration of many tasks involved in IP space management, including writing DNS records and configuring DHCP settings.
There are four main reasons why IPAM server is necessary for an organization:
- Capacity Planning
- Management of Resources
- Turning data into information
- Transition to IPv6
ManageEngine
With ManageEngine OpManager, you no longer have to manually search your server or router for available IP addresses, or track down switches to find which port is connected to which device. This software allows you to easily check the availability of IP addresses on your network; it scans subnets and keeps track of available addresses.
SolarWinds Orion (NPM)
SolarWinds for IP Address Management (IPAM) has a speical product is named SolarWinds IP Address Manager.
Download SolarWinds IP Address Manager
This photo was taken from the SolarWinds Orion ( demo online)
This software has these features:
- IP Request Form for streamlining and automating IP address requests
- Automated IP address tracking
- Integrated DHCP, DNS, and IP address management
- IP address alerting, troubleshooting, and reporting
- Multi-vendor on-prem and cloud DHCP and DNS support
This photo was taken from the SolarWinds Orion ( demo online)
PRTG and Datadog
It’s amazing to know that no version of PRTG has ever supported IPAM. Datadog software also has this drawback.
Real-Time Visibility and Analytics
Collecting and producing insights based on real-time visibility and usage analytics is very critical and important.
Visibility includes a few different components:
- Signal Coverage: It is about quality and distribution of wireless network signals at various physical sites of the organization.
- Device Connections: It gives you data on your end-users and their devices. Things like their IP address, current signal level they are receiving, what AP’s that client is connected to and the channel they are accessing it on.
- Device Locations: Your management system should be able to pinpoint the location of your end-users devices.
ManageEngine
ManageEngine OpManager has upped the game with its traffic analysis tools. With its Cisco IPSLA monitoring feature, you are able to monitor metrics that affect VoIP and video performance as well as help you ensure seamless WAN connectivity using WAN RTT monitoring. OpManager’s network analysis tools include general bandwidth monitoring, which includes tracking bandwidth usage in real-time, including the ability to identify and keep track of top bandwidth.
Datadog
Datadog’s SNMP integration gives you visibility into the health of your bare-metal network devices. Whether you’re collecting bare-metal network device metrics or the flow of data between services or applications, Datadog provides you with a single, unified view of your entire network.
Universal Compatibility
A good NPM shouldn’t add to the network complexity rather enhances administrators ability to control that complexity. So this NPM should be compatible with the products of most well-known vendors and manufacturers.
PRTG
PRTG has a lot of features and power in the universal compatibility category. In this article you can see how much variety PRTG has in terms of sensors. This shows that in the category of universal compatibility, PRTG is very capable and reliable.
PRTG Manual: List of Available Sensor Types
ManageEngine
MnageEngine OPmanager is also very strong in this area. In addition to OPmanager software itself, ManageEngine has a patch called Patch Management. When this patch is used, OPmanager’s compatibility goes much higher. The list of supported applications is given below.
SolarWinds Orion (NPM)
Solarwinds Orion’s capabilities in this area are amazing. We do not give any explanation. Just click on the link below:
Supported vendors and devices added in Orion Platform 2020.2
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