Network Monitoring is the process of discovering, mapping, and monitoring a computer network to ensure optimal availability and performance. It is the only way to know if everything on a network is operating. This article covers basic network concepts like the OSI seven-layer model, common device types, and the five functions of network monitoring systems.
So why is it important to monitor networks? The network is the lifeline of the IT infrastructure. When networks fail, the flow of information required by applications and business operations stops.
This article covers the following topics:
- What is Network Monitoring
- What Are Network Monitoring Tools
- Which Protocol Can Be Used to Monitor the Network
- Protocols for Monitoring in Microsoft Network Monitor: Network Performance Monitor
What is Network Monitoring
Network monitoring is the process of continuously overseeing and managing the performance, security, and health of a computer network. It involves tracking the various components and activities within a network to ensure that everything is functioning optimally and securely. Network monitoring helps organizations detect issues early, avoid downtime, and improve overall network efficiency.
What Are Network Monitoring Tools
Here are some key types of network monitoring tools and examples:
- A. Bandwidth Monitoring Tools – These tools help track the amount of data flowing through the network and identify bandwidth usage patterns, bottlenecks, and congestion:
- 1. PRTG Network Monitor: Tracks bandwidth usage, provides real-time analytics, and supports multiple monitoring methods like SNMP, WMI, and NetFlow.
- 2. SolarWinds Bandwidth Analyzer Pack: Monitors bandwidth usage and identifies network traffic patterns. It also helps detect anomalies and troubleshoot performance issues.
- B. Performance Monitoring Tools – These tools provide insights into the health and efficiency of network devices and services by measuring performance indicators such as uptime, packet loss, latency, and throughput:
- 1. Nagios: A widely used open-source tool for monitoring network devices, services, and applications. It provides alerting and reporting capabilities.
- 2. Zabbix: Open-source software for monitoring the performance of network devices, servers, and applications. It offers real-time monitoring and historical data analysis.
- 3. ManageEngine OpManager: Provides performance monitoring for network devices, servers, and applications. It offers visual dashboards and in-depth reporting.
- C. Traffic Analysis Tools – These tools focus on analysing network traffic, helping to understand which applications, users, or devices consume the most bandwidth and identify any malicious or unusual activity:
- 1. Wireshark: A network protocol analyser that captures and inspects network packets in real-time. It’s used for in-depth traffic analysis, troubleshooting, and security investigating.
- 2. ntopng: A high-performance network traffic monitoring tool that provides real-time insights into traffic, bandwidth usage, and network protocols.
- D. Network Security Monitoring Tools – These tools help detect security threats, vulnerabilities, and unauthorized access in the network. They can alert administrators to potential risks like intrusions, malware, and network attacks:
- 1. SolarWinds Security Event Manager: Monitors security events and logs to detect potential breaches or unauthorized activity. It provides real-time alerts and automated responses to security incidents.
- 2. Snort: An open-source intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS) that analyses network traffic for suspicious activity.
- 3. Suricata: Another open-source IDPS tool that inspects network traffic, detecting and preventing malicious activities.
- E. Configuration Monitoring Tools – These tools track changes in the configuration of network devices (routers, switches, firewalls, etc.). They ensure that unauthorized changes do not affect the network’s security or performance:
- 1. RANCID: A tool that helps to track configuration changes of network devices and maintain backups.
- 2. ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager: Monitors the configuration of network devices and automates configuration backups and changes.
- 3. Datadog: A cloud-based monitoring tool for network performance, servers, and cloud infrastructure. It provides real-time analytics, dashboards, and alerts.
- New Relic: Provides cloud-based application performance monitoring (APM) alongside network monitoring features, focusing on both the network and applications.
- PRTG Network Monitor – This tool supports a wide array of protocols, which makes it highly flexible for monitoring different types of devices, services, and applications. Key protocols include:
- 1. SNMP: For monitoring network devices like routers and switchers.
- 2. ICMP: For basic reachability checks (ping).
- 3. HTTP/HTTPS: For web server and website monitoring.
- 4. SMTP/POP3/IMAP: For email services.
- 5. NetFlow/sFlow/J-Flow: For monitoring traffic flow.
- 6. WMI: For monitoring Windows-based servers and services
- 7. SSH: For monitoring Linux/Unix servers.
- 8. FTP: For file transfer services.
- Protocols for Monitoring in Microsoft Network Monitor:
- 1. Ethernet (MAC Layer): Capture all network traffic at the data link layer
- 2. IPv4/IPv6: Analyze Internet Protocol traffic for routing and addressing.
- 3. TCP/UDP: Monitor connection-oriented (TCP) or connectionless (UDP) transport-layer protocols.
- 4. ICMP: Diagnose network connectivity using ping tests and error messages.
- 5. SNMP: Monitor the health and performance of network devices (routers, switches, etc.).
- 6. DNS: Capture and troubleshoot domain name resolution traffic.
- 7. HTTP/HTTPS: Monitor web server traffic and requests.
- 8. FTP: Analyze file transfer traffic.
- 9. SMB/NetBIOS: Troubleshoot Windows file sharing and name resolution.
- 10. RDP: Monitor remote desktop protocol sessions.
- 11. PPTP/L2TP/IPsec: Analyze VPN traffic.
- 12. Wi-Fi (802.11): Capture wireless network traffic.
With Microsoft Network Monitor, you can capture and filter traffic for almost any protocol running on your network, making it an invaluable tool for troubleshooting and network performance analysis.
Tools for Network Traffic Monitoring:
- PRTG Network Monitor: A popular network monitoring tool that supports SNMP, NetFlow, sFlow, and other protocols.
- SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor: A commercial network monitoring tool with broad protocol support for SNMP, NetFlow, and a lot more.
- ntopng: A tool for network traffic monitoring and analysis, including support for NetFlow, sFlow, and packet-level data.
- Wireshark: A comprehensive packet analysis tool that supports various protocols including Ethernet, TCP/IP, and a lot more.
Each of these protocols and tools serves a different purpose depending on the depth of monitoring required, whether it’s high-level network performance monitoring or detailed packet.
- Network Performance Monitor – Network Performance Monitor is a suite of capabilities that is geared towards monitoring the health of your network. Network Performance Monitor monitors network connectivity to your applications and provides insights into the performance of your network. Network Performance Monitor is cloud-based and provides a hybrid network monitoring solution that monitors connectivity between:
- 1. Cloud deployments and on-premises locations.
- 2. Multiple data centers and branch offices.
- 3. Mission critical multi-tier applications/micro-services.
- 4. User locations and web-based applications (HTTP/HTTPs)
Performance Monitor, ExpressRoute Monitor, and Service Connectivity Monitor are monitoring capabilities within Network Performance Monitor. They are described in the following sections.
Conclusion
In conclusion, effective network monitoring is crucial for maintaining the performance, security, and reliability of modern IT infrastructures. Network monitoring tools provide tailored solutions for diverse requirements, while monitoring protocols enable precise and comprehensive monitoring across devices and applications. By leveraging these tools and protocols, businesses can identify issues early, optimize network performance, and enhance overall operational efficiency. This ensures a seamless flow of data across their infrastructure.
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References:
- What is Network Monitoring? (https://www.whatsupgold.com/what-is-network-monitoring#:~:text=The%20two%20most%20widely%20used,and%20the%20devices%20on%20them)
- Network Performance Monitor (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/networking/network-monitoring-overview)