What is network monitoring?

Ever wondered how companies manage their network, especially when they have so many devices and endpoints? That’s where network monitoring tools enter.

Network monitoring refers to the process of observing and managing the network by using specific software, hardware, or a combination of both. This process ensures the availability and reliability of said network.

It mainly helps with:

• Monitoring network devices: These tools track all devices that connect to the network, devices such as routers, switches, servers, and endpoints.

• Going over the network traffic: Looking over the data flowing across the network, their patterns, etc.

• Monitoring the network’s performance: They track KPIs like bandwidth utilization, latency, and response times, etc.

• Problem detection and resolution, also alerting admins: Network monitoring can help to identify problems such as connectivity issues, device crashes, and security threats. They also alert admins so that they can fix them as soon as possible.

Network monitoring – specific use cases

There are various cases for network monitoring solutions, but here are a few:

1. Enterprise network monitoring: Large companies need to manage their network by analyzing and controlling every part of it, including the continuous adding and removal of devices and the protocols they follow.

2. Issues that are related to cell site outages: In this scenario, different tools can be used by network monitoring systems to track the network’s performance, to identify anomalies, and to alert admins about potential issues such as cell tower failures.

3. Monitoring data centers: Tools check device performance, temperature, and power within a data center.

4. Special mention – AI network monitoring: Some network monitoring services integrate AI into their software. They offer features such as enhanced anomaly detection, automated configuration, and predictive analysis. For example, in predictive analysis, AI checks the data history and uses it to predict potential network issues before they happen.

Types of network monitoring services

Software-based:

• SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol): This popular protocol is used for monitoring network devices, allowing admins to remotely monitor them for performance and status. 

• Flow-based: This type of monitoring analyzes network traffic patterns so they can identify bandwidth usage, traffic types, etc. It mainly involves the process of collecting, analyzing, and reporting details about network traffic. Most common protocols are NetFlow, sFlow, and IPFIX.

• Cloud-based network monitoring: Besides the main tasks of monitoring and managing the network, businesses can integrate this type of software with other cloud services. They provide an ideal tool that is accessible, scalable, and flexible for businesses.

• Real-time network monitoring: It involves the process of constant observation and the analysis of network performance, so admins can identify and address issues as soon as they occur. It uses proactive problem-solving to fix these issues before they affect user experience.

Hardware-based:

• Network probes: They are dedicated devices that send out requests to network devices and analyze the responses so they can gather information about their status and performance.  

• Bandwidth devices: They track the bandwidth usage and identify bottlenecks (devices that use the most bandwidth).

• APM probes: Application Performance Monitoring (APM) probes are used to collect data and check the performance of said network. These probes are installed on devices, servers, etc.

• SNMP-focused devices: This type refers to those devices that have built-in SNMP agents that allow them to communicate with the NMS (network management system). The NMS can then collect these data and even configure the devices remotely.

Network monitoring system:

A network monitoring system consists of a blend of software and hardware to ensure the achievement of the best results. An example would be router and switch monitoring, which both include built-in SNMP agents as well as additional tools like network and APM probes. 

Why is network monitoring important?

Besides all the features we mentioned before, here are some from the perspective of security and performance:

• Proactive problem detection and troubleshooting: Leads to reduced downtime.

• Better security: Improves the security through threat detection and helps to meet compliance requirements. 

• Optimized performance

• Cost-effective

• Helps in planning for the future: Companies rely on monitoring software services since they’re easily scalable, helping in decision-making so they can make informed decisions about any upgrades.