A Guide to Select the Best Network Monitoring Tools
Having an online presence in today’s fast-paced world is vital for any business, irrespective of how big or small it is, to gain traction and enhance its base of customers. One of the most basic yet essential requirements of running an online business successfully is having a stable and reliable network. If the network experiences any issue, such as instability or connectivity problems, it will have a major negative impact on the financial aspect of the business. Besides this, having network-related issues can also hamper users’ productivity. Hence, every device related to a network and the network itself requires active monitoring to ensure that issues, if and when they arise, get solved immediately. This is where the use of network mentoring tools comes in handy.
According to Cisco, network monitoring tools are useful utilities that facilitate network administrators and users to check and determine whether a network is functioning efficiently or not. Moreover, the powerful inbuilt features of network monitoring tools facilitate users to identify and solve issues related to the network with ease. This article will cover some of the most popular network monitoring tools available on both major operating systems, namely macOS and Windows, and shed light on what factors users should look for or consider while choosing a network monitoring tool. Let us get started:
Best Network Monitoring Tools:
Both the major operating systems, i.e., macOS and Windows, support numerous network monitoring tools. Here is a detailed look at some of them:
macOS:
WiFi Explorer – Having trouble with your WiFi connection can seriously disrupt your workflow. Therefore, to ensure that your network works seamlessly, you should consider using WiFi Explorer. This powerful third-party macOS-compatible network mentoring tool facilitates users to scan, detect and diagnose issues related to wireless networks. The app features a simple and easy-to-use interface, allowing users to navigate through and easily access the features. In addition, it features numerous tools and allows users to troubleshoot their network without assistance from network experts. WiFi Explorer is a paid application that packs many advanced network-diagnosing features and functionalities.
Activity Monitor – If you are searching for a free-to-use network monitoring tool that provides all the details about your Mac’s network activity, you should use macOS’s native Activity Monitor utility. The app contains numerous tabs, each showing statistics of your Mac’s different aspects. It is a great app that works exceptionally well for individuals who wish to acquire an idea about their Mac’s performance. Hence, even though it does not feature advanced functionalities like the rest of the network monitoring tools, it is a great tool for beginners.
Windows:
Auvik – Auvik is a powerful network monitoring utility capable of discovering networks, mapping systems, and spotting even the minutest changes in the network infrastructure. It is a highly-advanced network monitoring program that works exceptionally well on Windows OS. It not only watches over the status of networks but also alerts the user in case of any changes or issues. Besides this, the app integrates seamlessly with third-party systems, further enhancing its capabilities.
Atera – Atera is another third-party Windows-compatible application with remote monitoring and management systems. Similar to Auvik, Atera also provides alerts in case of changes and features many remote system management tools that facilitate users to solve issues from anywhere without hassle. Even though the app offers a free 30-day trial period where users can test the app, it is a paid application that features numerous scalable pricing plans.
Features to Look for While Choosing a Network Monitoring Tool:
If you are searching for a good network monitoring tool for Mac or Windows PC, there are certain features you should look for while choosing. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Automatic Alerting – A good network monitoring solution should feature an efficient alerting system. Having an intelligent alert system is very beneficial. For instance, if the network starts malfunctioning when a certain component or resource fails, a network monitoring tool will alert the user about the malfunctioning component. Therefore, instead of inspecting the entire set of components, the user can fix the one with the issue to restore stability. Hence, it will save both the user’s time and effort.
- Performance-Monitoring Functionalities – Every network monitoring tool should feature efficient performance monitoring features to ensure that users can easily identify where the problem is occurring.
- Auto Discovery – Thanks to the presence of multiple large sites, it may get difficult for users to discover networks manually. Hence, every good network monitoring tool should feature an automatic discovery feature that can automatically detect and connect to the network.
Network monitoring tools are useful utilities that facilitate the users to identify and resolve the majority of the issues related to their network. If you are looking for a useful network monitoring tool that works exceptionally well, refer to this detailed guide for assistance.
