Network Management Software

Network management software is a specialized program or a collection of tools intended to oversee, administer, and improve the functionality of computer networks. It is an important resource for IT professionals in handling the setup, efficiency, and protection of network infrastructures. Such software enables the monitoring of network components, including routers, switches, and servers, in a real-time manner to ensure continuous and efficient network function. Additionally, it is equipped with features that aid in network diagnosis, performance evaluation, and planning for future network capacity requirements.

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New Relic

New Relic is a leading company that offers an all-in-one observability platform for engineers, enabling them to monitor, debug, and enhance their entire stack. Their platform provides comprehensive solutions for application performance management (APM), log management, cloud-based observability, and more. With scalable cloud-based infrastructure and easy open source instrumentation, New Relic caters to businesses of all sizes. Their services are utilized by a wide range of customers, including software-driven businesses, engineers, and developers who rely on real-time insights to innovate and improve their software applications. New Relic's powerful cloud-based observability platform helps companies optimize their software and create more perfect products.

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Cloudflare

Verified

<p>Cloudflare makes sites twice as fast, protects them from attacks, ensures they are always online, and makes it simple to add web apps<span class="text_exposed_show"> with a single click. Cloudflare supercharges websites regardless of size or platform with no need to add hardware, install software, or change a line of code. The Cloudflare community gets stronger as it grows; every new site makes the network smarter and stronger. Thanks to our awesome sauce technology, more than 250 million people have experienced a faster, safer, better Internet. Cloudflare is based in San Francisco, California.</span></p>

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Datadog

Datadog is a prominent company that specializes in providing monitoring, security, and analytics solutions for cloud-based environments. They offer a comprehensive set of tools and services to help businesses and developers effectively manage and optimize their containerized infrastructures. Their Container Monitoring solution delivers real-time visibility into the health and performance of containerized environments, allowing teams to monitor curated metrics and ensure optimal operation. Meanwhile, their Security offerings enable real-time threat detection and continuous configuration audits across applications, hosts, containers, and cloud infrastructure. With a focus on the cloud age, Datadog caters to the needs of developers, IT operations teams, and business users, offering advanced monitoring and security solutions for their cloud-based systems.

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PagerDuty

Verified

<p>We created our platform for real-time operations to connect teams to real-time opportunities and elevate work to the outcomes that matter. PagerDuty operates at the intersection of human response and machine generated data, intelligently orchestrating teams into timely action, and automating mission-critical work in the moments that matter for customers and businesses. We provide unmatched breadth of functionality while meeting the stringent needs of any enterprise with scalable, reliable architecture. Over 11,000 organizations of all sizes, including one third of the Fortune 500, rely on us to deliver delightful experiences in real time, every time.</p>

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Sumo Logic

Sumo Logic is a leading company that specializes in cloud log management, monitoring, and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools. They offer best-in-class solutions that provide real-time insights and ensure the reliable and secure operation of web-based and SaaS applications. With their cloud-native security and observability solutions, Sumo Logic caters to companies running on platforms like Red Hat OpenShift and Anthos. Their services are utilized by a wide range of organizations, including businesses of all sizes, digital enterprises, and security analysts. Sumo Logic's flexible pricing options and scalable platform make it suitable for any scale of operation, enabling efficient cloud log management and application monitoring for enhanced performance and productivity.

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Spiceworks

Spiceworks is a well-established IT company that provides a range of services and solutions for businesses and organizations. With a focus on software, network management, and cybersecurity, Spiceworks offers a comprehensive suite of tools to address the needs of IT professionals and decision-makers. Their offerings include software solutions for network monitoring, help desk management, and cloud-based help desk services. Additionally, Spiceworks provides expert insights, analysis, and news on business and industry-related topics, particularly in the field of cybersecurity. The company's clientele consists of IT professionals, network administrators, and organizations of varying sizes and industries. By utilizing Spiceworks' software and services, businesses can enhance their network security, streamline their IT operations, and stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and developments. Overall, Spiceworks is a trusted provider of IT solutions that cater to the needs of IT professionals and businesses seeking to optimize their technological infrastructure and mitigate cybersecurity risks.

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LogicMonitor

LogicMonitor is a leading SaaS-based unified observability and IT operations data collaboration platform for enterprise IT and managed service providers. The company specializes in cloud monitoring and offers a comprehensive suite of services to monitor and manage various cloud environments, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and SaaS apps like Office 365, Salesforce, and Zoom. LogicMonitor's platform enables businesses to gain full-stack visibility into their infrastructure, applications, and custom metrics, providing real-time insights to optimize performance, ensure availability, and streamline operations. Their services cater to a wide range of customers seeking efficient and automated cloud monitoring solutions.

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NinjaOne

NinjaOne is an innovative IT management software designed to cater to the needs of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT departments. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools and functionalities to streamline IT operations and enhance productivity. With features such as IT inventory management, endpoint configuration, remote control, and antivirus solutions, NinjaOne empowers businesses to efficiently manage their IT infrastructure. NinjaOne, formerly known as NinjaRMM, prioritizes security-oriented remote monitoring and allows businesses to monitor and protect their systems effectively. It is utilized by professionals and organizations across various industries who value efficient IT management and enhanced security measures. Overall, NinjaOne offers a reliable and all-in-one solution for businesses looking to optimize their IT operations, simplify software administration, and strengthen endpoint security.

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ThousandEyes

Verified

<p>ThousandEyes delivers visibility into digital experiences delivered over the Internet. The world&rsquo;s largest companies rely on our platform, collective intelligence and smart monitoring agents to get a real-time map of how their customers and employees reach and experience critical apps and services across traditional, SD-WAN, Internet and cloud provider networks. ThousandEyes is used by some of the world&rsquo;s largest and fastest growing brands, including 8 of the 10 top global software companies, 20 of the 25 top SaaS, 6 of the 7 top US banks, 80+ of the Fortune 500 and 150+ of the Global 2000.</p>

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ScienceLogic

ScienceLogic is an IT infrastructure monitoring platform that offers AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations) capabilities. The platform empowers IT staff and facilitates digital transformation by providing holistic monitoring of networks, devices, and services. It offers features such as network monitoring, software-defined networking (SDN) monitoring, and unified network management. ScienceLogic's solutions cater to various industries and organizations of all sizes, helping them gain actionable insights and enhance their business services. With its hybrid IT monitoring platform, ScienceLogic supports traditional network infrastructures as well as virtualization solutions, making it a versatile choice for network performance monitoring.

Best Network Management Software: A Comprehensive Buyer's Guide

Looking for the best network management software? Our comprehensive buyer's guide has got you covered! Make an informed decision today! 

Looking for the right network management software can be a daunting task for any business. With a wide range of options on the market, it can be difficult to determine which one will best suit your needs. Thankfully, there are several features that can help you identify the right solution for your company. In this buyer's guide, we will discuss the essential features you should consider when choosing, as well as some benefits and trends in the market. 

What is network management software? 

This is an essential tool for modern businesses to monitor the performance, security, and configuration of their computer networks. It provides administrators with a centralized platform to manage and optimize network resources. The software enables enterprises to automate various network-related tasks, thus freeing up time for other critical business functions. Below are some of its common use cases: 

  • Monitoring network health and performance 
  • Troubleshooting network issues 
  • Analyzing network traffic 
  • Installing and configuring network devices 
  • Managing network security 

This technology is used by companies of all sizes and across all industries, ranging from small businesses to large enterprises. It is especially crucial for organizations that rely heavily on their networks for daily operations, such as healthcare, finance, and technology firms. Having the ability to closely monitor and manage network performance is vital for ensuring smooth business operations, reducing downtime, and protecting sensitive information from cyber threats.  

What are the benefits of adopting a network management application? 

Businesses need to be equipped with efficient and comprehensive tools to manage their networks. Network management software (NMS) is a powerful solution that enables businesses to seamlessly monitor, analyze and optimize their network infrastructure, ensuring all the key components are operating at their maximum potential. This entails an extensive functionality that covers configuration control, performance monitoring, and security management, amongst other features that streamline network operations.  
 
Here are the main benefits of NMS: 

  • Improved network performance: By monitoring network usage, NMS can identify inefficiencies and possible bottlenecks in network performance that would otherwise go unnoticed. This empowers businesses to be proactive and take corrective action before any network failures occur, which minimizes downtime and enhances overall network performance. 
  • Increased security: It offers a comprehensive suite of security tools that detect and investigate security breaches, set up firewalls, and control access to network devices. This ensures that unauthorized persons cannot access sensitive data stored on the network. 
  • Better resource planning: As NMS provides real-time data on network usage, businesses can make informed decisions about allocating resources more effectively. This includes identifying underutilized devices and redistributing workloads to optimize performance and reduce the overall cost of running the network. 
  • Simplified network management: It also offers businesses an all-in-one platform to oversee their network infrastructure, replace the need for manual monitoring, and automate their network operations, providing a single-pane-of-glass view of their entire network. This ensures ease of management for network administrators, enabling them to quickly identify and fix any issues. 
  • Enhanced customer experience: Businesses with NMS in place can provide their customers with better service. This is because it allows for quick and efficient resolution of network issues, as well as proactive maintenance, which means fewer network failures and minimal downtime, leading to better customer satisfaction. 

10 key features of network management software 

An NMS provides network administrators with full visibility and control over network components through various advanced features, including:  
 
1. Network monitoring: It offers real-time network monitoring, which helps administrators track network performance, such as uptime, bandwidth usage, and packet loss.  
 
2. Network mapping: This management tool enables network administrators to map the entire network topology, allowing them to discover devices, switches, routers, and network links.  
 
3. Network security: It also provides a wide range of security features that ensure network security by early detection of suspicious activities and reporting potential threats.  
 
4. Configuration management: An NMS tool simplifies the configuration of network devices by automating the configuration process, thereby optimizing network performance and reducing the potential for human error.  
 
5. Network performance analysis: Reports can be generated using this system, that help administrators analyze network bandwidth, utilization, latency, network traffic, and overall network performance. 

6. Network troubleshooting: With its real-time alerts capabilities, NMS makes troubleshooting easier by identifying, isolating, and resolving network issues in real-time.
 
7. Network automation: The software automates repetitive tasks, such as system backups, network inventory management, and firmware updates, freeing up time for administrators to focus on more critical tasks and projects.  
 
8. Network inventory management: It maintains a database of all the network devices, their configurations, and their status, reducing the risk of device failure and ensuring better inventory control.  
 
9. Network traffic analysis: A network solution offers detailed insights into network traffic, helping administrators monitor and analyze the flow of data and preventing network congestion. A survey by Enterprise Management Associates found that companies are increasing their network management and monitoring investments to keep up with a hybrid working world. 52.6% need new dashboards and reporting capabilities, while 32% look to improve insight correlations.  

10. Network capacity planning: NMS can forecast network capacity requirements, enabling network administrators to estimate bandwidth usage, predict future capacity requirements, and plan network upgrades effectively.

Key considerations when purchasing a network management tool 

There are a wide range of solution options available on the market therefore it can be daunting for businesses to choose the right network system for their needs. Here are the key factors to consider:  
 
1. Scalability: As your business grows, so too will your network. Ensure that the program you select can keep up with the expansion of your company. Look for software that can handle a larger number of devices and concurrent connections, and that can be easily upgraded as your needs change.  
 
2. Security and compliance: Network security has become a top priority for businesses because network breaches can have catastrophic consequences. Make sure your network management application has robust security features like firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, and antivirus and antimalware protection. Additionally, if your business operates in a heavily-regulated industry, choose software that complies with specific regulations, such as HIPAA or PCI.  
 
3. Ease of use: Even the most powerful system is useless if it is too complex for your team to use effectively. Consider the user interface and functionality of various software options, and choose a solution that is intuitive and easy to use. Look for one that can be easily configured and customized.  
 
4. Performance monitoring: Your network management app should be able to provide you with real-time monitoring of your network performance, including bandwidth usage, traffic patterns, and application usage. It should also provide detailed reporting and analytics to help you understand your network trends and performance over time.  
 
5. Integration: Your platform should be able to integrate with your other existing business systems and applications. Look for one that is compatible with your various devices, operating systems, and applications, to ensure seamless integration with your existing environment. 

Industry trends for network management software 

Network management technology has come a long way since the early days of simple network monitoring tools. Today, NMS is a critical component of any organization's IT infrastructure offering, providing a comprehensive suite of tools that optimize network performance, minimize downtime, and improve security.  
 
As we move into 2024 and beyond, certain trends are expected to define this landscape. One of the most prominent trends is the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to automate network management tasks and predict network failures before they occur. Additionally, the incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices into network infrastructures is expected to become more common, making network monitoring and management even more complex. 
 
Another trend anticipated in this industry is the widespread use of cloud-based NMS systems, which offer flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Cloud-based NMS solutions are expected to become increasingly popular as enterprises shift toward hybrid cloud strategies and cloud-native architectures. 
 
Moreover, the adoption of Software-defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) is also expected to continue to grow. These technologies enable network administrators to deploy and manage virtualized network services, such as firewalls and routers, quickly and efficiently, reducing complexity and costs.  

Conclusion 

In conclusion, choosing the right network management software is vital for a secure, efficient, and scalable IT infrastructure. The best option depends on your network size, complexity, and budget, enabling IT teams to address issues proactively, optimize resources, and support growth. A survey conducted by the Oracle Corporation in 2022 suggests that, out of the total number of respondents, 76% said network complexities were one of the management’s biggest challenges and companies are adopting network management systems to overcome these challenges. Whether you opt for a premium or cost-effective solution, thorough research and consideration of your needs will ensure a reliable and efficient network. All in all, in the highly competitive business world, this program is essential for businesses that want to maintain a stable and secure network infrastructure.