There are three kinds of the tools i.e. monitoring, analyzing and troubleshooting. Monitoring tools track packets that cross the network, monitor users activities, checks the resources utilization and provides the accurate picture of the overall network activities. Analyzers filter traffic, decode the various protocols and generate frames and send them on the network. Troubleshooting tools gives the broad outlook of the data flow and resolve the common problems.
Windows based operating systems have built in troubleshooting tools in the TCP/IP stack. These include PING, Tracert, Hostname, ARP, Root, and IPconfig etc. In this article we will take an overview of the most common third party troubleshooting software. These software are very helpful for the administrators and other IT professionals who work in a big networked environment.
In many situations these third party tools are very useful. Based on the requirements and infrastructure of your network such as home network, LAN/WAN or wireless you can decide that which tool is right for you.
IP Sentry
IP Sentry is monitoring software and is used in the Windows based network environment. Thousands of the IT professionals, tech support executives and help desk staff is using the IP sentry to provide the solutions to the large networks. Based on their own specific thresholds the administrators receive the alerts when a problem arises. IP sentry monitors the internet and intranet servers, databases, routers, modems and analyzes the event logs to ensure that your network is functioning properly 24 hours a day.
LanGuard Network Security Scanner
GFI LanGuard is an award winning network security scanner. It scans, detects and debugs the vulnerabilities in your computer network. GFI LanGuard deals with the vulnerability, auditing and patch management in one package.
Network Magic
Network Magic is a multipurpose diagnostic, monitoring, security and troubleshooting tool. It sends alerts in case if any intruders enter the network. It automatically configures firewall and protects the servers and gateway computer. It can perform all the networking tasks in the centralized dashboard.
Ethereal - Network Protocol Analyzer
Ethereal is a very popular protocol analyzer for the Window and UNIX operating systems. It has been used by the thousands of the administrators and the IT professionals around the world for analyzing, monitoring and troubleshooting purposes. It can capture and read the network data from Ethernet, FDDI, PPP, Token Ring and ATM. It can dissect 759 protocols.
Air Magnet Enterprise
Air Magnet is a wireless network troubleshooting and monitoring tool that provides the wireless intrusion prevention system. With the Air Magnet, you can have the full control of the entire life cycle of the wireless LAN. It provides the continuous monitoring and protection to your wireless assets. It detects and traces hundreds of wireless threats investigate devices and remotely troubleshoot the problems.
Colasoft Capsa Network Analyzer
Colasoft Capsa is a real time network analyzer and packet sniffer tool. It has been used for the packet capturing, packet decoding, monitoring and protocol analyzing. It allows you to get a clear picture of the complex networks and troubleshoot the problems.Server NannyServer Nanny is a Unix/Linux and Windows based server monitoring tool. It can fix the day to day errors in the network servers and monitors the memory usage, Windows services, databases, websites and SNMP. When the problems are detected, Server Nanny immediately alerts the administrators. It automatically restarts the server and fixes many errors.