# Best Network Management Tools ## How Many Network Management Tools Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 146 ### Category Stats (Jul 2026) - **Average Rating:** 4.43/5 The average rating of products in this category, based on all submitted ratings - **Top Trending Product:** OpManager Nexus (+0.73%) - Among all products in this category, OpManager Nexus recorded the largest rating increase compared to last month _Last updated: July 27, 2026_ ## How Does G2 Rank Network Management Tools Products? **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 4,100+ Authentic Reviews - 146+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. ## G2 Grid® for Network Management Tools ![G2 Grid® for Network Management Tools plotting products by satisfaction and market presence](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-management-tools/grids.png?focus%5B%5D=1059&focus%5B%5D=17351&focus%5B%5D=72011&focus%5B%5D=63570&focus%5B%5D=57110&focus%5B%5D=13665&focus%5B%5D=1182874&focus%5B%5D=109466) Highlighted products: Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), OpManager Nexus, Auvik, ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager, BackBox, Site24x7, SolarWinds Observability, and FortiManager. Underlying data: [Grid® JSON](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-management-tools/grids.json?focus%5B%5D=check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws&focus%5B%5D=opmanager-nexus&focus%5B%5D=auvik-networks&focus%5B%5D=manageengine-network-configuration-manager&focus%5B%5D=backbox&focus%5B%5D=site24x7&focus%5B%5D=solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability&focus%5B%5D=fortimanager) **Sponsored** ### Prisma Browser for Business Prisma Browser for Business is a secure web browser tailored for small businesses, integrating advanced security features directly into the browsing experience. Built on the Chromium platform, it offers a familiar interface while providing enterprise-grade protection against online threats such as phishing, ransomware, and data breaches. This solution enables teams to work seamlessly across various applications and AI tools, ensuring data security without the need for a dedicated IT team. Key Features and Functionality: - Proactive Threat Protection: Utilizes AI-powered threat scanning to detect and block phishing attempts, malware, and other cyber threats in real-time. - Data Loss Prevention: Implements controls to prevent accidental sharing of sensitive information, such as disabling copy/paste and file uploads to unauthorized platforms. - AI Interaction Management: Monitors and regulates AI tool usage to prevent unintended actions and data leaks, ensuring that business information remains secure. - User-Friendly Deployment: Offers a straightforward setup process with pre-configured security settings, allowing businesses to protect their teams without technical expertise. Primary Value and Problem Solved: Prisma Browser for Business addresses the critical need for robust cybersecurity in small businesses, which are increasingly targeted by sophisticated cyberattacks. By embedding security directly into the browser, it safeguards the primary workspace where employees spend the majority of their time. This solution not only protects against external threats but also mitigates risks associated with accidental data exposure through AI tools and other online platforms. By providing an easy-to-use, comprehensive security solution, Prisma Browser for Business empowers small businesses to focus on growth and productivity without compromising on security. [Visit website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=1357&secure%5Bchosen_at%5D=2026-07-28T08%3A22%3A07Z&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=1847&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=neighbor_category&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=1847&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=1979&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=1806417&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=1357&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Fnetwork-management-tools%3Fopen_modal_url%3D%252Fproducts%252Fmicroland-smartbranch%252Fwishlists%253Fhost_path%253D%25252Fcategories%25252Fnetwork-management-tools%2526source%253Dcategory&secure%5Btoken%5D=41f60b77ab796189e35672ec3ac2919c1cd98286d61f05fa94499dd8567a8fb4&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fprisma-browser-for-business%3Futm_source%3Dg2-panw_inhouse-amer-sase-smco-sfow%26utm_medium%3Ddisplay%26utm_campaign%3Dg2-sase-prisma_browser_smb-amer-us-awareness-en-native-cat_com%26utm_content%3D701Ki000000p2UKIAY&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url) [ Check Point Next Generation... ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) By [Check Point Software Technologies](https://www.g2.com/sellers/check-point-software-technologies) [ 4.5/5(591) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the strong threat prevention and centralized management capabilities of Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), highlighting their effectiveness in blocking advanced c Pros and Cons [ Cybersecurity (101) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Expensive (71) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ OpManager Nexus ](https://www.g2.com/products/opmanager-nexus/reviews) By [Zoho](https://www.g2.com/sellers/zoho-b00ca9d5-bca8-41b5-a8ad-275480841704) [ 4.6/5(225) ](https://www.g2.com/products/opmanager-nexus/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the user-friendly interface and real-time monitoring capabilities of ManageEngine OpManager, which simplify network management and enhance operational efficiency. The tool's Pros and Cons [ Monitoring (44) ](https://www.g2.com/products/opmanager-nexus/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Complexity (14) ](https://www.g2.com/products/opmanager-nexus/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Auvik ](https://www.g2.com/products/auvik-networks/reviews) By [Auvik Networks Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/auvik-networks-inc) [ 4.5/5(380) ](https://www.g2.com/products/auvik-networks/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise Auvik for its ease of use and network visibility, highlighting how the intuitive interface simplifies monitoring and troubleshooting across complex environments. The automate Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (41) ](https://www.g2.com/products/auvik-networks/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Device Limitations (8) ](https://www.g2.com/products/auvik-networks/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ ManageEngine Network... ](https://www.g2.com/products/manageengine-network-configuration-manager/reviews) By [Zoho](https://www.g2.com/sellers/zoho-b00ca9d5-bca8-41b5-a8ad-275480841704) [ 4.5/5(43) ](https://www.g2.com/products/manageengine-network-configuration-manager/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the product for its automated configuration backups and user-friendly interface, which significantly streamline network management tasks. The ability to easily restore config Pros and Cons [ Backup (15) ](https://www.g2.com/products/manageengine-network-configuration-manager/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Limited Features (7) ](https://www.g2.com/products/manageengine-network-configuration-manager/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) ## FAQs About Network Management Tools Generated using AI Last updated: June 3, 2026 ### Which tool offers the most detailed network performance analytics Based on G2 reviews, these products are most often mentioned for visibility, analytics, and troubleshooting depth. - [ManageEngine OpManager](https://www.g2.com/products/manageengine-opmanager) — real-time monitoring and bandwidth troubleshooting. - [Auvik](https://www.g2.com/products/auvik-networks) — topology mapping and traffic visibility. - [Arbor Sightline](https://www.g2.com/products/arbor-sightline) — flow analytics and DDoS traffic insight. - [IBM SevOne](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-sevone) — granular telemetry and proactive monitoring. ### Which vendor offers automated network configuration management Based on G2 reviews, these products are frequently used to automate backups, change tracking, and config consistency. - [BackBox](https://www.g2.com/products/backbox) — automated backups and policy validation. - [ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/manageengine-network-configuration-manager) — change tracking and bulk config pushes. - [FortiManager](https://www.g2.com/products/fortimanager) — centralized policy deployment across firewalls. - [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws) — centralized policy control with SmartConsole. ### Which vendor provides the most secure network management platform Based on G2 reviews, these products are most associated with threat prevention, policy control, and secure visibility. - [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws) — layered threat prevention and policy enforcement. - [Check Point Quantum Titan](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-quantum-titan) — enterprise protection with clear activity visibility. - [Arbor Sightline](https://www.g2.com/products/arbor-sightline) — DDoS detection and attack analysis. - [VMware NSX](https://www.g2.com/products/vmware-nsx) — micro-segmentation and Zero Trust controls. ### What are the most important features in network management software According to verified users, the most valued capabilities in network management software are real-time monitoring, alerting, device discovery, dashboards, and centralized visibility across routers, switches, firewalls, servers, and links. Reviews also repeatedly highlight topology maps, bandwidth and traffic analysis, configuration backup, change tracking, reporting, and integrations with ticketing or IT operations tools. Buyers also care about proactive issue detection, because many reviewers describe wanting alerts before users notice outages. Ease of setup and daily usability matter too, but many products still require tuning to reduce noisy alerts, improve report customization, or handle larger environments. In short, buyers consistently favor tools that combine broad visibility with faster troubleshooting and less manual effort. ### How do teams use network management tools for troubleshooting G2 reviewers mention that teams use network management tools to spot outages, trace bottlenecks, and isolate device or link issues faster from a central view. Common troubleshooting workflows include checking dashboards for device health, using alerts to catch failures early, reviewing bandwidth or traffic patterns, and looking at topology maps to understand where a problem sits in the network path. Some users also describe relying on configuration history, backup comparisons, or change tracking when a recent update may have caused disruption. Across products, the recurring value is reducing guesswork. Instead of logging into many devices one by one, teams use these tools to narrow the issue quickly and decide whether the root cause is performance, configuration drift, connectivity, or unexpected traffic behavior. [ BackBox ](https://www.g2.com/products/backbox/reviews) By [BackBox](https://www.g2.com/sellers/backbox) [ 4.5/5(187) ](https://www.g2.com/products/backbox/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise BackBox for its automated backups and ease of use, which significantly reduce manual effort and human error in network management. The platform's ability to handle multiple d Pros and Cons [ Automation (38) ](https://www.g2.com/products/backbox/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Complex Setup (17) ](https://www.g2.com/products/backbox/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Site24x7 ](https://www.g2.com/products/site24x7/reviews) By [Zoho](https://www.g2.com/sellers/zoho-b00ca9d5-bca8-41b5-a8ad-275480841704) [ 4.6/5(441) ](https://www.g2.com/products/site24x7/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the product for its ease of use and reliable alerts, which help them monitor their systems effectively. The intuitive interface and comprehensive monitoring capabilities allo Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (72) ](https://www.g2.com/products/site24x7/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Alert Issues (22) ](https://www.g2.com/products/site24x7/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Ubiquiti Network Management... ](https://www.g2.com/products/ubiquiti-network-management-system/reviews) By [Ubiquiti Networks](https://www.g2.com/sellers/ubiquiti-networks) [ 4.5/5(37) ](https://www.g2.com/products/ubiquiti-network-management-system/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the ease of use and intuitive interface of the Ubiquiti Network Management System, which simplifies managing multiple devices and networks. Many appreciate its ability to pro Pros and Cons [ Customer Support (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/ubiquiti-network-management-system/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Poor Documentation (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/ubiquiti-network-management-system/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ FortiManager ](https://www.g2.com/products/fortimanager/reviews) By [Fortinet](https://www.g2.com/sellers/fortinet) [ 4.3/5(27) ](https://www.g2.com/products/fortimanager/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise centralized management capabilities, which simplify the oversight of multiple FortiGate firewalls and reduce configuration errors. The integration with automation tools and a Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (4) ](https://www.g2.com/products/fortimanager/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Complex Setup (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/fortimanager/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ IBM SevOne ](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-sevone/reviews) By [IBM](https://www.g2.com/sellers/ibm) [ 4.3/5(72) ](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-sevone/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise IBM SevOne for its real-time visibility and scalability, which are essential for monitoring complex network environments. The platform's ability to provide deep insights and Pros and Cons [ Monitoring (36) ](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-sevone/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Learning Curve (26) ](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-sevone/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ SolarWinds Observability ](https://www.g2.com/products/solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability/reviews) By [SolarWinds Worldwide LLC](https://www.g2.com/sellers/solarwinds-worldwide-llc) [ 4.3/5(862) ](https://www.g2.com/products/solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the unified visibility SolarWinds Observability provides across infrastructure, applications, and networks, which simplifies monitoring and enhances troubleshooting efficienc Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (21) ](https://www.g2.com/products/solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Learning Curve (13) ](https://www.g2.com/products/solarwinds-worldwide-llc-solarwinds-observability/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Entuity ](https://www.g2.com/products/entuity/reviews) By [Park Place Technologies](https://www.g2.com/sellers/park-place-technologies) [ 4.6/5(102) ](https://www.g2.com/products/entuity/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the intuitive user interface and ease of use of Entuity, highlighting how it simplifies network monitoring and management tasks. Many appreciate its comprehensive features, s Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (11) ](https://www.g2.com/products/entuity/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Integration Issues (4) ](https://www.g2.com/products/entuity/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Progress WhatsUp Gold ](https://www.g2.com/products/progress-whatsup-gold/reviews) By [Progress Software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/progress-software) [ 4.4/5(389) ](https://www.g2.com/products/progress-whatsup-gold/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the ease of use and real-time monitoring capabilities of Progress WhatsUp Gold, highlighting its intuitive interface and effective alerting system that helps quickly identify Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (47) ](https://www.g2.com/products/progress-whatsup-gold/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Expensive (16) ](https://www.g2.com/products/progress-whatsup-gold/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Check Point Quantum Titan ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-quantum-titan/reviews) By [Check Point Software Technologies](https://www.g2.com/sellers/check-point-software-technologies) [ 4.5/5(17) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-quantum-titan/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the strong protection and easy management offered by the product, highlighting its ability to handle large network traffic efficiently. Many appreciate the unified interface Pros and Cons [ Cybersecurity (4) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-quantum-titan/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Performance Issues (3) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-quantum-titan/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Domotz ](https://www.g2.com/products/domotz/reviews) By [Domotz](https://www.g2.com/sellers/domotz) [ 4.8/5(105) ](https://www.g2.com/products/domotz/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the ease of use and intuitive interface of Domotz, highlighting its quick setup and effective monitoring capabilities. Many appreciate the real-time alerts and comprehensive Pros and Cons [ Ease of Use (25) ](https://www.g2.com/products/domotz/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Feature Issues (8) ](https://www.g2.com/products/domotz/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) [ Check Point Quantum Spark... ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-quantum-spark-security-management-portal/reviews) By [Check Point Software Technologies](https://www.g2.com/sellers/check-point-software-technologies) [ 4.6/5(18) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-quantum-spark-security-management-portal/reviews) What do users say? Users consistently praise the ease of management and centralized control offered by the software, allowing for efficient monitoring and policy management across multiple security devices. The intuitiv Pros and Cons [ Alert Notifications (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-quantum-spark-security-management-portal/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)[ Difficult Navigation (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-quantum-spark-security-management-portal/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) - ‹ Prev‹ Prev - 1 - [2](/categories/network-management-tools?open_modal_url=%2Fproducts%2Fmicroland-smartbranch%2Fwishlists%3Fhost_path%3D%252Fcategories%252Fnetwork-management-tools%26source%3Dcategory&order=g2_score&page=2#product-list) - [3](/categories/network-management-tools?open_modal_url=%2Fproducts%2Fmicroland-smartbranch%2Fwishlists%3Fhost_path%3D%252Fcategories%252Fnetwork-management-tools%26source%3Dcategory&order=g2_score&page=3#product-list) - [4](/categories/network-management-tools?open_modal_url=%2Fproducts%2Fmicroland-smartbranch%2Fwishlists%3Fhost_path%3D%252Fcategories%252Fnetwork-management-tools%26source%3Dcategory&order=g2_score&page=4#product-list) - [5](/categories/network-management-tools?open_modal_url=%2Fproducts%2Fmicroland-smartbranch%2Fwishlists%3Fhost_path%3D%252Fcategories%252Fnetwork-management-tools%26source%3Dcategory&order=g2_score&page=5#product-list) - … - [9](/categories/network-management-tools?open_modal_url=%2Fproducts%2Fmicroland-smartbranch%2Fwishlists%3Fhost_path%3D%252Fcategories%252Fnetwork-management-tools%26source%3Dcategory&order=g2_score&page=9#product-list) - [10](/categories/network-management-tools?open_modal_url=%2Fproducts%2Fmicroland-smartbranch%2Fwishlists%3Fhost_path%3D%252Fcategories%252Fnetwork-management-tools%26source%3Dcategory&order=g2_score&page=10#product-list) - [Next ›Next ›](/categories/network-management-tools?open_modal_url=%2Fproducts%2Fmicroland-smartbranch%2Fwishlists%3Fhost_path%3D%252Fcategories%252Fnetwork-management-tools%26source%3Dcategory&order=g2_score&page=2#product-list) Spotlight Categories [Digital Signage Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/digital-signage) [Security Compliance Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/security-compliance) [Event Registration and Ticketing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/event-registration-ticketing) [Event Management Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/event-management-platforms) [Restaurant POS Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/restaurant-pos) Similar Categories - [Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)](/categories/infrastructure-as-a-service-iaas) - [Active Metadata Management](/categories/active-metadata-management) - [Address Verification](/categories/address-verification) - [AIOps Platforms](/categories/aiops-platforms) - [Application Server](/categories/application-server) - [Blockchain](/categories/blockchain) - [Cloud File Storage](/categories/cloud-file-storage) - [Database Software](/categories/database-software) - [Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)](/categories/data-center-infrastructure-management-dcim) - [Data Center Networking](/categories/data-center-networking) - [Data Exchange Platforms](/categories/data-exchange-platforms) - [Data Fabric](/categories/data-fabric) - [Data Integration Tools](/categories/data-integration-tools) - [Data Management Software](/categories/data-management-software) - [Data Mapping](/categories/data-mapping) [Browse Network Management Tools Themes](/categories/network-management-tools/themes) ![Tian Lin](/assets/transparent-ad5be28fbcd25b7b08d2cebe1d957125437fb5407d75ee717965ad22c8808791.gif "Tian Lin") TL Researched and written by [Tian Lin](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/tian-lin) Updated October 3, 2024 Network management tools are used to administrate, provision, and control IT systems. These products help users understand who is using their network, how it is organized and how it is performing. Companies use these to improve reporting on existing networks and tighten control over connected systems. Many products have network mapping capabilities to outline connected devices and infrastructure. Some modern network management tools are used for configuration management between cloud services and remote network connections. [Network monitoring tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-monitoring) are closely related to network management tools, but provide fewer administrative controls. Instead, network monitoring tools continuously analyze traffic, accessibility and network health. There is also some relation to [data center networking](https://www.g2.com/categories/data-center-networking) software. These tools provide similar network management capabilities designed specifically for data centers and their connected IT ecosystem. To qualify for inclusion in the Network Management category, a product must: - Provide administrative control over computer networks - Provision devices connected to a network - Map and discover new network connections Top Tools at a Glance | | Centralized multi-gateway threat prevention and policy enforcement | User Review "The Ultimate Tool for Threat Prevention" | | | Multi-vendor network fault detection and ITSM ticketing | User Review "Centralized NOC Dashboards and Real-Time Monitoring Made Simple" | | | Automated network topology mapping with MSP multi-tenancy | User Review "Centralized Visibility That Transforms Network Management" | | | Multi-vendor network config backup and compliance | User Review "Centralized Network Configuration Backup and Compliance Management" | | | Multi-vendor network config backup and drift remediation | User Review "Reliable Automation for Network Management" | | | Unified infrastructure and network observability | User Review "Single Dashboard Monitoring That Makes Infrastructure Management Effortless" | | | License-free UniFi infrastructure provisioning and monitoring | User Review "Centralized Network Management That Simplifies Daily Operations" | | | Fortinet-native centralized firewall policy orchestration | User Review "Reliable, User-Friendly Centralized Management with FortiManager" | | | High-frequency polling across hybrid network observability | User Review "Real-Time Insights That Empower Network Teams" | | | Unified infrastructure observability with AIOps-driven root-cause correlation | User Review "Highly recommended for organizations looking to modernize their monitoring strategy." | * * * Show More * * * ## How Do You Choose the Right Network Management Tools? ### What You Should Know About Network Management Tools ### What are Network Management Tools? Network management tools enable network administrators to monitor and control the entire network (on-premises or cloud) to address service needs and business objectives. A network is created when two or more devices communicate with each other through the transfer of data. Devices come in many forms but the important network devices are clients, servers, switches, routers, firewalls, and access points. These network devices above allow common devices such as computers, phones, smart watches, IoT, and others to connect to each other. Devices can be connected physically, virtually, and wirelessly via LAN, WAN, VPN, and different types of networks.  All of these connections and devices are complex to manage manually. With network management software, IT managers can track what devices are connected and how they connect. Network management tools use network topology to visually lay out device connections. With this map, users can provision the network system by changing device configuration, resource allocation, and security settings to meet their IT objectives. Different network management solutions may have other network management protocols but most use simple network management protocol (SNMP).  Good network management software also allows IT teams to automate manual network management tasks, such as inventory assessments, device discovery and mapping, system backups, remote access, etc. The goal is to let the network management software automate these traditionally time-consuming tasks so users can focus on other things, like winning new customers and working on new business objectives. #### What Types of Network Management Tools Exist? **Free or open-source software** Free network management tools perform simple internet protocols and provide basic network performance data. Since many of them require manually loading the device, free tools are perfect for small networks with fewer devices. A good rule of thumb is that if the user can map all of their devices’ topologies on a whiteboard, they should try these free tools before the paid software. Small companies or individual users are the perfect fit for this type of software.  **Specialized network management software ** Specialized network management software is good at doing one job—network management. This software can manage a range of functional areas: auto-discovery, inventory, performance, reliability, and security. It provides technical reports and graphs of the network system. Some more advanced tools can offer root cause analysis and machine learning to solve specific problems. These tools are excellent for organizations with other existing monitoring and management tools for their website, database, hardware, etc. **One-for-all software ** Top vendors provide comprehensive network management solutions for enterprises. These tools not only do everything that a specialized network management software ca do, alsothey have additional capabilities that manage cloud infrastructure, web network traffic, and IT assets. Some even cover container management, Kubernetes control, and application monitoring. Since they are designed for enterprise-size networks, there is no limit to the scalability of the number of devices. An experienced user can automate a significant amount of manual tasks with this type of software on numerous devices. This type of software is a great fit for large organizations that have their IT infrastructure in multiple locations.  ### What are the Common Features of Network Management Tools? The following are some core features within network management tools that can help users manage their network: **Device discovery:** Network management tools need to automatically discover new and existing devices and update this information in the device inventory. If there is no auto featuusers mustd to manually enter this information into the system.  **Network topology:** Another name for this feature is network mapping. Network management tools should map all devices in a graph to show how they are connected. This saves users time from constantly mapping their network manually on a whiteboard. They can see the entire network from network maps. **Configuration management:** Users can set up their network configurations such as IP address and firewalls on Microsoft Windows, Linux, or website (SaaS) using API.  **Network monitoring:** Network performance should be monitored to show the status of the network such as bandwidth usage. Essential metrics must be covered in the following: bandwidth (maximum data transmission rate), throughput (data transmission rate), latency (delay between device request and delivery), packet loss (number of data packets dropped during transmissions), availability (uptime of the network), and connectivity (the types of connection between devices).  **IT alerting:** If there is a performance problem, tools that have alerting capability will notify the help desk so IT staff can start troubleshooting the network configuration. IT alerting should be integrated with the network monitoring system. For example, if remote wireless networks fail to operate, IT pros won't know there is a problem unless the network monitoring solution notifies them. **Root cause analysis:** Just having the status of the network is not enough for modern-day network management practice. When there are hundreds of devices, users waste time trying to search which device is causing a network performance issue. The software should alert the user which device is causing the problem so the user can fix the issue fast. This feature is core to performance management.  **Reporting dashboard:** If every device is being tracked automatically, their performance information should be reported in real time in a central dashboard. It is unrealistic to expect network managers to check the performance of every device one by one. Also, different users have different technical knowledge of the network system. Therefore, reporting tools should be customizable according to the level of technical details.  **Automation:** Network management tools should automatically track network inventory, run scheduled reports, device software updates, load balance based on need, alert users of issues and where to find them, and so on. The more IT teams can automate these processes, the more time they save from doing these tasks manually. With the rise of machine learning and AIOps, these new technologies assist users in accurately determining the device at fault so users waste less time trying to find the problem. ### What are the Benefits of Network Management Tools? **Increase network performance:** Since network management solutions monitor, evaluate, and report performance metrics such as traffic volume and availability. Users can use performance information to forecast resource requirements and load balance based on need. For example, if an internal network device is causing the bottleneck, then the user can upgrade their device. If the internal network infrastructure is operational but the external cloud server is limiting network performance, then users can upgrade their cloud resource capacity. Network management software provides this information so users can accurately pinpoint the performance issue and act accordingly. **Easily manage numerous devices:** Users can manage their network and device configuration in a configuration management dashboard. This includes initializing multiple devices and maintaining settings in one workflow. The software also allows configuration backup so in the event of failure or human error, IT administrators bring the network back online without manually setting everything up again. **Increase network security:** Security management prevents unauthorized access and cyber attack. Users can set up user authentication, data encryption, access distribution, firewall, and other security parameters to provide real-time protection. ### Who Uses Network Management Tools? **IT teams:** Only IT personnel would use this software to set up and manage company networks.  #### Software Related to Network Management Software Related solutions that can be used together with network management software include: [Network monitoring tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/network-monitoring) **:** Network monitoring tools are closely related to network management tools but provide fewer administrative controls. Instead, network monitoring software continuously analyzes traffic, accessibility, netflow, and network health. ### Challenges with Network Management Tools Software solutions can come with their own set of challenges.  **Device recognition:** Some network management solutions will not automatically recognize or register devices from other brands. Buyers need to extensively test if their existing devices work well on the network management software before purchasing. **Limited functionality:** Some vendors offer multiple network management products with different functionality. Buyers can select which one they want and not pay for the extra service. However, the catch is that vendor want to sell buyers everything, so these so-called “standalone” products are not fully functional unless the buyer purchases all of them, which is expensive. If the bundled products cost exceeds the IT budget, it’s best not to buy any of them. It is common to try to buy one product to save money, but upgrading later ends up costing more than what companies want to pay for.  **Unfriendly user experience and implementation:** Some big brand products are not only expensive but also difficult to install, configure, administer, and maintain without extensive knowledge of the vendors’ systems. Companies who purchased such products often fail to deploy, partially deploy, or completely abandon any effort to monitor their network. To avoid this, buyers should filter out products that have a complex GUI and implementation requirements. **Network scale:** Small-business network management tools can be easy to use but may not fit the projected growth needs. Enterprise solutions are not necessary for smaller networks but can provide intensive support for larger, more complex networks in real time. Many cloud offerings can help small businesses scale their networks as they grow while minimizing downtime. When investing in a network management solution, the solution must meet the company’s scale needs, both for now and in the near future. ### How to Buy Network Management Tools #### Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Network Management Software The company’s needs when searching for network management solutions often relate to specific network performance issues. For example, the user may be most interested in monitoring and improving performance for downtime. Buyers should make a ranked list of the network management features that most directly address the problems they’re trying to solve, then reference G2 reviews to find the right fit. Prioritizing the desired feature set can help narrow down the potential pool of network management solutions, allowing teams to then apply further considerations for budget, ease of integration with other systems, security requirements, and more. This holistic approach empowers buyers to move forward with a focused checklist, which can be used in conjunction with G2 scoring to select the best network management product for the business. #### Compare Network Management Tools **Create a long list** Buyers should start with a large pool of network management software vendors. Keeping the desired must-have features in mind, buyers must perform consistent inquiries during demos so they can effectively compare the pros and cons of each software. **Create a short list** It helps to cross-reference the results of initial vendor evaluations with G2 reviews from other buyers, the combination of which will help narrow it down to three to five products. From there, buyers can compare pricing and features to determine the best fit. **Conduct demos** Companies should make sure to demo all of the products that end up on their short list. The basic step of the demo is to start with downtime management. It’s important to know if the product tracks network uptime, device operational status, and performance metrics like packet and bandwidth data. It’s also helpful to test the configuration and reporting function. It is also important that the selected product fully reflects the entire enterprise network ecosystem and topology. #### Selection of Network Management Tools **Choose a selection team** Regardless of a company’s size, it’s important to involve the most relevant personnel when beginning the network management software selection process. Larger companies may include individual team members to fill roles such as system owners, IT professionals, and developers who will be working with the software closely. Smaller companies with fewer employees might overlap roles.  **Negotiation** Many companies offer full network-related platforms that go beyond network management to include application performance monitoring, cloud infrastructure monitoring, and more. While some companies will not budge on the configurations of their packages, buyers looking to trim costs should try to negotiate down to the specific functions that matter to them to get the best price. For example, a vendor’s pricing page where network management functionality is only included with a robust all-in-one monitoring package, whereas a sales conversation may prove otherwise.  **Final decision** After this stage, it is essential to perform a trial run with a small selection of IT professionals or developers. This will help to ensure that the software of choice integrates well with an IT administrator’s systems setup or a developer’s day-to-day work. If the tool is well-liked and well-utilized, the buyer can take that as a sign that their selection is the right one. If not, reevaluation of the options may be necessary.