Network monitoring software tracks, analyzes, and manages the performance, availability, and security of IT networks. This is managed across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. Such tools provide real-time visibility into network infrastructure, enabling IT teams, managed service providers (MSP), and DevOps teams to detect failures, optimize performance, and enhance security.
Network monitoring solutions use simple network management protocol (SNMP), syslog monitoring, API-based tracking, and agent-based monitoring to collect performance data from routers, switches, firewalls, internet of things (IoT) devices, and cloud-based networks. Some tools also include flow-based traffic analysis (NetFlow, sFlow, jFlow, IPFIX), Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), and encrypted traffic analysis to identify bottlenecks and security threats.
Modern network monitoring tools support hybrid and cloud-based environments, including SD-WAN solutions, business virtual private network (VPN) software, cloud interconnects, container networking software, and service meshes (AWS, Azure, GCP).
Many integrate with IT infrastructure monitoring software, application performance monitoring (APM) software, and network security software for a unified observability approach. AI-driven analytics and automation enhance anomaly detection, root cause analysis, and predictive performance optimization, reducing downtime and improving network reliability. Advanced solutions also offer zero trust software analytics, DDoS detection, and IDS/IPS integration for network security monitoring.
To qualify for inclusion in the Network Monitoring category, a product must:
Monitor network devices in real time, including routers, switches, firewalls, cloud networks, and IoT
Provide automated alerts and notifications for performance issues and security risks
Analyze network traffic and performance using SNMP, flow-based monitoring, DPI, or encrypted traffic analysis
Monitor hybrid and cloud-based environments, including SD-WAN, VPNs, and multi-cloud networking
Support AI-driven analytics and automation for network optimization and security threat detection
Offer auto-discovery, topology mapping, historical analytics, and compliance monitoring for visibility and troubleshooting
