Network troubleshooting tools help technicians find, analyze, and solve network issues.
Networks contain a large number of potential failure points. Hardware or software problems at one point in the network can cause interruptions, bottlenecks, and outages for many users. Network troubleshooting tools aim to help technicians solve these issues quickly and reliably.
Network troubleshooting tools monitor and analyze network traffic. Users can analyze the network in real-time or save reports for later analysis. Some vendors offer graphical assistance to help users identify where and when problems occur. These interfaces may include customizable data charts, visual network maps, and lists of network elements with their status.
Some vendors also offer network configuration tools. These tools are used for network management tasks, such as automation, compliance, and vulnerability assessment. These tools may support integration with the vendor’s network troubleshooting tools.
Most vendors offering network troubleshooting tools include these basic features:
Real-time monitoring of network traffic
Data archiving for later analysis or comparison
Support for VoIP monitoring
Support for wide-area networks (WAN)
Some vendors offer additional features, including:
Graphical representations of network elements and traffic
Automatic network mapping
Highlighting of potential problems
Lists of network elements and their status
Customizable alerts to notify technicians of problems
Network management toolsets
Pricing for network troubleshooting tools can vary based on the feature set, the size of the network, and the amount of data analyzed. Vendors may offer free trials or free tiers with limited features. Some network troubleshooting tools are open-source and free.
Some vendors charge by the number of elements - routers, switches, servers, and access points - in the network. Pricing ranges from under $3,000.00 for up to 100 elements to over $30,000.00 for unlimited elements.
Other vendors charge by feature set. These tiers range from under $300.00 per license for lower tiers to over $1,000.00 per license for higher tiers.
Vendors with one-time licensing fees may offer yearly maintenance and support plans. The prices listed here are licensing fees. Additionally, some vendors offer a yearly rate based on your requirements.
SolarWinds NPM is a monitoring and performance management platform. It provides performance troubleshooting support, auto network discovery, customizable thresholds, and can be rapidly deployed.
SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is network diagnostics and troubleshooting technology, from Austin-based SolarWinds.
Wireshark is an open source network troubleshooting tool.
ThousandEyes offers Digital Experience Monitoring that integrates application performance monitoring within a broader network monitoring platform. It primarily focuses on connectivity monitoring and supports SaaS and hybrid systems monitoring.
OneTouch AT Network Assistant is network troubleshooting technology acquired from Seattle-based Fluke Networks by NETSCOUT in 2015.
Colasoft Capsa is a network performance monitoring and protocol analyzing tool. Capsa provides core monitoring features, as well as automated diagnostics and packet decoding. Colasoft offers a limited free version of the software.
OptiView XG is a wireless network troubleshooting device acquired by NETSCOUT from Seattle-based Fluke Networks in 2015.
LinkSprinter is a network diagnostics and troubleshooting tool acquired from Seattle-based Fluke Networks by NETSCOUT in 2015.
EndaceVision is a browser-based application supporting network troubleshooting formerly from Endace, an independent company headquartered in New Zealand once divested from its parent Emulex, while the rest of that company was acquired and merged into Broadcom / Avago Technologies.
AirMagnet Spectrum XT is network troubleshooting technology, developed by Seattle-based Fluke Networks and now owned and supported by NETSCOUT.
LiveAction offers the LiveWire network forensics analysis series of appliance, offering functionality previousyl provided by Savvius under the Vigil brand. LiveAction acquired Savvius in summer 2018. The LiveWire appliance is offered in three editions, LiveWire Edge for small branches and WAN Edg...
Netmon is an all-in-one network monitoring appliance solution featuring real-time packet sniffing technology, device performance monitoring, syslog & event log monitoring and custom alerting in a centralized platform. With this solution, users can monitor their entire network with no device l...
NETSCOUT AirMagnet Enterprise is a 24x7 Performance Monitoring & Wireless Intrusion Detection System (WIDS) / Prevention System (WIPS) that enables organizations to meet security, performance and compliance demands of today’s mobile workforce. AirMagnet Enterprise can perform network securit...
Flowmon Traffic provides on-demand full packet capture and recording or a complete packet trace and analysis, to provide effective network problem resolution and identification.
SolarWinds Network Automation Manager is designed to scale to environments of all sizes while providing comprehensive performance, traffic, WAN, and switch port monitoring, automated change and configuration, and IP address management in a single, unified software solution. Key differentiators:C...
PingPlotter is a graphical traceroute and ping tool that visualizes network performance in a way that makes identifying the source of problems quicker and easier for everyone from online gamers and video streamers to VoIP admins and IT pros. Features for remote deployment, network monitoring, scr...
Cirries Packet Capture is a software-based solution that supports packet capture at rates up to 100Gbps. It delivers the packet details essential for forensic analysis in security operations, for troubleshooting network anomalies, and for other investigative network operations.