Item: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM)
Rating: 10
Author: Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We utilize SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) as both an overview of our network and devices and also as a granular systems monitoring. With a large number of facilities on our campus it is extremely convenient to look at the SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) dashboard and get an instant report on the health of the different sites. In conjunction with the overview, if we do see an alert we can easily drill down to the device and/or site in question and determine what is causing the error. It saves us time when troubleshooting issues since it has already zeroed in on the site/device that is causing the alert.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Overall network/campus monitoring
Excellent individual device/network/wan status monitoring
Provides clear view when problems come up, it alerts and can show detailed information regarding the trouble.
Provides detailed information regarding WAN connections and internal network status.

Cons

It is very comprehensive when monitoring individual nodes, along with overall health. However, it can become very costly depending on how granular you wish to go. Even basic services is helpful, but if you choose to monitor several things on a device it is very expensive.
The learning curve is fairly steep, they could use a section on the training specifically on how to set up granular monitoring on switches and/or servers.
An easy step by step training on the different levels of reporting would be fantastic. The reporting is very in depth but some reportable info may get missed because it is not easily setup.

Return on Investment

We had SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) early on and due to budget cuts it fell off of the funded group. We did the best we could with other products for quite a while. With some sizeable projects came the need to better analyze and monitor out network and the associated devices. This led us back to SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM). We currently are using it and feel it is doing an excellent job helping us montor and expand our network environment.

Usability

It is a very comprehensive solution, and we have been able to utilize the different offerings. It is a complete "live" status monitoring package along with strong troubleshooting solutions regarding network devices, network performance and network service expansion.

Alternatives Considered

Auvik, PRTG Network Monitor and Progress WhatsUp Gold

The other packages we tested and/or used were all good products. Some issues involved cost, some involved ease of use. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) offered all of the services we needed with a fair price. Additionally, since we had used the product before, familiarity of the product and how to manage it helped with the decision also.

Key Insights

Do you think SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM)'s feature set?

Yes

Did SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Cisco Duo, CrowdStrike Falcon, Unitrends, Securly Filter

Likelihood to Recommend

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is excellent on node monitoring, for servers, switches, voice routers, etc. It also provides quick information on the dashboard, so you can take a look an in a few seconds determine is an entire site is down, if portions are down, and what may be causing the issue.

We have experienced some difficulty when working with our wireless environment. It is less than natural when attempting to determine if a wireless access point is down itself, or if the switch feeding the access point is down, either port or switch. It does a very good job telling you if a switch is down, but troubleshooting the devices (specifically access points) it struggles.

SolarWinds NPM Feature Ratings

Comments

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SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) - Review of an excellent solution