Types of network monitoring

Network administrators have their hands full tracking multiple networks and ensuring that their networks run efficiently, securely, and without interruption. However, things become simpler when they have the right tools and strategies in place to detect issues before they escalate. Whether you're tracking availability, traffic, or monitoring network configuration, the right tools help you maintain a healthy network environment. This article will cover the different types of network monitoring, with a special focus on Site24x7 and how it stands out from other tools.

Availability monitoring

What is availability monitoring?

Availability monitoring tracks whether your network devices are up and running and provides constant tracking of network resources, such as firewalls, routers, and switches. By checking whether these devices are accessible, administrators can quickly react to downtime and minimize service disruptions.

Why it's important

• Prevent downtime: Identifying failures early ensures systems are back online quickly.
• Service-level agreement (SLA) management: Track uptime to maintain SLA targets.
• Proactive alerts: Receive immediate alerts if any device becomes unavailable.

How Site24x7 helps

Site24x7 provides comprehensive availability monitoring with real-time alerts for downtime detection. Unlike many other tools, Site24x7's ability to track uptime across both on-premises networks, SDNs, and SD-WANs allows a unified, centralized view of your network. Its automatic failover detection and real-time visibility into the health of your network devices ensure faster incident responses.

Performance monitoring

What is performance monitoring?

Network performance monitoring focuses on the speed, responsiveness, and overall efficiency of the network. To keep a network running smoothly, network administrators must keep an eye on key metrics like traffic volume, CPU usage, and packet loss.

Why it's important

• Detect performance bottlenecks: Identify where there are spikes in performance metrics like CPU or memory utilization.
• Maintain network efficiency: Ensure that key network services are operating smoothly.
• Optimize the user experience: A network that performs well provides a better service for end users.
  

How Site24x7 helps

Site24x7 offers comprehensive performance monitoring with a customizable dashboard that tracks key performance indicators. Compared to other tools, Site24x7's cloud-based platform delivers more accurate data for remote offices and branch locations. It supports multi-device monitoring and provides actionable insights that help optimize network performance across all locations.

Network traffic monitoring

What is network traffic monitoring?

Network traffic monitoring tracks the flow of data across your network. It includes tracking which devices or applications consume the most bandwidth and monitoring for irregular traffic patterns that might indicate issues such as congestion or security threats.

Why it's important

• Bandwidth management: Prevent network congestion by identifying top talkers and bandwidth hogs.
• Traffic optimization: Prioritize critical applications for optimal performance.
• Detect anomalies: Identify traffic spikes, unusual patterns, or security incidents.

How Site24x7 helps

Site24x7 offers real-time flow analysis and detailed insights into traffic patterns and usage. Its support for multiple flow types, such as NetFlow, sFlow, J-Flow, Cflow, IPFIX, NetStream, and AppFlow, ensures it can work with various network configurations, unlike many tools that only handle basic traffic metrics. Additionally, Site24x7 provides traffic analysis across hybrid cloud environments, which is a distinct advantage for modern enterprise networks.

Network configuration management

What is network configuration management?

Network configuration management helps admins track whether devices are set up correctly, adhere to network policies, and maintain compliance. It also involves firmware vulnerability management and network automation, which are key to maintaining security and efficiency.

Why it's important

• Prevent unauthorized changes: Track unauthorized configuration changes and unapproved changes to avoid potential vulnerabilities.
• Track firmware vulnerabilities: Keep an eye on known vulnerabilities and track for patch fixes to apply as soon as they are available.
• Maintain configuration compliance: Ensure all network devices adhere to company standards and regulatory guidelines.
• Automate tasks: Automate repetitive network tasks, such as software updates, configuration backups, and provisioning.

How Site24x7 helps

Site24x7 stands out with its network configuration management features, particularly in automating tasks like configuration backups and compliance checks. It offers a robust solution for network configuration compliance by automatically flagging deviations from predefined standards. Site24x7 also supports firmware vulnerability management, ensuring that devices run secure, up-to-date firmware. Moreover, its network automation capabilities streamline operations by reducing manual intervention and minimizing human error.

IPSLA monitoring

What is IPSLA monitoring?

IP service-level agreement (IPSLA) monitoring measures the performance of VoIP and WANs. This ensures that critical network services meet predefined performance standards and helps pinpoint issues affecting service delivery.

Why it's important

• Monitor critical services: Track WAN and VoIP performance to ensure uninterrupted communication.
• Detect service degradation: Quickly identify any degradation in service levels.
• Maintain quality of service: Ensure that voice and data traffic receive the appropriate priority.

How Site24x7 helps

With Site24x7, IPSLA monitoring offers in-depth visibility into WAN and VoIP performance. In addition to its other monitoring capabilities, Site24x7 provides a complete view of network performance and potential issues. It stands out by offering real-time monitoring for WAN links and VoIP traffic, providing accurate data that helps maintain the quality of these critical services.

WLC monitoring

What is WLC monitoring?

Wireless LAN controller (WLC) monitoring focuses on the health and performance of wireless network controllers. These devices manage and control wireless access points (APs) across the network.

Why it's important

• Ensure wireless coverage: Monitor the performance and health of WLCs to avoid disruptions in wireless service.
• Manage wireless devices: Track the status of APs and ensure they are functioning as expected.
• Optimize performance: Maintain a seamless wireless network experience for end users.

How Site24x7 helps

Site24x7 offers detailed performance metrics for WLCs and their connected APs. It helps network admins proactively monitor wireless traffic, identify AP performance issues, and resolve them before they affect users. Site24x7 supports a variety of WLC models, making it versatile for different network environments.

SDN monitoring

What is SDN monitoring?

Software-defined networking (SDN) monitoring focuses on monitoring the performance and configuration of SDN and SD-WANs, including Cisco Meraki, Cisco ACI, and VMware Velocloud. It provides visibility into SDN architecture and helps administrators manage resources, configuration, and performance.

Why it's important

• Centralized control: Simplify management by controlling the entire network from a centralized platform.
• Network automation: Achieve flexibility and agility through automated network provisioning and scaling.
• Improve network performance: Track the health of SDN devices and services to ensure a seamless network experience.

How Site24x7 helps

Site24x7 supports Cisco Meraki, Cisco ACI, and VMware Velocloud. Its Meraki map view provides real-time visibility into network coverage and device status, making it a powerful tool for managing distributed networks. The platform also tracks key metrics and performance data for Cisco ACI and Velocloud devices, allowing for streamlined SDN management across different vendors. Site24x7's ability to integrate data across these platforms into a unified dashboard sets it apart from other SDN monitoring solutions.

Monitoring IP addresses using IPAM

What is IPAM?

IP address management (IPAM) is the administration of DNS and DHCP servers. It helps track and manage the IP address allocation, ensuring there are no conflicts and that addresses are efficiently used across the network.

Why it's important

• Avoid IP conflicts: Ensure there is no overlap in IP addresses across your network.
• Simplify network administration: Automate IP address allocation and reduce manual errors.
• Improve network efficiency: Maintain proper IP addressing for better resource management.

How Site24x7 helps

Site24x7's IPAM capabilities go beyond basic tracking, offering automated IP address assignment and conflict detection. The platform integrates IPAM with its other network monitoring tools, enabling admins to view IP address usage in real time alongside other network metrics.

Start monitoring today

Effective network monitoring is critical for maintaining network availability, performance, and security. Site24x7 stands out as an all-encompassing solution, offering comprehensive monitoring across various categories, such as availability, performance, network traffic, SDN, and IPAM. Try our 30-day, free trial to check if Site24x7 suits your networks.