Support for diverse network components: It supports all switches, routers, wireless controllers, and access points in the Cisco portfolio.Visual topology maps: It generates simple network visualizations, with drag-and-drop features and front panel views of devices, clusters, and stacks. Automated network discovery: It conducts auto-discovery to surface and display network information in a topology map.Key features: The key features of Cisco Network Assistant include: It offers free network mapping and management software for small environments with up to 80 devices. Overview: Cisco is among the world’s leading networking and communication technology providers. Readers are advised to conduct their final research to ensure the best fit for their unique organizational needs. Here are the top 10 recommendations for 2022, arranged alphabetically.ĭisclaimer: This list is based on publicly available information and may include vendor websites that sell to mid-to-large enterprises. See More: What Is Network Management? Definition, Key Components, and Best Practices Top 10 Network Mapping Tools in 2022Įnterprises can choose from various network mapping software, both open-source and commercial. Some tools may even support exporting as diagrams that work with charting tools like Microsoft Visio. Reports are usually exported in standardized formats like Excel spreadsheets and CSV files. Users should be able to set the tool up for both on-demand and scheduled reporting. Network mapping tools help conduct IT inventories, as they evaluate the connected landscape to check for new devices, configuration changes, and other modifications. Keep in mind that some organizations may want an optional CLI add-on for greater control. Advanced network analysis, automations, and report generation happen through the GUI interface. Most network mapping solutions come with graphical user interfaces (GUI), with point-and-click and drag-and-drop functionalities. One had to memorize different CLI commands to operate the tool. Traditional network mapping tools used to offer a command-line interface (CLI), which enabled control but deterred user experience. Users can set up network scanning intervals, based on which the tool will perform auto-discovery and update any changes to the network components. It must recognize the component’s location and role in the context of the larger network landscape and then list its granular details. The tool should be able to detect all of these components without any blind spots. Modern enterprises rely on components from various network software providers and hardware manufacturers. The tool should also have diagramming features for custom map creation. Some tools offer multiple visualization options such as heat maps, interactive charts, etc. It’s ideal to have a multi-layer mapping feature that allows users to gain from a bird’s eye view to inspect and visualize sub-components. The tool should be able to provide detailed maps, plotting all interdependencies and correlations between different network components. It also supports customization so that IT managers can create their maps and diagrams to plan network implementations. In contrast, automated network discovery remotely scans the enterprise environment to detect network components and connected devices. Tools without auto-discovery are legacy options requiring more manual effort. Automated network discoveryĮnterprises can choose between two types of network mapping software solutions – the ones with auto-discovery or without. The key features of a network mapping tool include: 1. Alternatively, network mapping could be a component feature in a multi-functional network management solution that first creates a network map and then aids in other tasks like network monitoring, troubleshooting, and security. Network mapping tools can be deployed by IT managers as standalone applications to conduct a detailed inventory of their network landscape. Top 5 Must-Have Features of Network Mapping ToolsĪ network mapping tool automatically discovers a network’s components and topology to create a visual map of the network architecture and the correlations between its different components.
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