Network Monitoring Software: Architecture Considerations

The enterprise IT environment is continuing to experience significant changes. An organization's network monitoring software solution has to be capable of supporting future requirements, whether it is growth in the volume of monitored components, new custom applications/devices that need to be monitored, or different use models. If you are in the midst of considering an upgrade from your open-source or point monitoring tools, or replacing an inflexible legacy solution, make sure whatever solution you are evaluating is scalable, open and extensible to ensure that it is future-proof.

A key limitation of traditional network management systems is the existence of a centralized database for processing of performance data. Even if the collection of data is managed by distributed components, the solutions invariably require centralization of the data for processing and alert generation. For large infrastructures, this introduces a significant performance bottleneck. The multiplier effect of the amount of data that needs to be processed as new devices are added is enormous.

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Capturing and processing these metrics in a single centralized database will put immense pressure on the overall application, creating a significant bottleneck. A key consideration in a replacement solution is whether it is based on a distributed architecture that does not have centralized database bottlenecks. For example, some solutions will have both distributed collection capability and a distributed database architecture. In these solutions, individual data gathering components will often have small local databases that are able to process tens of thousands of metrics every few minutes to generate alarms as needed, and also store the data locally for multiple years. Monitoring consoles receive notifications as they occur, and are able to retrieve performance data from these separate databases when needed for analysis and reporting. No sophisticated database scaling or specialized database administration expertise is required for these systems.

A next generation network performance monitoring software system also has to support different points of integration depending on the stage of the service management lifecycle, whether it be configuration of devices and tests, establishing user privileges, capturing performance data from custom applications/systems, initiating actions/notifications in external ticketing systems, or displaying performance data on external portals. In many modern data center environments, the monitoring software has to be capable of accepting performance data feeds from custom applications. This could also include processing syslogs and event logs generated by applications. Certain events generated by the network monitoring system may require initiating an action or process in some external system (e.g. ticketing).

All of these requirements need to be supported via flexible, open APIs and plug-in frameworks within the monitoring system. Make sure your replacement solution exposes a rich set of two-way APIs and open extensibility for integrating with existing systems or technology. The API and external feeds need to provide interface points to either import or export data throughout the IT environment. Ensure that the API supports standard technology, such as Web Services, Java, Perl and C, and allows provisioning and updating users, devices and tests (see solution example).

Network Monitoring Software: Architecture Considerations

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Why Use Monitoring Network Software?

Monitoring a network is an important part of keeping one of your most valuable business resources happy and healthy. But did you realize that a good bit of the monitoring process can be an ongoing phenomenon with the aid of monitoring software? The fact is that there are a couple of excellent reasons to invest in monitoring network software to help you maintain your valuable network components.

Monitoring network software acts as a constant watchdog for your network equipment. Once installed, the software will be constantly monitoring the functionality of each of your programs, as well as the efficiency of your servers, the connected work stations, and other components that make up your entire network. The advantage is that you get real time information about some emerging problem, such as a new and as yet unidentified virus that has infected the network due to an attachment being opened. With the ability to see something odd is happening when it happens, it is possible to take steps to minimize the damage and contain the problem.

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There is more to the monitoring process than simply making sure the network is working at optimum levels of efficiency. Network software also makes it possible to determine when work stations are being used to purposes other than work. Depending on the standards set in place by the company, this could be a serious breach of both work ethics and company guidelines. Knowing that something is going on that is not work related can provide the chance for employees to be discreetly counseled, or possibly terminated if the circumstances merit that course of action. The network monitoring software will provide all the documentation necessary to warrant the action.

Relatively inexpensive and easy to install, monitoring network software can aid network administrators in making sure operations remain at optimum levels and that the resources of the company are being utilized in a professional manner. The software will often pay for itself in a very short time, based on increases in productivity, and less down time due to network issues.

Why Use Monitoring Network Software?

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Network Monitoring Tools - Which Programs to Use for a Particular Job

Network administration is a serious job. This is especially true for companies that rely on computers to input, process and share data. The more computers or nodes in the network, the harder it gets to manage them. Fortunately, there are several tools can greatly simplify your job. They are called network monitoring tools. Many of them are open-source programs, and they are ready for download and installation.

Don't mistake these programs as simple tools for just monitoring if a device is turned on or off. They are full-pledged remote access programs that allow an administrator to view all devices that are connected to the network (routers, modems, servers, printers etc.) and all the processes being run in each node. If you are a network administrator, you'll need specific programs for different jobs.

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Network Monitoring Utilities

Network Ping and Softperfect Network Scanner are the tools for the job. Network Ping gives you a visual overview of all the computers connected to your network. It checks the network status by sending each device a ping. If the device is down an email alert can be sent to an administrator.

Softperfect Network Scanner or NetScan is popular lightweight software that detects all devices attached to your router or access point. It pings all possible IP addresses to determine which computers are currently being used. It is also integrated into the Windows Explorer, allowing you to view all shared files and folders through the NetScan interface.

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

The most popular IPS worldwide is Snort. In real time, it analyzes packet capturing and network traffic on IP networks. With its analysis of protocols, Snort can identify network attacks and attempts to perform unauthorized actions such as fingerprinting, buffer overflows and port scanning. With this software running, you are guaranteed that your office network is safe from intrusions. Snort can record packets and generate human-readable reports.

Remote PC and Server Management

Putty and the "Dude" are network monitoring programs for the Windows platform. They track all devices in your network and they can generate a network map or inventory depending on the nodes currently online. Putty, in particular, is very light at 450 kb because of its UNIX-based interface. It allows you to set administrator privileges in remotely controlling computers. Putty can also manage bandwidth allocation or block IPs from using DSL internet.

Having the right network monitoring tools for the job helps network administrators automate many of the day to day operations that take up time and resources to complete.

Network Monitoring Tools - Which Programs to Use for a Particular Job

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