Many organizations create their network maps using drawing tools like Microsoft Visio, SmartDraw, etc. However, these diagrams and charts should be maintained and updated manually. We are looking for network mapping tools that automatically graph a visual map of the network. The benefit of using a network mapping tool is that it automatically updates the map whenever a change is done in the network. The internet has many tools to help you do it. However, we want to make this easy for you and give you the most affordable and even free choices on network mapping tools. We will also give you tips on how to easily prepare and create your network map.
How to choose the best network mapping tool?
While you may encounter many different networks, mapping tools on the internet not all of them might fit your needs or those of your organization. This article should help you gather an idea of what to look for without the need to set up a VM and try each tool yourself. The first thing to do is to think about your requirements, even if you choose a free tool take into account the following steps:
Jot down all of the things you and your organization expect to get from the mapping tool you will choose. Things like the number of devices to map out, the type of equipment you have and unique features such as remote administration that you might need. At a minimum, the tool you choose should offer some degree of automation. Although you might have to tweak a few aspects of the mapping, there is no point if you will have to do the entire job yourself. Stay on budget; there are plenty of tools for both free and paid flavors. Make sure you obtain a tool that will help you do the job, and stay away from mapping tools that may offer the functionality you do not need.
Best free network mapping software
Spiceworks Network Mapping
Spiceworks offers many tools for IT Admins. Their Network Mapping tool is one of the best free options available nowadays. It auto-discovers your network, and alerts you of any changes or errors within it. Spiceworks Network Mapping allows you to create a map, see bandwidth usage, diagnose issues, and drill down on network node details. Pros: Free, easy to install, easy to manage. Cons: Some ads, you might have to re-map your network after the changes. Download Spiceworks
NMap
NMap, short for “Network Mapper”, is a widely used network-mapping tool. It has been around for over 17 years. Most IT pros that use this tool identify potential security threats through network and vulnerability scanning. You can map and scan your entire network, but you will need to do some tinkering. Although it might seem a bit complicated, you will find NMap to cater to your needs. Pros: Free, reliable, outstanding open source community support; you can create your scripts to automate various network tasks. Cons: Not as user-friendly, scripts are written in LUA. Download NMap
Best paid network mapping tools
PRTG Network Monitor
PRTG Network Monitor is a robust monitoring and mapping solution. It takes seconds to install, and it is easy to set up. This software has a few hundred sensors that allow you to monitor and map different aspects of your network. Its rich web interface has everything you need. Paessler’s PRTG is an excellent choice for SMBs, as it presents everything they need about their network in a well-designed and intuitive console. It’s excellent value, too, with a 500-sensor license and a one-year maintenance contract costing a shade over a grand. Pros: Easy to use and setup, a wide variety of licenses, a great reporting tool. Cons: Paid, only 100 sensors free, links can be a bit overwhelming. Download PRTG
Device42
Device42’s strength is its agentless auto discovery. The tool allows you to integrate with services such as JIRA and ServiceNow, but it does not offer service management or a ticketing system. In a single console, you can manage your Data Center information (DCIM), IP addresses (IPAM) and passwords, as well as ITAM and CDMB. Device42 offers many integrations with monitoring and ticketing tools using REST APIs. Pros: Over the top customer service, easy to use, lots of functionality, it is regularly updated about once a month. Cons: Paid, a bit expensive, might have to do some tweaking to fit your needs.
Intermapper
InterMapper provides a real-time and dynamic visualization of your network. It will automatically detect your network and create maps with all your devices. It will then determine how those devices inter-connect. Although its interface might look simplistic, it offers great maps and reports. Pros: Very efficient monitoring, simple interface Cons: Paid, limited trial to 10 devices, might fail to identify all MAC addresses, could be challenging to configure SNMP devices. Download Intermapper Free Version Something to remember when choosing the right tool is that most commercial NMS packages focus on layer3, the mapping based primarily on IP data. Unfortunately, it does not necessarily help network engineers check where something is plugged in. NMS, however, will allow you to see when something fails. Another essential functionality is the ability to receive SNMP traps. Now, when choosing between free and paid solutions, the main difference is that free solutions support is usually limited to the community, while paid solutions provide you with specific support. Also, open source could offer you deep customization, but that could be time-consuming. Choosing a free solution could be appropriate when budgets are tight, your network is small, and you already have some monitoring or management software. Whether you want a free or paid solution, do your research using this guide, and then choose a solution that best fits your needs, budget, and requirements. What network mapping tool do you use?
