Updated June 9, 2023
Introduction to Network Analysis Tools
Network analysis tools study the network in and out, checks for any blockers and if there are, then analyze it and give the results. These tools are important in the world of communication as it is not easy to analyze the network by self. The tools project all the working paths of the networks connected to the system. The tools monitor the performance and the traffic of the networks and the IP addresses. Most of the tools will be similar to the monitoring tools. There are many paid and free tools for analysis of the network.
Network analysis tools are important to anyone who works with the system and communication. Imagine that while using the system, if there are network issues, it can be irritating. And if there are no tools that are analyzing the network, it could take time to dig out the reason of network issue.
List of Network Analysis Tools
Given below is the list of Network Analysis Tools:
1. Wi-Fi Analyzer
Work from home being a trend nowadays, wi-fi is important to continuously work while being in home. This tool helps to monitor and analyze the traffic of wi-fi. The main point to note is that this can be used only in homes and cannot be used for businesses. Or this can be used for business being only using for a short time. Both basic and paid versions are offered and the application can be used by installing the software in the system. Visual representation is produced from which customer will understand whether the network is slow or anyone else is using the same network. I will not suggest using this for business needs but for private needs, this app works wonders.
2. Network Performance Monitor
This tool is easy to use for beginners as well as professionals. There are many options linked with this tool and also it helps in optimizing the wi-fi being used. Offered by SolarWinds, they have response time and resolution time monitor, memory utilization chart and the average CPU load to be known by the user. Hence the wi-fi signal strengths are monitored with the tool. The tool uses color code so that users can easily differentiate between the performance and monitors being used in the tool. It also provides path visualization tools where the data from different network can be taken and analyzed.
3. PRTG Networking Monitor
Wi-fi analysis is done easily with this tool as every aspect of the network is monitored along with bandwidth and signal strength. This works in the manner that the system bandwidth usage or uptime conditions are considered for classification of the systems. This information is taken from the hosts such as network routers, switches and any other devices. The name itself says that it is Paessler Router Traffic Grapher that it uses routers to manage the traffic. Sensors are used to know the signal strengths in different points of the network and this tool is offered for 30 days free trial.
4. Network Traffic Analyzer
This tool is also offered by SolarWinds. Along with Wi-fi analysis and optimization, it also analyses LAN traffic and controls the same. The users will be able to see which application or software uses more bandwidth and can make the applications to work faster than ever. If the application works too slow or works too fast, users are notified about the same. This helps the users to keep a track on all the applications for the network change. Though the app is developed for traffic monitoring and Wi-fi analysis, this can be used for monitoring the networks as well. This tool combines with performance monitor and can be used for all the purposes related to the network.
5. NetSpot
The tool is visually appealing as it does not look like a monitoring tool. Its main focus is on the Wi-fi data being used and analyzed. A discovery mode and survey mode are used where discovery mode shows the available wi-fi networks near the user. And survey mode is used to know the slow and faster network area within the wi-fi scanned area. There are basic and enterprise versions. Enterprise version scans a larger area and provides the results. This is useful for businesses to setup.
6. LanGuard
Any network size can be scanned with this tool along with the software weaknesses and mode of operation. The user interface displays the results of up to 60,000 devices among which user can check the needed devices. An idea of the whole network can be seen even if the user is at different location. 30 days free trial is offered by the tool for the users who wants to check the compatibility.
7. Nagios
Nagios can be used for monitoring and network analysis in the systems. Many features such as alerts, reports, handling events are provided by this tool. Also, plugins can be installed to monitor the performance, applications and network in the system. The add-ons can be used for visualization, graphs, SQL database supports and load distribution along with plugins. Configuration of the application is easy and after this monitoring of the applications is also easy in the system.
8. OpenNMS
This tool can be used in systems and phones as well. A network management application used for events and notification management of the software, along with nodes and alarms to monitor the performance of the system. The user interface has nodes with pending problems displayed and nodes with outages. Also, business services and applications with pending problems are checked along with the availability of the network within the selected area. Graphs and reports can be fetched easily along with the dashboards. Maps are shown to provide the wi-fi network access visibility.
Conclusion
There are many other tools as well. Based on the need and availability, we should select the tool. There are some tools specialized only for wi-fi connections while others for monitoring the performance and availability. There are also some that provides both.
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This is a guide to Network Analysis Tools. Here we discuss the introduction to Network Analysis Tools and list of analysis tools respectively. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –
