Network Monitoring Software

Network monitoring software creates a variety of security and organizational tools needed to run a successful business. If a company has a set-up of computers, meaning more than one computer, the owner should know what is happening on this network at all times. One of the first things to know is what's happening within a personal computer. Protecting a company from threats on the Internet is no longer something that should be viewed as a service to ignore. With continual advancements made to the overall accessibility to any computer, a person or company can never be too careful. In addition to security a company that even runs on only one computer should have an interest in maintaining optimal functionality in order to keep up with the rapid developments within Internet technology. This means choosing programs that are able to upgrade instead of having to be replaced as well as offering security assurance.

The type of information gathered will further determine the functionality of competing companies. Network monitoring services are not inexpensive if a company is looking for supreme quality and ability to gather specific information. Tracking IP addresses and email is important when web pages are visited often in order to understand the market better as well as identify possible problems. Sometimes a company even has a specific person tracking this information in order to better serve the customers as well as create better marketing for new customers. Intranet technologies enables intranet data as well including the productivity of employees. Some programs are available for free, but the quality of these programs is often compromised in reflection of the price. Dependability, customer service, and certain options may be lost. On the other hand, if a company can only afford to get free software, something is better than nothing. "And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure." (Isaiah 33:6)

A company's needs change constantly as new requirements are made for applications and product demands of the company. One network monitoring software necessary to have installed or have access to is a bandwidth monitor. Bandwidth is an amount of traffic paid to the Internet service provider for. For example dial-up Internet is 56kbps bandwidth, while DSL is 2.0 mbps bandwidth. Bandwidth monitoring is available from some sources for free and some for a cost. Bandwidth monitoring costs actually define the results received. There are a few purposes of bandwidth monitoring; one is simply to know if you are getting the amount that you are paying for or not. Most companies don't realize that while they are paying for the Internet service they receive network monitoring services such as a bandwidth monitor. If the results of this bandwidth monitor are not what is desired then some problems with the system or provider of Internet could occur.

Bandwidth monitoring will alert the owner when foreign traffic is traveling or when it is being maxed out. Almost every computer that is capable of accessing the Internet or accessing a system has two pieces of network monitoring software built in. PING and Traceroute are used to verify service or access to a computer, but they are also available to help prove that there is a bandwidth issue. On a windows computer a person can go to command prompt and type in ping then a domain name or IP address. The response time from the target is represented milliseconds or a Request timed out will appear. Some targets/computers will actually deny this type of communication but this is still in most cases a good test to see the Internet is accessible. With the command prompt window still open type in tracecert then a domain name or IP address. This will provide a step by step through the system and then out to the Internet to find the requested server. This tool is one type of network monitoring services that a provider may use from time to time to make sure a connection to the Internet is available or to identify any other issues with the Internet.

One piece of software that can be useful but troublesome for a beginner is a system port scanner. This technology is designed to run on a computer that is connected to the internal system or on a firewall to find out what is possibly attacking the computer or set-up. Based on the ports that this scanner shows a person can determine what is running on the network whether it is authorized or not. Network monitoring software is available online to do what a service would provide but it does require an idea of what a company is looking for. Most companies in the situation of having network problems will look more at paying for a network monitoring service as oppose to spending money for the network monitoring software simply because they have to look at the money they are currently losing due to the problem and cant play with a new software to get the problem fixed. If a company is in the situation where a system problem exists then look no further than a local computer store that will have either their own software or be able to strongly recommend a good network monitoring service. Network monitoring services can range in prices but are usually worth it if a company has come to the conclusion that a problem exists.

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