What is network monitoring?

Network monitoring is the process of systematically watching over a computer network to catch any issues or bottlenecks in real-time, ensuring everything runs as smoothly as possible. 

This vigilant system provides immediate insights into the performance of your network. It looks at traffic flow, server status, and application performance, flagging anything that seems out of the ordinary. This allows IT teams to jump into action at the first sign of trouble, often before users even notice there’s an issue. 

From identifying overloaded servers to spotting failed network connections, network monitoring keeps the digital lifelines of your business open, fast, and secure.  

Why is network monitoring important?

Network monitoring does more than just keep an eye on data flowing through your systems — it also boosts your operations, strengthens security, and keeps your customers happy. 

Let’s take a closer look at what it offers and why it’s so essential.

• Better user experience: Network monitoring proactively identifies performance issues, fostering a positive user experience that builds trust and loyalty. It keeps an eye on online interactions, ensuring fast website loading times, responsive applications, and smooth transactions. 
• Maximizing uptime and availability: Network monitoring minimizes risks by quickly detecting problems that could interrupt operations, keeping services engaged and productivity high.
• Rapid issue identification and resolution: Network monitoring serves as a vigilant troubleshooter, allowing IT teams to quickly resolve problems before they escalate
• .Proactive security vigilance: Network monitoring identifies suspicious activities, unauthorized access attempts, and potential vulnerabilities.
• Optimized resource allocation: Network monitoring provides insights into resource utilization, helping make informed decisions on infrastructure investment and adjustments.
• Data-driven decision-making: Real-time performance data from network monitoring informs strategic decisions regarding upgrades, expansions, and optimizations, enhancing a business’s competitiveness and agility in the marketplace.
• Compliance and accountability: Network monitoring supports compliance efforts by tracking network activity, providing transparency and an audit trail for accountability.
• Scalability and future-proofing: Network monitoring aids in preparing for future growth by identifying trends and anticipating resource needs, ensuring networks can adapt and scale as the business evolves.

How does network monitoring work?

Network monitoring operates through a finely tuned process that watches every aspect of your network’s health. This process involves identifying all devices and connections that make up the network infrastructure, from routers and switches, to servers and endpoints. 

Each of these elements plays a crucial role in the network’s overall performance, and monitoring them ensures that every piece of the puzzle is functioning correctly.

Once the network components are identified, the monitoring system sets intervals for checking each component’s status. These intervals are not one-size-fits-all; instead, they’re tailored based on the criticality of each element. More vital components may be checked more frequently, ensuring that any potential issues are caught and addressed as swiftly as possible.

At the heart of the monitoring process are two key protocols: SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol). SNMP is used for collecting detailed information from network devices, such as traffic data, errors, and the status of device components. ICMP, on the other hand, is primarily used for basic network diagnostic tasks like ping tests, which help determine the availability of devices on the network.

The real magic happens when the device information collected via SNMP and ICMP is combined with broader network data. This allows for a comprehensive view of the network’s health, enabling IT teams to see not just isolated incidents but how each part of the network impacts the others. 

By continuously analyzing this wealth of data, network monitoring tools can alert administrators to issues in real time—often before they impact users.

Whether it’s a server nearing its capacity, a faulty network connection, or an unusual traffic pattern that could indicate a security threat, network monitoring provides the insights needed to maintain optimal network performance and reliability. 

Benefits of using network monitoring

Improved network performance

Network monitoring keeps your network operating at peak efficiency by identifying bottlenecks, lag, and underperforming devices. Addressing these issues proactively is key to maintaining a smooth and consistent experience for users while optimizing overall performance.

Boosted security

With network monitoring, you gain real-time visibility into suspicious activity, such as unauthorized access attempts or unusual traffic patterns. This helps you mitigate risks quickly, and strengthens your defense against cyber threats while staying compliant with industry regulations.

Minimized downtime

Downtime can be costly, but network monitoring tools help you detect and resolve potential issues before they escalate into outages. Instant alerts and diagnostics empower IT teams to act swiftly and solve problems before they get to a crisis.

Cost savings

Preventative maintenance through monitoring goes a long way in reducing the financial impact of network failures. Finding inefficiencies and addressing them early helps to avoid unexpected repair costs and use resources more strategically.

Clear visibility

Network monitoring provides a complete view of all devices, applications, and traffic on your network. Having such clarity makes for better decision-making, which leads to easier workflow optimization and ensures everything runs smoothly.

Happier end users

Reliable network performance leads to fewer disruptions for employees and customers. Quick issue resolution not only improves connectivity but also fosters trust and satisfaction among users.

Future-proof planning

Analyzing usage trends and capacity data lets businesses plan for future growth. Whether scaling up infrastructure or upgrading outdated systems, monitoring helps you stay ahead of demand without guesswork.

Historical data

Access to historical logs and performance data allows businesses to identify patterns, troubleshoot recurring issues, and plan upgrades based on evidence. It also provides an audit trail for compliance and operational reviews.

Types of network monitoring protocols

Network monitoring protocols form the backbone of effective network management by enabling the collection, analysis, and reporting of critical data. Each protocol serves a unique purpose, catering to different aspects of network health and performance.

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) provides a standardized method to retrieve vital performance data from network devices. It plays a crucial role in keeping networks healthy by offering deep insights into critical metrics such as bandwidth usage, CPU load, memory utilization, and much more.

SNMP operates by collecting data from various network devices like routers, switches, and servers. In fact, each device equipped with SNMP capabilities can be queried for specific information about its performance and status. 

This data is then stored in a structured database known as the Management Information Base (MIB). The MIB acts as a comprehensive catalog of all the information that can be gathered via SNMP, organizing it in a way that’s accessible and understandable.

One of the key features of SNMP is its use of Object Identifiers (OIDs) to uniquely catalog each piece of information in the MIB. OIDs allow SNMP to precisely identify the data being requested or sent, ensuring that the monitoring system can accurately gather and interpret device performance metrics. Each OID corresponds to a specific variable on a device, such as a particular interface’s bandwidth usage or a server’s current CPU load.

Through SNMP, network administrators can efficiently query devices for these OIDs and receive up-to-date information about their network’s health and performance. This system enables proactive monitoring and management, allowing for quick responses to potential issues and ensuring that the network remains stable and efficient. 

ICMP

The Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is primarily focused on the health and reachability of devices across a network. 

ICMP works by sending messages—often referred to as “pings”—to various points in a network and waiting for responses. When you ping a device, ICMP sends a request and measures whether it gets a reply and how long that reply takes. This simple yet powerful process is key to identifying network connectivity issues. 

📍If a ping doesn’t return, it’s a sign that something’s amiss—a device might be down, a connection may be severed, or there could be a routing issue.

Beyond just checking if devices are reachable, ICMP is instrumental in measuring network performance. By analyzing the time it takes for a ping to go to a device and back (known as round-trip time), network administrators can gauge the network’s latency. High latency can indicate congestion or problems along the data path, impacting everything from file transfers to video calls.

Cisco Discovery Protocol

Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) is a proprietary protocol developed by Cisco to facilitate communication and information sharing between Cisco devices within the same network. It simplifies network topology management by automatically identifying connected Cisco devices and their associated details.

CDP works by exchanging messages, known as advertisements, between devices. These messages contain valuable information such as device type, IP address, software version, and interface details. This data helps network administrators visualize how devices are interconnected, in turn making it easier to map the network and troubleshoot issues.

A large advantage of CDP is its role in network troubleshooting. If a device goes offline, for example, CDP can pinpoint its last known connection point, aiding in swift diagnosis and resolution. Additionally, CDP integrates perfect;y with Cisco network management tools, further solidifying its utility in maintaining efficient network operations.

ThousandEyes Synthetics

ThousandEyes Synthetics is a cutting-edge network monitoring tool designed to simulate user interactions and proactively test the performance of networks, applications, and services. By mimicking user activities, it identifies potential bottlenecks and issues before they impact real users.

ThousandEyes Synthetics operates by deploying agents across various network points to simulate actions like accessing websites, downloading files, or using cloud-based applications. These synthetic tests generate detailed data on latency, packet loss, and application availability, offering a clear picture of network health and performance.

One of its standout features is the ability to perform end-to-end monitoring across complex environments, including multi-cloud and hybrid networks. It helps organizations identify specific weak points within a network path, such as slow ISPs or underperforming servers, and take corrective action swiftly.

ThousandEyes Synthetics is particularly beneficial for businesses relying on distributed networks or cloud-based services, as it ensures optimal performance and minimizes user disruptions.

How do network monitoring tools work?

Network monitoring tools serve as the foundation for maintaining efficient and secure network operations by providing visibility into both hardware performance and live data traffic.

These tools bridge the gap between monitoring physical infrastructure and analyzing the dynamic flow of network traffic, ensuring every layer of the network operates seamlessly.

Monitoring network hardware

When it comes to ensuring your network runs like a well-oiled machine, adopting a device-centric approach to monitor network hardware is key. By focusing on the physical, datalink, and network layers of the OSI model, companies can get a comprehensive view of their network’s health, right down to the nuts and bolts.

At the heart of this approach is the meticulous monitoring of physical components, including cabling and hardware devices such as routers, switches, and hubs. These elements are the backbone of your network, facilitating the flow of data across your organization. 

Enter Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP),which provides the tools needed to keep tabs on inbound and outbound network traffic and essential metrics that paint a clear picture of your network’s performance. 

This includes uptime, indicating how long devices have been running without interruption, and CPU utilization, which highlights how hard your network devices are working. 

Bandwidth usage and throughput offer insights into the volume of data being handled, while interface errors/discards point to potential issues in data transmission. IP metrics, on the other hand, shed light on the efficiency and reliability of data routing within your network.

By leveraging SNMP, network administrators can set up alerts for when certain thresholds are crossed.

Monitoring network hardware through this device-centric approach, underpinned by SNMP, ensures that the physical infrastructure supporting your digital operations is always in peak condition. 

Monitoring live network traffic

Monitoring live network traffic allows network administrators to keep an eye on the health of services, applications, and the intricate web of network dependencies that are essential to your organization’s operations. By watching this live data flow, teams can spot issues as they happen, from sudden spikes in demand that could strain resources to suspicious patterns that might indicate a security breach.

Key to this monitoring are the protocols that govern data transmission, especially those operating at the Transport and Application layers of the OSI model. Protocols such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) at the Transport layer ensure data is delivered reliably, while HTTP/HTTPS, SMTP, and FTP at the Application layer facilitate the high-level data services we use daily. Monitoring these protocols helps ensure that data packets are not just moving but reaching their destinations efficiently and securely.

This is where the extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) can help. eBPF allows for a more granular tracking of network data flow, providing insights without demanding extensive resources or deep intervention into the kernel of operating systems.  

In essence, monitoring live network traffic is about more than oversight—it’s about actively ensuring the robustness, security, and efficiency of your network. It empowers teams to make informed decisions, swiftly respond to issues, and maintain the high level of service quality that users expect. With tools like eBPF, this monitoring becomes even more insightful, paving the way for proactive network management and optimization.

Network monitoring vs. network security monitoring

While both network monitoring and network security monitoring are critical to maintaining a reliable and secure IT infrastructure, they serve distinct purposes and focus on different aspects of network management.

Network Monitoring is primarily concerned with the performance, availability, and health of a network. It tracks metrics such as bandwidth usage, latency, packet loss, and device status to ensure that all components are functioning optimally. The goal is to prevent downtime, identify performance bottlenecks, and optimize network resources. Network monitoring tools like SNMP, ICMP, and ThousandEyes Synthetics provide actionable insights to maintain seamless network operations and enhance user experiences.

Network Security Monitoring, on the other hand, focuses on identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security threats within the network. It detects suspicious activities, unauthorized access, and potential vulnerabilities that could compromise sensitive data or disrupt operations. Tools used for network security monitoring, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS) and firewalls, are designed to safeguard against cyberattacks and ensure compliance with security policies.

In essence, network monitoring ensures smooth network performance, while network security monitoring protects against threats. For optimal results, organizations should integrate both strategies, creating a comprehensive approach to network management that balances performance optimization with robust security measures.

Main functions of network monitoring systems

These core functions of network monitoring systems work together to provide a complete picture of your network’s health and performance.

By combining automated discovery, visualization, proactive monitoring, and actionable insights, NMSs empower administrators to maintain seamless operations and address potential issues before they impact users.

Discover

The first step in network monitoring is discovery. NMSs automatically scan a network to identify all connected devices, from servers and switches to routers and endpoints. This process creates a comprehensive inventory of the network’s components, giving administrators a clear view of what they’re working with. 

This automatic discovery is essential for keeping up with dynamic network environments where devices are constantly added, removed, or changed.

Map

Once an NMS knows what’s on the network, it can then map the connections between these devices. This mapping creates a visual representation of the network’s architecture, showing how devices interact and are interconnected. 

Monitor

With discovery and mapping out of the way, continuous monitoring comes into play. NMSs keep a constant watch on network performance and health, tracking metrics such as traffic flow, bandwidth usage, and device status. This ongoing surveillance allows for the early detection of issues before they escalate into bigger problems.

Alert

One of the most critical functions of an NMS is alerting administrators to potential issues. Whether it’s an unexpected downtime, a spike in traffic that could indicate a security breach, or simply a device reaching its capacity, NMSs can be configured to send instant notifications. These alerts enable IT teams to react swiftly, often resolving issues before they impact users.

Report

Finally, NMSs compile data into detailed reports. These reports provide insights into network performance over time, highlighting trends, potential bottlenecks, and areas for improvement. They are essential for strategic planning, helping administrators make informed decisions about upgrades, capacity planning, and overall network health.

It’s important to note that while all NMSs offer these five functions, their capabilities can vary significantly from one system to another. Some may excel in real-time performance monitoring, while others might offer more robust mapping or reporting tools. The key is to find an NMS that aligns with your specific needs, ensuring your network remains a robust foundation for your business operations.

How can UptimeRobot help with network monitoring

UptimeRobot offers easy-to-use, affordable cloud monitoring that you can set up in just a few clicks, hassle-free. It provides multiple types of monitoring in one package, with no hidden or additional costs.

Key features and benefits

• 24/7 monitoring: UptimeRobot keeps a constant watch on your network with round-the-clock monitoring, with 30-second or 1-minute monitoring intervals available. This means you’re immediately alerted to issues, allowing for swift action to minimize downtime and its impacts on your operations.
• Multi-protocol support: UptimeRobot offers monitoring for HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, and Ping among others. This ensures that regardless of how your network is structured or which protocols it relies on, UptimeRobot can keep an eye on it.
• Real-time alerts: When UptimeRobot detects a problem, it immediately sends out alerts via email, SMS, push notifications, or native third-party platforms like Slack, MS Teams, Pushbullet, PagerDuty, Mattermost, and more, ensuring that your IT team can react promptly to address the issue.
• API access: For businesses with custom monitoring needs or those who wish to integrate network performance data into their own systems, UptimeRobot’s API provides a flexible solution. This allows for the creation of custom dashboards or the integration of monitoring data into existing IT management tools.
• Status pages: Create an internal or public fully customizable status page showcasing your uptime and sharing updates and announcements with your users about upcoming maintenance or ongoing incidents.