SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Detailed Review
Networking Tools
SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Product Overview
Introduction to SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM)
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a comprehensive network performance monitoring tool that plays a crucial role in the SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted suite. Here’s a breakdown of its primary function, target audience, and key features.Primary Function
The primary function of SolarWinds NPM is to ensure continuous network availability and performance. It proactively monitors network devices, detects issues before they impact operations, and helps in resolving them quickly to maintain uptime and keep business operations productive.Target Audience
SolarWinds NPM is designed for IT professionals and network administrators across various organizations, including large enterprises and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is particularly popular among the midsize enterprise segment.Key Features
Multi-Vendor Network Monitoring
NPM provides broad visibility across multi-vendor on-prem and hybrid environments, allowing for the monitoring of network devices from different vendors.Network Device Monitoring
It offers detailed hardware health overviews for monitored devices, including servers, switches, routers, and other critical infrastructure. This includes monitoring device status, current node count, and critical metrics like response time, packet loss, and hardware health parameters such as temperature and fan speeds.Advanced Alerting and Reporting
NPM features advanced alerting capabilities, including anomaly-based alerts with AIOps, to quickly respond to network issues. It also includes customizable alerting and reporting tools to keep administrators informed of developing issues and performance patterns.Visual Path Monitoring
With NetPath™, NPM allows users to visualize critical network paths end-to-end, facilitating easy root cause attribution and optimal network performance monitoring.Intelligent Mapping
The tool can automatically create intelligent maps of on-prem and hybrid networks, simplifying network management and monitoring.Performance Analysis
PerfStack™ enables users to analyze network performance metrics and fine-tune operations. It provides granular, minute-by-minute visibility into real-time performance problems and historical data for comparison.Custom Dashboards
NPM allows the creation of customizable dashboards to monitor network performance metrics that are most relevant to the user’s needs.Network Troubleshooting
The tool includes features like packet capture and analysis to help administrators troubleshoot and resolve network issues quickly. It also supports protocols such as SNMP and syslog for comprehensive monitoring. SolarWinds NPM is integrated with the Orion platform, which provides a unified experience for viewing, reporting, and alerting IT operations data. This makes it an effective solution for managing and optimizing network performance across diverse environments. SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Improvements in SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM)
The user interface of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) has undergone significant improvements, particularly with the release of version 12.0, to enhance user experience and ease of use.New UI and Navigation
The latest version of NPM features a brand new, sleek, and modernized UI. The interface has been revamped to be more intuitive and user-friendly, eliminating the clutter and noise of the previous versions. The top navigation bar is now simple and elegant, consisting of key top-level menu items such as “My Dashboards,” “Alerts & Activity,” “Reports,” and “Settings.”Customizable Dashboards
The new navigation scheme leverages dashboards to provide a bird’s eye view. Users can customize their dashboards, condensing the menu-bar sprawl into a single, drop-down view. This allows for better use of space, and a “Collapse” button helps optimize the view further. This customization ensures that users can focus on the most important components of their network.Alerts and Activity
The “Alerts & Activity” menu is completely customizable, providing quick access to actionable events and alerts. Users can add or remove items as needed, making it easier to manage and respond to network issues promptly.Settings
The “Settings” menu is also highly customizable, offering immediate access to all settings or specific areas that users frequent the most. This reduces the need for multiple clicks through various menus, streamlining common tasks like adding nodes.Consistency and Familiarity
Despite the interface changes, SolarWinds has ensured that familiar menus are mapped to the new schema, making the transition smooth for existing users. Early adopters have praised these improvements, indicating a positive user experience.Visual Correlation and Collaboration
The NPM dashboard allows for visual correlation and at-a-glance ease of use, facilitating collaboration between teams. The interface includes configurable charts and graphs, enabling users to track and view the metrics most relevant to their network. This visual approach helps in root cause diagnosis and provides a clear overview of network performance and traffic across devices and applications.Comprehensive Monitoring
The Orion Web Console, the web interface of NPM, is accessible from any computer connected to the internet. It offers various customizable views such as “NPM Summary,” “Top 10,” “NetPath Services,” “Overview,” and a highly customizable “NOC View.” These views allow users to drill down into specific nodes, view issues, respond to alerts, and create reports efficiently.Ease of Use
The interface is designed to be intuitive and requires no extensive training. The drag-and-drop functionality for resource widgets and the ability to create custom views make it easy for users to personalize their monitoring experience. This ease of use extends to the discovery process, where NPM can automatically discover network devices and prompt users to monitor them, simplifying the initial setup and ongoing monitoring tasks.Conclusion
In summary, the user interface of SolarWinds NPM is now more streamlined, intuitive, and customizable, enhancing the overall user experience by providing a clear, efficient, and highly personalized monitoring environment. SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Key Features and Functionality
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM)
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a comprehensive tool for monitoring and managing network performance, offering a range of key features that enhance network visibility, efficiency, and security.
SNMP-Based Monitoring
SolarWinds NPM relies on the Simple Network Monitoring Protocol (SNMP) to gather data from devices connected to the network. Each device typically has an SNMP agent installed as part of its firmware, which sends regular messages containing detailed metrics. The NPM central controller collects and interprets this data, presenting it in a user-friendly dashboard with graphics and color coding to highlight device statuses.
Wireless Network Monitoring
The tool is not limited to wired networks; it also monitors wireless networks and hybrid systems. It checks signal strength, detects dead zones, and visualizes the signal footprint of WiFi equipment. This feature helps in planning the optimal placement of routers and repeaters. Additionally, it detects rogue devices, which is crucial for maintaining network security in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments.
NetPath Network Path Analysis
The NetPath feature provides a visual representation of the network topology, automatically assembled during the network discovery phase. This map shows traffic volumes per link and across entire paths, including virtual environments and data flows over the internet to cloud services. It includes a Traceroute element to aid in troubleshooting traffic delays, helping users identify bottlenecks and failures in the network.
Advanced Device Monitoring
SolarWinds NPM offers multi-vendor network device monitoring, including specialized Network Insight for devices like Cisco ASA, Cisco Nexus, Palo Alto firewalls, and F5 BIG-IP load balancers. This allows for detailed monitoring of both on-premises and cloud-based network infrastructure, providing a comprehensive view of the network.
Real-Time Insights and Alerts
The tool provides real-time insights into network performance, including response time, availability, and uptime of routers. It displays performance statistics in real time and notifies users of any issues, enabling quick detection, diagnosis, and resolution of performance problems before they cause outages. The alerting system can be integrated with other tools like PagerDuty to ensure reliable and quick responses to incidents.
Customizable Dashboards and Visualizations
SolarWinds NPM features customizable dashboards that integrate various graphics elements and color coding to make network data easily accessible. The visualizations help network administrators quickly identify issues and understand network map and device functions at a glance. This intuitive display facilitates faster configurations and better control over the network.
Integration with Other Tools
SolarWinds NPM can be integrated with other management platforms such as BMC Helix, allowing for the continuous collection of alerts, events, metrics, and topology data. This integration enables AI/ML-based AIOps to provide actionable insights based on the collected data, enhancing incident management and network optimization.
AI and Machine Learning Integration
While the primary features of SolarWinds NPM are based on traditional monitoring protocols like SNMP, the integration with platforms like BMC Helix allows for the leverage of AI and ML capabilities. These AI/ML features help in analyzing the collected data to provide predictive insights and automated troubleshooting, though this is more about the integration capabilities rather than inherent AI features within NPM itself.
Conclusion
In summary, SolarWinds NPM is a powerful tool that enhances network monitoring through its comprehensive feature set, real-time insights, and integration capabilities, making it easier to manage and optimize network performance.
SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
SolarWinds NPM is renowned for its real-time network monitoring capabilities, which enable users to identify potential device faults, availability issues, and performance problems promptly. Here are some performance highlights:
- Real-Time Monitoring: NPM provides continuous real-time monitoring, allowing for immediate detection of network issues. This real-time data helps in quick troubleshooting and prevents minor issues from escalating.
- Automated Network Maps: The software generates and updates network topology maps automatically, saving time and reducing errors. These maps can be customized using intuitive features like drag-and-drop and double-clicking.
- Scalability: NPM is highly scalable and can support small, medium, and enterprise companies. It can monitor a wide range of network components, including SNMP, cloud networks, LANs, and multi-vendor devices.
Accuracy
The accuracy of NPM is enhanced through several features:
- Deep Packet Inspection: NPM uses deep packet inspection to analyze packets and measure network latency. This helps in identifying the source of performance problems and determining whether latency issues are caused by applications or the network.
- Quality of Experience Dashboard: This dashboard is specifically designed to measure network latency and analyze over 1,200 applications out of the box, providing detailed insights into network performance.
- Historical Data Analysis: The Orion Maps Time Travel feature allows users to review past event data, which is crucial for root cause analysis and understanding the impact of historical events on the network.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While NPM is a powerful tool, there are some limitations to consider:
- Hardware and Resource Constraints: The number of nodes that can be monitored is limited by the data throughput per node, the number of cores, and the amount of RAM available on the monitoring server. For example, packet analysis sensors have a maximum throughput of 1 Gbps and can monitor up to 50 nodes per sensor.
- Polling Engine Performance: Each polling engine can monitor up to 12,000 elements, but if the general polling rate exceeds 85%, it may be necessary to adjust polling intervals or distribute the polled nodes between multiple polling engines.
- Sensor Deployment Limits: There are limits on the number of sensors that can be deployed (up to 1,000 sensors) and the number of applications per node or sensor (up to 1,000 applications per node).
Customization and Alerts
NPM allows for significant customization, which enhances its performance and accuracy:
- Custom Alerts: The intelligent alerting system can be configured to send notifications based on real-time metrics and custom trigger conditions, helping users focus on critical alerts.
- Reporting: NPM can generate reports using out-of-the-box, community-generated, or customizable templates, which can be tailored for specific departments or recipients.
Overall, SolarWinds NPM offers strong performance and accuracy in network monitoring, with features that help in real-time issue detection, detailed analysis, and customizable alerts. However, it is important to be aware of the hardware and resource limitations to ensure optimal performance.
SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Pricing and Plans
The pricing structure of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is based on the number of monitored network elements, which include nodes, interfaces, and volumes. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the different licensing tiers and their features:
Licensing Tiers
SL100
- Up to 100 nodes, 100 interfaces, and 100 volumes (total of 300 elements).
- Suitable for small to medium-sized networks.
SL250
- Up to 250 nodes, 250 interfaces, and 250 volumes (total of 750 elements).
- Ideal for growing networks that require more extensive monitoring.
SL500
- Up to 500 nodes, 500 interfaces, and 500 volumes (total of 1500 elements).
- This tier is suitable for larger networks with a significant number of devices to monitor.
SL2000
- Up to 2000 nodes, 2000 interfaces, and 2000 volumes (total of 6000 elements).
- Designed for large-scale networks that need comprehensive monitoring.
SLX
- Virtually unlimited number of elements, with a default polling engine capable of monitoring up to 12,000 elements (nodes, interfaces, and volumes combined).
- Additional Polling Engines (APEs) are required to monitor more than 12,000 elements.
Features Available in Each Plan
All licensing tiers of SolarWinds NPM include key features such as:- Network Device Discovery: Automatic discovery of network devices using ICMP, SNMP, and WMI protocols.
- Performance Metrics: Tracking of key performance metrics and viewing details through configurable charts and graphs.
- Network Mapping: Creation of device-level and global network maps for visual overviews of performance and traffic.
- Alerting and Reporting: Customizable alert triggers and report creation and sending capabilities.
- NetPath and Network Insight: Critical path hop-by-hop analysis and deeper visibility into complex network devices.
Integration with Other SolarWinds Products
NPM licenses can be used in conjunction with other SolarWinds products, such as Server & Application Monitor (SAM), Network Configuration Manager (NCM), and NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA). The total number of monitored elements is additive across these products. For example, combining an NPM SL500 license with a SAM AL150 license allows monitoring of up to 650 nodes and volumes.Licensing Models
SolarWinds offers two main licensing models:- Subscription Licensing: Use the software during the subscription period with maintenance and 24/7 support.
- Perpetual Licensing: Use the software in perpetuity with maintenance and 24/7 support during the first year and the option to renew support services thereafter.
Free Options
SolarWinds provides a free trial for NPM, which is fully functional for 30 days. This allows users to test the software before committing to a purchase. In summary, the pricing of SolarWinds NPM is structured around the number of monitored elements, with various tiers to accommodate different network sizes and needs. Each tier includes a range of features essential for comprehensive network monitoring. SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Integration and Compatibility
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM)
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a versatile network monitoring tool that integrates seamlessly with a variety of other SolarWinds products and third-party systems, ensuring comprehensive network management.
Integration with Other SolarWinds Products
NPM can be integrated with several other SolarWinds solutions to enhance its functionality. For instance, it can work in conjunction with Server & Application Monitor (SAM), Virtualization Manager (VMan), and Security Event Manager (SEM). These integrations allow for the correlation of performance alerts with security events, enabling a more holistic view of network health. Performance alerts from these tools can be sent as SNMP traps to the SEM Manager, facilitating better event correlation and management.
Network Monitoring and Management
NPM integrates well with other network management tools such as IP Address Manager (IPAM), Network Configuration Manager (NCM), and NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA). IPAM helps automate IP address tracking, DHCP, DNS, and IP address management. NCM automates network configuration changes for wired and wireless devices, while NTA captures and analyzes bandwidth traffic to identify traffic patterns and prevent bandwidth issues.
Multi-Vendor Support and Protocols
NPM supports multi-vendor network monitoring, allowing administrators to monitor devices from various vendors, including routers, switches, firewalls, wireless access points, and servers. It uses protocols such as ICMP, SNMP, and WMI for network discovery and monitoring. This ensures that NPM can provide a comprehensive overview of network performance across different devices and environments, whether on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid setups.
Alerting and Reporting
The tool features a powerful alert engine that supports multiple delivery methods, including SMS, email, SNMP traps, and external app launching. This flexibility allows administrators to customize alerting according to their specific needs. Additionally, NPM offers easy report creation and sending capabilities, making it easier to track and analyze network performance metrics.
Visual Mapping and Analysis
NPM includes visual mapping tools like NetPath for node-by-node network mapping and troubleshooting. It also provides a Quality of Experience (QoE) dashboard and configurable charts and graphs for deeper analysis. These features help in visualizing network paths, tracking performance metrics, and identifying root causes of issues efficiently.
Compatibility Across Platforms
NPM runs on the SolarWinds Platform and has the same base requirements as the SolarWinds Platform 2024.1. This ensures compatibility with the latest system requirements, making it scalable and flexible for various network environments.
Conclusion
In summary, SolarWinds NPM is highly integrable with other SolarWinds products and third-party tools, supports multiple protocols and vendors, and offers comprehensive monitoring, alerting, and reporting capabilities. This makes it a versatile and effective tool for managing network performance across diverse environments.
SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
Technical Support
SolarWinds Technical Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist with technical product issues. You can contact them via phone (find regional phone numbers for the fastest response), submit an online support ticket, or email technicalsupport@solarwinds.com.
Customer Service
For issues related to accounts, billing, the website, or the Customer Portal, Customer Service is available 24 hours a day, five days a week (Monday – Friday). You can reach them by phone, submit an online support ticket, or email.
Additional Resources
Installation and Upgrade Guides
Detailed guides are available for installing and upgrading NPM. These guides include steps for preparing your environment, using the SolarWinds Installer, and migrating to different servers if necessary.
Evaluation Guide
For those evaluating NPM, there is a comprehensive evaluation guide that walks you through the installation, initial discovery, and key features of the product. This guide also includes information on converting an evaluation license to a production license.
Success Center and Documentation
The SolarWinds Success Center provides extensive documentation, including installation guides, troubleshooting articles, and product forums. This is a valuable resource for finding answers to common questions and resolving issues.
Live Demo
SolarWinds offers a live demo of NPM, which includes guided tours of the product. This allows you to experience the workflow for debugging, monitoring, and reporting without introducing the product into your environment.
Orion Web Console
The Orion Web Console is the central interface for managing your monitored objects. It includes customizable dashboards, alerts, and reports, and you can access it from any computer connected to the internet.
Community and Forums
SolarWinds has a community and forums where you can interact with other users, ask questions, and share knowledge about using NPM and other SolarWinds products.
Support Program Limitations
It’s important to note that SolarWinds support does not include the development of custom scripts, reports, templates, SQL queries, or troubleshooting performance problems related to third-party products, SQL, or Operating System issues. Additionally, SolarWinds will not take control of a company’s environment for full installations, configurations, migrations, or upgrades, and they do not provide on-site support.
SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Pros and Cons
Advantages of SolarWinds NPM
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) offers several significant advantages that make it a valuable tool for network management:
Comprehensive Network Monitoring
SolarWinds NPM effectively monitors the health of various network devices, including routers, switches, terminals, desktop PCs, mobile devices, and office equipment. It uses the Simple Network Monitoring Protocol (SNMP) to gather and interpret data from these devices, providing a clear and meaningful overview of network status through a user-friendly dashboard.
Proactive Issue Detection and Resolution
The solution includes an alerting system that helps in proactive network management by alerting users when they are nearing capacity on disk space, network utilization, or processor utilization. This allows teams to manage capacity proactively and reduce downtime.
Performance Analyzer
The “Performance Analyzer” feature is highly valued by users, as it provides bounded graphs of interface stats, such as errors, broadcasts, and current traffic. This feature is particularly useful for troubleshooting and offers historical data analysis with a single click.
Stability and Reliability
Users have reported that SolarWinds NPM is extremely stable, with no issues related to bugs, glitches, or crashes. This stability is crucial for continuous network monitoring and troubleshooting.
Flexibility and Customization
Although there are some limitations in customization, SolarWinds NPM offers flexibility for diverse business needs and organization sizes. It supports extensive network monitoring and allows for some level of customization to meet specific administrative needs.
Ease of Setup
The platform is known for its easy setup, from installation to device discovery, which enhances the user experience.
Disadvantages of SolarWinds NPM
While SolarWinds NPM is a powerful tool, it also has some notable disadvantages:
Limited Customization Options
Users have reported that SolarWinds NPM offers limited customization options for the dashboard and other features. This can be restrictive for users and developers who need more flexibility in modifying the system to their specific needs.
Real-Time Analytics
There is a need for improved real-time analytics, as current capabilities are not fully meeting user expectations. Users have identified this as a major area for improvement.
Offline License Management
Better offline license management is needed, as current issues often require customer support to resolve.
Integration Issues
Some users have noted issues with integrating SolarWinds NPM with additional security solutions and cloud services, which can be a challenge for organizations with diverse IT environments.
Technical Support Issues
There have been reports of technical support issues, which can hinder the smooth operation and troubleshooting of the system.
By considering these advantages and disadvantages, organizations can make informed decisions about whether SolarWinds NPM is the right fit for their network monitoring needs.
SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Comparison with Competitors
SolarWinds NPM Overview
SolarWinds NPM is a comprehensive IT management software suite known for its network and infrastructure monitoring capabilities. It offers real-time network monitoring, automated device discovery, network mapping and visualization, bandwidth analysis, and security event tracking among other features. However, organizations often seek alternatives due to factors such as security concerns, high total cost of ownership, and complex licensing models.Alternatives and Their Unique Features
Cisco Network Management
Cisco Network Management is a premium alternative that stands out for its exceptional integration with Cisco environments. It offers end-to-end network visibility, AI-powered analytics, and advanced security features. While it is highly scalable and secure, it comes with high implementation costs and a steep learning curve.Datadog
Datadog is a popular alternative, especially for cloud-native environments. It provides full-stack observability across infrastructure, applications, and logs, with over 400 built-in integrations. Datadog excels in machine learning-powered analytics and real-time performance monitoring but can become expensive at scale and has a complex pricing structure.Uptrace
Uptrace is a modern alternative that combines distributed tracing with performance monitoring. It is OpenTelemetry-native, making it ideal for cloud-native applications. Uptrace offers minimal overhead, quick implementation, and strong community support, although it is relatively new in the market and has a smaller ecosystem.Nagios
Nagios is one of the most established open-source alternatives. It offers extensive plugin architecture, network and infrastructure monitoring, and customizable reporting. While it is free and has a large community support, it requires manual configuration and has a steep learning curve.Zabbix
Zabbix is another powerful open-source alternative that provides automated device discovery, predictive monitoring, and custom alerting. It is free, enterprise-grade, and scalable but requires technical expertise for deployment and maintenance.ManageEngine OpManager
ManageEngine OpManager is a comprehensive alternative that balances features and ease of use. It offers real-time network monitoring, automated network mapping, and server and storage monitoring. It is particularly attractive for mid-sized businesses due to its user-friendly interface and good value for money, though it has limited customization options and basic reporting capabilities.Obkio
Obkio is known for its user-friendly interface and customizable dashboards. It offers proactive monitoring capabilities and a cost-effective pricing model based on the number of agents required. Obkio is simpler and more affordable than SolarWinds, making it a compelling alternative for optimizing network performance.Auvik
Auvik is another alternative that provides network monitoring and management capabilities. It is known for its ease of use and automated network mapping. Auvik is particularly good for organizations that need a straightforward deployment process and strong support, though it may have custom pricing that can vary based on the organization’s needs.Pricing Comparison
The pricing models of these alternatives vary significantly:- SolarWinds NPM: Starts at $1,995 per node with a 30-day free trial.
- Cisco Network Management: Enterprise-level solution starting from $20,000 annually.
- Datadog: Infrastructure monitoring starts at $15/host/month, with APM features starting at $31/host/month.
- Uptrace: Free open-source version available, with commercial plans starting at $100/month based on data volume.
- Nagios: Free open-source version, with Nagios Standard starting at $2,495 per 100 nodes.
- Zabbix: Free open-source software, with enterprise support and consulting services available at additional cost.
- ManageEngine OpManager: Standard edition starts at $245 for 25 devices, with the Enterprise edition from $11,545 for 250 devices.
- Obkio: Free plan with 2 agents, 1 device, and 1 user; paid plans based on the number of agents required.
Key Considerations
When choosing an alternative to SolarWinds NPM, consider the following:- Security: If security is a top priority, Cisco Network Management and Datadog offer advanced security features.
- Cloud-Native Environments: Datadog and Uptrace are strong choices for cloud-native applications.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Nagios, Zabbix, and Obkio offer cost-effective solutions, with Nagios and Zabbix being free open-source options.
- Ease of Use: ManageEngine OpManager and Obkio are known for their user-friendly interfaces.
- Scalability: Cisco Network Management, Datadog, and Zabbix are highly scalable solutions.
SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) along with detailed responses:
What is SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM)?
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is a network monitoring software that helps administrators monitor and manage network performance across various devices and vendors. It automatically discovers network devices, tracks key performance metrics, and provides tools for effective network monitoring, including network mapping, syslog and SNMP trap servers, and universal device pollers.
How is NPM licensed?
NPM licensing is based on the number of monitored entities, including nodes, interfaces, and volumes. The available license levels are:
- SL100: Up to 100 nodes, 100 interfaces, and 100 volumes.
- SL250: Up to 250 nodes, 250 interfaces, and 250 volumes.
- SL500: Up to 500 nodes, 500 interfaces, and 500 volumes.
- SL2000: Up to 2000 nodes, 2000 interfaces, and 2000 volumes.
- SLX: Virtually unlimited elements, but requires additional polling engines (APEs) for over 12,000 elements.
What types of devices can NPM monitor?
NPM can monitor a wide range of network devices, including routers, switches, firewalls, wireless access points, servers, and other SNMP-enabled devices. It also supports monitoring of vendor-specific devices such as Cisco Nexus, Cisco ASA, F5 BIG-IP, Palo Alto firewalls, and more.
How does NPM discover network devices?
NPM automatically discovers network devices using various methods, including scanning by IP range or subnets, scanning specific IP addresses, and scanning Active Directory domain controllers. It also supports discovering VMware vCenter or ESX Servers.
What are the key features of NPM?
Key features include automatic discovery of network devices, network mapping, a syslog and SNMP trap server, universal device poller, Quality of Experience (QoE) dashboard, configurable advanced alerting, and easy report creation. NPM also offers customizable metrics and visual features like drag-and-drop charts and graphs for root cause diagnosis.
Can NPM be integrated with other SolarWinds products?
Yes, NPM can be integrated with other SolarWinds products such as IP Address Manager (IPAM), Network Configuration Manager (NCM), and NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA). This integration provides comprehensive network monitoring, IP address management, network configuration automation, and bandwidth analysis.
How do I activate my NPM license?
To activate your NPM license, you need to enter the license key during the installation process. The license key can be found in the SolarWinds Customer Portal. You must log in to the SolarWinds Web Console with an administrator account and follow the prompts to activate the license.
What is the cost of SolarWinds NPM?
The cost of SolarWinds NPM varies based on the license tier and the number of elements to be monitored. For example, a subscription license for up to 100 elements can cost around $1,897.99 per year. For larger networks, the cost increases accordingly, with the SLX license offering virtually unlimited elements but requiring additional polling engines for over 12,000 elements.
Does NPM offer any free trial or support resources?
Yes, SolarWinds offers a fully functional 30-day free trial for NPM. Additionally, there are various support resources available, including phone support, forums, FAQs, knowledgebase, and video tutorials.
How scalable is SolarWinds NPM?
NPM is highly scalable and can monitor up to 12,000 elements per polling engine. For larger networks, additional polling engines (APEs) can be used to increase the monitoring capacity beyond 12,000 elements.
What alerting options are available in NPM?
NPM offers a powerful alert engine with well-designed default network alerts and the option to create custom triggers for various scenarios. Alerts can be delivered via multiple methods, including SMS, email, SNMP traps, or external app launching.
SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of SolarWinds NPM
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a comprehensive and highly effective tool for managing and optimizing network performance. Here’s a detailed look at its benefits, features, and who would most benefit from using it.
Key Features and Benefits
- Real-Time Monitoring: SolarWinds NPM provides real-time insights into network device performance, including metrics like latency, packet loss, bandwidth consumption, and response times. This real-time data helps IT teams identify and address issues promptly.
- Customizable Dashboards and Alerts: Users can create customized dashboards and set thresholds for alerts, ensuring they receive critical notifications without being overwhelmed by false positives. This proactive approach helps in minimizing network downtime.
- Advanced Network Mapping and Visualization: The tool includes powerful network mapping capabilities through features like NetPath and PerfStack. These allow users to visualize the entire network infrastructure, trace data paths, and correlate performance data across different layers of the network stack.
- Scalability and Flexibility: SolarWinds NPM is scalable, making it suitable for both small offices and large enterprise networks. It supports a wide range of devices and can grow with the organization’s needs without compromising performance.
- Enhanced Security and Troubleshooting: The tool helps in identifying potential security risks by monitoring network traffic and device performance. It also streamlines troubleshooting by providing detailed performance metrics and visualizations.
Who Would Benefit Most
SolarWinds NPM is particularly beneficial for:
- IT Teams in Large Enterprises: Given its ability to monitor thousands of devices and interfaces, it is ideal for large enterprise environments where manual management is impractical.
- Small to Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs): The tool’s scalability and ease of use make it a good fit for SMBs looking to optimize their network performance without requiring extensive IT resources.
- Network Engineers and Administrators: The features like NetPath and PerfStack are especially useful for network engineers who need deep visibility into network performance and the ability to quickly diagnose issues.
Overall Recommendation
SolarWinds NPM is a strong choice for any organization seeking to optimize network performance, reduce downtime, and enhance overall network health. Here are some key points to consider:
- Ease of Use: SolarWinds products are known for their ease of use, making them accessible even to those without deep technical expertise.
- Cost-Effectiveness: The tool offers a 30-day free trial and transparent pricing, which can be a significant advantage for organizations looking to manage costs effectively.
- Community Support: SolarWinds has an active user community, which can be a valuable resource for tips, tricks, and direct communication with developers.
However, it’s important to note that past security issues, such as the 2020 hacking incident involving the Orion architecture, may be a concern for some users. Ensuring that the latest security patches and best practices are followed is crucial.
In summary, SolarWinds NPM is a powerful and versatile tool that can significantly improve network performance and management. Its features, scalability, and user-friendly interface make it a valuable asset for IT teams across various organizations.