SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor) - Short Review

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) Overview

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a comprehensive network monitoring solution designed to ensure the health, performance, and availability of network infrastructure. This tool is particularly valuable for organizations needing to manage complex, multi-vendor, and hybrid IT environments.

What SolarWinds NPM Does

SolarWinds NPM is engineered to proactively monitor network performance, quickly detect issues, and facilitate rapid resolution before these issues impact operations. It provides broad visibility across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments, helping organizations optimize network performance, increase resiliency, and reduce downtime.

Key Features and Functionality

Network Monitoring and Visibility

• SolarWinds NPM uses SNMP to gather and interpret data from network devices, including routers, switches, and other hardware. This data is presented through an intuitive dashboard with graphics and color coding to highlight device statuses.

Real-Time Monitoring

• The tool offers real-time monitoring capabilities, providing continuous visibility into the health and performance of network devices. It helps identify potential device faults, availability issues, and performance problems as they occur.

Network Topology Mapping

• NPM automatically generates and updates detailed network topology maps without user intervention. These maps can be customized using drag-and-drop and double-click features, saving time and reducing errors.

NetPath™ Network Path Analysis

• The NetPath feature provides a visual representation of network paths, showing traffic volumes per link and across entire paths. It includes a Traceroute element to aid in troubleshooting traffic delays and isolating bottlenecks and failures in the network.

Performance Analysis and Forecasting

• NPM calculates capacity usage trends using historical data, allowing for accurate forecasting of peak and average values. The PerfStack™ feature enables cross-stack data correlation on a common timeline, helping in fine-tuning network operations.

Advanced Alerting

• The tool includes advanced alerting capabilities, including anomaly-based alerts with AIOps. This ensures quick responses to network issues, helping manage capacity and prevent outages.

Customizable Dashboards

• Users can create customizable dashboards to monitor network performance metrics that are most relevant to their needs. This flexibility allows for tailored monitoring and easier troubleshooting.

Wireless Network Monitoring

• SolarWinds NPM extends its monitoring capabilities to wireless networks, checking signal strength, detecting dead zones, and identifying rogue devices. This is particularly useful in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments.

Multi-Vendor Support

• NPM supports monitoring of devices from multiple vendors, making it a versatile solution for diverse network environments. It integrates seamlessly with on-premises, hybrid, and cloud services.

Additional Benefits

• Ease of Deployment: NPM is designed for consultant and services-free deployment, making it easier to set up and start monitoring networks quickly.
• User and Device Tracking: The tool includes features for tracking users and devices, enhancing network security and management.
• Log and Server Management: NPM also offers log monitoring and analysis, as well as server and application management, providing a holistic view of the IT environment.

In summary, SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor is a robust solution that enhances network reliability, optimizes performance, and streamlines troubleshooting processes, making it an essential tool for network engineers and IT professionals managing complex network infrastructures.