What are the best LAN traffic monitoring tools for identifying issues?

1 Network Analyzer

A network analyzer, also known as a packet sniffer or a protocol analyzer, is a tool that captures and displays the data packets that travel on your network. A network analyzer can help you identify issues such as misconfigured devices, incompatible protocols, broken links, duplicate addresses, and security breaches. You can use a network analyzer to filter, decode, and inspect the packets based on various criteria, such as source and destination addresses, ports, protocols, and payload. Some of the most popular network analyzers are Wireshark, tcpdump, and Nmap.

2 Bandwidth Monitor

A bandwidth monitor is a tool that measures and displays the amount of data that is transmitted and received on your network over a period of time. A bandwidth monitor can help you identify issues such as network congestion, bottlenecks, excessive traffic, and inefficient allocation of resources. You can use a bandwidth monitor to track the bandwidth usage of individual devices, applications, users, or groups on your network and set alerts or thresholds to notify you of any abnormal or suspicious activity. Some of the most popular bandwidth monitors are PRTG Network Monitor, SolarWinds Network Bandwidth Analyzer Pack, and NetFlow Analyzer.

4 Network Tester

A network tester, also known as a network diagnostic tool or a network troubleshooting tool, is a tool that performs various tests and checks on your network to verify its functionality and quality. A network tester can help you identify issues such as connectivity problems, latency issues, packet loss, jitter, and errors. You can use a network tester to ping, traceroute, or DNS lookup the devices or hosts on your network and measure their response time, hop count, or name resolution. You can also use a network tester to simulate different scenarios or conditions on your network and evaluate their impact. Some of the most popular network testers are PingPlotter, NetStress, and iPerf.

5 Network Security Tool

A network security tool, also known as a network protection tool or a network defense tool, is a tool that monitors and protects your network from various threats and attacks. A network security tool can help you identify issues such as malware, viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, phishing, denial-of-service, and brute-force attacks. You can use a network security tool to scan, detect, and remove any malicious or suspicious files or activities on your network and prevent or block any unauthorized or harmful access or traffic. Some of the most popular network security tools are Snort, Suricata, and NIDS.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?