As a system admin we know you're turning over every stone to find tools that make your life easier.Help is at hand with our guide to the top 10 free network monitoring and analysis tools.
WireShark kicks off our list being a network protocol analyser and capture utility, captured data can easily be sent to another application for analysis or filtered within WireShark itself.
If you want to keep an eye on your servers applications and communications look no further than Pandora FMS. It can be configured to create alerts based on specific events and send notifications to administrators.
Angry IP scanner scans IP addresses and ports finding live hosts and providing you with information about them.
When you're looking to capture packet data to analyze network traffic turn to Microsoft Network Monitor, it has support for over three hundred public and Microsoft propriety protocols as well as a wireless monitor mode.
Fiddler captures HTTP between computers and the Internet to help with debugging, you see incoming and outgoing data including encrypted HTTPS traffic, allowing you to test your website performance or the security of your web applications.
NetworkMiner is classed as a network forensics analysis tool and is used to capture packets it then extract files and images from that data allowing you to reconstructed his actions.
Another tool for monitoring troubleshooting and analysing network traffic is Capsa free, not only does it have over 300 protocols and the ability to create and customize them but its dashboard also allows you to see a summary of traffic stays TCP UDP conversations and packet analysis.
Total Network Monitor watches over your host and services, notifying you when something requires your attention it colorful interface lets you see what's wrong at a glance.
And don't miss xirrus wifi inspector which manages connections locate devices detect rogue access point and has connection speed quality tests.
Lastly, zenoss core keeps an eye on your application's servers, storage, networking and virtualization giving you performance and availability stats. It also has an advance notification system put so much pressure on IT departments can you afford not to take advantage any free help you can get.
Missing patches leave your network wide open to malicious threats, often without you even realizing. With GFI LanGuard, you can automate the detection, downloading, and deployment of missing patches for all computers and devices, and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.