Lan topology tools

This means that a device sending data cannot receive data at the same time. Full-duplex uses two individual cables, one to send and another to receive. This allows a device to send at the same time it receives data. Frames that are transmitted to the bus provide the address of the frame's destination.

If the frame gets to the end of the link and the frame has not found its intended destination, then the frame is lost. In a bus topology, there is no security; every node attached to the line can see the conversations of the other nodes on the link. In a ring topology LAN shown in Figure 3. The difference is that a ring topology makes a complete circle.

It can use a single ring for half-duplex operations or a dual—ring architecture for full-duplex operations. When a break in the ring occurs, such as a cut cable or other cabling problem, it affects all the stations. This means that none of the stations connected can receive or transmit data. The longer the cable or link and the more attached stations, the more repeaters that are needed. However, due to timing distortions within signals, a limited number of repeaters can be used in the same network.

In a ring-topology network, centralized access means that faults are easy to detect and isolate. Multiple rings are sometimes used to make a very robust and reliable network. The star topology is the most common topology in today's networks, and includes Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet.

The autodiscovery feature will even trace your connections across the internet, plotting the location of each router as it passes through the real-world map. This software runs on Windows environments and you can get it on a day trial. Related post: Network Magic Alternatives. As you can see from our list, there is a wide range of mapping tools available to you.

The best tool for your project will depend on whether you are creating a new network or adapting an existing one. Sometimes, you would be better off being able to create your own topology maps through a graphics tool. This is particularly the case if you are designing a new network or planning to extend an existing one. You could just create your own drawing in any graphics package, including the free Paint that is integrated into Windows.

However, to be considered as a specific network design support tool, a graphics package needs to have the following attributes:. In our related post on network topologies , we get into a lot of detail on each of the common network topologies and their appropriateness for each situation.

We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each type. These are the most common network topologies:. Network mapping is a visual record of the layout of all devices in the network.

It shows how those devices connect together. Topology mapping is often partnered by an autodiscovery feature that discovers all of the devices to be mapped and records their connections. Network mapping gives you an easy-to-recognize look at the layout of the network. It is easier to digest than a dry list of devices and their connections. With a topology map, you can trace paths end-to-end from one device to another. Our research indicates that the SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper is the best software to draw network diagrams because this creates the network topology diagrams automatically while letting you make manual adjustments.

For most purposes, you will also be served well by using Microsoft Visio , Intermapper , Lucidchart , and ConceptDraw Pro along with most other tools mentioned in this post. The best topology for networks is the star topology.

All devices are linked to a switch with a cable plugging into a separate socket for each device. Switches themselves are then linked together in order to cover the entire enterprise. Wireless networks model the star topology. A logical network diagram shows the links between all devices in a schematic style. A physical network diagram adjusts the links between devices to accurately depict distances. Some network topology mappers will show the real network with actual device locations plotted onto floor plans and real-world maps.

The easiest way to get a full map of all devices on your network is to use a network topology mapper. Do you have a favorite network mapping tool? Do you use any of the topology tools on our list? Leave a message in the comments section and share your experience with the community. Related: Guide to Network Topologies.

Spiceworks Network Mapping Tool website is borked. And i found a post in their community forums from a potential user that suggests it relies on Flash for operation. I understand. Spiceworks seems to have given up the fight. It was really, really good a while back and I put it in my top 10 for a lot of articles but recently, I have been going back through my work and toning down my enthusiasm for Spiceworks.

Thanks, Stephen. Thanks for the tip. However, we periodically review each of our recommendations and when we cycle through this list, we will consider your suggestion.

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Getting a layout of your network really helps your planning and management processes. We show you the best network mapping software which was put together to benefit network administrators.

Stephen Cooper. Auto-detects all updates and changes to your network in real-time. Available for Windows Server and Linux. Microsoft Visio A graphics package with a library of network symbols. Intermapper Get network maps generated automatically through network discovery or draw your own from scratch.

Lucidchart A chart editor with a library of network symbols. It can import maps from other utilities for editing. ConceptDraw Pro A graphics editor with a network symbol library.

Can import and export maps. LANFlow A chart creation and editing package with a network symbol library. NetProbe A full network monitoring system that includes a live map feature. Runs on Windows. Network Notepad A network map graphic editor that includes network discovery features. D3M A network map editor for sales agents that can generate quotes.

Creately Available as downloadable software or as a cloud service, this is a network map creation editor. The best network mapping software What should you look for in network mapping and topology software?

We reviewed the network mapping and topology software market and analyzed the options based on the following criteria: Automated device discovery for topology mapping data sources A live redrawing of the map to account for recent layout changes A choice of views, such as all devices or just Layer 2 The ability to integrate with live device status data A system that can map wireless networks and WANs as well as LANs A free trial or money-back guarantee for no-risk assessment A price that offers a good deal for the amount of services provided.

Cons: Would like to see a longer trial period. Key Features: Network autodiscovery and vizualization Tagging and filters enhance search capabilities Live mapping and traffic patterns.

Pros: Has one of the best interfaces for network mapping Uses live network mapping to pull in new devices, and reflects changes in the network right away Features data flow analysis to help administrators understand dependencies as well as performance metrics between devices Subscription model makes DataDog accessible to any size business.

Cons: Would like to see a longer 30 day trial period. Pros: Supports network and server monitoring capabilities built into the topology map Has an option to simulate and track physical connections, great for messy switches and larger complex networks Uses both Ping and SNMP to discover devices, making it more thorough than some smaller tools Maps are automatically redrawn when a device changes, keeping it up to date and accurate every time it is viewed Available on both Linux and Windows.

Cons: Is a feature-rich tool that requires time spent with the product to fully learn all of its features. Pros: Easy to use, part of the Microsoft Suite Good for network planning and theoretical designs Widely used file format.

Cons: Only available in Windows Lacks live network auto-discovery builtin Fairly expensive when compared to its competitors. Key Features: Autodiscovery and automatic map drawing Topology map editor Free version. Pros: Offers a free and paid version Is capable of using auto-discovery to find new devices Features SLA compliance reporting, good for MSPs and larger networks Available on Window, Linux, and Mac, making it a flexible option across multiple operating systems.

Cons: Dated user interface is clunky Visual options are limited Maps are generally not visually appealing, not great if used in a presentation. Pros: Uses a simple color scheme and interface that makes maps look great Features a free and paid version Can import maps saved in Visio format, making this a good option if you plan to ditch Visio Team version allows for collaboration Is available multi-platform as well as on iOS and Android devices.

Cons: No autodiscovery Does not support live devices in any way, is strictly a charting software. Pros: Lightweight tool that uses very little system resources Supports Visio file format Integrates well with other tools like Office and Google, making it a flexible option for users who use those tools Supported on Windows and Mac.

Cons: No autodiscover functionality Does not support live devices in any way, is strictly a charting software Graphics and interface feel outdated.

Cons: Dated and cluttered interface can feel overwhelming Lacks a live network component Cannot monitor devices on a network Lacks integrations found in similar tools. As the name suggests, LanFlow is tailor made for mapping out networks. As a result, it is a great choice for network administrators looking for a topology tool with a simple user interface.

Everything in LanFlow is drag and drop, so if you want to add a new element to your diagram, all you need to do is click and move it. You can also click on the Connectors tab to link diagram elements together this is very useful when working with more complex network designs. All the onboard diagrams and devices like computers and laptops are vector free so that you can zoom in and out as needed. LanFlow can be downloaded from the Pacestar website here.

Next up we have NetProbe, a diverse Windows-based network topology tool. From the moment you download, NetProbe is simple to use throughout the design process.

Simply open up the startup wizard and you can start designing your network from scratch. You can also log device information and use it to run local scripts to create graphs and alarms. All-in-all this is a good tool for users seeking a topology tool with an extra touch of network monitoring potential as well. This platform can be downloaded from the NetProbe website here. Network Notepad is a freeware application available for Windows made specifically for mapping out network elements.

The CPD tool allows the user to search through their network devices and pull information from elements with CDP information. In terms of diagram construction, you can create multi-page diagrams with vector-based graphics, dragging and dropping elements in as you see fit.

You can also create flow charts if you want to add more visual display. Network notepad can be downloaded from the platform website here. In the world of network mapping tools, Microsoft Visio is somewhat of a household name. This nifty product has helped to inspire many other network mapping tools on this list.

For this price you buy the luxury of using over 70 templates and thousands of IT image objects to map your network. One of the most noticeable things about Visio is its slick design. The default diagrams look very sharp, which makes it more convenient to draw distinguishable network maps. Unfortunately, Microsoft Visio is let down by its price.

Visio can be downloaded from the Microsoft website here. GoVisual Diagram Editor is a free diagram creation platform for Windows that matches up perfectly with the purpose of network mapping. The default network-inspired shapes cover an extensive range of network equipment, allowing you to piece together quite a complex IT environment. This is convenient if your planning to use your designs with a third-party tool.

GoVisual Diagram editor has received a lot of criticism for being overly complex, but if you take the time to get past the initial learning curve, it is more than capable of creating diagrams for complex IT environments.

In short, GoVisual provides a very impressive package for a free tool. GoVisual can be downloaded from this link here. If you want to be even more time-efficient, you can opt for a tool with auto-discovery like SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper. In the world of network monitoring, network diagram mapping tools are very underrated. Many enterprises spend thousands on network monitoring suites but overlook the importance of managing their network infrastructure from a geographical perspective.

Network topology tools are essential for restoring balance. By incorporating network topology tools into your current network monitoring environment, you ensure the bare minimum standard of visibility necessary to see a complete view of your network.

This not only allows you to maintain the integrity of your network but, helps take your performance to the next level. Since Tim has have been a full-time tech copywriter.

Tim has written extensively on net admin topics helping businesses and entrepreneurs to keep their data protected. Tim has also written widely on cybersecurity. Fascinating article Tim, very valuable. I am curious about the auto discovery functions. Do you know if there is a way of evaluating the different options in terms of the completeness of their autodiscovery function? Thanks Paul.

In my opinion, the tools with autodiscovery features that let you discover devices automatically or periodically and add those devices to topology maps are the best because they make it easier to find performance problems.

Obviously the choice depends on what type of systems you use. I hope that helps! What is a Network Map? Intelligent Scalability — You can use a network mapper to run reports on your network and identify which components need to be upgraded. Mapping tools for network analysis The network map assists you with analysis tasks as well as day-to-day monitoring. Installs on Windows Server. Runs on Windows Server.

ConceptDraw Pro A graph and chart designer that includes network device icon libraries. Lucidchart A graphical design package that includes templates for network topology maps. Intermapper This system scans the network for devices and then creates an automatic map of all connections.

Dia Free An entry-level, free graphics editor with an IT icon library. LanFlow A network diagram creator that includes a drag-and-drop interface and an IT icon library.

NetProbe A network map designer that will go on to monitor your network once you have defined it in a diagram. Network Notepad Free A free graphic design editor specifically aimed at the creation of network maps. Microsoft Visio Top of the line chart and graph creating studio that includes templates and icons for network map creation.