Best MSP Network Monitoring Tools Recommendations
MSP network monitoring tools are transforming how MSPs manage and address client network issues, especially with the complexities associated with growing networks, security threats, and evolving customer needs.
If you are an MSP, investing in the right network monitoring tool is definitely a key to ramping up your service delivery. It gives you the right features to effectively monitor and address customer needs. You’re probably looking for the right MSP network monitoring tool and we are here to help! This article gives you some of the best MSP network monitoring recommendations.
Part 1. Why Do MSP Need a Network Management Tool?
Network management tools come in quite handy for MSPs for a variety of reasons For one, these are the tools that allow MSPs to serve multiple devices for multiple customers simultaneously. You can simply automate network monitoring and management and keep your systems running like a well oiled machine, without committing extra human resources.
These tools also improve MSP efficiency. As an MSP, you can easily identify issues and either automatically resolve or alert for timely action.
You are thus bound to keep your most clients more satisfied plus you can win more clients for their growth.
Part 2. The Main Features of MSP Network Monitoring Tools Should Have
Generally speaking, a good MSP networking tool must have certain core features. Of course, different tools have different capabilities, but here are some of the features and capabilities to look out for in a top MSP networking monitoring tool:
- Monitoring Capabilities – A proper MSP network monitoring tool should provide real-time monitoring of various important network performance metrics. Some of these metrics include application performance, bandwidth utilization, server performance, and network device availability.
- Reporting- Reporting is one key monitoring aspect that provides detailed information regarding the network performance like uptime, downtime, response time, and bandwidth usage. These reports should be customizable for ease of use by the management or respective teams to make important decisions for better performance.
- Integration- An enterprise leverages other IT systems and tools for the effective running and coordination of their processes. Therefore, a good MSP network monitoring tool should seamlessly integrate with preexisting enterprise tools like asset management, CRM tools, configuration management databases, and help desk software among others.
- Alerts- A good solution should send alerts whenever issues arise. These alerts can be sent through reliable means like SMS, emails, or any other reliable communication channels that allow the respective teams to act swiftly before things get worse.
- Network Mapping- Mapping helps IT staff/ admin to visualize the entire network infrastructure being managed. This way, it becomes easier to find the respective devices and systems as well as trace their connections whenever issues arise.
- Network Analysis- A good solution should provide detailed and useful analytics of the network performance. This information should be accessible in real-time to enable IT teams to make proper decisions or easily troubleshoot whenever there is an issue.
Part 3. Best 6 Network Management Tools for MSPs
Finding the best network management tool for MSPs can be a challenging endeavor. However, we have made everything easier by giving you some of the best network management tools worth giving a try. Here are some of the best tools worth a try:
1Auvik
Auvik is a cloud-based network management tool for MSPs known for its network mapping and automation capabilities, making it easier for MSPs to provide centralized visibility irrespective of device location.
What can it do: This tool can help MSPs create a highly interactive physical and logical map of network devices including switches, firewalls, and routers.
It can also be used to track other devices such as phones, printers, and personal computers. Many MSPs recommend this tool because it also offers customized or out-of-the-box alerts that help solve client issues before they happen.
Who It’s For: It’s best for MSPs looking to streamline network management, particularly aspects like automated discovery, real-time visibility, and proactive issue resolution, all while improving profitability and client satisfaction.
Features:
● Avukik offers to help MSPs automate configuration backup and recovery.
● This tool can generate customizable reports.
● It generates alerts to help MSPs fix customer issues before they arise or become significant.
● Its network mapping and monitoring feature enables distributed site management.
Cons:
Based on the recent user reviews of Auvik from G2, here are some of the cons of Auvik.
● It is pricey.
● The setup and configuration are time-consuming and challenging, especially for newbies.
● It is a cloud tool and doesn’t provide a mobile app option.
2Zabbix
Zabbix is one of the popular open-source free network monitoring tools for MSPs. Although this tool is free, its configuration is a bit challenging.
What can it do: This tool can monitor a variety of network devices including server infrastructure, APIs and websites, services and applications, IoT devices, and sensors.
This tool provides a collection of functions such as integration, customized development services, technical support, and customized development services.
Who It’s For: Zabbix is best fit for MSPs looking for a scalable, secure, and customizable full-stack IT monitoring platform, including seamless integrations across a wide range of infrastructure and services.
Features:
● It offers an activity dashboard and a useful graph function.
● It supports audit management.
● It offers alert notifications and an activity dashboard.
● It provides web traffic reporting and data visualization features.
Cons:
Some of the cons of Zabbix, according to popular reviews include:
● It lacks features to create reports and statistics effectively. For instance, there is no option to export traffic graphs in image format.
● It has a few templates.
● Some of its configurations can be very complex.
3Opennms
Opennms by OpenNMS Group is a free open-source enterprise network monitoring tool suitable for creating alerts and reports.
What can it do: This tool is supported by a large community of users and provides an event-driven architecture that ensures flexible workflow integration, service polling, and data collection frameworks.
Opennms also offers dynamic scalability as MSPs can process and monitor thousands of data points through either a distributed or tiered system.
Who It’s For: OpenNMS is an excellent option if your MSP is looking for a highly scalable, extensible,but open-source network monitoring solution with robust community support and flexible integration capabilities.
Features:
● It offers an activity dashboard and a useful graph function.
● It supports audit management.
● It provides alerts and notifications.
● It provides a useful activity dashboard.
Cons:
According to reviews from various sources like G2 and TrustRadius, some of the cons of Opennms include:
● Most of its configurations are difficult and you will mostly need to do it by editing XML files.
● It is more suited to server management.
● Often, it is challenging to obtain full coverage of the target infrastructure.
4Domotz
Domotz is another useful network monitoring tool for MSPs. It is widely known for its ability to offer control and visibility for network and IT infrastructure monitoring.
What can it do: This cloud-based network monitoring tool gives you a unified dashboard that makes remote monitoring easier and more effective.
Who It’s For: Domotz is best for MSPs looking for a solution to easily map, monitor, and manage complex IT infrastructure.
Features:
● It supports thousands of integrations.
● It can perform network configuration management and backup.
● It can track and document devices in real time.
● It can automatically plot the endpoints and topology of network devices.
Cons:
According to user review on Capterra, some of the cons of Domotz include:
● Higher pricing.
● It often experiences latency in device detection.
5PRTG
PRTG is an all-in-one network monitoring software for MSPs. It helps you analyze and monitor your IT infrastructure more flexibly and professionally.
What can it do: This tool can monitor various system conditions including uptime and bandwidth usage.
Who It’s For: PRTG is best for MSPs seeking a flexible, all-in-one network monitoring solution that offers easy scalability, custom reporting, and real-time visibility to efficiently manage and secure customer IT infrastructures
Features:
● It can collect statistics from network devices such as switches, servers, and routers.
● It provides traffic analysis via flow protocols.
● It provides maps and dashboards for easier visualization and device monitoring.
● It offers flexible alerting options including emails and push notifications.
Cons:
Based on recent sample reviews from popular review sites, the following are some of the cons of PRTG:
● Setting it up for the first time can be overwhelming.
● Some alert settings are less customizable.
6Solarwinds
Solarwinds is a comprehensive network monitoring tool for a variety of network devices
What can it do:It provides comprehensive monitoring including network, applications, CPU, and more. This is a flexible and highly customizable tool featuring an intuitive classic dashboard that makes monitoring super easy.
Who It’s For: SolarWinds is best for MSPs seeking a comprehensive suite of network management and monitoring tools.
Features:
● It generates actionable insights through analytics.
● It offers alerts and notifications.
● It can map and scan your network devices.
Cons:
According to some reviews from various review sites, the following are some of the cons of Solarwinds:
● Users experience some compatibility issues.
● Its search functionality is not properly optimized.
● Users complain of a steep learning curve.
Part 3. How to Solve the Network Issues Remotely?
The enterprise landscape has significantly evolved and so do customer needs. MSPs are now handling customers from different regions and enterprises with different devices and high levels of mobility. For these MSPs to remain relevant and grow, they need to be able to solve network issues remotely.
While network monitoring tools are making it easier to solve network issues remotely, it is essential to choose a tool specially designed to solve remote network issues with speed and efficacy.
Fortunately, Android Business has amazing remote access features that help MSPs IT teams to remotely fix network problems in time. This tool offers comprehensive features to enable MSPs to remotely access, manage, monitor, control, and fix incidents for Android and Windows devices from a single console.
Main features of AirDroid business that can help MSPs
- It offers a wide range of options to enable MSPs to set up unattended remote access and control.
- This tool allows MSPs to solve incidents instantly through a robust access suite including remotely viewing their device screen actions in real-time, taking control of the device camera, and performing real-time voice chat.
- It provides black screen mode for privacy-centric remote management needs.
- It allows MSPs to manage device apps remotely in one place by rolling out updates or installing new applications on target devices simultaneously.
How to solve the network issues remotely using Airdroid Business
- Step 1.Create your AirDroid Business account and try 14 day free trial.
- Step 2.Log into the AirDroid Business admin console, deploy the devices you want to manage.
- Step 3.Navigate to the remote operation section to remote access the devices and solve the problems.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, your choice of MSP network monitoring tool can make or break your service delivery to clients. The beauty is that there are many best MSP network monitoring tools that tick the boxes in terms of features and capabilities that make work far much easier. Just pick a tool that’s tailored to meet your needs on your budget!
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