Network analysis and
network diagnosis with PRTG
Speed up the diagnostic and troubleshooting process
Sensors for applications, operating systems, and hardware
SNMP, NetFlow,
Packet Sniffing
Avoid problems in
the future
Network analysis and network diagnosis with PRTG
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- A 2 minute introduction to the PRTG network analysis tool
- Network diagnostics: How to find the needle in the haystack
- A few PRTG sensors that will help you get started with network diagnostics at once
- In the future: Avoid time-consuming network diagnostics with PRTG!
- Network analysis: Other helpful PRTG sensors
- Network analysis and network diagnosis: Similarities and differences
- Network diagnostic tools: Windows, Linux, OS
Network diagnostics: How to find the needle in the haystack
Network diagnosis is something most administrators dread. With a little luck, the glitch can be found within a few hours. But more often than not, several days are required to rummage through logs and detect the source of the error. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack. 
The network diagnostic tool PRTG quickly puts you on the right path and ensures network performance.
3 steps for performing a network diagnosis:
Narrow the search for errors
Use PRTG to get an overall picture. PRTG lets you monitor complex IT infrastructures in their entirety. A quick glance is all it takes to see which devices, applications, and web services are running trouble-free. You’ll gain access to network data from various time periods which will allow you to quickly analyze the functionality of all your components and significantly limit your error search. With the newfound insight, you'll have taken a big step in eradicating the problem.
Use a specialized diagnostic tool
Once you’ve gotten closer to the source of the error and received a good idea from the data gathered by PRTG of where the problem lies, it’s time to deploy an appropriate diagnostic software – after all, now you know where to look! Many hardware manufacturers (such as HP or Dell) and operating systems (Windows, macOS, and Linux) come with special tools that can help you perform detailed troubleshooting. Even diagnostic tools like Wireshark or NDT will help detect network connection problems, for example.
Eliminate the errors
Work your sysadmin magic to remove the glitches and get your network back on its feet. You’ll then want to ensure that you are able to identify future network diagnosis problems as quickly as possible by configuring your monitoring accordingly. To do so, look no further than to the PRTG. The long-term data capturing of PRTG and custom alarms in the event of suspicious developments in your network data will allow you to ensure your network functions at 100% efficiency. Thanks to the PRTG network monitoring, you can work in a proactive manner.
A few PRTG sensors that will help you get started with network diagnostics at once
Server diagnosis
Your DNS server is down and you don’t know why? Use our DNS Sensor to monitor response times and the proper resolution of the domain name to quickly get an idea of the possible roots of problems. With our server sensors, you’ll also be able to keep a constant eye on all your servers. If the server goes down, you’ll be notified at once. PRTG offers monitoring sensors for web servers, mail servers, database servers, and more.
Event Log Monitoring
Want to keep an eye on your system’s log files? Then use our Event Log (Windows API) Sensor or WMI Event Log Sensor. In the event of a sudden spike in log entires, PRTG will send you a notification at once. Event log sensors monitor the number of new entries per second. You can filter by log files, event types, sources, messages, etc. With appropriate scripting knowledge and your own, user-defined sensors, you can also have PRTG read and monitor the logs of target systems such as your CDN.
Windows
Whether Windows SQL Server, SharePoint, folders, or files: PRTG gives you access to a variety of pre-configured Windows sensors. These sensors rely on WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) and performance counters. You can also configure the sensors individually. An overview
Trusted by 500,000 users and recognized
by industry analysts as a leader
by industry analysts as a leader
“Fantastic network and infrastructure monitoring solution that is easy to deploy and easier still to use. Simply the best available.”
“Software is absolutely perfect, Support is superior. Meets all needs and requirements, this is a must have solution if you are needing any form of monitoring.”
“The tool excels at its primary focus of being a unified infrastructure management and network monitoring service.”
In the future: Avoid time-consuming network diagnostics with PRTG!
How PRTG defines sensors
In PRTG, “sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, e.g. the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, the free space of a disk drive. On average you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.
Thousands of sensors for monitoring
PRTG is perfect for both medium-sized companies as well as complex, international IT infrastructures. Thanks to our flexible license model, you can choose a version that best suits what is going on with your own particular network.
Historical data
By monitoring your network constantly, the network diagnostic tool PRTG provides you with historical data. This data will allow you to quickly narrow the possible cause of the malfunction – such as when you are expanding your network or launching new applications, and disruptions occur at a certain point in time.
Alarm system
PRTG features a custom alarm system. It will send you an alarm any time a certain limit is reached. Because you are notified at the very first sign of a problem, you can promptly take appropriate action. The alarm system is included.
Reports
PRTG generates custom reports and sends them to whoever you please. You can signal, for example, that due to increased traffic the IT infrastructure is in need of upgrading.
Support
PRTG comes with extensive technical support! Our support team usually answers inquiries within 24 hours. You will also find helpful information in our manual, knowledge base, and video tutorials.
Network analysis: Other helpful PRTG sensors
SNMP
SNMP lets you monitor hardware and software, and keep a constant eye on the performance of your network. PRTG comes with several pre-configured sensors for all the biggest manufacturers, including Cisco, Dell, and HP. More on SNMP monitoring
Flow
The PRTG flow sensors monitor bandwidth and the details of your traffic. Flow technology is primarily used by Cisco routers and switches. PRTG supports all current NetFlow versions. More on NetFlow monitoring
Packet Sniffing
The PRTG packet sniffing sensors provide in-depth monitoring of your traffic. They let you quickly get to the root of network connection problems. PRTG can filter data according to IP addresses, data types, data packets, and protocols. More on packet sniffing monitoring
Want to keep a constant eye on your network traffic
and performance, even while on the go?
PRTG is set up in a matter of minutes and can be used on a wide variety of mobile devices.
“Hey Dirk, what do you think about network monitoring?”
“Without network monitoring, it can easily take several hours to locate a network error, such as identifying a router which isn't working properly. Costs can quickly pile up due to unused man days. With a monitoring service, the amount of downtime can be minimized and in many cases even proactively eliminated. With our PRTG monitoring tool, we hope to simplify the job of administrators so they can go about their work efficiently and with less stress.”
Dirk Paessler, founder of Paessler AG
Network analysis and network diagnosis: Similarities and differences
Network analysis and network diagnosis are often used in the same context.
The two terms, however, do not necessarily mean the same thing.
What is network diagnosis?
A network diagnosis is usually performed if a concrete problem has occurred in the network. Connections are down, the network malfunctions or is slow, or important servers are offline. It’s the sysadmin’s job to find the errors and fix them. There are special tools for network diagnoses, such as those provided by hardware manufacturers or found in virtualization and cloud software. At the same time, diagnostic tools are extremely specific. Administrators need a tool to provide them with an overview and the historical data to carry out an analysis. That’s where PRTG comes in.
What is network analysis?
Those looking to carry out a network analysis are usually not yet confronted with a specific problem. Most sysadmins are aware that they should be monitoring their networks, for when disruptions arise, they can get to the causes a lot faster. The PRTG network monitoring software is just what they need. A centralized tool, PRTG allows administrators to monitor their networks, websites, systems, and applications, and therefore discover previously unrecognized interconnections between their various network components.
Tip
With the Business Process Sensor, you can summarize the status of several network components into one status. It can also be used to complement network diagnoses by immediately showing you which components might be behind a process malfunctioning. Find examples here.
Network diagnostic tools: Windows, Linux, OS
Windows network diagnostics: Time and again, Windows servers and operating systems (including Windows 7, 10, etc.) encounter problems. Their built-in network diagnosis tools can help you uncover these problems – as long as you have a basic overview of your network. Otherwise you are unlikely to have an idea of where to start. PRTG comes with dozens of WMI sensors for Windows systems. You can also use SNMP or Windows performance counters to monitor Windows.
Linux network diagnostics: Linux is used by administrators in a variety of different situations. Because there are so many different Linux distributions, a central overview provided by one tool which can support all these characteristics is all the more necessary. When network problems arise, Linux also offers diagnosis tools which will help PRTG put you on the right troubleshooting path.
macOS network diagnostics: PRTG monitors your network traffic on a permanent basis. Historical data provides you with a long-term database and allows you to constantly optimize your network.
PRTG makes your job easier
Our monitoring software frees you to focus on other tasks by promptly notifying you of potential issues.
Save effort
PRTG gives you one central monitoring tool for your servers and entire network. Enjoy a quick overview of your whole infrastructure via our dashboard and app.
Save time
Getting started with PRTG is a breeze. Setting up or switching from another network monitoring tool is easy thanks to the auto-discovery and pre-configured device templates.
Save money
80% of our customers report substantial cost savings with network monitoring. Your costs of licenses will likely pay for themselves within weeks.
Also interesting:
WiFi Monitoring: With a WiFi Analyzer you are able to monitor the status of your Wireless Network. PRTG enables you to keep an eye over the device status, load, traffic, speed and signal strength of each router.
IP SLA Monitoring: PRTG monitors the quality of your VoIP-connections (jitter, latency, and other values). By preventing malfunctions and verifying service level agreements, you’ll save time and money.
Network Security Monitoring: PRTG monitors your firewalls, ports, servers, and much more. Prompt alerts allow you to quickly identify irregularities in your network and maintain the security of your network.
“The greatest advantage of PRTG? You get to rest easy.“
Steffen Ille, Bauhaus-University of Weimar, Germany
PRTG is worth it: You’ll optimize your entire IT!
The costs for a one-year PRTG license usually pay for themselves within a few weeks.
PRTG improves the reliability of your network
PRTG saves network management costs
PRTG saves time spent on network management
Create innovative solutions with Paessler’s IT partners
Partnering with innovative IT vendors, Paessler unleashes synergies to create
new and additional benefits for joined customers.
ScriptRunner
With ScriptRunner, Paessler integrates a powerful event automation platform into PRTG Network Monitor.
UVexplorer integrates tightly with PRTG to bring fast and accurate network discovery, detailed device inventory, and automatic network mapping to the PRTG platform.
UVnetworks
Tips from our knowledge base
Defining “down” status: Other tips on event log sensors
Excessive bandwidth consumption: See our network analysis tips
“Easy to implement and configure with good technical support.”
R. v. S., ICT Manager at Heinen & Hopman Eng BV
PRTG: The multi-tool for sysadmins
Adapt PRTG individually and dynamically to your needs and rely on a strong API:- HTTP API: Access monitoring data and manipulate monitoring objects via HTTP requests
- Custom sensors: Create your own PRTG sensors for customized monitoring
- Custom notifications: Create your own notifications and send action triggers to external systems
- REST Custom sensor: Monitor almost everything that provides data in XML or JSON format
Still not convinced?
More than 500,000 sysadmins love PRTG
Paessler PRTG is used by companies of all sizes. Sysadmins love PRTG because it makes their job a whole lot easier.
Still not convinced?
Monitor your entire IT infrastructure
Bandwidth, servers, virtual environments, websites, VoIP services – PRTG keeps an eye on your entire network.
Try Paessler PRTG for free
Everyone has different monitoring needs. That’s why we let you try PRTG for free. Start now with your trial.
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PRTG |
Network Monitoring Software - Version 23.3.88.1421 (October 2nd, 2023) |
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Hosting |
Download for Windows and cloud-based version PRTG Hosted Monitor available |
Languages |
English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese |
Pricing |
Up to 100 sensors for free (Price List) |
Unified Monitoring |
Network devices, bandwidth, servers, applications, virtual environments, remote systems, IoT, and more |
Supported Vendors & Applications |
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