Network Discovery
with PRTG
- Find network devices automatically
- Nonstop network monitoring
- Cross-locational monitoring
- Detect new devices immediately
- Custom alarm system
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100 sensors, perfect for smaller networks
Discover and monitor network devices automatically:
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Three reasons for taking stock of your network
How do I find all my network devices? Sooner or later, every administrator must tackle this question.
In general, there are three reasons for taking stock of your network:
Network inventory
Administrators perform regular inventories, especially in medium-sized companies. These inventories are not only done to get an overview of the network, but also for security reasons: An inventory will let you see if unwanted private devices are connected to your network.
Network expansion
When a company grows, so does its network. Many administrators are faced with the task of gradually expanding their networks. When doing so, network devices must be routed correctly to ensure the network remains stable and efficient.
Network costs
Increasingly, accounting departments are also keeping an eye on networks. It is important that all costs associated with network devices, maintenance, and licenses be recorded. To do so, administrators must have an overview of their hardware and software. Taking stock of the network can help.
Six good reasons
to choose PRTG
to monitor your network devices
Automatic stock taking
PRTG’s Auto Discovery feature makes it easy to take stock of a network. This feature will automatically find all the network devices within an IP address range, and then integrate them into your monitoring.
Discovery of new devices
When opening PRTG for the first time, new devices will be detected and set up automatically. PRTG lets you create your own timetable: run the discovery automatically, either daily, weekly, or monthly. Each time, you’ll receive a ticket and an e-mail. And that means you’ll be able to keep a constant eye on what’s going on in your network.
Nonstop network monitoring
PRTG monitors your network 24 hours a day, 365 days per year - and not just at irregular intervals. You’ll therefore be able to discover those devices which may have been turned off during a one-time scan.
Alerts when the network malfunctions
At the slightest problem, you’ll be notified at once. Our alerts enable you to act quickly and avoid more serious disruptions. The alarm system is individually customizable.
Cross-locational network discovery
PRTG makes it easy to discover and monitor network devices that are spread out over several different locations. The centralized monitoring of distributed sites functions via remote probes, which run as a Windows service on a server in each of the respective locations.
Overview of all network devices
Each network device is set up by PRTG in a device tree. A simple and easy-to-understand dashboard illustrates the status of your network and of each individual device by way of a traffic light system. The dashboard is available on your desktop, or as an app for when you’re out of the office.
Your monitoring dashboard might look like this!
www.auwireless.net
“Thanks to PRTG, we no longer need to worry about our network. We can sit back and relax knowing that powerful software is checking hundreds of network devices every 30 seconds. PRTG is so reliable that we almost always forget it is there – until we receive a message that something is wrong.”
Chadwick Wachs, Owner of Au Wireless. To the case study
Screenshots
A sneak peek at network discovery with PRTG
How the PRTG Auto Discovery feature works, in three steps
i Ping is a command-line utility, available on virtually any operating system with network connectivity, that acts as a test to see if a networked device is reachable. The ping command sends a request over the network to a specific device. A successful ping results in a response from the computer that was pinged back to the originating computer. Read more ...
The Auto Discovery feature provides for the quick and convenient detection of all your network devices. PRTG automatically sets up devices in the network tree, and then equips them with sensors. Auto Discovery is described in detail in the PRTG manual. This is how it works:
Step 1
Enter the IP address range within which PRTG should search for network devices. Then launch the Auto Discovery feature; PRTG will use ping to find all the devices located within this IP range.
Step 2
Next run a scan to identify the types of devices which were found. Appropriate sensors will be created automatically. To do so, PRTG uses SNMP, WMI, and other protocols.
Step 3
All devices found by PRTG are then set up in a device tree. PRTG uses a number of device templates for this process. Whether Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, or Juniper: Corresponding devices are available for all the big manufacturers.
Quick results
PRTG sets up your network monitoring automatically and within minutes. You can fine-tune this initial monitoring over time. And while the runtime of Auto Discovery depends on the size of the designated IP range, the number of devices found, your network connection, and some other latency factors, once it is launched there is nothing else for you to do except adjust a few of its settings (such as “credentials”).
PRTG simplifies your day
Our monitoring software works for you and promptly notifies you of potential issues.
It frees you to concentrate on your day-to-day tasks with peace of mind.
PRTG saves time
With PRTG, you get one central monitoring tool for your servers and entire network. Enjoy a quick overview of your whole infrastructure via our dashboard and app.
PRTG saves worry
Customizing PRTG is a breeze. Getting started or switching from another network monitoring tool is easy thanks to more than 200 sensors and pre-configured device templates.
PRTG saves money
80% of our customers report substantial or even exceptional cost savings in the area of network monitoring. The experience of our customers shows that the costs for licenses have paid for themselves in an average of 3 ½ months.
Your Network at a glance – even on the go
PRTG can be installed within minutes and it's compatible with most mobile devices.
Five handy PRTG sensors
Ping Sensor
The Ping Sensor verifies the availability of each and every device in your network. One of PRTG’s most commonly used sensors, the Ping Sensor also displays ping time. The Cloud Ping Sensor is also used frequently. More on ping monitoring
SNMP sensors
SNMP sensors show you which applications are putting the most strain on your servers and bandwidth. SNMP is extremely reliable and takes up very little system load. More on SNMP monitoring
WMI sensors
For Microsoft devices, you can use our WMI sensors. The “System Information” feature, which is built into an extra tab, provides information on Windows systems, installed hardware and software, and much more. More on WMI monitoring
Packet Sniffer Sensor
PRTG’s Packet Sniffer Sensor monitors the data traffic in your network, and can filter according to mail traffic, file transfer traffic, and infrastructure traffic, among others. More on packet sniffing
NetFlow sensors
The NetFlow protocol is mainly supported by Cisco routers and Cisco switches. PRTG supports all NetFlow versions. More on NetFlow monitoring
Award winning solution
We work hard on making our software as powerful and easy-to-use
as possible for our customers each and every day.
Of course it makes us proud when we get awards for that.
PRTG is a vital tool for getting your IT into tip-top shape!
The costs for a one-year PRTG license pay for themselves in an average of only 3 ½ months.
License costs vary according to the size of your network.
PRTG makes
your network more reliable
PRTG saves
network management costs
PRTG saves time
spent on network management
Detect network loops with PRTG
A network or switching loop can have a negative impact on the performance of your network. Such a loop may even lead to an outright network crash. PRTG’s Packet Sniffer and NetFlow sensors will help you identify network loops, by highlighting the frequent appearance of duplicate data packets, for example. These sensors monitor incoming data packets, and filter traffic according to IP addresses, protocols, and data types.
Network scanners vs. PRTG:
Similarities and differences
Network scanners
Many administrators are in search of simple network scanners or tools that are 100% dedicated to network discovery. In such cases, it’s not about setting up monitoring, but discovering available devices as quickly and easily as possible. We too have used these tools in the past, such as “Angry IP Scanner,” when our company moved into its new offices.
Network monitoring
PRTG is a comprehensive network monitoring tool. Device discovery is the first step to the setting up of monitoring. PRTG offers considerably more than a simple network scanner. With PRTG, you can monitor servers, databases, websites, and much more. PRTG comes with pre-configured sensors for a number of different manufacturers, including Cisco, HP, and Dell.
Complementary tools
PRTG should not be seen as a rival to a simple scanner. Each is used in different circumstances. PRTG is convenient for taking over the tasks of scanner tools. On the other hand, some situations call for a simpler tool, such as for a short test when you don’t need detailed monitoring but only a quick overview.
Want to learn more? Please do!
White paper: Discovering and monitoring distributed networks
Many companies have offices in several different locations. PRTG’s remote probes let you monitor all your network locations centrally. In our white paper, we explain the architecture behind PRTG and explore specific network topology scenarios. To the white paper
PAESSLER AG –
German Quality
Engineering
30 DAYS TRIAL
Installed in minutes
Free Version
100 Sensors, perfect for small networks
Made in Germany: The PRTG Network Monitoring Tool is the fruit of a dedicated, international team. The company was founded by Dirk Paessler who still runs it today. PESSLER AG's headquarters are located in the city of Nuremberg, in the heart of Germany.
A quick overview: PRTG provides a quick overview, whether on your desktop or as an app on your smartphone. An individually configurable dashboard features every key stat in the form of an easy-to-understand graph, so you can always make sure your network is running smoothly.
Easy installation: Our Smart Setup guarantees a quick and easy setup. During installation, PRTG will ping your network and create appropriate sensors, saving you a great deal of time. Furthermore, switching from other software such as Nagios is relatively quick and easy.
Flexible upgrade: PRTG comes with 100 free sensors which never expire. These sensors will allow you to get a good feel for PRTG at no cost whatsoever. After 30 days, you can decide which license is right for you. You can even upgrade your license a little bit at a time.
Outstanding support: Our support team strives to resolve inquiries within 24 hours (on business days). Discover a wide selection of videos, webinars, and instructions in our knowledge base. Our manual is also an excellent resource.
Download |
Network Monitoring Software for Windows - Version 17.3.33.2830 (September 11th, 2017) |
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Pricing |
Free for up to 100 sensors (Price List) |
Unified Monitoring |
Network devices, bandwidth, servers, applications, virtual environments, remote systems, IoT, and more... |
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