Trace network traffic with PRTG monitoring tools
Plus keep a constant eye on your entire IT infrastructure
- Get an all-in-one network traffic and data packet tracer
- Use packet sniffing, flow, SNMP, and traceroute for tracing traffic
- Monitor traffic directly on your servers, routers, switches, and ports
Our users give top ratings for monitoring with Paessler PRTG
PRTG network traffic tracer:
What you’ll find on this page
PRTG makes network tracing easy
Custom alerts and data visualization make it easy to monitor, identify, and prevent data traffic and network congestion issues.
Discover network traffic tracing sensors included with PRTG
Traceroute Hop Count sensor
Paessler PRTG includes the Traceroute Hop Count sensor to measure the time and number of hops a data packet needs to reach its destination, and thus help you gauge the stability of your network. This sensor can also sound the alarm if a data packet’s route changes.
Packet Sniffer sensor
PRTG’s Packet Sniffer sensor is a vital sensor for tracing network traffic. It analyzes packet header traffic and displays the amount of bandwidth needed for connections and applications such as web, mail, and FTP traffic, as well as the origin and destination of data.
Flow sensors
IPFIX, NetFlow, jFlow, and sFlow: PRTG comes with various flow sensors that monitor devices from Cisco as well as other manufacturers that support the flow technology. These sensors break down traffic by IP address, port, and protocol and show you which devices and connections use the most bandwidth.
SNMP sensors
PRTG also comes with dozens of SNMP sensors which allow you to monitor your data traffic and hardware, since bandwidth problems and network traffic issues can also stem from problems with your hardware. For tracing network traffic, we recommend the SNMP Traffic sensor.
What network traffic tracing looks like in PRTG
Diagnose network issues by continuously monitoring and tracing the traffic in your network. Show network congestions and bandwidth bottlenecks in real time and visualize data in graphic maps & dashboards to identify problems more easily. Gain the visibility you need to troubleshoot your network’s health and performance.
Live data graph of a Packet Sniffer sensor
Packet Sniffer sensor in PRTG
Complete overview of all devices in a hierarchical tree structure
Start tracing network traffic with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.
“All-around winning “The real beauty of PRTG is the endless possibilities it offers” “PRTG Network MonitorIT experts agree: Paessler PRTG is a great solution for IT infrastructure monitoring
network monitor”
is very hard to beat”
4 reasons to choose PRTG as your network traffic tracing tool
Always accessible
PRTG continuously consolidates all your monitoring information into an easy-to-read, customizable dashboard. A quick glance anywhere, anytime is all it takes to know that everything is OK.
Easy installation
Thanks to the Auto-Discovery feature, which pings a specific range of IP addresses in your subnet, you can set up PRTG in minutes and immediately start checking your network traffic.
Preconfigured sensors
PRTG comes with over 250 predefined sensor types and also offers customizable sensors that can monitor the metrics which are most important to your company.
Customizable alerting
PRTG promptly alerts you if your traffic increases and risks causing problems in your network. Its built-in alarm feature is fast-acting, and alerts you via SMS, text, push notification, and more so you can take immediate action.
Traceroute: 3 advantages of PRTG vs. Linux and Windows tools
Continuous network monitoring
Unlike command line tools such as Traceroute and Tracert, which are used selectively, PRTG continuously monitors your entire IT infrastructure.
Customizable
notifications
In the event of delays, disruptions, or crashes, PRTG immediately sounds the alarm and notifies you however you like: via email, SMS, push notification, and more.
Faster, easier
troubleshooting
There are many possible reasons for a data packet not reaching its destination. With PRTG, troubleshooting is faster and easier due to continuous monitoring and fast alarms.
Easily find the source of the problem with our PRTG network traffic tracing solution
Real-time alerts and custom notifications make it easy to solve issues with network congestions and bandwidth bottlenecks.
PRTG is compatible with all major vendors, products, and systems
How to perform a traceroute on a server with PRTG
PRTG lets you perform a traceroute on a specific server or network device with just 2 clicks.
Note: The target device must be incorporated into your monitoring.
- In the PRTG device tree, scroll down to the device.
- Right-click the device to open its context menu.
- In the Device Tools menu, click Traceroute.
PRTG will then perform a traceroute on the target device and display the results in a matter of seconds.
Your network tracer at a glance – even on the go
Set up PRTG in minutes and use it on almost any mobile device.
Start tracing network traffic with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.
Create innovative solutions with Paessler’s partners
Partnering with innovative vendors, Paessler unleashes synergies to create
new and additional benefits for joined customers.
UVnetworks
UVexplorer integrates tightly with PRTG to bring fast and accurate network discovery, detailed device inventory, and automatic network mapping to the PRTG platform.
“Excellent tool for detailed monitoring. Alarms and notifications work greatly. Equipment addition is straight forward and server initial setup is very easy. ...feel safe to purchase it if you intend to monitor a large networking landscape.”
Infrastructure and Operations Engineer in the Communications Industry, firm size 10B - 30B USD
PRTG makes network tracing easy
Custom alerts and data visualization make it easy to monitor, identify, and prevent data traffic and network congestion issues.
Tracing network traffic: FAQ
What is a network traffic tracer?
A network traffic tracer, also known as a network traffic analyzer or packet sniffer, is a tool used to capture and analyze data packets flowing through a computer network. It allows users to monitor and inspect the traffic for various purposes, including troubleshooting network issues, monitoring network performance, and detecting security threats such as intrusion attempts or malware.
By capturing and analyzing packet headers and payloads, network traffic tracers provide insights into network behavior, helping administrators understand traffic patterns and identify abnormalities.
Can PRTG only monitor and trace network traffic?
No. Paessler PRTG is proprietary network monitoring software that can keep an eye on your entire IT infrastructure, including:
- QoS monitoring: PRTG comes with several QoS sensors which are perfect for monitoring quality of service. With these sensors, you will discover when (and why) delays and disruptions occur in your VoIP. Other QoS-related topics include jitter monitoring and the analysis of packet loss.
- IP SLA monitoring: PRTG includes special sensors for Cisco. With IP SLA monitoring, evaluating the quality of service of your Cisco routers and switches is easy.
- CPU monitoring: When processors are overloaded, the entire network is brought to its knees. PRTG lets you monitor the CPUs of all kinds of hardware devices. In the event of bottlenecks, you’ll be notified at once.
- And much more
What is the difference between network traffic recording and monitoring?
Network traffic monitoring involves real-time observation and analysis of data packets flowing through a network. It provides administrators with immediate insights into network performance, utilization, and security incidents. Monitoring tools like Paessler PRTG typically display live network activity and may include features like traffic visualization, alerting, and real-time statistics.
On the other hand, network traffic recording involves capturing and storing data packets for later analysis. It allows administrators to review past network activity, investigate security incidents, and troubleshoot issues retrospectively. Recorded traffic can be analyzed using various tools and techniques, providing a detailed view of network behavior over time.
What are traceroute tools in Linux and Windows?
Trace Route (or “Traceroute”) is a command line tool in Linux/Unix that lets you trace the route of data in your network. Individual hops are captured and recorded. As a result, you can identify bottlenecks and disruptions.
A similar command line tool exists for Windows. This tool is called “Tracert,” which also allows you to determine the path of data packets by entering commands in the command line. For example, Tracert can let you pinpoint where a data packet got delayed.
What is a sensor in PRTG?
In PRTG, “sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, for example the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, or the free space on a disk drive.
On average, you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.
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
More than just a monitoring tool:
Reasons our customers love PRTG
Paessler PRTG is used by companies of all sizes. Sysadmins love PRTG because it makes their job a whole lot easier. Bandwidth, servers, virtual environments, websites, VoIP services – PRTG keeps an eye on your entire network. Everyone has different monitoring needs. That’s why we let you try PRTG for free.Still not convinced?
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sysadmins love PRTG
Monitor your entire IT infrastructure
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Start tracing network traffic with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier
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PRTG |
Network Monitoring Software - Version 24.2.96.1375 (June 26th, 2024) |
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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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Combining the broad monitoring feature set of PRTG with IP Fabric’s automated network assurance creates a new level of network visibility and reliability.