PRTG: Professional WiFi analyzer
PRTG analyzes every aspect of your wireless networks
Devices, load, traffic, availability, signal strengths
All-in-one network monitoring & WiFi analysis
Professional WiFi analyzer
Jump to the topic of your choice
- What is a WiFi analyzer?
- WiFi analyzer: keep an eye on the following 5 factors
- About SNMP for analyzing your WiFi with PRTG
- PRTG warns you of potential disruption to your WiFi
- 3 good reasons to choose PRTG as your WiFi analyzing tool
- With PRTG you get much more
- LAN, WIFI, WAN - PRTG keeps an eye on everything V3
What is a WiFi analyzer?
With a WiFi Analyzer you are able to keep track of the status of your Wireless Network. Wireless Network analyzing helps you to maintain an overview of all your wireless connected devices. WiFi analyzing Software enables you to keep an eye over the device status, load, traffic, speed, WiFi usage, and signal strength of each router.
WiFi analyzer: keep an eye on the following 5 factors
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.
Device status
Are your routers always really online? Or are there repeatedly times when a router (and therefore your WiFi) is not available? With PRTG, you can monitor both uptime and downtime. To do so, simply use the SNMP System Uptime and Ping sensors from the PRTG sensor list.
Load
WiFi disruptions often occur when the network load is too high. Among other things, the quality of your connection suffers. With the built-in bandwidth sensors of PRTG, you'll be able to identify the moments when the wireless network is most strained.
Traffic
How many data packets travel over an access point? How much bandwidth is used by specific data? With SNMP traffic sensors or user-defined SNMP sensors such as the PRTG SNMP Custom Table sensor, you'll constantly stay up-to-date on the development of traffic in both your network and wireless network.
Signal strength
Do co-workers often complain about the WiFi connection in specific work areas or rooms? This could mean that the signal strength of certain routers is lacking. Eventually, you will need to replace routers or invest in additional access points. A neat way to check the signal strength of your wireless network with PRTG is to query it with an SNMP Custom Advanced Sensor of a corresponding device.
Last access
As an administrator, your job is to always keep an eye on the security of your network. Some devices, for instance, feature a parameter which displays the last time a device was connected and thus when it had last latched onto the wireless network. By applying user-defined SNMP sensors, you can observe, for example, if devices are available in the WiFi network at night - even when no staff is present. Conversely, you can also see the wireless network access points which are barely used and which could thus be moved or eliminated.
“I particularly like having breakfast at home and just surveying my domain, and understanding what's working and what isn't.”
Steve Coppin, Oxford University
Your wireless network at a glance – even on the go
PRTG is set up in a matter of minutes and can be used on a wide variety of mobile devices.
About SNMP for analyzing your WiFi with PRTG
SNMP
PRTG uses SNMP, NetFlow and Packet Sniffing for its WiFi traffic monitoring. SNMP is supported by many router manufacturers, such as Cisco and Juniper, as well as several access point manufacturers. This makes setting up functional and reliable wireless network monitoring fast and easy.
AP Manufacturers
Meraki, NetGear, Aruba, Ruckus (Brocade), D-Link, and Extreme Networks are some of the access point manufacturers who support SNMP. In order to correctly monitor your wireless network, be sure to verify which protocol is supported by your access points.
Recommended reading
Meraki is an extremely popular access point manufacturer. Many administrators therefore have specific questions concerning the brand's products. Our knowledge base features a detailed article on how you can monitor your Meraki network with PRTG. Pull up the article here. Click on the following links for more information on SNMP Monitoring, NetFlow Monitoring, VPN Monitoring and Packet Sniffing with PRTG.
Analyze your WiFi with these sensors
The following sensors can be used for WiFi analyzing with PRTG:
Ping Jitter
The Ping Jitter sensor sends a series of ICMP echo requests to the given URI to determine the statistical jitter. It shows the following:
- Statistical jitter value
- Execution time
Packet Sniffer
Monitors the headers of data packets that pass a local network using a built-in packet sniffer. It can show the following traffic types (analyzes only header traffic!):
- Chat (IRC, AIM)
- Citrix
- FTP/P2P
- Mail, WWW
- Remote control (RDP, SSH, Telnet, VNC)
NetFlow V5
Shows traffic for NetFlow V5-supported devices, split by type and is able to divide traffic into channels. Traffic types include:
- Chat (IRC, AIM)
- Citrix
- FTP/P2P
- Mail, WWW
- Remote control (RDP, SSH, Telnet, VNC)
NetFlow V9
Shows traffic for NetFlow v9-supported devices, split by type and is able to divide traffic into channels. Traffic types include:
- Chat (IRC, AIM)
- Citrix
- FTP/P2P
- Mail, WWW
- Remote control (RDP, SSH, Telnet, VNC)
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.
PRTG warns you of potential disruption to your WiFi
Bandwidth is measured as the amount of data that can be transferred from one point to another within a network in a specific amount of time. Typically, bandwidth is expressed as a bitrate and measured in bits per second (bps). It refers to the transmission capacity of a connection and is an important factor when determining the quality and speed of a network.
Read more
Prompt alerts
PRTG sensors can be configured so you are promptly notified as soon as WiFi network disruptions occur or bandwidth limits are reached. This means you can react quickly and prevent a crash.
Customizable alarm
Notifications can be customized according to your needs. You get to decide, for example, if you'd like to be informed when everything is OK - or only if there is a problem. You can also define your own timetables and escalation levels.
Various alarm systems
You as the administrator decide how you would like to be notified. Email, SMS, syslog or ringtone - find the method which works best for you.
3 good reasons to choose PRTG as your WiFi analyzing tool
1. Increased reliability
PRTG significantly increases the reliability of your IT infrastructure. Thanks to its proactive, customizable alarm, you'll be informed promptly and can thereby prevent crashes.
2. Quick overview
PRTG provides an instant overview of your network activity, even for your WiFi network, at all times. Customize your dashboard so you can keep constant track of those sensors which are the most important to you. And when you’re on the go, simply access PRTG via the mobile app.
3. Easy setup
You're currently using Nagios or another monitoring tool? Thanks to our Auto Discovery feature and more than 250 predefined sensors, making the switch is a breeze. Sensors are created automatically by Auto Discovery, which means you can get started with your WiFi monitoring in a few short minutes.
Trusted by 500,000 users and recognized
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.”
With PRTG you get much more
For many, wireless network monitoring is just one component of their monitoring structure. There can be many reasons for your Internet connection being down or disrupted.
With PRTG, you get a monitoring tool which features an extensive framework. This framework allows you to discover unconventional sources of errors, sources you may not have searched for right away. And that means you'll save precious time.
Here are four examples:
Internet accessibility
Does your Internet connection work only most of the time? Could the problem lie with your service provider, and not with your routers, switches, or access points? The Common SaaS sensor will provide you with the answer. This sensor queries various large sites such as Facebook, Dropbox, or YouTube, which in general are never offline.
Disruption in email traffic
Nothing makes co-workers complain faster than the inability to send or receive emails. In such a case, the LAN or wireless network may be the culprit. But email issues could also be due to SMTP or POP3 protocol disruptions. PRTG features a variety of predefined and individually configurable sensors to monitor your mail server. Find our more in our sensor list.
Website accessiblity
The Cloud HTTP sensor monitors the load time of your site on a variety of servers found on different continents. This sensor lets you see if your site is also accessible from abroad. Tokyo, Ireland, North Virginia, and Oregon are a few of the places where these servers are found.
Firewall
PRTG monitors the status of your firewall and informs you immediately in the event of a crash. This enables you to promptly take action to restore the security of your system.
Practical tip: “Hey Gerald, what would you tell administrators looking to use PRTG as a NetFlow Analyzer?”
“Cisco has continuously developed the NetFlow technology. Administrators must therefore find out beforehand which NetFlow version is supported by their routers and switches. With the right PRTG sensors, setting up NetFlow monitoring is quick and easy.”
Gerald Schoch, release manager at Paessler AG
Here's what WiFi monitoring looks like in PRTG
The PRTG Sunburst view
Sensor Packet Sniffer
Create individual graphical maps
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.
UVnetworks
UVexplorer integrates tightly with PRTG to bring fast and accurate network discovery, detailed device inventory, and automatic network mapping to the PRTG platform.
LAN, WIFI, WAN – PRTG keeps an eye on everything
LAN Monitoring
LAN monitoring is the basis for a reliable, high-performance network. Many administrators still think they can do without a monitoring tool. But after a disruption or crash, these same administrators often search frantically for good monitoring software. Other administrators use several monitoring tools concurrently but eventually opt for PRTG to benefit from a single, central, efficient, and easily upgradeable tool.
WiFi Network Monitoring
These days, many businesses and organizations operate on the "bring your own device" principle. Tablets, smartphones, printers, and other mobile devices must however also be granted access to the WiFi network. Furthermore, laptops are often used for presentations in conference rooms and likewise require an Internet connection. As a result, WiFi monitoring quickly becomes an important issue for administrators.
WAN Monitoring
Wide area networks are especially susceptible to crashes and disruptions, for they are spread out across rooms, countries, and even continents. Since a great deal of important data (such as internal applications, emails, and VoIP telephony) flows across a WAN, WAN monitoring can therefore truly be a lifesaver.
“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
We asked: would you recommend PRTG?
Over 95% of our customers say yes!
Paessler AG conducted trials in over 600 IT departments worldwide to tune its network monitoring software closer to the needs of sysadmins.
The result of the survey: over 95% of the participants would recommend PRTG – or already have.
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.
|
PRTG |
Network Monitoring Software - Version 23.2.84.1566 (May 24th, 2023) |
|
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 |
|
