Cisco 1701-K9-RF - 1701 ADSL Security Access Router : Datasheet : Page 238

Lab – Researching Network Monitoring Software (Instructor

Version)

Instructor Note: Red font color or Gray highlights indicate text that appears in the instructor copy only.

Objectives

Part 1: Survey Your Understanding of Network Monitoring

Part 2: Research Network Monitoring Tools

Part 3: Select a Network Monitoring Tool

Background / Scenario

Network monitoring is needed for any sized network. Proactively monitoring the network infrastructure can

assist network administrators with their day-to-day duties. The wide variety of networking tools available vary

in cost, depending on the features, number of network locations and number of nodes supported.

In this lab, you will conduct research on available network monitoring software. You will gather information on

software products and features of those products. You will investigate one product in greater detail and list

some of the key features available.

Required Resources

 PC with Internet access

Part 1: Survey Your Understanding of Network Monitoring

Instructor Note: In Part 1, the instructor may wish to lead a discussion with students on their understanding

of network monitoring, and how it is used by network administrators. This lab may be assigned as homework.

Describe network monitoring as you understand it. Give an example of how it might be used in a production

network.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Network monitoring is done using software, typically a tool or set of tools that aid network administrators in

troubleshooting, monitoring, and modifying devices within their network. Reports, performance graphs,

hardware inventory management, software inventory management, network mapping of topologies,

generation of alerts through email, and/or texts to a network administrator can be part of the software tool. A

network administrator may decide to set up an email alert when packet loss on a router exceeds a certain

limit.

Part 2: Research Network Monitoring Tools

Step 1: Research and find three network monitoring tools.

List the three tools that you found.