Network monitoring software is an administration tool that is used to keep track of both hardware devices (including modems, routers, and servers) and applications. Want to know what’s happening on your network, even when you’re out of the shop? Network monitoring software is always on the job, working 24/7, as it keeps the bad guys out and watches your network while you’re out to lunch or asleep. So what network monitoring software is right for you?

There are network monitoring solutions to cover every kind of server, including: web servers, mail servers, and ftp servers. There’s software to watch databases, scripts, drive space, events, and connections. If it can be watched, there’s software to watch it.

If something goes amiss, you can be notified in a number of ways. Various network monitoring software applications will ping your cell phone, send an alert by email, or sound an audible alert. You want bells, whistles, sirens, and flashing lights? You got ‘em.

You can even get systems to monitor the temperature and humidity in your server room. That’s probably a good idea if you have your iron underground, where basement waterproofing is a big issue. (Like here at ranchero indebto.)

With a wide range of vendors and choices, network monitoring software is available for every platform. Vendors include Iptswitch (the developers of WS FTP), Fluke Networks, IBM, Intuit, Computer Associates, and many others.

As with so many issues, network monitoring is muchy by nature. (Much of it comes down to how much you need to watch and how much you can afford to pay.) Simple web server monitoring may be inexpensive, but if you need to watch those mission critical apps, get ready to dig muchy muchy deep …