Network inventory management and monitoring is a critical part of ensuring your network stays healthy, well-planned, and functioning as well as possible in your enterprise. Network inventory management allows you to keep track of what network devices you have and all their relevant software and hardware. It also helps you to know when to acquire new assets, or to decommission old ones, which can help with general performance and uptime management, and capacity planning.
Network inventory tools should always be used to complete network inventory processes in large enterprises, as manual approaches will simply not be enough to keep track of everything efficiently. Network inventory software is widespread in the network management tools marketplace, and there are many options for you to choose from.
One of the best ways to keep on top of network inventory is to use network inventory tools, as these greatly free up your time and resources (leaving you available to deal with more pressing issues). These tools scan and map your network, determining exactly what devices you have, their configurations, and the operating systems and software installed on them.
My top choice for network inventory tools is SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager (NCM). NCM is a network configuration management and mapping tool designed to help you stay on top of changes happening in your environment.
One of the other great features of NCM is you can create network reports based on device information, so you can quickly view a network overview of your entire inventory. NCM can be set up to scan regularly, so your device list is updated as frequently as you like. For your contracts and end-of-life information, NCM regularly polls for device data on these points, and can notify you when a device or asset needs to be replaced, or if a contract needs to be renewed.
NCM is a great piece of network device inventory software, and it offers a free trial for up to 30 days. I recommend trying it out, so you can see how comprehensive and easy to use it is. SolarWinds offers subscription and perpetual licensing options available.
For those looking to automate mapping and inventory report creation using one solution, SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper (NTM) is a comprehensive, yet easy-to-use mapper, device discovery, and network reporting tool. SolarWinds NTM can help you more easily track inventory and network information with its multi-layer discovery technique leveraging:
By performing multi-level network discovery, NTM can produce an integrated OSI Layer 2 and Layer 3 network map with detailed device information. The scanning and mapping functions in NTM are designed to help you more easily keep track of what your network looks like and what devices you have connected.
NTM can discover your entire network in typically just a few minutes. In addition to automating network discovery, you can also edit node details of map objects, connect network devices manually, and use the other customizability options to ensure you gain the views of your network inventory most helpful to you. NTM can also help address reporting needs to demonstrate PCI compliance, FIPS 140-2, and other regulatory requirements. NTM is built to be FIPS 140-2 compliant.
What really sets NTM apart is its ability to automatically discover devices, collect device details, and transform this data to generate a variety of reports and diagrams, including network topology maps, hardware inventory, switch port usage, and device connection reports.
Another good piece of network inventory software is Network Inventory Advisor. Network Inventory Advisor also allows you to track installed software, what versions you have, and the licenses included. With license aggregation, collection, and management you can easily see how your licenses compare to the purchased contracts you have.
In addition, you can scan for network device metrics, including CPU, memory, system details, and audio, visual, and peripherals. You can roll out mass upgrades or troubleshoot hardware problems. Network audits can be performed regularly with automated scanning, and reports produced will contain up-to-date software and hardware information for each asset. All devices can be tagged with statuses, and then assigned to a particular user or technical owner for management.
Data from TNI is stored on your primary hard drive, so you can move, store, or archive inventory data. Devices can be grouped and commented on. Reporting in TNI requires you to select a group of computers in the file, and then select the type of report you want to produce. You can also create complex or customized reports by choosing particular objects or metrics in the TNI list of assets.
Finally, you can create and view a map of your entire network, then organize it in a logical or business-focused way. You can drag and drop assets throughout your map and organize them how you want. While TNI is a great tool, many of the processes require manual setup, and it can be a little time-consuming to get a full scan completed.
They offer two versions: Standard and Professional. Unsurprisingly, the professional version has more features, including the network map module, software license management, and license status information. You can try a free trial of Total Network Inventory for up to 60 days.
Spiceworks provides a free network inventory tool with basic functionality, so you can get up and running quickly. You can use Spiceworks to automatically discover your device information, with out-of-the-box scanning capabilities for Windows and Mac computers, routers and switches, printers, and other devices. It presents all information including the manufacturer, MAC address of the device, hardware details, installed software, and open ports. You can also see how much storage a device has, or whether it has antivirus software installed.
Automatic updating is another useful feature from Spiceworks, and it allows you to track and inventory your cloud services. Scheduled scans let you set the frequency at which you want to scan and update your information. With custom reporting, you can generate reports on your network assets and whatever metrics you need.
However, I believe the main downside of Spiceworks is it requires add-ons to increase functionality, which can rapidly make the software clunky and frustrating to use. It also maintains its free status by including advertising and marketing from vendors, which I think can quickly get annoying. If you need a quick solution this one is good to look into, but for long-term enterprise use it might not be the best choice.
Open-AudIT is an open-source inventory management tool running on both Linux and Windows systems. It includes several different versions: Community, Professional, Enterprise, and Cloud. The different versions have a common code base, but the Enterprise and Professional editions include additional features. These additional features are designed to improve network device discovery and increase reporting capabilities for your organization.
Every version includes device discovery features, including agentless discovery. You can query Windows systems for hardware and software discovery, operating system and security settings, services, and user groups. You can also track network devices for their IP and MAC address, along with their open ports, serial numbers, etc. You can also set it up to scan your network devices automatically, such as setting up daily scans for your entire system, hourly network scans, or a customized setting to suit your needs.
Recognized for its scalability and comprehensive features set, Lansweeper helps companies optimize IT, OT, and IoT processes by providing actionable insights into their tech estate. With its extensive risk management tools, relevant personnel can reduce problems and overhead costs while transitioning to new infrastructure.
Known for its simplicity and affordability, Snipe-IT is lauded as one of the best network inventory software. With its powerful interface and incredible security functionalities, this digital tool enables companies to shift from spreadsheets and effectively track all software and hardware devices. Best of all, it is open-source and has a free-to-use option.
This software solution is highly favored network asset inventory software among MSPs (managed service providers) and IT teams, not just for its remote monitoring and management software capabilities but also because of its top-notch automation and mobile-first capabilities. Pulseway is also easy to use and deploy, making it the perfect tool for non-IT experts.
Trusted by thousands of small start-ups and large enterprises worldwide, Ivanti NAC proves that it is one of the best network inventory management software. With their full-featured suite that includes asset discovery and outstanding data security offerings, organizations can navigate digital transformations better, worrying very little about disruptions.
Despite the simplicity of its website, Network Inventory Advisor is a powerful digital platform that helps companies manage their software and hardware assets, especially when preparing for digital transitions or revamps. This desktop-based tool is one of the most affordable, perfect for small to medium-sized businesses.
A full-featured suite, SolarWinds NCM is considered one of the best network inventory platforms, trusted by other IT companies. Aside from providing 360-degree visibility, it facilitates the efficient management of networks, systems, databases, and applications, preparing organizations across industries for challenging digital transformations.
Known for its unique innovation, Miradore is a cloud-based asset management solution designed specifically to track mobile network assets. This platform is incredibly helpful with the nearing 3G sunsetting, as most Android, Apple, and Windows-powered devices may need reconfiguration or replacement soon.
A highly-awarded platform, OrbusInfinity is the perfect tool for managing IT infrastructures, especially when the company is about to start complex digital transformations. This all-inclusive software solution aids in identifying legacy devices, optimizing asset utilization, and enhancing visibility. On top of all those, it also ensures compliance with data security regulations.
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