Comparison of network diagram software

A comparison of network diagram software finds a number of tools exist to generate computer network diagrams. Broadly, there are three types of tools that help create network maps and diagrams:

  • Hybrid tools
  • Network Monitoring tools
  • Drawing tools

Network mapping and drawing software support IT systems managers to understand the hardware and software services on a network and how they are interconnected. Network maps and diagrams are a component of network documentation. They are required artifacts to better manage IT systems' uptime, performance, security risks, plan network changes and upgrades.

Hybrid Tools

These tools have capabilities in common with drawing tools and network monitoring tools. They are more specialized than general drawing tools and provide network engineers and IT systems administrators a higher level of automation and the ability to develop more detailed network topologies and diagrams. Typical capabilities include but not limited to :

  • Displaying port / interface information on connections between devices on the maps
  • Visualizing VLANs / subnets
  • Visualizing virtual servers and storage
  • Visualizing flow of network traffic across devices and networks
  • Displaying WAN and LAN maps by location
  • Importing network configuration files to generate topologies automatically

Network Monitoring Tools

Some network monitoring tools generate visual maps by automatically scanning the network using network discovery protocols. The maps are ideally suited for viewing network monitoring status and issues visually. Typical capabilities include but not limited to:

  • Automatically scanning the network using SNMP, WMI, etc.
  • Scanning Windows and Unix servers
  • Scanning virtual hosts
  • Scanning routing protocols
  • Scanning connection speeds
  • Performing scheduled scans
  • Tracking changes to the network

Drawing Tools

These tools help users to create network topology diagrams by adding icons to a canvas and using lines and connectors to draw linkages between nodes. This category of tools is similar to general drawing and paint tools. Typical capabilities include but not limited to:

  • Libraries of icons for devices
  • Ability to add shapes and annotations to maps
  • Ability to create free-form diagrams

List of hybrid tools

Some notable tools (may not be an exhaustive list):

Name License Deployment Platforms
10SCAPE[1]Proprietary[2]SaaSAll
Docusnap[3]ProprietaryDesktopWindows
Graphical Networks[4]ProprietaryDesktopWindows
Netbrain Tech[5]ProprietaryDesktopWindows

List of network monitoring tools that generate network maps

Some notable tools (may not be an exhaustive list):

Name License Deployment Platforms
10-Strike[6] Proprietary Desktop Windows
CloudView NMS[7] Shareware Desktop Windows, Linux, macOS
Manage Engine[8]ProprietaryDesktopWindows
MaSSHandra[9]Proprietary[10]DesktopWindows, Linux, macOS
netTransformer[11]GPLDesktopWindows/Linux/macOS
OpenNMS[12]AGPLv3[13]DesktopLinux, macOS, others
SolarWinds[14]ProprietaryDesktopWindows
PathSolutions[15]ProprietaryDesktopWindows
Spiceworks[16]Proprietary[17]DesktopWindows
The Dude[18] Proprietary[19] Desktop Windows, Linux
WhatsUp Gold[20]ProprietaryDesktopWindows
SmartHawk[21]ProprietaryDesktopWindows, Linux

List of drawing tools

Some notable tools (may not be an exhaustive list):

Name License Deployment Platforms
draw.io[22]free and open sourcevariousAny supported browser, Linux, Windows, macOS
Cacoo (Software)[23]ProprietarySaaSWindows, macOS
ConceptDraw PRO[24]ProprietaryDesktopWindows, macOS
Creately[25]ProprietaryDesktopCross Platform
Archbee[26]ProprietarySaaSLinux, macOS, Windows
Edraw Network Diagram[27]ProprietaryDesktopLinux, Windows, macOS
Microsoft Visio[28]ProprietaryDesktopWindows
MyDraw[29]ProprietaryDesktopWindows, macOS
SmartDraw[30]ProprietaryDesktopWindows
Lucidchart[31]ProprietarySaaSLinux, macOS, Windows
Gliffy[32]ProprietarySaaSLinux, macOS, Windows

See also

References

  1. ↑ "10SCAPE Network Mapping Software". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "End User Software License Agreement: 10SCAPE Support". Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  3. ↑ "Docusnap IT Documentation". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Graphical Networks netTerrain Network Documentation". Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  5. ↑ "Netbrain Tech Automated Documentation". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "10-Strike Network Diagram". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  7. ↑ NMS, CloudView. "CloudView NMS Home - Network Management, Monitoring and SCADA solution". www.cloudviewnms.com. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  8. ↑ "Manage Engine Network Mapping". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  9. ↑ "MaSSHandra 3D Network Diagram Editor". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "MaSSHandra. The 3D DataCenter Design Tool". Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  11. ↑ "Network Transformation Manager". Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  12. ↑ "The OpenNMS Project". Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  13. ↑ "What is OpenNMS". Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  14. ↑ "Solarwinds network topology mapper". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "PathSolutions Network Diagram Tool". Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  16. ↑ "Spiceworks Network Mapping Software". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  17. ↑ "Spiceworks Terms of Use". Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  18. ↑ "The Dude network diagrams". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  19. ↑ "Dudesetup1.png". Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  20. ↑ "Microsoft Visio Network Mapping Tool". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  21. ↑ "SmartHawk Network Mapper". Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  22. ↑ "draw.io". Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  23. ↑ "Cacoo Drawing Tool". Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  24. ↑ "Concept Draw Pro Drawing Tool". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  25. ↑ "Creately - Online Diagramming". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  26. ↑ "Archbee - Beautiful diagrams for software development teams". Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  27. ↑ "Edraw Network Diagram". Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  28. ↑ "Microsoft Visio network diagramming". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  29. ↑ "MyDraw network diagramming". Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  30. ↑ "Smart Draw network diagramming". Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  31. ↑ "Lucidchart network diagramming". Retrieved 6 Aug 2014.
  32. ↑ "Gliffy network diagrams". Retrieved 9 Oct 2014.
  • "Cisco Brand Center / Network Topology Icons". www.cisco.com. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  • "Cisco Unified Communications System for IP Telephony: Microsoft Visio network topology diagrams (resp. diagram templates)". www.cisco.com. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
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