Network Mapping Software

[haggi]

I am not really a networking expert and sometimes have problems coping with my some 15 - 20 pieces of networking hardware (incl wireless).
To understand my network better I would like to have some intelligent mapping software that can sense client and connection details.

Does anyone have suggestions?

 

[tipstir]

The Dude (freeware)
http://www.mikrotik.com/thedude.php

SpiceWorks (freeware)
http://www.spiceworks.com/free-network-mapping-software/

Here's a video on how to use Spiceworks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci4L0vCrT1k&

Edraw MindMap (freeware)
http://www.edrawsoft.com/download.php (scroll down the page for this one)

LanSpy (freeware) (more of network scanner (sniffer) Really gives you a lot of info on network connection nodes by network discovery. Very simple to use and it's free!
http://lantricks.com/lanspy/

There is one that's not free but you can try it I am trying to locate it. What it does it automatically does a site discovery and then draws and add your network to a real-time network monitoring chart. You can print and change nodes info (devices). Really good and doesn't it so well.

 

[sfx2000]

NMAP - ninja tool, but in the right hands, good stuff...

http://nmap.org/

 

[tipstir]

Found the link to: Networkview now works on 64-bit Windows 7.
http://www.networkview.com/index.html

Not only does network discovery of your business or home network it actually tells you what NIC manufacturer is being used. Probe is deep and the icons it uses is less impact. The software been out since 2000 and been updated.

It one not free but free 30 days to use it as full program then it's has to be purchased. It can monitor your network and alert you by voice or sound effect if of the nodes (devices) have is down or up. When I use to use this one it would say in a female voice network node or device is up and network node or device is down. That might grown on your a lot in time.