Benefits of Network Topology Mapper

Consider the following benefits of SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper (NTM):

Why use NTM?

• Automate device discovery and mapping: Automatically discover network topology using ICMP, SNMP, WMI, CDP, VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, and leverage multiple network discovery methods.
• Build multiple maps from a single scan: Build maps without having to rescan to save resources, bandwidth, and time.
• Export network diagrams to Vision: Export network diagrams to Visio, Network Atlas, PDF, and more.
• Auto-detect changes to Network Topology Mapper: Monitor for new devices, changes and unknown systems to ensure an accurate, up-to-date record of your network.
• Maintain multiple network maps to meet regulatory compliance: Use network maps to help meet compliance requirements for PCI, SOX, HIPAA, and FIPS 140‑2.

NTM vs Network Atlas

NTM	Network Atlas
Topology-based approach: see where things are connected, ignore things not relevant.	When you already have everything in the SolarWinds Platform and just want to extend your maps.
One map is rarely enough to comprehensively discover your environment: you can designate sub-admins to discover just their segments of network.	Network Atlas maps can be rolled-up: when you need the maps to contain applications, systems, services, interfaces, IPSLAs
Maps are updated automatically	Maps in Network Atlas are static: you need to update them manually

Define and reuse credentials

Define and store credentials in NTM for re-use and use them during discovery.

For detailed information, see Specify discovery credentials.

Schedule device and topology discovery

NTM uses multiple discovery methods (SNMP, ICMP, WMI, CDP, VMWare) to map all types of devices and their interconnections—switches, routers, servers, VMs, unmanaged nodes, desktop computers, peripheral devices. In scanning a network, you can exclude devices and network segments from discovery scans and also track changes in network topology through scheduled updates.

Since NTM discovers multiple links for devices and maps Layer 2 (port level) and Layer 3 (logical) connectivity, as well as Etherchannel relationships, you can see and more easily understand physical and logical relationships between devices. NTM lets you view each layer separately or combine them in one map.

With a single discovery scan, you can create multiple maps and show detailed system information for discovered devices, including load statistics, with rollover graphics down to the interface level.

For detailed information, see Discover devices and topologies.

Map virtual device connectivity

By providing both switch and VLAN details (in connection rollovers for HP/3Com and Juniper Switches, and mapping virtual servers to host machines), NTM provides a clear picture of the connectivity of virtual devices to your physical network.

Strategically manage maps

In working with the maps based on a discovery scan, you can choose to display or hide various details about the mapped nodes and the connections between them. You can arrange nodes according to predefined layouts or by manually dragging them. As needed, you can select an area of the larger map and copy it into a separate map.

For detailed information, see Work with maps.

Share and print maps

NTM facilitates IT monitoring, planning, trouble-shooting workflows by being able to export maps to multiple formats (Visio, PNG, Orion Network Atlas, PDF & NTM Map format)

Encrypt maps

With NTM, you can protect stored and exported maps with a password. This secures detailed network information contained in maps from being used by unauthorized persons. NTM uses FIPS-compliant encryption to secure map data in native NTM map files.

Report

NTM can generate reports on switch ports, VLANs, subnets, and device inventory.