NetCrunch 12

'AdRem NetCrunch' is a software package that monitors computer networks. It displays your network topology, various information gathered through SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), complex reports about your network, and more. It monitors the status of each node in your network. If a problem is detected, the application can send custom messages to the network administrator.

First step in configuring this program is to scan your network. The scanning process automatically finds all the devices connected to your network. You can also add network devices yourself by specifying its IP address or its DNS name. The program detects windows workstations, linux/unix servers, network printers, hardware routers, IP phones, Netware servers, and many other SNMP capable devices. The status of each network node is shown by means of a green or red light, depending if the monitored service is up or down.

Whenever a problem arises, NetCrunch notifies the person in charge of monitoring, about the network node that has the problem. The application can also be set to perform certain corrective actions, like rebooting the problematic computer, restarting a Windows Service, terminating a process, and so on.

The feature that I liked best is the MIB compiler. A management information base (MIB) is a type of database used to manage the devices in a communications network. It contains a collection of objects in a (virtual) database that are used to manage entities (such as routers and switches) in a network. These objects are in fact SNMP capable devices, which are detected by the software. AdRem NetCrunch's MIB compiler can be used to create aliases for a specific MIB module, as well as to browse, edit, or remove MIB modules.

Pluses: NetCrunch has a built-in web server. The administration pages can be used to monitor and manage your network remotely. You need to log in before you get access to the network management features.

Drawbacks / flaws:

In conclusion: AdRem Netcrunch is designed for big companies, which always need their servers to be accessible. Learning to use this program could take some time, so I recommend reading the help file.

version reviewed: 4.3.1.1300