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Network diagnostic tools can be hardware or software-based and are used to diagnose equipment problems, monitor connections, and locate issues. Ping, traceroute, port scanners, vulnerability scanners, and packet sniffers are essential tools for IT professionals to manage and troubleshoot networks. These tools help identify vulnerabilities, bad packets, bottlenecks, and maintain efficient data transmission.
The best network diagnostic tools are available as both hardware and software solutions. Software-based network diagnostic tools use your existing hardware to run various tests to diagnose equipment problems and errors, and to monitor the integrity of connections and devices. There are many hardware tools available for diagnosis and they can vary widely in both price and functionality. Many of the best network diagnostic tools can diagnose not only the nature of the problem but also the location. This can be useful when running cables in rooms or buildings.
These network management and diagnostic tools can be found at the heart of any information technology (IT) professional’s diagnostic arsenal:
1. Ping: Ping is an Internet command that sends a packet to an Internet Protocol (IP) address or domain name to test network communication. Returns the time taken for the round trip. This is a utility commonly used to conduct what is essentially a very simple basic network test, because its main purpose is to determine whether a computer can reach other computers on the network and how long the journey takes in the process.
2. Traceroute: Traceroute is a command designed to trace the network path packets take through Internet routers as they travel from the source computer to the destination address. The number of Internet routers that make up the traceroute path is what determines the “length” of the network connection. Traceroute is used to diagnose a slow network connection.
3. Port Scanner: A port scanner is an application that probes the network host for open ports. Network administrators use this software to verify security policies within their networks, although it is also used by attackers to identify the services running on a host. Port scanning of a host involves scanning the listening ports on the target host.
4. Vulnerability Scanner: This is a computer application designed to evaluate applications, networks, computers and computer systems for possible weaknesses. Vulnerability scanners exist in many forms and differ in the particular goals they focus on. The functionality may vary from one vulnerability scanner to another, although they share the same main purpose, which is to enumerate a target’s vulnerabilities. Vulnerability scanners play an important role as a component of network vulnerability management.
5. Packet Sniffers: Packet sniffers are also known as network analyzers and network monitors and are used by network administrators to troubleshoot or monitor traffic on the network. The packet sniffer captures information that the administrator can then use to identify any bad packets, locate bottlenecks, and maintain efficient network data transmission.
The best network diagnostic tools can be useful to an IT professional who manages a computer network or multiple computers on a network. Whether it’s a small home network or an enterprise wireless network that’s being managed, the right utilities can play an important role in effectively diagnosing and managing multiple network devices. The best network diagnostic tools will help the IT professional fix any network problem quickly and with minimal difficulty.
