SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper

SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper: Automated Network Mapping Made Simple

Visualizing a complex network manually is a tedious, error-prone task. As devices connect, disconnect, and move, static diagrams quickly become obsolete. SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper (NTM) solves this problem by automating the discovery and visualization of your entire network infrastructure. What is SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper?

SolarWinds NTM is a standalone desktop application designed to discover your network and create comprehensive, multi-level network maps. It uses a combination of discovery protocols to detect routers, switches, servers, wireless access points, and endpoints, plotting them into an easy-to-read visual layout. Key Features and Capabilities 1. Automated Network Discovery

Multi-protocol scanning: Uses ICMP, SNMP (v1/v2/v3), WMI, CDP, and VMware protocols.

Deep discovery: Detects how devices are interconnected down to the specific port level.

Scheduling: Automatically updates maps on a set schedule to reflect infrastructure changes. 2. Multi-Level Mapping and Exporting

Dynamic maps: Create a single scan and view it through multiple lens profiles (e.g., Layer 2, Layer 3).

Industry-standard exports: Export maps directly into Microsoft Visio, PDF, and PNG formats.

Customization: Manually arrange nodes, change icons, and add text notes to fit presentation needs. 3. Regulatory Compliance & Inventory Management

Asset reporting: Generates detailed reports on hardware inventory, switch ports, and subnets.

Compliance tracking: Helps satisfy documentation requirements for PCI DSS, HIPAA, and SOX.

FIPS 140-2 compliance: Meets strict security standards required by government agencies. How SolarWinds NTM Works

[Start Scan] -> [Multi-Protocol Discovery] -> [Link Topology Analysis] -> [Visual Map Generation]

Configure Discovery: Enter IP address ranges, subnets, and credentials (SNMP, WMI).

Execute Scan: NTM queries the network to identify active devices and their relationships.

Analyze Links: The software determines the exact physical and logical connections between nodes.

Generate Output: A visual diagram is created automatically, ready for customization or export. Why IT Professionals Choose NTM Time savings: Eliminates hours of manual drawing in Visio.

Accuracy: Reflects the actual state of the network, not an outdated guess.

Troubleshooting aid: Helps engineers quickly isolate points of failure by visualizing dependencies.

Low overhead: Operates as a lightweight desktop tool without requiring a massive server footprint.

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