8 network mapping tools to optimize IT infrastructure

Why should you use network mapping tools?

Network mapping tools have become essential components of modern IT infrastructure management. Key reasons why organizations should use these tools include the following:

• Enhanced visibility.
• Faster troubleshooting and issue resolution.
• Proactive monitoring.
• Smarter planning and optimization.
• Enhanced security and compliance.
• Integration with monitoring and analytics.
• Change management. 

Enhanced visibility

Network mapping tools offer enhanced visibility by delivering a clear, real-time overview of the entire infrastructure, including devices, connections and data flow. This visibility is essential for understanding different network topologies, especially in hybrid or multi-site environments. Without mapping, hidden or forgotten devices can cause security risks or operational inefficiencies.

Faster troubleshooting and issue resolution

Network mapping tools simplify the process of diagnosing and resolving network issues by providing a visual representation of the entire infrastructure. This visualization enables IT staff to pinpoint problems quickly, identifying the exact device, link, or segment experiencing a failure or bottleneck, without manually tracing cables or combing through complex configuration logs. By graphically illustrating the connections and dependencies among all devices, the map also enables faster root cause analysis, clearly showing which upstream and downstream components are affected.

Proactive monitoring

Many network mapping tools include monitoring capabilities that alert administrators to device failures, performance degradation or configuration changes before they affect business operations.

Smarter planning and optimization

Network mapping aids capacity planning by uncovering usage patterns and performance metrics, enabling organizations to make informed decisions regarding scaling, infrastructure upgrades and resource allocation.

Enhanced security and compliance

Network mapping is crucial for enhancing security and compliance because it automatically identifies unauthorized devices, misconfigured equipment and potential vulnerabilities across the infrastructure. Furthermore, the detailed documentation generated by mapping tools is essential for demonstrating compliance with major industry regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA and ISO standards, enabling security teams and auditors to quickly review the network's topology for any gaps or risks.

Integration with monitoring and analytics

Many network mapping tools integrate with monitoring platforms to provide real-time updates, alerts and analytics. This combination ensures continuous network health tracking and proactive problem detection.

Change management

Before implementing network changes, administrators can use network mapping tools to understand dependencies and predict the effect of modifications, reducing the risk of unintended outages or performance degradation.

Key features of network mapping tools

Professional network mapping tools are designed to streamline network management through automation, visualization and actionable insights. Common features found in modern network mapping tools include the following:

• Automated discovery.
• Real-time updates.
• Performance monitoring.
• Dependency mapping.
• Reporting and documentation.

Automated discovery

Network mapping tools automatically detect devices across a network using protocols such as SNMP, ICMP, CDP, LLDP or WMI. This eliminates the need for manual inventory, ensuring that every device, including routers, switches, servers and endpoints, is accurately represented.

Real-time updates

Modern tools continuously monitor the network and automatically update maps when devices are added, removed or reconfigured. This ensures that IT teams always have an accurate, up-to-date view.

Performance monitoring

Network mapping tools often include performance monitoring capabilities. They track vital metrics such as network bandwidth usage, latency, uptime and device health. Many platforms also feature alerting systems that notify administrators about bottlenecks, outages or unusual patterns, enabling faster responses and minimizing disruptions.

Dependency mapping

Network mapping tools also provide dependency mapping, which highlights upstream and downstream connections between devices and applications. By showing how a failure in one area affects others, dependency mapping significantly improves root cause analysis and reduces downtime. A 2024 Oxford Economics study found that downtime costs Global 2000 enterprises $400 billion a year -- a $200 million average annual loss for each company. When IT teams can quickly see the ripple effect of issues, they can address them with precision.

Reporting and documentation

Many network mapping tools also offer reporting and documentation functions. These can generate detailed inventories and reports for audits, compliance checks or strategic planning. Historical data comparisons are often available as well, helping organizations track how their networks evolve and providing valuable insights for capacity planning.

8 network mapping tools

The following popular network mapping tools are commonly used by organizations:

• Auvik.
• EdrawMax.
• ManageEngine OpManager.
• Microsoft Visio.
• Nmap.
• Paessler PRTG Network Monitor.
• SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper (NTM).
• UVexplorer.

Editor's note: This list was compiled based on Informa TechTarget's independent research and is in alphabetical order and not ranked.

Auvik

Auvik is a cloud-based network mapping and monitoring tool that provides real-time visibility into network performance. It's especially beneficial for IT teams and managed service providers, offering features such as traffic analysis, configuration management and remote access. Auvik's user-friendly interface requires minimal training, making it accessible for teams seeking efficient network management options.

EdrawMax

EdrawMax is a versatile diagramming tool that enables users to create network diagrams for LAN, WAN and cloud networks. It features a drag-and-drop interface and offers templates for various types of network visuals, making it easy to design professional-looking diagrams. Users can export their diagrams in multiple formats, which is useful for sharing and presentations.

ManageEngine OpManager

ManageEngine OpManager is a network monitoring and management tool that helps IT teams monitor the health, performance, and availability of their network devices, servers and applications. It provides real-time dashboards, alerts, and network mapping to visualize connectivity and detect issues quickly across complex infrastructures.

Microsoft Visio

Visio is a diagramming and visualization tool that enables users to create detailed network maps and IT infrastructure diagrams. It offers templates and drag-and-drop functionality to represent devices, connections and network layouts visually. Widely used by IT professionals, Visio helps plan, document and communicate network structures clearly and efficiently.

Nmap

Nmap is a free, open source tool used to discover and map devices on a network. It identifies active hosts, open ports, running services, and OSes, helping IT teams visualize network topology and assess security risks. Widely used for network management, troubleshooting and security auditing, Nmap provides detailed insights into how devices are connected and identifies potential vulnerabilities.

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is a comprehensive monitoring tool that also includes integrated network mapping capabilities. It can automatically discover devices on a network and incorporate them into structured maps, while providing a drag-and-drop editor for customization. Paessler also offers real-time monitoring and alerts, making it ideal for teams that need both comprehensive network monitoring and visual mapping of their infrastructure.

SolarWinds NTM

SolarWinds NTM is a tool designed for discovering and visualizing network topologies. It automates network discovery using protocols such as SNMP, ICMP and WMI, and generates detailed network maps and segmentation diagrams. The tool also helps organizations maintain up-to-date diagrams for compliance purposes. SolarWinds NTM is ideal for organizations that require detailed, accurate and compliant network visualizations.

UVexplorer

UVexplorer is a network discovery and mapping tool designed for simplicity and efficiency, particularly for small to medium-sized enterprises. It captures detailed device inventories and generates clear network maps, providing insights into network structure and connectivity. UVexplorer supports both on-premises and server-based deployments.

Kinza Yasar is a technical writer for WhatIs and has a background in computer networking.