Larger networks are always complicated. Monitoring and managing is extremely difficult, especially for a business that’s constantly expanding. Implementing substantial upgrades should be mandatory, particularly for a developing company that solely relies on its networks for day-to-day operations to carry out their deliverables.

One such upgrade is incorporating a network diagram tool to your network infrastructure, making it easier to identify issues immediately. These network diagram tools help you with the creation of a visual representation for an entire network, providing a clearer picture of your devices and how they are connected.

In this article, let’s delve into how an organization is impacted by not having a proper network diagram in place and how to pick an appropriate tool for your network.

Why do you need network diagram software?

Let’s say a business is consistently receiving requests from users to resolve slow network speed and connectivity issues. As the requests keep pouring, the IT team relentlessly works to address them. However, the issues keep reoccurring since the source of the problem could not be identified due to a lack of visibility into the network infrastructure. The issue could have been avoided if the company had used a network diagram tool to pinpoint the underlying problems.

In short, having a network diagram tool in place can help a business’ ability to effectively manage, secure, and optimize its network infrastructure. By doing so, operational obstacles can be solved and potential risks avoided.

Going forward, we’ll look into some of the impacts caused by the absence of a network diagram solution in a network.

Impacts of not having network diagram software

Some of the consequences that result from not having network diagram software include:

• Insufficient visibility
• Complex troubleshooting
• Inept capacity planning
• Security risks

Insufficient visibility: Without a network diagram tool, businesses struggle with real-time visibility into their network infrastructure. Adding to that, not being able to identify the devices that are linked, how they’re interconnected, or the traffic in-between can make monitoring and managing a business network a whole lot more difficult.

Complex troubleshooting: A lack of a clear visualization of the network topology makes identifying network issues—such as slow performance or downtime—difficult. In the absence of a network diagram solution, diagnosis alone takes up a lot of time, resulting in more downtime and decreased productivity.

Inept capacity planning: It becomes increasingly difficult to plan for future growth or changes to the network infrastructure without network diagram software to offer precise data on current usage and performance. Scaling the network effectively can be extremely difficult for businesses without a clear picture of their existing infrastructure.

Security risks: Network diagram monitoring tools offer real-time visibility into network traffic and behavior, enabling businesses to promptly detect and respond to security threats. Businesses could be at risk of cyber attacks and data breaches if they fail to incorporate such network tools to detect malicious activity.

Network diagram tool: What to look for?

Narrowing down on a proper network diagram tool that works for you is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Here’s what to consider when looking for a tool that works for you.

1. User-friendly UI

The sole purpose of having a network diagram tool in your infrastructure is to simplify monitoring and management. If you can’t easily edit or add new network components, then there’s no point of having a network diagram tool—it becomes illogical. So, choose a tool that’s easy to use.

2. Ability to custom modify

Choose a network diagram tool that offers a wide range of network-related symbols that enable you to tailor-make the appearance of every network diagram. You can easily drag and drop the required network symbols to create a network diagram within minutes.

3. Automated network diagramming and discovery

Businesses can thrive if crucial time-consuming processes are automated. One such automated process is network diagramming. Discovering Layer 2 devices connected to the main components can be easily achieved with a network diagram tool, reducing the manual effort of an IT admin.

Adding to this, evaluate every tool for its affordability and ability to integrate before making an investment. Let’s discuss one such network diagram tool—a solution that renders a positive impact on a business—OpManager by ManageEngine.

ManageEngine OpManager: An impeccable network diagram tool for visualizing your business infrastructure

Modern networks are too complex for the infrastructure to be manually discovered and diagrammed, especially when the devices are housed across multiple locations. You must have a dependable network diagram tool that enables visual representation of network topologies, device interdependencies, structural layouts, and cross-network connections to tackle this challenge.

This is where ManageEngine OpManager comes into play. You can streamline your network infrastructure with this intuitive network diagram tool, allowing you to visualize your business network more easily.

OpManager also offers:

1. Layer 2 Maps for automated mapping of the Layer 2 devices in your network.
2. Business views for effective network management, offering visualization of all the essential network devices housed across all the locations.
3. Maps to represent the geographical location of your servers and other crucial devices.
4. 3D floor views to visualize your servers and switches on each floor for easier navigation.
5. 3D rack views to recreate the visual representation of the racks in your server rooms.

These are some of the ways OpManager simplifies the creation of network diagrams and aids in tracking a network’s health to ensure all components are functioning correctly, facilitating more efficient network monitoring and management.

If you are looking to simplify your network diagramming, try OpManager for free for 30 days to explore its built-in features. You can also receive a demo to discuss functionalities, navigation, and pricing, all of which can be customized to suit your needs.