SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper 26.2.0 (Smart Automated Network Mapping) Download
Summary
SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper (NTM) 26.2.0 is a powerful network discovery and mapping tool that automates the detection of network devices and generates comprehensive, easy-to-view network diagrams. The software is widely used by network administrators, IT managers, and system engineers who need to maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation of their network infrastructure.
Unlike manual mapping methods that are time-consuming and error-prone, NTM automatically discovers devices using multiple protocols including SNMP, ICMP, WMI, CDP, and VMware, ensuring that every router, switch, server, and virtual machine is accounted for without requiring extensive manual configuration. The software is designed for organizations that need to maintain accurate network documentation for troubleshooting, compliance, and capacity planning purposes.
Auto-Discovery And Network Scanning Capabilities
NTM scans your network using a seed device or IP ranges to detect routers, switches, servers, and virtual machines. The software leverages multiple discovery methods including ICMP for ping sweeps, SNMP for device information retrieval, WMI for Windows-based systems, and CDP for Cisco device discovery. Additionally, NTM supports VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V for virtualized environments, ensuring comprehensive coverage across physical and virtual infrastructure.
Users can define scan parameters such as IP ranges, subnet masks, and credentials for different device types, allowing for highly tailored discovery that fits specific network configurations. The auto-discovery process eliminates the need for manual device enumeration, saving significant time and reducing the risk of overlooking critical infrastructure components.
Multi-Layer Mapping For Complete Visibility
The software displays Layer 2 (data link) and Layer 3 (network) connections to clarify physical and logical paths, providing a comprehensive view of network topology. Layer 2 mapping reveals the physical connections between switches and other devices, while Layer 3 mapping shows logical routing paths and IP subnet relationships. This multi-layer approach is essential for troubleshooting connectivity issues, understanding network traffic flows, and planning infrastructure changes.
The maps show how devices are connected, allowing users to ignore irrelevant elements and focus on the information that matters for their specific needs. Users can rearrange objects on the map, add devices, or delete devices they don’t want to see, creating purpose-built maps for different audiences.
Custom Map Creation And Layout Management
NTM allows users to create multiple purpose-built maps from a single scan, saving resources, bandwidth, and time by eliminating the need to rescan for different map views. Users can designate sub-admins to discover just their segments of the network, making the tool suitable for large organizations with distributed network management responsibilities.
The software includes auto-arrange layout features that organize discovered devices logically, and users can manually drag and drop required switches and other devices to customize the map presentation. This flexibility ensures that different stakeholders, from network engineers to management, can view the network in a way that is most relevant to their needs.
Flexible Export Options And Reporting
Network diagrams can be exported to Microsoft Visio, PDF, PNG, and inventory data to CSV, enabling seamless integration with existing documentation workflows and reporting requirements. The Visio export is particularly valuable for organizations that maintain network diagrams in Visio format, as it eliminates the need for manual diagram creation and updating.
Inventory reports can be exported to CSV for analysis in spreadsheets, making it easy to track device types, IP addresses, and other key attributes. This flexibility ensures that network documentation can be shared with stakeholders in the format they prefer, whether for technical documentation, compliance audits, or presentations to management.
Scheduled Scans And Historical Documentation
NTM updates network maps automatically through scheduled scans, or saves point-in-time snapshots for historical records and compliance. Scheduled scans ensure that network documentation remains current without manual intervention, adapting to changes in network configuration over time. Point-in-time snapshots are essential for compliance audits where organizations need to demonstrate the state of their network at specific points in time.
This historical documentation also supports troubleshooting efforts by allowing administrators to compare current network topology with previous states, identifying changes that may have caused issues. For compliance requirements such as PCI, SOX, HIPAA, and FIPS 140-2, maintaining accurate and up-to-date network maps is crucial.
Integration With SolarWinds Ecosystem And Network Atlas
NTM integrates with other SolarWinds products, including Network Performance Monitor (NPM), through Network Atlas for extending maps with additional monitoring data. While NTM focuses on topology-based discovery and mapping, Network Atlas maps can contain applications, systems, services, interfaces, and IPSLAs, providing a more comprehensive view of network health and performance.
NTM maps are updated automatically, whereas maps in Network Atlas are static and require manual updates. This integration allows organizations to use NTM for automated discovery and Network Atlas for enhanced visualization with performance data, creating a complete network management solution.
System Requirements And Licensing
Network Topology Mapper 26.2.0 is designed for Windows environments and can be deployed on physical servers or virtual machines. The software requires appropriate credentials for SNMP, WMI, and VMware to perform comprehensive discovery.
Licensing is available through SolarWinds, with options for perpetual licenses and subscription-based models. A free trial is available for users to evaluate the software before purchasing, providing full access to features for a limited period. For specific pricing and licensing options, contact SolarWinds directly or authorized resellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper 26.2.0 used for?
It is an automated network discovery and mapping tool that detects network devices and generates comprehensive network diagrams using SNMP, ICMP, WMI, CDP, and VMware protocols.
Q2: What protocols does NTM use for device discovery?
NTM uses ICMP (ping sweeps), SNMP (device information), WMI (Windows systems), CDP (Cisco devices), and supports VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V for virtual environments.
Q3: Can NTM export diagrams to Microsoft Visio?
Yes, NTM exports network diagrams to Microsoft Visio, PDF, PNG, and inventory data to CSV.
Q4: How does NTM help with regulatory compliance?
NTM saves point-in-time snapshots of network topology for historical records, supporting compliance requirements for PCI, SOX, HIPAA, and FIPS 140-2.
Q5: What is the difference between NTM and Network Atlas?
NTM focuses on topology-based discovery with automatically updated maps, while Network Atlas maps contain applications and performance data but require manual updates.
Q6: Is there a free trial available for NTM?
Yes, SolarWinds offers a free trial of Network Topology Mapper for users to evaluate the software before purchase.
