Home Network mapping software?
 

I've been playing with Network Magic
http://www.networkmagic.com/

It's very handy (even if it doesn't get some of my topology exactly right....) and very simple to use.

Are there other home network mapping software that you like? Lots of the ones I've looked at are clearly designed for biiiiiiig networks, not a home network with a router, two computers, two print servers, a range extender, two printers, and a secondary ap.

Check out Spiceworks. It isn't designed for home networks, but works on my home network. I found Network Magic to be a decent product but I like Spiceworks better.

http://www.nagios.org/

We use it to monitor everything. If anything goes wrong it asks for help (telephone; paging; email; etc)

Requires a UNIX flavor.

^ Thanks for posting the links, particularly post #1 and #2 (looks like #3 is for UNIX). I like to download the free version of each. Do you think the free version provides enough security for the network? How would you know if your network has an "intruder" (i.e. does it alert me? how?). TIA

Network Magic has a popup when an unknown signs on to the network.

ETA: Well, I gave Spiceworks a try. It was MUCH less accurate and comprehensive in identifying what is on my network than Network Magic. E.g., it classified my router as an unknown device and wasn't able to get any info on it other than the MAC address. Network Magic not only discovered it, but got its make and model correctly, etc.

Continuing to play with Network Magic and I continue to be impressed.

When you are connected to a network that is not your "Home" network, it automatically shuts down file sharing.

It also has a VPN option and an option to be able to reach your home machine remotely.

It's nicely done.

I have Network Magic and like it a lot, particularly the pop-up feature when someone else logs on. I live in a pretty rural area and was running an open network until a new neighbor moved in and I saw someone new trying to log onto my network. I quickly upped the security (which I should have done long ago anyway.)

I looked at Spiceworks, and it appears as though it requires at least Windows XP Professional. Network Magic runs on XP Home Edition just fine.

Spiceworks System Requirements:

* Windows XP Pro SP2, Windows Vista, Windows 2003 Server (latest service packs recommended)

Is Network Magic nice enough on the free version, or does it require the premium paid one ?


Thanks.

Go to www.networkmagic.com and check out the comparison chart on the first page, it compares the free version with the premium version. You get a 7-day trial of all of the premium features in the free version. Premium features are things like file sharing, printer sharing, locking out intruders, remote access to files, and a few other things.

Thanks for the heads-up; Guess I'm going to give them a try...

Bringing this back to ask if anyone knows of a Windows program other than the two mentioned in this thread that would be good for home use. I have discovered that Network Magic doesn't play as well with Win7 and some older network devices as I would wish.

What problems are you running into with Win 7? I've got a home network that's a combination of XP, VISTA, and Win 7 machines (plus friends who drop by with their Macs, my Droid X, iPod Touch, and a few wireless printers) and all seem to play together nicely with Network Magic. So far.