Network analysis: make your data talk and prevent computer breakdowns

With the proliferation of digital tools, and even the e-commerce dimension in the daily life of companies, the security and proper management of IT assets is a top priority.

With this in mind, network analysis plays a key role. Through the collection and exploitation of a multitude of data, it is possible to detect intrusions, launch alerts in the event of system underperformance, or even improve the user experience. We take stock 👌.

See all software IT Monitoring

What is computer network analysis?

Definition

Computer network analysis can be defined as a set of actions aimed at collecting, exploring and exploiting data from said network. It provides crucial information on network performance and security.

To facilitate the IT department's task, network analysis is now largely automated 🤖.

What is the purpose of network analysis?

The main objective of IT network analysis for a company lies in making informed decisions. In fact, understanding and interpreting the data gathered involves an important strategic dimension.

Beyond the purely technical and security aspects, network analysis can thus contribute to your company's growth 💪.

How does network analysis work?

Broadly speaking, network analysis can be divided into three distinct stages.

Stage 1: data collection

The first thing to know is that the data collected as part of a network analysis comes from a variety of sources. These include

• servers,
• and network traffic.

As far as data collection itself is concerned, there are two main techniques: DPI (deep packet inspection) and telemetry.

DPI technique

The DPI technique, literally translated as deep packet inspection, consists in analyzing the flows passing through all the network's equipment.

✅ It can be used, for example, to :

• assess quality of service (QDS or QoS),
• determine the profiling of endpoints, i.e. any equipment connected to a computer network,
• or to detect possible intrusions ⛔.

Telemetry technology

For its part, telemetry provides access to a wealth of information, invaluable in monitoring the performance and " good health " of the computer network. All actions carried out are collected and stored, pending more in-depth analysis and the implementation of automated corrective measures.

Step 2: Data analysis and interpretation

Collecting data is one thing. Analyzing it and making the most of it is better! With the right tools, a company's IT department can sort and analyze data to make the best decisions regarding network performance and security.

To do this, it can rely on specialized software. Generally speaking, professionals work on the basis of a comparative model. In other words, the data collected is interpreted in relation to a pre-established reference matrix. In this way, alerts are sent to teams when the network analysis displays results that do not conform to the standards entered in the tool. Automated or non-automated corrective measures can then be proposed.

Ultimately, the aim behind network analysis and data interpretation is to improve the user experience by boosting network performance and ensuring it is as secure as possible ✅.

💡 Good to know: network analysis can be carried out remotely from the cloud or locally, from company offices.

• Operating via the cloud makes it possible to harvest and examine a greater quantity of data, whose sources are also more varied.
• Conversely, local network analysis delivers more accurate results, making it easier to make decisions and apply corrective measures.

Step 3: Setting up alerts and patches

To ensure the smooth running of the computer network, monitoring software includes a system for setting up alerts in the event of under-performance or anomaly(ies) detected. Depending on what has been decided by IT teams, corrective measures can then be applied automatically to maintain a consistently high level of performance.

To help teams program these patches and support them in their decision-making, software specialized in network analysis makes full use of AI and its derivatives. One example is machine learning (ML), which relies on learning and repetition to apply the most appropriate patches where necessary 👍.

What are the benefits of network analysis?

Enhanced security

In an environment marked by an increase in cyber attacks, it's essential to know you're properly protected. With this in mind, network analysis makes it possible to identify malicious actions and act quickly to ward off threats 🔐.

To take this a step further, the implementation of automatic security processes enables, for example:

• blocking users attempting to infiltrate the network ;
• quarantine suspicious software and files;
• detect hacking and password decoding attempts.

Early detection of faults

With real-time network analysis, you can anticipate threats to your IT assets. The sooner you detect a threat, the sooner you can act to prevent it from spreading.

In addition to network security threats, it's also a way of spotting possible technical failures (bandwidth problems, terminal breakdowns, etc.). Once again, the idea is to prevent rather than cure 💊.

Rapid, automatic application of patches

Knowing how to spot anomalies and failures within a network is one thing. Correcting them quickly and efficiently is quite another!

To this end, network analysis alerts technical teams to the corrective measures to be taken when data study highlights excessive deviations from standard operation.

🤖 For even greater efficiency, these corrective measures can be automated. In other words, the network controller, programmed in advance, implements a series of actions to be taken as soon as data analysis points to a level of performance too far removed from recorded standards.

Support for strategic decision-making

Thanks to real-time network analysis, huge quantities of data are processed on a continuous basis. Taken together, these KPIs represent a valuable source of information which, correctly deciphered and interpreted, contributes to informed decision-making.

In this way, network analysis can perfectly influence a company's business operations.

For example we can think of the implementation of targeted marketing strategies according to users' geographical location, or the detection of bottlenecks to rethink the user experience and improve the performance of an e-commerce site 💻💵.

Network analysis tools

To help you set up a reliable, high-performance network analysis, we recommend the use of specialized software. We've listed a sample of the most popular tools on the market 👇.

WhatsUp Gold

Presentation

WhatsUp Gold is network monitoring software for small and medium-sized businesses. With its intuitive, easy-to-use interface, WhatsUp Gold gives you 360° visibility of your entire infrastructure, enabling you to efficiently supervise all your devices.

What's more, the platform integrates powerful network mapping tools, making it easy to understand the topology and interdependencies of your company's IT network.

Features and benefits

With WhatsUp Gold, you benefit from :

• a complete, up-to-date picture of all your IT environments (wired, wireless and virtual);
• customizable reports and dashboards to help you understand trends and make the best decisions;
• interactive, customizable network mapping (with text, images, links, etc.);
• network traffic monitoring. This enables you to identify users, applications or protocols that are using bandwidth;
• a real-time alert system so you can react swiftly in the event of a problem.

Rates

WhatsUp Gold offers four different packages (including one free of charge, limited to 10 devices). To find out which one best suits your needs, and the price that goes with it, it's best to get a quote from the publisher.

ManageEngine Site24x7

Introducing

Considered the benchmark in network monitoring, ManageEngine Site24x7 is designed for companies of all sizes and in all sectors. The software is an all-in-one monitoring solution (websites, transactions, servers, applications, cloud, etc.).

Features and benefits

The main features of the MachineEngine Site24x7 solution include :

• monitoring of your websites and applications from a single interface;
• performance monitoring for all your pages;
• network traffic monitoring and configuration management, enabling rapid and easy intervention in the event of detected anomalies;
• management of detailed reports (dashboards, graphs, etc.) ;
• programmable alerts for real-time notification in the event of failure(s) or intrusion(s);
• network mapping tools;
• automatic corrective action.

Pricing

There are three major offers: Starter, Pro and Classic, priced at €9, €35 and €89 per month respectively.

Unsurprisingly, these price differences are explained by access to increasingly comprehensive functionalities. MachineEngine Site24x7 also offers a package specially designed for large enterprises, at €449 per month.

Datadog

Introducing

Datadog, a French solution for monitoring and analyzing computer networks, is a complete tool with multiple advantages:

• faster problem resolution,
• performance boost,
• improved user experience,
• and reduced security risks.

Datadog is aimed primarily at IT teams in large companies, accustomed to working with very large quantities of data on a daily basis.

Features and benefits

Datadog's functionalities include :

• automatic detection of network faults and anomalies ;
• receipt of relevant alerts, configured according to your preferences;
• identification of sources of slow loading times, for rapid, localized application of corrective measures;
• collect and analyze KPIs on user sessions and the customer journey;
• AI-based testing to boost network performance;
• identify and prioritize the most critical threats across your entire network infrastructure.

Pricing

Datadog offers a scalable model based on your needs and the number of hosts per month. Packages range from $15 to $34 per month, and you can also opt for a free but largely limited version.

Splunk Enterprise

Introducing

A specialized tool for collecting, analyzing and exploiting data from your network infrastructure, Splunk Enterprise helps you optimize your operational performance and improve your business results. In this way, the solution provides invaluable support for rapid, informed decision-making.

Accessible to small, medium and large businesses, Splunk Enterprise differentiates itself as a scalable and customizable platform through the integration of applications developed by the community and partner developers.

Features and benefits

There are many advantages to using Splunk Enterprise for network analysis. These include

• data collection and analysis, thanks to real-time flow processing;
• the creation of customized dashboards for optimized management of collected KPIs;
• the contribution of AI and machine learning to data processing;
• set up and configure alerts;
• thousands of ready-to-use integrations (Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud Performance, etc.).

Splunk Enterprise is scalable and compatible with other Splunk products (Security, Attack Analyzer, Infrastructure Monitoring, etc.).

Pricing

For pricing, you need to fill in a form and send it to our sales department. A proposal will be made according to your needs.

See all software IT Monitoring

Network analysis in a nutshell

In a nutshell, network analysis is an essential component of security and good management of a company' s IT infrastructure.

In addition to improving overall network performance (limiting slowdowns, automatic application of patches, etc.), the collection and analysis of numerous KPIs also contributes to understanding and optimizing the user experience , with a view to improving business operations. Not to be overlooked under any circumstances!