Network performance monitoring with PRTG

Network performance monitoring involves the continuous observation and analysis of a computer network's key metrics to ensure optimal functionality. This process includes tracking factors such as bandwidth utilization, latency, packet loss, and device performance. By using specialized network monitoring tools and software, administrators can identify issues, troubleshoot problems, optimize the network for efficient data transfer, and prevent downtime.

PRTG is a proprietary software tool that tracks the health and performance of every component that forms part of your network. Available for Windows- and Linux-based on-premises servers or as a cloud-based SaaS solution, it's capable of monitoring unlimited local, remote, and virtual network devices, bringing critical system data together in one simple, intuitive interface you can access from anywhere: at the office, at home, or on the go. PRTG uses technologies such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), packet sniffing, and flow (NetFlow, jFlow, sFlow, IPFIX) for performance monitoring.

Because it's comprehensive, infinitely customizable, and suitable for long-term monitoring — perfect for getting to the bottom of intermittent issues. "Of course you'd sing your own praises," we hear you say. Well, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Try PRTG for free, no strings, and see for yourself.

Yes. Use the Ping v2 sensor to check the availability of all devices in your network and test network performance. And if a device is connected to the network via ethernet, that's no problem. Use PRTG's ethernet monitoring capabilities to test your wired connections and the overall performance of your LAN.

In PRTG, “sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, for example the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, or the free space on a disk drive.

On average, you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.