Is there any physical topology and connectivity diagnosis tool?

duyuyang · 06-30-2009, 12:26 AM

I want to manage a switched LAN(VLAN). Is there any existing tool that can discover the physical topology and diagnose connectivity problems?

Thanks,

Shawn

Simon Bridge · 06-30-2009, 12:37 AM

Network Monitoring Tools
http://www.slac.stanford.edu/xorg/nmtf/nmtf-tools.html

google for linux network monitoring tools <feature> or look through your distro repos for same.

nowonmai · 06-30-2009, 03:10 AM

EtherApe
nmap
Layer 4 TraceRoute

Gad · 08-16-2014, 01:27 PM

Etherape looks quite promising. Nmap is more "port scanner" than topology mapper

jefro · 08-16-2014, 02:38 PM

And some switches have some very advanced tools in them.

Wireshark on each segment may help. Looking at tests may help.

Gad · 08-16-2014, 03:05 PM

Thanks jefro for your valuable feedback.

Unfortunately we dont have managed switches on our network. I use wireshark to monitor the incoming/outgoing traffic on the servers though.

I the case of monitoring "who" or which devices on the network, i check the DHCP leases on the server. I am trying to find something more topology mapper friendly. Will give Etherape a bash on monday

If you have more ideas please let me know.

Thanks!
Marios

////// · 08-22-2014, 01:55 PM

i can say that etherape is nice one too.

jefro · 08-22-2014, 03:20 PM

There were some other good suggestions above mine. Arp is a classic tool.

There are some dedicated network diag testing devices for almost any use.

Sweeping with a software like solarwinds may work. There are some free apps too that may work well.

Depending on the hardware you may have more advanced nic tools available like the lights out features.