Open Source Network Mapping Software Tools

Open Source Network Mapping Software: For designing or managing a network, a detailed Network Mapping Software is hugely helpful. Depending on your environment, network connections can get pretty crazy. This is true for large networks like in office environments. It provides you a lot of information in an efficient way. Not only this but it also makes it easy to understand how they connected from one to the other.

While Network mapping is better done manually. There is a software that connects discovered devices and makes it easy for you to map your network.  Let’s come here are some of the best open-source network mapping tools you can try.

Open Source Network Mapping Software

Nmap

(Network Mapping Software)

Nmap is one of the most popular network mapper and network security scanner. It is used by individuals, professionals and companies alike. Nmap gives you an interactive and animated network map with just a few clicks. All the networks are visualized in node graphs where the host is placed in the center and all the children networks are expended from that host center.

When needed, you can drag and drop different networks on the map and manipulate them with the provided options. Once you have the map, you can highlight regions and group host’s children. When you tap on a network or host children, Nmap provides you with additional options to get information and manipulate the target. Since Nmap is both a mapper and scanner, the network map is particularly useful in traceroute sessions.

Availability: Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Price: Free of Cost.

Download Nmap

Netdisco 

(Network Mapping Software)

Netdisco is a web-based network management and mapper tool. By using it you can locate all the devices connected to a network. After locating the app it’ll automatically map them in a simple graphical representation. That application works the same no matter the network size. From the network map, you can collect all kinds of information like network hardware model, MAC address, IP address, installed software and operating system, etc.

Netdisco has a user-friendly interface and has a lot more options when it comes to manipulating the detected networks. For added functionality, you can install plug-ins and extensions too.

Make sure you need to install Netdisco on a server running a Linux distribution. Once installed, you can log in to the Netdisco from anywhere you want.

Availability: Being a web tool, it supports all platforms.

Price: Free of Cost.

Download Netdisco

MaSSHandra

(Network Mapping Software)

MaSSHandra is both a network mapping and network diagraming tool. We can use it to create personal or office network diagrams in a 3D environment. But if you already have a network, it can auto-discover your network using ping or SNMP operations. Once detected, it will create a network map instantly.

It supports drag and drops operations so that you can easily configure the predefined objects.

Availability: Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Price: Free of Cost.

Download Masshandra

OpenNMS

(Network Mapping Software)

Just like Masshandra, OpenNMS is a network mapper and a diagramming tool for any size of the network. However, It is a full-blown network management tool that is used by professionals and the corporate world. After installing it’ll discover your network and maps all the available objects. From the map, you can perform different activities like network provisioning, even notifications, platform management, etc.

So, if you are searching for a full-blown network management tool that can map and manage your network then Open NMS is here for you. 

Availability: Web tool. You need to install OpenNMS on a server.

Price: Free of Cost.

nwdiag

(Network Mapping Software)

nwdiag is a very simple application that is designed to do one thing and one thing only. Using this software you can generate a network diagram from dot like text. Besides other programs the software shows simple text-based maps that you can easily search. Once you have the map or diagram, you can fix it in Sphinx and look for different network objects. As it does nothing more and nothing less. As such, it is very lightweight and uses hardly any system resources.

Availability: Linux only.

Price: Free of Cost.

Download nwdiag

Nagios Core

(Network Mapping Software)

Nagios Core is another network management tool that is used to maintain large networks in professional and corporate environments also, you can check your network and create a map out of it. Though the default map doesn’t provide any options for manipulation. However, you can use this information available from the map to make modifications via the Nagios management section.

Using Nagios you can create your own customizable network maps with a wide range of variations also, share them with a simple URL.  You can also install additional components to improve the network maps.

Availability: Linux only.

Price: Free.

Download Nagios Core

Conclusion:

If you think that I miss any of your favorites open source mapping tool then let us know in the comment section below!

Also Read: Firewall Apps for Android to Disable Internet for Certain Apps