Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper VS NetDisco

Compare SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper VS NetDisco and see what are their differences

SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper logo SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper

Automatically plot your network in minutes with network mapping software

NetDisco logo NetDisco

Netdisco is an Open Source web-based network management tool first released publically in 2003.
  • SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-02
  • NetDisco Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27

SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper features and specs

  • Comprehensive Network Discovery
    SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper provides detailed network discovery capabilities, identifying devices, connections, and configurations to create an accurate representation of the network topology.
  • Visualization
    It offers intuitive visual maps of the network, making it easier to understand network structure and connectivity, which aids in efficient network management and troubleshooting.
  • Automatic Updates
    The tool can automatically update topology maps to reflect changes in the network, ensuring that network administrators have up-to-date information without manual intervention.
  • Compliance Support
    Network Topology Mapper assists in regulatory compliance by providing accurate network documentation that can be used in audits and compliance reviews.
  • Integration
    It integrates well with other SolarWinds products, allowing for a more comprehensive network management solution when used as part of the SolarWinds suite.

Possible disadvantages of SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper

  • Cost
    The pricing for SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper can be considered high, especially for small businesses or budget-constrained organizations.
  • Complexity
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex and might require a learning curve, making it potentially overwhelming for users without a strong technical background.
  • Performance
    In large and complex networks, performance issues may arise during network scanning and map updating processes, which can slow down network management tasks.
  • Windows-Only
    SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper is a Windows-only application, limiting its usability for organizations using other operating systems for network management tasks.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While excellent for basic and intermediate network mapping, it might lack some advanced features required by larger enterprises needing more in-depth network analysis tools.

NetDisco features and specs

  • Comprehensive Discovery
    NetDisco offers robust network discovery features, using SNMP and other protocols to automatically map the network topology, providing an accurate overview of all connected devices.
  • Web-Based Interface
    The tool features a user-friendly web-based interface, allowing network administrators to access network data remotely and with ease.
  • Device Inventory
    NetDisco maintains an extensive inventory of devices, including details such as vendor, model, and IP address, which facilitates network management and monitoring.
  • Free and Open Source
    As a free and open-source solution, NetDisco can be used and modified without licensing costs, making it accessible to a wide range of users and organizations.
  • Community Support
    Being open source, NetDisco boasts a strong community support network that contributes to its development and provides assistance to users through forums and documentation.

Possible disadvantages of NetDisco

  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup and configuration of NetDisco can be complex and time-consuming, requiring a good understanding of network protocols and system configurations.
  • Resource Intensive
    NetDisco can be resource-intensive, especially in large network environments, necessitating adequate hardware and resources for optimal performance.
  • Limited to SNMP
    Dependence on SNMP for device discovery and management can be a limitation, as SNMP must be enabled and configured on devices, and is sometimes seen as outdated compared to newer protocols.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    For new users who are not familiar with network management tools or SNMP, understanding how to utilize all features of NetDisco effectively can require significant learning time.
  • Interface Design
    Some users may find the interface design to be outdated or not as visually appealing as commercial alternatives, which could affect the user experience.

SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper videos

Solarwinds Network Topology Mapper

More videos:

  • Review - LanSurveyor (MSc-IT)
  • Review - Automate Network Discovery and Mapping with SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper

NetDisco videos

Network Discovery With netdiscover - Discover Internal IP Addresses

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper and NetDisco)
Monitoring Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Network Automation
36 36%
64% 64
Configuration Auditing
0 0%
100% 100
Log Management
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper and NetDisco. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, NetDisco seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 16 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper yet. Tracking of SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper recommendations started around Mar 2021.

NetDisco mentions (16)

  • Finding port assignments by mac address on HP switch
    If it's an ongoing task, perhaps http://netdisco.org/ would be useful for you? Source: over 2 years ago
  • Considering a network overhaul. Need advice on Fortinet/FortiSwitch/Aruba/etc.
    Currently the Arubas are managed by CLI/NetDisco. Its great, but NetDisco cant do much beyond identifying devices, and setting the untagged vlan - and I need to break out putty for anything else. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Who doesn't enjoy network programming/automation
    Netdisco does this. http://netdisco.org/. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Is there a paid or free tool/utility out there I can use to automate the creation of a decent network diagram?
    Http://netdisco.org/ can generate network maps. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Service to keep track of network devices
    On another job Iโ€™ve successfully used netdisco for this! Source: about 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper and NetDisco, you can also consider the following products

Auvik - Auvikโ€™s network infrastructure RMM gives IT service providers better visibility, documentation, and...

Unimus - Unimus is a Network Automation and Configuration management (NCM) solution designed for fast deployment network-wide and ease of use. Unimus does not require learning any abstraction or templating languages, and does not require any coding skills.

Cisco DNA Center - Find and resolve network issues with Cisco DNA Center. Provides software-based network automation and assurance. Control and manage intent-based networks.

Oxidized - configuration backup software (IOS, JunOS) - silly attempt at rancid

Nmap - Nmap Free Security Scanner, Port Scanner, & Network Exploration Tool. Download open source software for Linux, Windows, UNIX, FreeBSD, etc.

Kiwi CatTools - Kiwi CatTools is a network automation and configuration management software that manage configurations from the desktop for network devices.