Network analysis tools are a must-have for networking professionals, providing crucial insight into performance and helping to solve bottlenecks and slowness. The right statistics and data about traffic flows, device configurations, and user behavior can identify problems quickly, or even before they actually happen.
Having that information immediately accessible -- literally in the palm of your hand -- can make things even easier. The use of mobile apps has exploded, and software has matured from games and entertainment to tools robust enough to use on the job. IT pros can increase their productivity and save precious time with access to network data with a simple tap on a smartphone, whether they are in the office, relaxing at home, or commuting on the train.
Here we highlight some of the highest user-rated network utilities -- some developed for iOS, some for Android, and some available for both. We chose independent tools that are not simply an extension of a larger network management platform, so no other software is necessary. An extra bonus is that most of these apps are free or a minimal cost, so you can experiment and find the ones you like best without breaking the bank.
Everyone can use a little help with subnetting and IP addressing, and now you can keep it right in your back pocket. CIDR Calculator is a simple IP subnet calculator for network engineers to quickly determine the address range of a subnet or supernet (also known as Classless Inter-Domain Routing). It's one of the few tools we found that support IPv6, which is crucial. Reviewers in the Google Play store also appreciate the app's easy-to-use and attractive interface.
Android compatible Free >>Download from Google Play
This free app for both Android and iOS includes a set of tools that allows network administrators and engineers to scan wireless networks quickly and easily. The ezNetScan free app includes features such as ping and traceroute, service scan, Wake on LAN, DNS lookup, NetBIOS name, and TCP scan, as well as installed software and hardware details. The tool also allows you to email the results of the scan and any other tests you perform. For a nominal fee at $1.99, the plus version adds configurable network parameters and widgets, along with the ability to export data in .csv format, to filter results, and create graphs from your data.
Android and iOS compatible Free; Plus version is $1.99 >>Download from Google Play >>Download from iTunes
Fing is another popular tool that offers a quick way to view the devices connected to your wireless network. Fing provides IP address, name, and MAC address of each device found, and allows network administrators to run pings and traceroutes, DNS lookups, and TCP connection testers, among other tests. The tool also boasts a search function in which you can look up devices by name, IP address, MAC address, vendor, or notes. Network data can be saved and be backed up to an SD card. Fing is free, but it also integrates with several levels of paid Fingbox accounts that provide cloud sync and back up, the ability to merge and analyze networks, remote networks monitoring, and notifications of changes.
Android and iOS compatible Free >>Download from Google Play >>Download from iTunes
IP Tools provides advanced functionality in a toolkit that network administrators can use on the go with Android or Apple devices. The app includes detailed information about network and devices, the ability to detect by IP, port and network scanning, ping/traceroute/whois tools, an IP calculator, Wake on LAN, and DNS lookup. Administrators can also get visibility into device detail pages by simply tapping the screen. The original IP Tools app is free, or you can move up to the Premium version at $2.99 to avoid ads and get access to the related development program.
Android and iOS compatible Free; Premium is $2.99 >>Download from Google Play >>Download from iTunes
LanDroid is another tool that provides all-in one-network analysis features in a single app. But, as the name implies, it is specifically for Android devices. The app comes with many features such as local net, ping, traceroute, port scan, IP lookup, SSL cache, and is IPv6 compatible. The app is free and does not display ads. Reviewers in the Google Play store also report that LanDroid is fast and has a straightforward, easy-to-use interface.
Android compatible Free >>Download from Google Play
This popular app for the Android platform provides basic network mapping and port scanning to help IT pros familiarize themselves with a network and identify loopholes and flaws. The tool performs discovery on name, IP address, MAC address, and device vendor. After a network is discovered, administrators can execute a port scan in either "quick port scan" or regular format, which allows the user to specify which device ports should be scanned. Net Scan is free and hosts no ads. Satisfied customers can, however, make a donation to the developer via the app.
Android compatible Free >>Download from Google Play
This multi-functional app for Apple devices offers 32 different tools that can be used by IT professionals of all levels to analyze local and public networks to identify security issues or wrong configurations. NetworkToolbox provides various scanning options for devices, ports, DNS, WiFi, http, and security protocols and status. The tools are integrated tightly together to allow users to jump between functions and dig deeper into results. The app includes the SHODAN device search engine, as well as a proprietary device scanning engine called Morpheus. A unique feature of this app is its learning resources, which include a glossary of tech terms, help files for each tool, and video tutorials.
iOS compatible $5.99 >>Download from iTunes
Scany is billed in the iTunes store as a "Swiss army knife" of apps for network administrators, security specialists, developers and anyone who must diagnose and resolve network issues. The primary function of the app is of scanning a Wi-Fi, LAN or other network and providing detailed information about devices and ports connected to it, domain and network names, network addresses and vendor information. The app also provides many options for reporting -- data can be imported and exported using email, text or .csv files.
iOS compatible $0.99 >>Download from iTunes
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