Key Features of Active Network Monitor

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 95 views

Introduction

In today's digital age, network monitoring has become an essential aspect of system administration. With the increasing complexity of networks, it's crucial to have a reliable tool that can help administrators monitor and manage their network resources efficiently. Active Network Monitor (ANM) is a powerful tool designed to cater to the needs of systems administrators, providing a centralized network monitoring interface that makes it easy to monitor the entire network. In this article, we will delve into the features and benefits of ANM, exploring its capabilities and how it can be used to streamline network monitoring tasks.

What is Active Network Monitor?

Active Network Monitor (ANM) is a tool designed for the day-to-day monitoring of computers on a network. It runs under Windows NT/2000/XP and allows systems administrators to gather information from every computer on the network without installing server-side applications on any of these computers. This makes ANM an ideal solution for organizations with a large number of computers on their network, as it eliminates the need for installing additional software on each machine.

Key Features of Active Network Monitor

ANM's centralized network monitoring interface makes it easy for administrators to monitor the entire network. Installed on one computer, ANM's powerful technology stores and compares its received data, allowing administrators to monitor every important parameter on their remote computers. Some of the key features of ANM include:

Centralized Network Monitoring: ANM provides a centralized network monitoring interface that makes it easy to monitor the entire network.
Remote Monitoring: ANM allows administrators to monitor every important parameter on their remote computers, without the need for installing additional software on each machine.
Snapshot Capabilities: ANM's snapshot capabilities enable administrators to take snapshots of the systems and network status for future comparisons and change tracking.
Flexible Architecture: ANM's flexible, plug-in based architecture allows administrators to add new modules on demand, making it easy to customize the tool to meet their specific needs.

Plug-ins and Modules

ANM's plug-in based architecture is one of its most significant strengths. Each plug-in performs a task and displays its information in its own window, making it easy to customize the tool to meet specific needs. ANM ships with a predefined, constantly growing list of plug-ins, including:

Service Monitoring: Plug-ins for monitoring services, such as Windows services and third-party applications.
Device Monitoring: Plug-ins for monitoring devices, such as disk drives, network adapters, and printers.
Application Monitoring: Plug-ins for monitoring installed applications, including their versions and usage statistics.
Resource Monitoring: Plug-ins for monitoring hardware resources, including IRQs, I/O, DMA, and Memory.
User and Group Monitoring: Plug-ins for monitoring users, local groups, global groups, and other security-related information.

Benefits of Using Active Network Monitor

ANM offers a range of benefits to systems administrators, including:

Improved Network Visibility: ANM provides a centralized network monitoring interface that makes it easy to monitor the entire network.
Enhanced Security: ANM's monitoring capabilities enable administrators to detect and respond to security threats in real-time.
Increased Efficiency: ANM's snapshot capabilities and customizable plug-ins make it easy to streamline network monitoring tasks.
Cost Savings: ANM eliminates the need for installing additional software on each machine, reducing costs and improving resource utilization.

Conclusion

Active Network Monitor (ANM) is a powerful tool designed to cater to the needs of systems administrators. Its centralized network monitoring interface, remote monitoring capabilities, and flexible architecture make it an ideal solution for organizations with a large number of computers on their network. With its constantly growing list of plug-ins and modules, ANM provides a comprehensive solution for network monitoring and management. Whether you're a seasoned administrator or just starting out, ANM is definitely worth considering for your network monitoring needs.

System Requirements

ANM runs under Windows NT/2000/XP and requires:

Windows NT/2000/XP: ANM requires Windows NT/2000/XP to run.
CPU: ANM requires a minimum of 500 MHz CPU to run.
Memory: ANM requires a minimum of 256 MB RAM to run.
Disk Space: ANM requires a minimum of 10 MB disk space to install.

Troubleshooting and Support

ANM provides a range of resources to help administrators troubleshoot and resolve issues, including:

Online Documentation: ANM provides comprehensive online documentation, including user guides and technical notes.
Support Forums: ANM's support forums provide a platform for administrators to ask questions and share knowledge.
Email Support: ANM's email support team is available to assist with technical issues and provide guidance on using the tool.

Conclusion

Q: What is Active Network Monitor (ANM)?

A: Active Network Monitor (ANM) is a tool designed for the day-to-day monitoring of computers on a network. It runs under Windows NT/2000/XP and allows systems administrators to gather information from every computer on the network without installing server-side applications on any of these computers.

Q: What are the system requirements for ANM?

A: ANM requires Windows NT/2000/XP to run. It also requires a minimum of 500 MHz CPU and 256 MB RAM to run. Additionally, it requires a minimum of 10 MB disk space to install.

Q: What are the key features of ANM?

A: Some of the key features of ANM include:

Centralized Network Monitoring: ANM provides a centralized network monitoring interface that makes it easy to monitor the entire network.
Remote Monitoring: ANM allows administrators to monitor every important parameter on their remote computers, without the need for installing additional software on each machine.
Snapshot Capabilities: ANM's snapshot capabilities enable administrators to take snapshots of the systems and network status for future comparisons and change tracking.
Flexible Architecture: ANM's flexible, plug-in based architecture allows administrators to add new modules on demand, making it easy to customize the tool to meet their specific needs.

Q: What types of plug-ins are available for ANM?

A: ANM ships with a predefined, constantly growing list of plug-ins, including:

Service Monitoring: Plug-ins for monitoring services, such as Windows services and third-party applications.
Device Monitoring: Plug-ins for monitoring devices, such as disk drives, network adapters, and printers.
Application Monitoring: Plug-ins for monitoring installed applications, including their versions and usage statistics.
Resource Monitoring: Plug-ins for monitoring hardware resources, including IRQs, I/O, DMA, and Memory.
User and Group Monitoring: Plug-ins for monitoring users, local groups, global groups, and other security-related information.

Q: How does ANM improve network visibility?

A: ANM provides a centralized network monitoring interface that makes it easy to monitor the entire network. This allows administrators to see the status of all computers on the network, including their CPU usage, memory usage, and disk space usage.

Q: How does ANM enhance security?

A: ANM's monitoring capabilities enable administrators to detect and respond to security threats in real-time. This includes monitoring for suspicious activity, such as unauthorized access attempts or malware infections.

Q: How does ANM increase efficiency?

A: ANM's snapshot capabilities and customizable plug-ins make it easy to streamline network monitoring tasks. This allows administrators to quickly identify and resolve issues, reducing downtime and improving overall network performance.

Q: How does ANM save costs?

A: ANM eliminates the need for installing additional software on each machine, reducing costs and improving resource utilization. This makes it an ideal solution for organizations with a large number of computers on their network.

Q: What kind of support does ANM offer?

A: ANM provides a range of resources to help administrators troubleshoot and resolve issues, including:

Online Documentation: ANM provides comprehensive online documentation, including user guides and technical notes.
Support Forums: ANM's support forums provide a platform for administrators to ask questions and share knowledge.
Email Support: ANM's email support team is available to assist with technical issues and provide guidance on using the tool.

Q: Can I customize ANM to meet my specific needs?

A: Yes, ANM's flexible, plug-in based architecture allows administrators to add new modules on demand, making it easy to customize the tool to meet their specific needs.

Q: Is ANM compatible with other network monitoring tools?

A: ANM is designed to work seamlessly with other network monitoring tools, making it easy to integrate into existing network monitoring infrastructures.

Q: Can I try ANM before purchasing it?

A: Yes, ANM offers a free trial version that allows administrators to try the tool before purchasing it. This makes it easy to evaluate the tool's features and capabilities before committing to a purchase.