IT managers rely on a lot of technologies to keep the network humming, but only a few tools make their most valuable list.

"The ideal product would show me the problem immediately, before I had to run around and find what is down or not performing," says Jim Farmer, manager of systems administration and telecommunications at Superior Essex Communication in Atlanta. For him, SolarWinds’ Orion network management software is invaluable for its ability to collect information on traffic volumes, system health and network communications.

"I go to it every day to see the top 10 errors, the top 10 talkers and more. I can’t start my day without checking it," Farmer says.

Other favorites of IT pros include tools for tracking end-user behavior, reaching out to remote machines and securing distributed systems. What these management tools have in common is the ability to provide actionable information, reduce manual effort and deliver consistent results.

Old faithful: Packet sniffers

Packet-sniffing technologies are as old as they are invaluable to network managers hoping to prevent bandwidth bottlenecks.

Chris Majauckas, computer technology manager for Metrocorp Publications in Boston, relies upon Network Instruments’ Observer packet-sniffing product suite to help him keep an eye on application traffic and end-user behavior.

"I use it to be on the lookout for people accessing applications or using the network in ways they shouldn’t be, for instance, downloading a ton of music and eating up bandwidth," he says. "I leave it running always, and it’s the first thing I go to when I get complaints. It shows me the top talkers and any trend to help narrow down the cause of the problem."

(Learn more about Network Monitoring and Management products from our Network Monitoring and Management Buyer's Guide.)

Security dashboard

The most valuable tool for Bruce Bonsall combines network-monitoring capabilities with security intelligence. As CISO at MassMutual Financial Group in Springfield, Mass., Bonsall needs a dashboard view of his network -- from the security perspective.

"I need a real-time view of our security posture, what poses a risk and where our vulnerabilities are," Bonsall says. He uses Archer Technologies' SmartSuite framework, which provides MassMutual with the security information management (SIM) features he says are essential to securing the environment daily and maintaining compliance over time. SIM products collect log data from multiple devices and systems, correlate the data, and communicate to IT staff the potential risk or threat the device or system poses.