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I use <a href="http://www.solarwinds.com" rel="ugc">http://www.solarwinds.com</a><br />
It is expensive, spiceworks offers a free network monitor but it isn't as full featured. Both would need to be installed on a local server, but can be accessed remotely after install.
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This looks like a great tool but I think it may be overkill . We are talking about a 3-4 person office here .
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Way too much for that, you are right. The PStools suite has a ton of useful tools as well.<br />
<a href="https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/pstools.aspx" rel="ugc">https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/pstools.aspx</a>
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Im looking for something that will say EX: &nbsp;I have 3 windows 7 machines and a netgear router and a windows 2012 server and 2 HP laserjet x printers on this network .<br />
Sometimes small businesses have people install things and they do not know what they have installed .
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Do you have a consistent connection to their network, like a point to point vpn or MPLS?
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No . I am being asked to remote in and trouble shoot a problem which is preventing some software from being installed . <br />
It is either a DNS related issue or a routing issue . I just want to make sure I can troubleshoot at each layer if necessary . It may be software related for all I know at this point .
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I need to trouble shoot a network issue at a remote site where i do not have physical access. The owner is not tech savvy . What I will need to understand is the topology of that network .<br />
The issue is that desktops are not able to &quot;see &quot;&nbsp;the server by name . Only by ip address.<br />
Are there any tools you can recommend that will enable me to see what devices are &nbsp;connected to the network and what ports may be open on the various devices ?
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I need to trouble shoot a network issue at a remote site where i do not have physical access. The owner is not tech savvy . What I will need to understand is the topology of that network .
The issue is that desktops are not able to "see " the server by name . Only by ip address.
Are there any tools you can recommend that will enable me to see what devices are  connected to the network and what ports may be open on the various devices ?

Tools for Network desktop  ( Desktops are unable access server by name only by ip )

Network design and methodology, also known as network architecture, is the design of a communication network. It is a framework for the specification of a network's physical components and their functional organization and configuration, its operational principles and procedures, as well as data formats used in its operation. In telecommunication, the specification of a network architecture may also include a detailed description of products and services delivered via a communications network, as well as detailed rate and billing structures under which services are compensated.

Network Architecture

Network analysis is the process of identifying and remediating the processes and systems within a network, including performance, connectivity and security. The process is performed through the use of tools developed for monitoring and analyzing network activity. Network problems that involve finding an optimal way of doing something are studied under the name combinatorial optimization. Examples include network flow, shortest path problem, transport problem, transshipment problem, location problem, matching problem, assignment problem, packing problem, routing problem, Critical Path Analysis and PERT (Program Evaluation & Review Technique).

Network Analysis

Network Management involves issues that are independent of specific hardware or software, including email policies, upgrade planning, backup scheduling and working with managed service providers for Desktop-As-A-Service (DaaS), Software-As-A-Service (SaaS) and the like through the use of tools, coupled with manufacturer standards, best practice guidelines, policies and procedures plus all other relevant documentation. Network management also includes monitoring, alerting and reporting, management reporting, planning for device or service updates, the backup of configurations, the setting of key performance indicators and measures (KPIs/KPMs), associated service level agreements and problem records as part of the IT Service Management (ITSM) framework.