Netdisco

Netdisco is a powerful, open source, web-based network management tool that is specifically targeted towards large corporate and university networks. This application is used to collect data into a Postgres database using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and presented with a clean web interface using Mason.

Designed for moderate to large networks, Netdisco is capable of retrieving both configuration information and connection data for network devices using SNMP. With Netdisco, network admins can quickly locate the switch port of an end-user system by IP or MAC address. Additionally, the data is stored using a SQL database for speed and scalability.

One of the most valuable features of Netdisco is the layer-2 topology protocols such as Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) that provide automatic discovery of the network topology. Netdisco also inventories the network by both device model and operating system like IOS. It uses router Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) tables and Layer 2 switch Media Access Control (MAC) forwarding tables to locate nodes on physical ports and tracks them by their IP addresses.

For each node, Netdisco maintains a time-stamped history of the ports it has visited and the IP addresses it has used. Netdisco gets all its data, including topology information, with SNMP polls and Domain Name System (DNS) queries. It does not use Command Line Interface (CLI) access and has no need for privilege passwords. Security features include a wire-side Wireless Access Point (AP) locator.

Supported devices: Most any device that speaks SNMP well is supported to some extent. Netdisco is distributed under the BSD license.

Here are some of the key features of Netdisco:
- Switch Ports: This feature allows network administrators to disable and enable ports without having to know enable or privilege passwords. Reasons for switching on/off ports are logged for end-of-the-year auditing and reporting. Non-IOS savvy managers can control port access from a familiar browser interface. Only users specified in Netdisco will have access to switch off a port. Netdisco will also not allow people to switch off uplink ports by accident.
- MAC Address to switch port resolution.
- IP Address to switch port resolution.
- Find Switch Ports with multiple nodes attached.
- Find nodes using multiple IP addresses.
- Find nodes by vendor (using MAC address OUI).
- View and change VLAN assigned to port.
- SSID and Channel Information on wireless ports.
- Easy Administration: Navigation through a Web Interface. Maintenance through a Command Line Interface (CLI).
- Database store for scalability and speed (Postgresql).
- Easily extendible to new network device types and vendors.
- Built-in user system to restrict access to sensitive data and features.
- Network Administration and Security: Administratively enable/disable switch ports from web interface with logging. Automatic inventory and search of network hardware. Duplex Mismatch Finder for uplink ports. Find rouge Wireless Access Points (APs) from the wired-side of network.
- Reporting: Netdisco creates a clickable graph/map of your network topology. Get statistics of the number of actual nodes connected to network and their address-space usage. Optional integration with a Pinnacle Database. Inventory of Network Devices by Operating System (IOS, CatOS, HP...) by Model, Vendor, OSI Layer, DNS Name. Find devices using IP Addresses without DNS entries.