How to Download and Use NetPath and Visual TraceRoute

Every network administrator has to optimize their network and monitor the network devices present. If you want to keep a thorough track of your network, netpath is definitely a feature you should be looking forward to implementing in your network.

Included within the infamous Network Performance Monitor, a tool developed by SolarWinds that gives you the ability to monitor network performance in depth, NetPath is basically a graphical version of your typical traceroute.

traceroute is a really cool tool that allows you to see how packets are transmitted on the network from the host machine to the target. Within this guide we will tell you how to download and use NetPath and Visual TraceRoute.

How to download and use NetPath and Visual TraceRoute

First things first, let’s discuss the working of traceroute before going into further details. Basically, traceroute works on the TTL or Time to live mechanism. The working procedure is quite simple.

When you communicate with a device on a network, you are essentially sending packets that are being received by the target. During this, the packet may hop around different devices before finally reaching the target.

Traceroute assigns a TTL value to each packet as it goes out and the value is decremented each time it reaches a router which directs it to a different router and eventually the packet reaches the destination machine. When a packet reaches a certain router, the TTL value is decremented and the device sends a ping to the host. This ping is then used by traceroute to find the identity of the device.

Now, traceroute is a line tool commands, so there are no images and you have plain text to work with. However, that changes with NetPath. With the help of NetPath, you can visualize such traceroute and instead of simple data, you can see a graph of the network which is much more convenient than your generic methods. This is how NetPath gains an edge over your normal traceroute techniques and every network administrator should opt for it.

Installing Network Performance Monitor

As we mentioned, NetPath is one of the long list of features that come with SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor. The name SolarWinds is no stranger to network administrators and they have earned a great reputation due to high-quality products.

In order to use NetPath, you must first install NPM. To do this, go ahead and download the tool from  this linkOnce you have downloaded the tool, you will be presented with the Orion installer. Follow the instructions below to install NPM:

• First, run the Orion Installer downloaded to your system.
• Then, within the welcome screen, you can choose the type of installation you want to perform. Lightweight installs the necessary components of NPM on your system locally, which is usually good for evaluating the product. You can choose the standard installation If you already have a SQL server configured. Then click on Next.

• Next, in the tab Select products, Make sure that Network Performance Monitor is selected in the list and then click the button Next.

• After that, the installer will perform a system scan, so wait for it to complete. Then, accept the license agreement on the next page and click Next.
• At this point, the installer will begin installing Network Performance Monitor on your system. Wait for it to complete.

• Once the installation is complete, you will be directed to the Setup Wizard initial.
• Click the button Next in the Setup Wizard to get started. If You chose the Lightweight Installation, the Setup Wizard will set everything up on its own so you can skip the instructions below.

• In the page Configuration of the the service, check that the services are checked and then click the button Next.
• Si You chose Standard Installation, you will be prompted to enter your database credentials at this point. Provide the required information and then click Next.
• Then on the page Count of la database, provide the account credentials that the Orion Web Console will use to access the database, or create a new account.
• After this, you need to click on the button Next and wait for the setup wizard to complete. Once done, click the button Finalize.

Create NetPath Service

To start using NetPath and take advantage of a visual route trace, we will first need to create a service. A service is basically the target device that you want a map to.

We recommend deploying these services for applications that are really important. NetPath services are essentially monitored using probes. To create a service, follow the instructions below:

• When you close the Setup Wizard, you will be automatically directed to the Orion Web Console. In case it is not, you can access the web console by entering “hostname or IP address: 8787” in the address bar. Here, 8787 is the default port used by the Orion web console.
• If this is your first time opening the web console, you will be prompted to create a password for the account. administratorOtherwise, log in to your web console.

• Once you're logged in, go to My dashboard and, in the drop-down menu, select the option NetPath Services en Red.

• On the page NetPath Services, click the button Create new service to create a service.

• First, specify the service details of your target device and make sure the service is enabled. TCP basedIt is recommended that you provide the same information that users use to access the application. This will help NetPath get the same service as users, which would provide better insight.
• For the polling interval, we recommend starting with 10 minutes. Once you've chosen your interval, click Next.

• Now, as we mentioned, services are monitored by probes. We will create them below.
• Finally, click on the button Create to finish creating the service.

Create a NetPath Probe

It turns out that a probe is basically the source or starting path from which you are testing the application. To make it easier, you can simply think of a probe as a user. It is best to deploy probes in the applications where you have users. Follow the instructions below to create a probe:

• First, make sure you are on the page of NetPath Services.
• There, click on the icon + along with a service to create a probe.
• Then click the button Create new probe.

• Next, you will need to provide the necessary information in the window Create new probe. You will need to install credentials that can be used to log in to the computer and install the required software.

• Before creating the probe, you can test the details of your source by clicking the button Try. If the test is successful, you will be shown a message Test successful on top.
• Then click on the button Create.
• Once you have created a probe, you can assign it to the service by clicking the button Assign.

Visual TraceRoute Display

Now that we have successfully created a service as well as probes to monitor it, you are ready to view the visual trace path of the service. On the left side, you will see the probe or the starting path, while the destination device is on the right side. The transit is basically everything in between. To view the network path, follow the instructions given below:

• First of all, click My dashboard and then Select NetPath Services in the drop-down menu.
• On the page with all your created services, click on one of the probes you have assigned to the service to view the service's network route.
• With the help of this, you will be able to monitor the applications in a better way as it notifies you of any changes taking place on the network.

• You can change the amount of detail shown on the screen by clicking the icons on the left.

• Additionally, you can click on a node in the graph to view additional information about a specific node in the network path.

If you follow each of these tips you will be able to successfully download and install NetPath and Visual TraceRoute. If you liked our guide, don't hesitate to share it. Thank you for your visit, see you in a future post.