Auvik has enhanced its network management platform with a new path visualization tool for network troubleshooting. This updated tool is part of the latest features introduced in the Auvik Network Management (ANM) platform.
Founded approximately 13 years ago, Auvik aims to fill the gaps in network management for managed service providers (MSPs), targeting small to midsize businesses and the MSPs catering to them. The company has its customer base spread across both North America and Europe.
The recent enhancements in the ANM platform are designed to streamline and simplify network management tasks for IT professionals. “Our biggest value proposition has been around simplifying the work for the IT professional,” said John Astorino, the chief operating officer at Auvik, in an interview with Network World. “Managing network devices becomes much easier when dealing with a non-uniform network involving multiple vendors.”
In the competitive landscape of network monitoring and management, Auvik finds its rivals in entities like SolarWinds, Logic Monitor, and Domotz. Astorino stated that instead of clashing with bigger, more inclusive firms such as Cisco, HPE, and Dell, they carve a unique niche.
Astorino pointed out that Auvik’s specialty lies in catering to the needs of small to medium-sized enterprises and excelling in the administration of networks constituted by multiple vendors. Despite integrating with large-scale IT management platforms, Auvik doesn’t see itself in competition with these platforms. For instance, it collaborates with ServiceNow to facilitate trouble tickets and enhance its IT service management features.
A recent enhancement to their ANM platform is the introduction of the Northstar feature, designed to visually map network traffic pathways.
This novel tool doesn’t just trace routes; it enhances visualization and leverages Auvik’s existing network mapping capabilities to offer more intuitive and informative insights, all developed internally by the Auvik team.
Astorino discussed how Northstar provides a visual representation of the route network traffic follows from a selected endpoint to the internet. By activating the “Northstar” feature on a device within Auvik’s network map, the interface isolates this device, visually tracking its traffic flow. A dashboard also presents relevant details about the device, aiding users in diagnosing and optimizing network performance.
Additionally, the update includes a new ARM64 collector, essential for handling smaller network devices and appliances that utilize the ARM64 architecture.
Astorino explained that the traditional method of employing a server or virtual machine for Auvik’s collector was often cost-prohibitive for smaller sites. Instead, the new collector is a compact unit that integrates into the network, gathers data from various network components, and relays this information to Auvik’s cloud-based systems for processing.
The latest ARM collector, compatible with affordable ARM-based devices like a RaspberryPi, offers an economical solution for smaller client sites.
Moving forward, Auvik focuses significantly on automation.
“Customers struggle to find sufficiently skilled technical staff, hence increasing automation allows to maximize the existing resources and in-house expertise,” Astorino explained.
