FastNetMon

FastNetMon is a network DDoS detection and mitigation platform for operators running their own infrastructure. It is best suited to telcos, ISPs, cloud providers and larger enterprise networks that need configurable traffic analysis and routing responses. The main trade-off is that its flexible, operator-controlled deployment comes with bandwidth-based licensing and an activation charge.

Overview

FastNetMon watches live traffic and identifies volumetric and packet-rate attacks using thresholds and detection logic that operators can tune. It is designed for on-demand response rather than a fully outsourced protection service, so teams retain control of when and how mitigation is triggered. That makes it a strong fit for organisations with network engineering expertise, but less suitable for buyers seeking a turnkey, provider-managed shield.

The product supports IPv4 and IPv6 and is described as scaling to terabits of traffic and millions of flows per second on commodity hardware. FastNetMon says it serves telcos, ISPs, cloud providers and enterprise networks. The company describes itself as London-founded in 2016, while the product entry gives 2017 as its founding year.

Key features

Traffic telemetry can come from routers and switches through sFlow, NetFlow, IPFIX, jFlow or mirrored traffic. This broad input support helps organisations with mixed network equipment avoid redesigning collection systems. Cisco, Juniper, Nokia, Huawei and Arista equipment are among the listed vendors. Configurable thresholds and logic allow tuning to local traffic patterns, though that flexibility puts responsibility for sensible rules and workflows on the operator.

For response, FastNetMon can trigger remote blackholing, BGP FlowSpec filtering, or diversion to an external scrubbing centre. Those options cover increasingly selective interventions, from dropping attacked routes to filtering flows or handing traffic to specialist cleaning infrastructure. AWS and Google Cloud traffic visibility, Grafana dashboards, blocklist filtering and embeddable solutions broaden its monitoring and integration uses.

A 30-day trial requires no credit card and includes DDoS detection, automated mitigation tools, traffic visibility and analytics. That is a practical way for a network team to validate telemetry and response design before committing to a subscription. Security-focused maintenance releases include version 2.0.382, with version 2.0.380 also described as containing multiple security fixes.

Pricing

FastNetMon uses a freemium model, with paid subscriptions from $115/mo and a 30-day trial. Licensing is calculated from average combined incoming and outgoing bandwidth over one month, and the licence must cover the total bandwidth of the entire network. That rule can make the bill materially higher than a calculation based only on attack traffic or a single protected link. Monthly subscriptions also carry a one-time $85 USD activation fee, and listed prices exclude UK VAT where applicable.

10G — US$115/m: Covers 10 Gbps of observed traffic, unlimited network devices, one support ticket per month and one FastNetMon instance. It is the entry paid tier for a single deployment whose measured traffic stays within that allowance.

40G — US$220/m: Raises observed traffic to 40 Gbps, provides two support tickets monthly and permits two instances, while retaining unlimited devices. It suits growing networks that need additional capacity and redundancy.

100G — US$350/m: Covers 100 Gbps, three monthly support tickets and three instances. This is the practical choice for larger operations that need more headroom without moving to enterprise contracting.

Enterprise — custom pricing: Supports up to 200 Tbps of observed traffic, unlimited devices, dedicated support and compliance assistance. It is aimed at very large or regulated deployments where standard ticket allowances are insufficient.

FastNetMon LiveView add-on — $70 per user/month: Adds the optional web interface. The per-user charge matters when many analysts need access.

Buyers should therefore confirm that its bandwidth allowance and feature scope fit their network before treating it as a long-term deployment.

Platforms

FastNetMon is offered for API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted and web use. Deployment documentation covers Docker, virtual machines and hypervisors, Google Compute Engine, ARM 64 and Ubuntu LTS. This range supports cloud, appliance and locally managed installations, but the self-hosted emphasis means infrastructure operation remains with the customer.

Who it's for

Choose FastNetMon when your organisation operates substantial network infrastructure, can supply flow or mirrored telemetry, and wants to control detection thresholds and routing-based mitigation. The 10G plan is a sensible starting point for smaller protected footprints; 40G and 100G fit expanding networks, while Enterprise is for very high capacity or compliance-led requirements. It is a poor match for teams without network operations expertise or those wanting protection entirely managed by a third party.

Pros and cons

Pros

Multiple telemetry formats and named vendor support accommodate heterogeneous networks.

Blackholing, FlowSpec and scrubbing diversion provide distinct mitigation choices.

IPv4/IPv6 support and stated terabit-scale capability suit large operators.

No-card trial includes detection, mitigation tools and analytics.

Cons

Bandwidth licensing covers combined inbound and outbound traffic across the whole network, which can raise costs.

The $85 USD activation fee increases first-month spend.

Configurable workflows require operators to design and maintain effective rules.

Free-plan limits are unspecified, making capacity planning difficult.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of options, see DDoS Protection Software and Network Monitoring.

F5 BIG-IP APM is a paid platform with a free trial and broad mobile, desktop, cloud and self-hosted coverage; choose it when application access management matters more than FastNetMon's network-focused DDoS controls.

Fastly Image Optimizer offers a free allocation of 100,000 image requests per month; pick it for image delivery optimisation rather than attack mitigation.

Haltdos has a free Community WAF for one website and one security profile, plus a free trial; choose it when web-application firewall coverage is the priority.

Gcore DDoS Protection provides a free PAYG tier with defined IPv4, IPv6 and GRE limits; consider it when you prefer provider-operated protection and usage-based entry.

A10 Thunder ADC is a paid, trial-eligible ADC for API, Linux and self-hosted environments.

Andrisoft Wanguard sells sensor licensing annually; choose it when a sensor-based deployment model fits your operations.

AWS Shield includes a free Standard tier automatically configured for AWS customers; pick it for baseline AWS network and transport protection.

Check Point DDoS Protector is a paid Linux, self-hosted and web option.

Verdict

FastNetMon is a strong choice for capable network teams that need configurable, self-hosted DDoS detection with several routing and scrubbing responses. Its main reason to look elsewhere is cost and operational responsibility: whole-network bandwidth licensing, the activation fee and rule maintenance favour organisations with substantial traffic and dedicated engineering resources.