FlowViewer vs Intermapper

FlowViewer is free software for analyzing NetFlow data exported by an organization’s network devices. Its interface works with Carnegie Mellon’s SiLK software and also supports the older flow-tools collector. The toolset combines FlowViewer for text reports, FlowGrapher for charts, and FlowMonitor for longer-term traffic monitoring. It supports NetFlow versions 5 and 9, including IPv6, and offers filtering by address, port, interface, autonomous system, TOS, TCP flags, protocol, and next hop. More than 30 reports are available, and reports and filters can be saved. FlowGrapher charts bits, flows, and packets per second over a selected period; FlowMonitor provides RRD graphs for filtered traffic, with views from 24 hours to 3 years. Dashboards can give groups such as Security and Operations separate live views. FlowViewer is listed for Linux and web use and can be installed on a dedicated Unix server or virtual appliance; the software requires a Unix server. The free plan is free. Paid options include hourly support at a price agreed with the maker, router configuration at $500, paid once, training at $500, paid once, and installation at $750, paid once.

Intermapper helps IT teams discover network devices and servers, map their relationships, monitor health and performance, and receive alerts when conditions change. Its live maps show infrastructure, dependencies, device status, and network connections. Auto-discovery identifies devices and helps keep the network view current as environments change. Flows Insight analyzes NetFlow, sFlow, jFlow, and cFlow data to show traffic patterns, utilization, and top talkers. Advanced Reporting provides dashboards and automated reports for uptime, service health, SLA performance, and infrastructure trends. Intermapper supports SNMPv3, includes built-in probes, and allows custom probes. APIs and add-ons, including the Intermapper App for Splunk, can complement other tools. Remote access supports SSL and username/password or network-address authentication. A fully functional 30-day trial is available, but continuing afterward requires a purchase. Licensing is based on monitored devices, with subscription or perpetual options starting at 10 devices and extending to unlimited; pricing is by custom quote. Paid licenses include 24/7 technical support according to the upgrade page.