As a computer repair technician, I’ve seen it all – from mysterious network dropouts to baffling bandwidth issues. But you know what they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That’s why I’m here to share my insights on what to monitor for network insights, so you can stay one step ahead of those pesky network gremlins.
Unraveling the Network Topology
Picture this: you’re about to dive into a crucial video conference, and suddenly, your connection goes haywire. Before you start frantically rebooting everything in sight, take a deep breath and let’s explore the power of Azure Monitor Network Insights.
Azure Monitor Network Insights is like a magical crystal ball for your network. It provides a comprehensive, visual representation of your entire network topology, allowing you to see how all your virtual networks and connected resources are interacting [1]. With just a few clicks, you can zoom in and out, see the big picture, and drill down to the nitty-gritty details of individual resources, like virtual machines (VMs) and their traffic patterns.
But it’s not just a pretty picture – Azure Monitor Network Insights also gives you access to a treasure trove of network monitoring capabilities, including Connection Monitor, NSG flow logs, VNet flow logs, and Traffic Analytics [1]. It’s like having a personal network detective on your team, constantly keeping an eye on things and ready to lend a hand when trouble arises.
Keeping an Eye on Network Health
Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, I’ve got the network topology all mapped out, but how do I actually know if everything’s running smoothly?” Fear not, my friend, Azure Monitor Network Insights has got your back.
The Network Health tab in Azure Monitor Network Insights is where the magic happens. Here, you can see the health and metrics of all your network resources, across multiple subscriptions, regions, and resource groups [3]. It’s like having a comprehensive dashboard of your entire network, right at your fingertips.
You can use the handy filters to narrow down your view and focus on specific subscriptions, resource groups, or even resource types [3]. And if you spot any resources that are looking a little under the weather, you can dig deeper and access network diagnostic tools to get to the root of the issue.
But wait, there’s more! The Network Health tab also gives you a glimpse into the future (or at least the near future) with its alerting capabilities. You can customize the alerts to notify you when certain thresholds are breached, so you can stay ahead of the curve and address any potential problems before they turn into full-blown network crises [3].
Diving into Resource-Specific Insights
Alright, now that we’ve got the big picture covered, let’s take a closer look at the individual resources that make up your network. Azure Monitor Network Insights has got you covered here too.
Say you’re having trouble with a specific virtual machine (VM) – maybe it’s experiencing network connectivity issues or unusual traffic patterns. With Azure Monitor Network Insights, you can simply search for that VM and dive right into its resource view [1]. Here, you’ll find a wealth of information, including traffic and connectivity insights, as well as access to those handy network diagnostic tools.
But it’s not just VMs – Azure Monitor Network Insights can provide insights for a wide range of network resources, from ExpressRoute and VPN connections to application gateways and public IPs [3]. You can use the search and filtering capabilities to quickly find the resource you’re looking for and get a detailed view of its health and performance.
And let’s not forget about the ability to sort and group resources by name or resource count [3]. This can be a game-changer when you’re trying to get a handle on a large, complex network. Imagine being able to quickly identify the most critical resources or the ones that are causing the most trouble. It’s like having a personal network concierge, ready to guide you through the maze of network complexity.
Leveraging Network Insights for Proactive Monitoring
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Isn’t all this network monitoring stuff a bit, well, geeky?” Well, let me tell you, the power of network insights is anything but boring. In fact, it’s the key to staying one step ahead of those pesky network gremlins.
Imagine this scenario: you’re about to host a big video conference for your clients, and you know that a reliable network connection is essential. With Azure Monitor Network Insights, you can proactively monitor your network resources, identify any potential bottlenecks or issues, and take action before they even become a problem [5]. It’s like having a crystal ball for your network, but without the whole “gazing into a swirling abyss” thing.
And let’s not forget about the power of alerts. By customizing your alerts in Azure Monitor Network Insights, you can set up early warning systems that will notify you the moment something starts to go awry [3]. It’s like having a network security guard, always on the lookout for potential trouble, and ready to sound the alarm before it escalates.
But the real magic happens when you combine network insights with other monitoring tools, like VMware’s Aria Operations for Networks [4]. By integrating these powerful platforms, you can unlock a whole new level of network visibility and control. Imagine being able to monitor network egress, track bandwidth usage, and identify potential security risks – all from a single, intuitive dashboard.
Wrapping it Up: The Power of Network Insights
So, there you have it, folks – the lowdown on what to monitor for network insights. From unraveling the intricate web of your network topology to proactively keeping an eye on the health and performance of your resources, Azure Monitor Network Insights is the ultimate network sidekick.
But don’t just take my word for it. As the old saying goes, “the proof is in the pudding.” Why not give Azure Monitor Network Insights a try and see for yourself how it can transform your network monitoring game? Who knows, you might even discover a few surprises along the way – like the fact that your network gremlins actually have a thing for jelly donuts. Hey, it could happen!
[1] Microsoft Azure, “Azure Monitor Network Insights Overview,” https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/network-watcher/network-insights-overview
[2] Microsoft Azure, “Azure Monitor Network Insights is Now Generally Available,” https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/azure-monitor-network-insights-is-now-generally-available/
[3] Cisco, “Cisco Crosswork Network Automation Datasheet,” https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/cloud-systems-management/crosswork-network-automation/datasheet-c78-740228.html
[4] VMware Community, “Really need some advice to monitor network egress using network monitoring tools,” https://communities.vmware.com/t5/VMware-Aria-Operations-for/Really-need-some-advice-to-monitor-network-egress-using-network/td-p/2281338
[5] VMware, “VMware Aria Operations for Networks,” https://www.vmware.com/products/aria-operations-for-networks.html
[6] Stack Overflow, “Azure Monitor vs Network Watcher,” https://stackoverflow.com/questions/70768507/azure-monitor-vs-network-watcher
[7] Microsoft TechCommunity, “New and Improved Network Topology Experience in Network Watcher,” https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/azure-networking-blog/new-and-improved-network-topology-experience-in-network-watcher/ba-p/4125625
[8] SolarWinds, “Network Insight for F5 BIG-IP,” https://www.solarwinds.com/network-performance-monitor/use-cases/network-insight-f5-big-ip
