Network Monitoring Essentials – Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you’ve got the fundamentals covered when planning or auditing your network monitoring strategy.

🔧 Setup and Configuration

• Baseline network behavior across key hours
• Enable SNMP monitoring on routers/switches
• Configure NetFlow or sFlow for traffic analysis
• Define alert thresholds for latency, jitter, and packet loss
• Ensure log aggregation from firewalls and servers

📊 Metrics to Monitor

• Bandwidth utilization
• Latency and jitter (especially for VoIP)
• Packet loss and retransmissions
• Interface errors and discards
• Uptime and response times of critical apps

📍 Best Practices

• Review and update thresholds monthly
• Use synthetic testing for SaaS and cloud services
• Label and document monitored devices
• Assign owners for each alert type
• Store monitoring data for at least 30 days