NETworkManager is a free, open-source Windows application from BornToBeRoot for network administration and troubleshooting. It combines device discovery, connection monitoring, remote sessions and network configuration with host profiles that work across its tools.
Host profiles
Profiles hold host addresses and settings for individual tools. Group settings supply defaults, while each profile can override them. You enable the tools that should display a profile and use tags to filter related hosts.
NETworkManager imports hosts from CSV files or computer accounts from Active Directory. You review the results, choose a group and enable connection tools before importing. Separate profile files organize different environments. Optional master-password encryption protects these files on disk; otherwise, profile files can contain plaintext passwords.
Administrators can enforce application settings through a configuration file. NETworkManager applies these policies at startup and prevents users from overriding them.
Adapter status
The dashboard checks router and internet connectivity when a network adapter changes state. A manual speed test measures download, upload, latency and jitter. Selecting an adapter opens its IP, DNS and MAC details, alongside a live bandwidth chart.
NETworkManager can apply DHCP or static IPv4 settings, gateways and DNS servers to an adapter. These configuration changes require administrator privileges. It also flushes the DNS cache and releases or renews DHCP addresses. WiFi scanning lists nearby networks, filters them by band or identifying details, and plots signal strength and channel widths to show overlap.
Discover devices and ports
The IP Scanner accepts hostnames, addresses, ranges and subnets, or detects the local subnet. It checks reachability through ICMP, TCP responses and NetBIOS. Results combine hostnames, MAC addresses, vendors and probe details. A result can become a profile or open directly in another connection or diagnostic tool.
The separate Port Scanner tests TCP ports across one or more hosts. You enter port numbers or ranges, or choose a port profile. NETworkManager distinguishes open ports, refused connections and timeouts, with controls for timeouts and concurrent probes. Both scanners export their results.
Latency over time
Ping Monitor repeatedly sends ICMP requests to hosts and charts latency. You choose the interval and timeout, then inspect earlier results by zooming or panning. Optional notifications report reachability changes after consecutive success or failure thresholds, rather than reporting the initial state.
Traceroute sends ICMP packets with increasing hop limits to identify routers along a destination’s path. It can resolve hop hostnames and export the results.
Remote sessions
NETworkManager opens connections from profiles or an ad hoc connection dialog. Its session tools provide different interfaces:
- Remote Desktop connects through RDP, with display and device-redirection settings. View-only mode continues screen updates while blocking keyboard and mouse input.
- PowerShell opens local consoles, runs scripts or connects through PowerShell Remoting. Startup commands can launch other command-line tools.
- PuTTY connections cover SSH, Telnet and serial consoles, with host, port, authentication or serial-line settings.
- TigerVNC opens remote desktops through a host address and VNC port.
- Web Console displays a device’s web interface from its URL inside NETworkManager.
Network queries
DNS Lookup queries selected servers for records such as addresses, mail servers and reverse hostnames. You choose the record type and use Windows DNS settings, a server profile or a custom server. Whois queries a domain’s associated registration server. Public-IP geolocation returns location and network information through an external service whose free endpoint permits noncommercial use.
SNMP takes a device address, object identifier and community or user credentials, then returns object identifiers and data. Its controls include request mode, authentication and privacy. SNTP Lookup compares time from selected servers with the local clock. With administrator privileges, LLDP/CDP capture reads local network advertisements to identify the connected switch, port and VLAN.
Local network controls
The Hosts File Editor adds, edits or disables local IP-to-hostname mappings. The firewall tool creates and manages its own Windows Firewall rules, with direction, action, protocol, port and address controls. These changes require administrator privileges.
Connections lists local TCP endpoints and their processes, while Listeners shows local addresses and ports accepting traffic. The Neighbor Table displays cached IPv4 and IPv6 address-to-MAC mappings. Administrators can add permanent mappings or remove dynamic entries. Wake on LAN sends a magic packet using a target MAC and broadcast address; the wired target must support waking.
Address calculations
The Subnet Calculator accepts addresses and masks, calculates network details and splits IPv4 or IPv6 networks into smaller subnets. Its Wide Subnet mode finds a network covering two IPv4 subnets. Bit Calculator converts quantities between data units. Lookup matches MAC prefixes to manufacturers and port numbers to registered services, with reverse searches by vendor or service name.
