Visualize Bandwidth and Traffic with Historical Precision
Cacti offers scalable, open-source graphing for performance monitoring using SNMP-enabled network infrastructure.
Overview
Cacti is a powerful, open-source graphing tool built to monitor bandwidth usage, system resources, and network performance through SNMP polling and data logging. Ideal for organizations seeking a cost-effective solution, Cacti delivers detailed trend analysis through customizable graphs and templates. It supports hierarchical views, automation, and threshold-based alerts for robust network oversight.
At NetworkTestingTech, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, we help businesses across North America deploy, configure, and optimize Cacti to support their infrastructure monitoring needs. With a focus on reliability, usability, and extensibility, our team ensures smooth integration and performance scaling through hands-on guidance, system audits, and sensor alignment.
Core Components
Software
- Cacti web-based PHP front-end and RRDTool backend
- Plugin architecture for features like network trees, thresholding, and templates
- Cron-based polling daemon with custom script support
Hardware
- SNMP-enabled network devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls
Often analyzed with PSTN Network Analyzers to monitor legacy and hybrid network infrastructures. - Linux or Windows servers for Cacti hosting
Enhanced with Ethernet Media Converters to ensure reliable data flow across varied physical layers. - Local or distributed time-series database storage infrastructure, Supported by SFP+ Transceivers for high-speed interconnects between storage and monitoring nodes.
Cloud Services
- Integration with cloud-hosted SNMP services and APIs
- Offsite storage compatibility for historical graph backups
- Optional cloud-based Cacti frontend deployment via container or VM
Key Features and Functionalities
- Extensive SNMP-based polling with customizable intervals
- Graph templating and data source abstraction
- Device auto-discovery and hierarchical grouping
- User management with role-based access controls
- Threshold-based alerting for anomaly detection
Key Features and Functionalities
- Extensive SNMP-based polling with customizable intervals
- Graph templating and data source abstraction
- Device auto-discovery and hierarchical grouping
- User management with role-based access controls
- Threshold-based alerting for anomaly detection
Compatibility
- Compatible with major operating systems: Linux, Windows, and BSD
- Supports a wide range of SNMPv1/v2/v3 devices
- Web-based access through all modern browsers
Benefits
- Free and open-source solution with low operational cost
- Deep visibility into traffic trends and bandwidth usage
- Customizable dashboards and reports
- Flexible deployment options for various IT infrastructures
- Lightweight design suitable for SMBs and large enterprises alike
Applications
- Historical network traffic graphing
- Uptime and availability visualization
- Performance monitoring of physical and virtual infrastructure
- Resource usage tracking across remote and core sites
Industries
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
- Higher Education
- Government IT Departments
- Logistics and Transportation
- Banking and Financial Services
Industries
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
- Higher Education
- Government IT Departments
- Logistics and Transportation
- Banking and Financial Services
Case Studies
Case Study 1 – Public School District (San Diego, California)
NetworkTestingTech implemented Cacti across 30 schools to visualize network utilization trends. The solution helped the district’s IT team identify aging switches and overloaded WAN links, resulting in improved connectivity for online learning platforms.
Case Study 2 – Data Center Provider (Raleigh, North Carolina)
A Tier 3 colocation provider adopted Cacti with NetworkTestingTech’s guidance to monitor inter-rack bandwidth, cooling system efficiency, and backup uplinks. The graphical interface made reporting to clients more transparent and efficient.
Case Study 3 – Municipal Transit Authority (Ottawa, Canada)
A Canadian city’s transit authority deployed Cacti for real-time traffic trend analysis across its bus depots and control centers. NetworkTestingTech configured SNMP polling and historical dashboards, helping the team proactively scale capacity for smart ticketing systems.
Need a lightweight, cost-effective graphing solution for your network infrastructure?
Reach out to NetworkTestingTech for deployment, integration, and consulting services.