How do I monitor a network on a budget?

Use what you already own first, then add one sensor where it sees the most. Most firewalls and routers can log blocked and allowed connections and alert on new devices; switch that on and send it to a mailbox you read. Keep a simple device list and compare it with the router's list of connected devices each month. Turn on sign-in alerts in your e-mail and cloud services. Then put one network sensor where traffic converges: a mirror port on the switch that connects to the router or the servers. The NetSenX Free plan covers 3 devices with no time limit, and one agent on a SPANSPAN: switch port analyser. A switch setting that sends a copy of network traffic to one port, where a sensor can watch it. or TAPTAP: test access point. A small device that copies the traffic on a network cable for a sensor to watch. port counts as one device for a whole segment, so a small office can start at no cost.

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