What is the purpose of network monitoring tools?

Network monitoring tools serve primarily to track the performance and health of network resources, making the second option the correct answer. These tools are essential in ensuring that a network operates smoothly and efficiently, as they provide real-time insights into various aspects of the network, such as bandwidth usage, throughput, latency, and the status of devices. By continuously monitoring these metrics, network administrators can identify potential issues before they escalate into significant problems, thereby maintaining optimal performance and minimizing downtime.

Enhancing user experience through graphical interfaces relates more to user interface design rather than the core function of network monitoring. Creating user manuals for software applications and developing new network protocols are also not aligned with the main purpose of network monitoring tools. Instead, these tasks generally focus on documentation and protocol design, which are separate from the ongoing monitoring and assessment of network performance.