What is network management? | Fortinet The term network management describes the task of maintaining and controlling a network. It requires topological information about the network, device configuration information, and control of each component. There are several different types of network management. Here are a few examples. These services can help you determine what your network needs. Read on to learn more. You’ll be glad you did! And don’t forget to share this article with your colleagues and peers!
Monitoring
By monitoring network management, enterprises can determine which applications perform best and which need unique configurations. They can also choose any inefficiencies in their environment, such as malicious software breaches. By identifying these problems and making necessary adjustments, enterprises can maximize efficiency and cut costs. Monitoring network performance and traffic can help enterprises to avoid such issues. In addition to identifying inefficiencies, network management can help identify trends and pinpoint problems before they cause significant disruptions.
Network performance monitoring is the most critical aspect of network management. Network managers need to identify and resolve faults that can cause downtime and performance degradation. If these faults are detected early, the network manager can take appropriate action to restore the network to its normal functioning. Once this is done, the network manager can focus on ensuring that all components function properly. This type of monitoring can help IT departments keep their networks in the best condition.
Maintenance
Keeping up with network maintenance is essential, not only to keep your network running but also to keep it in top working condition. Network maintenance tasks include virus scanning, complex drive optimization, and testing backup systems. Some of these tasks can be automated with the use of cloud backup services. In addition, it is always helpful to maintain an up-to-date inventory of devices. In addition to their names, device inventory should include their IP and MAC addresses.
Troubleshooting problem reports is another critical core function of network maintenance. This process requires much knowledge but can be simplified through a structured approach with backups, documentation, and a proactive monitoring system. Another typical problem reported in a network is that a device’s configuration changes. This can be caused by scheduled maintenance tasks or planned changes in the network. Network maintenance must keep track of these configuration changes and document them or back them up to an alternate location.
Fault Management
Fault management is a process of troubleshooting and detecting problems on a network. Its goal is to minimize downtime and maintain optimal network performance and efficiency. Fault management differs from alarm management. Fault management is a core part of a network management system. It helps prevent and resolve network faults, which may affect service delivery. In addition, it can prevent certain events from occurring. Fault management can also prevent system failures by alerting users and administrators.
The first step in fault management is to identify the source of the problem. Network faults can be as simple as a failed network port or as complex as a lack of connectivity. Fault management is a five-step process. The steps include identifying the cause of the fault, restoring service, and resolving the issue. Fault management tools are programs that monitor networks for potential problems, analyze the situation, and provide a solution to users. This software program is an essential resource for network teams.
Performance Management
Performance management is a crucial aspect of network management. It is the process of monitoring network performance and identifying potential problems before they affect the network’s overall performance. It also identifies security issues and mitigates the chances of an attack vendor’s exploitation. Managing network performance can save valuable time and money, eliminating the need for lengthy investigations and wasted resources. With proper performance management, organizations can improve network services.
Performance management in network management involves analyzing network and device behavior, comparing data against predefined thresholds, and notifying administrators when there is a problem. It helps companies plan and provision network resources, and it helps them measure quality. By collecting and analyzing network and application data, performance management can determine whether a problem is a system or network problem. As a result, companies can improve network performance, boost customer satisfaction, and cut costs by using performance management.
Cost Management
One of the biggest challenges faced by network managers is cost management. With data traffic increasing faster than the network’s budget, network managers must provide more capacity at lower per-megabyte costs. Luckily, there are ways to cut network management costs. The first step is to create standards that all computers and network devices must follow. This will reduce costs and help troubleshoot issues more quickly. At the same time, it will reduce the learning curve for network support staff.
Another role of cost management is to monitor and control costs. This involves monitoring actual versus budgeted costs to identify problems and analyze causes. This involves monitoring the Forecast Final Cost (FFC) and S Curves, which are graphs showing labor hours and accumulated costs. Other tasks include measuring productivity and assessing costs, which are a function of labor efficiency and equipment effectiveness. This information is vital to network management and will help network managers plan for the future.