In today’s Information Technology (IT) based and network-reliant world, Network management has become a crucial component for corporate organizations to conduct businesses efficiently. Network management refers to the various aspects involved in managing computer networks. A broad range of software and hardware solutions and devices are available to efficiently manage networks. The key areas of network management include protecting the network from unauthorized users (Security), eliminating network barriers (Performance), and ascertaining that networks are available for users and responding/fixing software/hardware malfunctions. Network security, network performance, and network compliance are critical for maximizing throughput levels and productivity in business concerns.
The actions, methods, and processes relating to networking of systems, is called network management. It also includes the tools pertaining to the major four areas in networked systems: Operation, Administration, Maintenance, and Provisioning. Operation is related to maintenance of the network and network-related services, enabling smooth functioning of the network. Network monitoring to identify problems at the beginning stage so that user are not affected, is also part of operations. Administration handles keeping track of network resources and their mode of assignment, which enables to have controlled access over the network. Maintenance pertains to upgrading and rectifying errors, and adopting preventive and corrective steps to enable optimal performance of the managed network. Provisioning involves configuration of resources in the network for supporting given services. Network management is important for continuous business operations in enterprises. Businesses cannot afford to have poor network performance and its consequent problems such as downtime, data loss, etc. This will impact heavily on their productivity and business itself. Hence it is essential to perform network management functions for a sound network infrastructure.
Network management functions are popularly characterized as FCAPS, which is the acronym for Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance and Security. In enterprise management, FCAPS is a standard ISO Telecommunications Management Network model. The five FCAPS domains clearly define the key areas of network management operations.
- Fault Management – The network issues are identified and rectified. Preventive steps are taken to avert their occurrence or recurrence. This ensures operability of the network and minimal downtime. Fault management involves recognizing, isolating, rectifying, and logging the faults occurring in the network. Network availability is ensured by trend analysis for error prediction.
- Configuration Management – Configuration management deals with collecting and storing configurations from network devices, simplifying device configuration, tracking configuration changes, and provisioning circuit pathways through non-switched networks. The routine (everyday) operations are monitored and controlled. It involves coordination of hardware and software changes, new programs and equipment, removal of disused systems/programs, and modification of existing systems.
- Accounting Management – Optimal distribution of resources among enterprise users is determined in this domain. Cost efficiency is achieved through effectively using available systems. Accounting management (aka Billing management) ascertains appropriate billing of the users. It is aimed at gathering statistics of usage for the benefit of the users.
- Performance Management – The network’s overall performance is managed by gathering and analyzing data performance. The current efficiency of the network can be determined and the network can be enhanced accordingly for future performance. Levels of throughput, utilization, error rate, and latency (response time) are addressed by network performance management.
- Security Management – The network is protected from unauthorized access and issues such as spoofing, hacking etc. Security management involves authentication, encryption, and authorization for data security. User information is also made confidential.
Network management is a set of functions required for controlling, planning, allocating, deploying, coordinating, and monitoring the resources of a network. Other functional areas include network planning, routing traffic, allocating frequency, cryptographic authorization, and so on. Data for managing networks is gathered using several analytical and real-time monitoring mechanisms. There are various access methods for supporting network and managing network devices. Some key access methods include Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Command Line Interface (CLIs), custom XML, Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP), Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), Transaction Language 1, Common Object Requesting Broker Architecture (CORBA), netconf, and Java Management Extensions – JMX.
The Internet/WAN is a huge network of resources and there is no single management system to control the entire network or Internet. Providers collaborate amidst their competition, to enforce various network management policies. Simply stated, network management is maintaining the network in optimal condition. There are two key areas in managing networks. First is collecting information about network’s state, and secondly, using that information for controlling the configuration of different aspects that constitute the network such as routers, host, switches, etc. SNMP supports both aspects, and is effected by the various functions of the protocol assisting in data collection, and the SNMP SET message providing control. Information about the state of the network is useful for both network management as well as application performance enhancement.
Enterprises deploy network management platforms to efficiently manage infrastructures, which comprise multi-vendor network components. Detection of problems in a network is a crucial aspect as it determines the network performance. Network management platform is the lynchpin in network operations for identifying defects in the network infrastructure. The platform has the capability to receive events from the diverse network elements and then processes them. It can also include events from critical resources and servers. A standard network management platform generally has function including network discovery, event handler, performance data collector, grapher, topology mapping of network elements, management data browser. It is possible for network operators to monitor the operational status of routers, switches, etc. in a network, which are critical network elements.
Network management can be optimized by using proven technology solutions such as FatPipe Networks (www.fatpipe.com), the inventor and multiple patents holder of router clustering technology and various other optimizing technologies. FatPipe Networks offers a comprehensive suite of Wide Area Network (WAN) optimization solutions that provide high levels of reliability, security, and bandwidth management. Its technology solutions include products that provide WAN redundancy, speed, dynamic load balancing, Quality of Service (QoS), data compression, enhanced VPN security, and VPN encryption.
