What is Network Management?

Overview

The programs, instruments, and procedures used to provision, run, maintain, administer, and secure network infrastructure are collectively referred to as network management. Ensuring that users have efficient, effective, and timely access to network resources is the main responsibility of network management. To maximize network health, it makes use of performance management and fault analysis.

What makes network management necessary? Dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of interdependent components are brought together in a network. Occasionally, these parts may fail, malfunction, be incorrectly designed, or be overused. In order to handle, monitor, and control the network, enterprise network management software must adapt to these issues by utilizing the most appropriate technologies.

Network Management

The importance of Network Management

Ensuring the seamless and effective operation of your network infrastructure is the main goal of network management. It accomplishes the following goals in this way.

Minimizes costly network disruptions

The cost of a network outage is high. Even an hour of downtime can cost businesses thousands or even millions of dollars, depending on the size of the company and the nature of the impacted activities.

This loss includes not only the immediate financial consequences of the network outage but also the expense of a tarnished reputation that causes clients to reevaluate their long-term partnership. Employees and customers alike find it frustrating when networks are slow and unresponsive. They make it more challenging for employees to address the needs and expectations of clients. If they encounter network issues too frequently, customers may think about leaving.

Improved productivity

Through comprehensive analysis and continual observation of all network components, network management accomplishes many tasks at once. As a result, IT employees are liberated from monotonous daily tasks and are able to concentrate on the more important elements of their work.

Improved network security

Cyber risks can be recognized and addressed by a strong network management program before they have a chance to compromise the user experience. Network management guarantees adherence to legal requirements and best practice standards. Increased network security protects network privacy and reassures consumers that they can use their devices without restriction.

Holistic view of network performance

Effective network management provides a comprehensive view of your infrastructure’s performance.  You are in a better position to recognize, evaluate, and resolve problems quickly.

How does Network Management work?

Network management encompasses the following aspects:.

Network administration

The adding and inventorying of network resources, such as servers, routers, switches, hubs, cables, and PCs, falls within the purview of network administration. In order to run the entire network, it also entails setting up the operating systems, management tools, and network software. Performance monitoring and software updates are also included in the administration.

Network operations

Network operations guarantee that the network functions as planned. This entails keeping an eye on network traffic, spotting flaws, and fixing them. Proactive problem solving is preferable to reactive problem solving, even though both are necessary for network functioning.

Network maintenance

Network maintenance includes fixes, upgrades, and repairs to network equipment such as switches, routers, transmission cables, servers, and workstations. It includes proactive and corrective actions taken by network administrators, like upgrading device configurations, swapping out switches and routers, and changing access controls. A fresh patch is installed as soon as it becomes available.

Network provisioning

Configuring network resources to enable various services, such voice functionalities or more users, is known as network provisioning. It entails distributing and setting up resources in accordance with the services or requirements needed by the organization. The network administrator allocates resources in response to the organization’s changing requirements.

For example, a project’s need for bandwidth may increase if a large number of the team members are logging in remotely. It is the responsibility of the network administrator to provide file transfers and extra storage to a team.

Network security

The identification and mitigation of network security breaches constitute network security. This entails keeping track of router and switch activity logs. The logs and other network management tools ought to offer a way to identify the offender in the event that a violation is found. Suspicious activities should be reported and escalated through a systematic approach.

Installing and maintaining network protection software, tracking endpoint devices, keeping an eye on network activity, and spotting odd IP addresses are all included in the network security function.

Network automation

One key feature designed to lower costs and increase reaction to recognized problems is network automation. For instance, network automation software can deploy updates and automatically report on configuration status, saving hundreds or thousands of network device setups from manual labor.

What are the challenges of Network Management?

Complexity

Network infrastructure, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises, is intricate. The complexity of supervision has increased due to the quantity and variety of network devices. It is necessary for thousands of devices, operating systems, and apps to cooperate. The adoption of cloud computing and new networking technologies like software-defined networking (SDN) has made it more difficult to maintain control over this vast ecosystem.

Security threats

The number, variety, and sophistication of network security threats have grown rapidly. A network’s expansion opens it up to additional threats and possible weak points.

User expectations

Users are used to quick speeds now. Users now anticipate continuously great network speed and availability, even at home, thanks to advancements in technology and network capacity. Downtime is not well tolerated.

Cost

There is a cost associated with network infrastructure management. Although the procedure is now simpler than ever thanks to automated technologies, there are still personnel and technological costs to consider. The expense may increase if numerous instances of network management software are required to serve modern enterprise networks with tens of thousands of devices because the software is not scalable.

Find the right Network Management partner

The foundation of your IT infrastructure is your network. Maintaining this network is essential to making sure your company functions properly. The practice of data network administration is always changing in step with technological advancements, even though the fundamentals are essentially unchanged.

Working with an experienced vendor such as OpenText and deploying the appropriate technologies are essential for effective network administration. This provides you with the necessary visibility to maintain the network’s integrity as well as the integrated automation you need to control expenses and shorten response times for known problems in order to maintain the smooth functioning of your business.

For major businesses, MSPs, and government organizations, OpenText Network Operations Management is a comprehensive software solution that has been proven in the industry.

Reference

• What is Network Management? – OpenText
• What Is Network Management?
• What Is Network Management? Definition, Key …

FAQs

1. What is Network Management?

Network Management refers to the process of overseeing and administering the proper functioning of computer networks. It involves tasks such as monitoring network performance, ensuring security, and optimizing resources to achieve efficient and reliable communication.

2. Why is Network Management important?

Effective Network Management is crucial for ensuring the availability, reliability, and performance of a network. It helps in identifying and resolving issues promptly, maximizing network uptime, and ensuring the overall productivity of an organization’s IT infrastructure.

3. What are the key components of Network Management?

Network Management comprises several components, including network monitoring, configuration management, performance management, security management, and fault management. Each component plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy and efficient network.

4. How does network monitoring work?

Network monitoring involves continuously tracking the performance and status of network devices and connections. It uses tools to collect data on bandwidth usage, device health, and other metrics, helping administrators detect and address issues in real-time.

5. What is Configuration Management in Network Management?

Configuration Management involves keeping track of the configuration settings of network devices, such as routers and switches. It ensures that devices are set up correctly and consistently, reducing the risk of configuration errors and enhancing network stability.

6. How does Performance Management contribute to Network Management?

Performance Management focuses on optimizing network resources to ensure efficient data transmission. It involves monitoring and analyzing network performance metrics, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing improvements to enhance overall network speed and reliability.

7. What is the role of Security Management in Network Management?

Security Management involves implementing measures to protect the network from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats. It includes activities like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption to safeguard sensitive information.

8. How does Fault Management help in Network Management?

Fault Management aims to identify, isolate, and resolve network faults or abnormalities. It includes tools and processes to detect issues, generate alerts, and facilitate quick troubleshooting to minimize downtime and disruptions.

9. What are common challenges in Network Management?

Common challenges in Network Management include network scalability, security vulnerabilities, rapid technological advancements, and the need to balance performance with cost considerations. Staying abreast of emerging technologies is also a continual challenge.

10. How can organizations benefit from effective Network Management?

Effective Network Management leads to improved network performance, reduced downtime, enhanced security, and increased overall productivity. It allows organizations to adapt to changing requirements, support business growth, and maintain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital landscape.