Tech Topic Connection | Network Management Systems

Image courtesy of Win Technology

Irrefutably, computers are more widely used today than ever before. They can be found in homes, schools, and the workplace. They are used for a variety of reasons like creating documents, editing graphics, composing music, developing games, storing photos, browsing the internet, and so much more. They come in many shapes and sizes ranging from large servers to smartwatches. Furthermore, the growing population of our world means that more people are using these types of devices daily. More people are signing into online servers, using mail services, chatting online, uploading videos to social media, hosting video calls, etc. Having said that, have you ever wondered how so many people can access singular networks without the whole thing crashing in? The answer is network management.

What is Network Management?

If you have ever participated in online gaming, then you have probably experienced the ire that results from being in the heat of a gaming moment before suddenly an awful message appears onscreen that reads “Connect to server lost.” As a gamer, I have wondered why this does not happen often. After a little digging I found out it was due to network management. “Network management is the process of configuring, monitoring, and maintaining a reliable network – ensuring connectivity between devices and the people or software applications that use them.” (What Is Network Management?, 2019) It can similarly be defined as the process of setting up, administering, and troubleshooting a network. (Staff Contributor, 2019)

How Does Network Management Work?

The importance of network management has become more prevalent in recent years as more people and companies turn to the internet to do much of their business there. Simply put, network management professionals ensure that a network is secure and running efficiently while also fixing any issues that may occur. Cisco, an industry leader as an enterprise network provider explains how network management systems do their job.

Network management systems collect data from connected network devices such as switches, routers, access points, and client devices. They also give network administrators fine-grained control over how those devices operate and interact with one another. The data captured from these devices is used to proactively identify performance issues, monitor security and segmentation, and accelerate troubleshooting. (Cisco, n.d.)

Network management also thrives on being a process that utilizes automation. Keeping up with the demands of a network can be all-encompassing, but automation makes the evolving process much easier. Upon further research, I found that there are five types of network management. According to Chiradeep BasuMallick (2022), they are Network Fault Management, Network Configuration Management, Network Accounting and Utilization Management, Network Performance Management, and Network Security Management.  I will not go into great detail for each type, so if you want a more in-depth dive check out What Is Network Management? Definition, Key Components, and Best Practices | Spiceworks It Security for more.

5 Types of Network Management

• Network fault management – responsible for predicting, identifying, and resolving network issues to reduce downtime, maintain performance records, and perform inventory audits. All system issues and changes must be documented.
• Network configuration management – responsible for ensuring network connectivity settings are sufficiently in line with a large organization's data and traffic demands by making changes to the settings as needed. All issues and changes must be documented.
• Network accounting and utilization management – responsible for monitoring network utilization across the entire organization.
• Network performance management – responsible for ensuring the network is running smoothly. Should issues arise, members of this team may work alongside the network fault management team for resolution.
• Network security management – responsible for the protection of an organization's systems. Anticipates, corrects, and prevents various issues and attacks against a network and all its systems. (BasuMallick, 2022)

How Is Data Received From Systems?

Network management systems use data collected from network elements. These network elements are things like switches, routers, and access points. It also uses data collected from endpoint devices like mobile phones, and computers. This is not a task that can be performed without software agents in place on the network elements. These software agents must be installed on the network elements for the process to work. There is also a long list of network management commands that can be used to perform many duties. You can find some here Command Reference, Cisco IOS XE Bengaluru 17.6.x (Catalyst 9500 Switches) - Network Management Commands [Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series Switches] - Cisco.

References:

1. BasuMallick, C. (2022, February 10). What Is Network Management? Definition, Key Components, and Best Practices. Spiceworks. https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/networking/articles/what-is-network-management/
2. Network Management Commands. (2022, April 19). Cisco. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9500/software/release/17-6/command_reference/b_176_9500_cr/network_management_commands.html
3. Staff Contributor. (2021, April 19). Network Management Guide: How To, Best Practices, & Tools - DNSstuff. DNSstuff. https://www.dnsstuff.com/network-management
4. What is network management? (2019, January 8). Red Hat. https://www.redhat.com/en/topics/management/what-is-network-management
5. What Is Network Management? (2022, June 14). Cisco. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/enterprise-networks/what-is-network-management.html