Chapter 10 - Network Management

Question 1

Network management

Answer 1

Process of operating, monitoring, and controlling the network to ensure it works as intended

Question 2

Operational tasks:

Answer 2

– Manage the day-to-day operations of the network to ensure it is operating as intended
– Provide support to network users
– Manage the network technical staff and budget (with emphasis on controlling costs)
– Evaluate and acquire network hardware, software and services for minor upgrades

Question 3

Strategic tasks:

Answer 3

– Keep abreast of the latest relevant technological developments (components & services)
– Assist senior management in understanding the role of the network in business operations and the business implications of network decisions

Question 4

Firefighting

Answer 4

(i.e. dealing with breakdowns, SLA violations and other immediate problems) V/S planning an organizing to prevent problems
=> Remaining slides cover best practices in network design including processes that help network managers do their job and avoid “firefighting”

Question 5

Managed Netoworks

Answer 5

Managed networks are networks that use managed devices and network management software (NMS) to monitor operations and report issues when they arise.

Question 6

Using managed networks

Answer 6

• Managed devices are standard devices with onboard chips that:
  – Perform their original functions
  – Monitor, collect and transmit traffic reports
  – Send alarm to network manager’s computer if a problem is detected
  – Help detect and fix problems before they become serious

Question 7

Types of Network Management Software (NMS):

Answer 7

– Device management software: Monitor devices and display traffic/capacity and error (Fig.12-1)
– System management software: Monitor network, diagnose problems and identifies their root-cause (See next slide)
– Application management software: Variation of device management software that monitor/give priority to mission-critical applications
➔ Problem: Getting NMS that support devices from different vendors ➔ Theoretical solution: Standards
* Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP, part of TCP/IP)
* Common Management Interface Protocol (CMIP, developed by ISO)

Question 8

Simple Network Management Protocol

Answer 8

• Agents
• SNMP
• Management Information Bases(MIBs)
• Network Management Console
• Successive versions of SNMP support

Question 9

Agents

Answer 9

Programs residing on network devices that gather and share network status information

Question 10

SNMP

Answer 10

Protocol allowing agents to communicate with each other (i.e., communication between network devices where agents reside)

Question 11

Management Information Bases (MIBs)

Answer 11

Databases of network status statistics such as traffic levels, error rates and data rates

Question 12

Network Management Console

Answer 12

Processed data from the MIBs is sent to a Network Management Console and provide the “control room” view of the network

Question 13

Successive versions of SNMP support

Answer 13

– Remote monitoring (RMON) allowing managed devices to store traffic data on
devices that generate them NOT on central MIB – Security (authentication for access control)

Question 14

Data centers

Answer 14

Large group of mission-critical servers (called server farms or clusters) typically used by organizations for the remote processing and storage of large amounts of data

Question 15

Load balancing

Answer 15

Load balancer allocate ‘‘evenly’’ tasks to redundant servers

Question 16

Traffic shaping (aka traffic policing or policy-based management)

Answer 16

– Network manager can set priority policies for traffic when network becomes busy by blocking
or limiting traffic by protocol (i.e., by application) or by source/destination (i.e., for some users)
– Traffic shaping requires managed devices that support QoS (or a traffic shaper device if the managed devices does NOT have that traffic shaping functionality) and software that network managers use to apply policy when needed

Question 17

Ways to Reducing Network Traffic

Answer 17

• Moving data closer to users if justified:
  – Duplicated versus partitioned databases (Application: MAN/WAN)
  – Content caching: Frequently accessed files are accessed faster (Application: Internet)
  – Content delivery: Mirrored web servers close to users (Application: Internet)
• Capacity Management using bandwidth shaper (or limiter)

Question 18

Managing users accounts

Answer 18

Adding and deleting user accounts (Role of SOS aka NOS and other user management systems)

Question 19

Updating software on client computers

Answer 19

Importance of thin client usage and role of desktop management that automates updates

Question 20

Problem tracking (Performance & Fault management)

Answer 20

TRS keeps track of corrective actions, timing and status. The network manager then access reports issued by TRS to see how well problems are handled and, if needed, take corrective actions

Question 21

Problem statistics (Performance & Fault Management)

Answer 21

• Reports are created to (1) verify vendor’s claims (specs) and contractual commitments and (2) keep track of problems stats that will be used as input for decisions related to the new network design

Question 22

Providing end user support

Answer 22

Major sources of problems with user equipment
– Hardware device failures: Generally easy to fix (See previous slide)
– Lack of user knowledge: Also easy to fix
– Problems with software, software settings or software incompatibility, generally hardest to fix
* Level 1 resolution: Basic problems (75% - 85% of the reported problems)
* Level 2 resolution: Escalation to staff with specialized skills
* Level 3 resolution: Can involve vendors

Training is an ongoing responsibility of network manager
– Covering 20% of the network functions users use 80% of the time
– Showing how to locate additional info from online support, documentation and help desk

Question 23

TCO

Answer 23

Total cost / Number of clients (around US$ 7K / year)

Question 24

Reducing Costs

Answer 24

– Use standard products and configurations (for staff to be familiar with)
– Automate management functions when possible
– Centralize help desk
– Other: Select reliable components, avoid incompatibility issues, work with vendors

Question 25

Configuration management

Answer 25

process of identifying, tracking, and controlling changes to a system or product to maintain consistency and integrity.

Question 26

Desktop management

Answer 26

process of managing and maintaining the hardware and software of desktop computers to ensure they are functioning efficiently and effectively for users.

Question 27

Capacity management

Answer 27

process of planning, monitoring, and managing the capacity of IT systems, resources, and services to ensure they meet the current and future needs of the organization in a cost-effective manner.