Network Management Guide | Importance & Benefits for Business

Table of Content:

• What is Network Management?

• Tools of Network Management system

• What are the Functions of Network Management?

• What are the benefits of Network Management?

• Get Network Management Support with ITsGuru

The achievement of your business depends on the quality of your network infrastructure. Poor network infrastructure can cause various issues, such as reduced productivity and security breaches. In this blog, we will get detailed knowledge about the significance of network management for achieving business success and the advantages of professional network management.

What is Network Management?

Controlling and maintaining a data network through a network management system constitutes network management. Network management systems utilize software and hardware to continuously gather and analyze data. The configurations are then adjusted to enhance performance, reliability, and security.

The process includes setting up monitoring and potentially adjusting components within a network to achieve the best possible performance, reduce downtime, ensure proper security measures, establish accountability, and enable flexibility.

The specifics of network management vary depending on the network, although many different aspects are involved. A single administrator may be capable of managing all network management tasks for small networks. In more extensive networks, it can be necessary to distribute tasks among a team of administrators. By implementing controls and best practices, you can ensure your network resources are used efficiently and effectively.

Tools of Network Management System

• Network Administration

Network administration tracks network resources such as switches, routers, and servers. It also provides software updates and performance monitoring.

• Network Operation

Network operation aims to ensure that your network is functioning correctly. Networking tasks include monitoring network activity and effectively identifying and fixing problems.

• Network Maintenance

Network maintenance is intended to update and repair network resources. It also consists of preventive and repair activities in collaboration with the network administrator, such as replacing network equipment, routers, and switches. The automated network management tool helps users adhere to service level agreements and achieves 99.9% availability for network and business-critical applications.

• Network Provisioning

Network provisioning involves configuring network resources to support voice or services that allow additional users. It also consists in calculating the load handled by the network trend. It also involves keeping resources in reserve to make it easier to manage when needed.

What are the Functions of Network Management?

The different functions crucial for the network’s operation are collectively known as network management.

1. Performance management

Performance Management oversees and controls the different factors used to assess the network’s performance. It is essential for service providers to guarantee the quality of service to clients and ensure that clients follow the provider’s requirements. When detecting abnormal network conditions, it’s vital to feed input to other network management functions, specifically the fault management function.

2. Fault management

The Fault Management function is in charge of identifying failures as they occur and separating the faulty component. Restoring traffic affected by the loss is typically considered a separate task for the network.

3. Configuration management 

Configuration management is managing changes in a network in an organized manner. This category contains the equipment in the network’s essential functions. This involves keeping track of the equipment in the network and handling any changes, such as adding or removing equipment. This may require rerouting traffic and ensuring that the software versions on the equipment are up to date.

Configuration management includes connection management, which involves managing the connections in a network by establishing, terminating, and monitoring them. A centralized management system is capable of performing this function. Alternatively, a distributed network control entity can also carry out the task. Distributed network control is necessary when connection setup and take-down events occur frequently or when the network is extensive and intricate.

For external client signals to work within the optical layer, the network must convert them appropriately. This is a function for managing adaptation.

4. Security management 

Security Management involves performing administrative tasks that include verifying the identity of users and assigning specific user-based permissions such as read or write access. To enhance security, network division into horizontal and vertical domains is common. Vertical partitioning means some users may have restricted access to specific network elements while being denied access to others.

• A local craftsperson can access only the network components under their responsibility, not those of other network members.
• Horizontal partitioning means that some users across the network can access certain network elements’ parameters.
• If you lease a lightpath, you can access the performance information for that lightpath at all the nodes it passes through. 

In addition to safeguarding the network users’ data, security also involves preventing unauthorized entities from intercepting or altering it. To address this issue, we recommend encrypting the data before sending it and ensuring that legitimate users can decrypt it.

5. Accounting management 

The Accounting Management function handles billing and keeps track of the lifecycle of network components. The process is also applicable to optical networks.

What are the benefits of Network Management?

ITsGuru, based in Houston, Texas, has cost-effective information technology professional services and is one of the top network management IT Services providers in Houston, Tx. When you outsource network management to ITsGuru customer service located in Houston, you can count on the following benefits of our partnership:

Reduced Costs:

The first benefit every company seeks is the cost savings associated with maintaining an internal network management team. It is achieved with a careful selection of outsourcing partners. You can minimize internal operating costs and pay only for the services you use. Take advantage of the economics of scale and expertise without additional investment.

High Project Quality Standards:

We follow quality industry protocols and best practices for network management. We ensure that our services are relevant to our customers and risk-free, from initial configuration and timely accounting to adherence to ongoing support and up-to-date security standards.

Dedicated Team:

Finding, hiring, and training the right IT support team to manage your network effectively is challenging. Furthermore, your resources may only sometimes be aware of the latest market trends. By outsourcing, you can only hire people to help you grow your business. Build your team in a short amount of time and get your needs started right away. Our team members are qualified, experienced, and approved in their respective domains to ensure the highest service level.

Improved Network Visibility and Operations:

We provide complete transparency and accurate information about the customer network’s state. Our customers can leave network management concerns focused on their core business by introducing the latest network management technologies and offering managed network services.

24×7 Network Monitoring:

With 24/7 monitoring and control, our team provides immediate notifications and support in case of problems. We activate and analyze any issues that may arise to reduce the number of future events. By following accurate practices, timely audits, and up-to-date safety standards, managed IT services providers in Houston ensure regulatory compliance and reduce risks.

Backup and Recovery:

By partnering with us, you can ensure that your data can be safely and fully recovered during a severe incident.

Get Network Management Support with ITsGuru

With increasing reliance on technology, businesses cannot overstate the importance of network management support. Ensuring your network operates efficiently and securely is vital for success in today’s digital age.