Network management involves monitoring, troubleshooting, and resolving system- and network-related problems. Good network management improves network performance and facilitates the documentation and reporting necessary to keep problems to an absolute minimum.

For maximum benefit, networks require management solutions that address every hour of every day. For the Internet-enabled enterprise, there is no other option.

Management Objectives
A sound network management strategy is one that focuses on achieving specific network goals and objectives. While the specific goals will vary from network to network, within IT best practices, one can organize those goals into standard categories:

• Performance Management
  Performance Management goals measure and make available various aspects of network performance so that internetwork performance can be maintained at an acceptable level. Examples of performance variables that might be measured include network throughput, user response times, and line utilization.
  
  
• Configuration Management
  Configuration Management goals monitor network and system configuration information so that the effects on network operation of various versions of hardware and software elements can be tracked and managed. Configuration management subsystems store this information in a database for easy access. When a problem occurs, this database can be searched for clues that may help solve the problem.
  
  
• Accounting Management
  Accounting Management goals measure network utilization parameters so that individual or group uses on the network can be regulated appropriately. Such regulation minimizes network problems (because network resources can be apportioned based on resource capacities) and maximizes the fairness of network access across all users.
  
  
• Fault Management
  Fault Managment goals detect, log, notify users of, and fix network problems to keep the network running effectively. Fault management involves first determining symptoms and isolating the problem. Then the problem is fixed and the solution is tested on all-important subsystems. Finally, the detection and resolution of the problem is recorded.
  
  
• Security Management
  Security Managment goals control access to network resources according to local guidelines so that the network cannot be sabotaged (intentionally or unintentionally) and sensitive information cannot be accessed by those without appropriate authorization. Security management goals are implemented by partitioning network resources into authorized and unauthorized areas. For some users, access to any network resource is inappropriate, mostly because such users are usually company outsiders. For other (internal) network users, access to information originating from a particular department is inappropriate.
  
  

TEKMedia Communications can help you manage your network and protect you from costly downtime. We will design a network management solution that identifies the specific goals and objectives your network has to meet in order to advance your business. We will work with you to implement that solution efficiently and effectively. We will make sure you receive the information about your network you need to make informed decisions about its maintenance.

With TEKMedia, you gain the control you need to use your network as the business tool it was intended to be.