With today’s ever-present digital technology, communication, and business support processes have also become network-bound. Hence, an effective network management strategy becomes one of the top priorities for organizations. Otherwise, without effective administration, the company might suffer an outage, a security incident, or inefficient operational processes. This post will define what a network is, give an overview of the previous and present attempts to extend the meanings of the term as well as opportunities offered by modern technologies to extend the meaning even further, and give the best advice on how to work with an arbitrary network.
What Is Network Management?
Network management is concerned with a set of processes including, but not limited to, the administration and operation of computer networks. It includes different processes, such as measuring network performance and performance levels, network troubles, configuration of network devices, and security assurance. It has a clear overlap with the life cycle processes of system development and aims to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the network and, to the fullest extent possible, any level of disruption to organizational objectives.
Some of these include:
- Network monitoring: This is done to detect incipient problems within the network and is done constantly.
- Network configuration: installing and managing at least the basic software, hardware, and devices that ensure the appropriate level of efficiency that the users expect.
- Network security: measures aimed at reducing the threat of internal and external intrusions on the network and physical and remote access to the network and its informational assets.
- Troubleshooting and maintenance: measures and actions that vary from one network to another but are necessary for the continuous performance of a network component or network in general.
The Relevance of Network Management
- Reduces Downtime: A well-built and orderly network is much less prone to downtime, which can be immensely disruptive to business activities. Constant supervision makes sure that the IT teams are in a position to mitigate disputes before they develop into a bigger issue.
- Boosts Network Activity: It is through network management that all aspects of the network, including servers, routers, as well as switches, are functioning efficiently. Employee productivity within the establishment improves as a result of increased network performance.
- Security Improvement: Cybersecurity is one of the genuine issues of concern to businesses today, and it has to be on the agenda. Proper network management involves the use of mechanisms such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems and maintaining an update of security patches.
- Cost-effective: If all industry standards are respected, extreme downtimes and network outage threat, which are predicted to be expensive, are very much avoidable. An organization should deal with technicalities earlier than wait for the situation to reach back to normal, pay huge expenses, and lose revenue.
- Enables Growth Management: As businesses develop, their network requirements also expand and extend in scope. Network management is such that it permits for expansion of the company’s facilities without disturbing seamless operations.
Best Practices for Network Management
Maintaining a network that is effective, secure, and robust requires adherence to best practices that are recognized across the industry. Below are listed key best practices for complete network management:
- Monitoring: Keep a watch over network traffic and performance to quickly detect and rectify problems as they emerge. Make use of monitoring tools that are automated to monitor network resources and send notifications about possible threats.
- Updates: Make routine software, firmware, and security updates for all network devices. Regular updates eliminate weaknesses and ensure the latest means of protection are in place.
- Backups: Include a reliable backup plan for crucial data within the broader organizational data security strategy. Create backups frequently and may even store them offsite to avoid the loss of critical information during unexpected downtimes or attacks.
- Security Best Practices: Introduce a series of security controls such as firewalls, encryption, and two-factor authentication (2FA) to prevent sensitive information from being accessed. Information security practices should become evident to the users, as they are the last line of defense.
- Record-keeping: Record the details of network design, changes made, as well as incidents that happen in the network. This simplifies the task of diagnosing problems and enables a more rapid response in case of issues.
- Capacity Planning: Evaluation of the last usage of the network and estimation of its increase in the foreseeable future. Devising flexible strategies for increasing workload and delivering reliable services within primary objectives even as the industry develops.
- Proactive Troubleshooting: Forecasting events that would result in a network failing to meet critical requirements through the use of predictive analytics. Such concerns are solved in a manner that does not interrupt operational business activities.
Conclusion
To summarize, through good network management practices, it is possible to reduce downtime, boost performance, and improve security. In this sense, Geeks Worldwide Solutions promises to assist businesses in the management of secure and efficient networks by leveraging their expertise in network management. Feel free to reach out to us via the provided contacts for any inquiries about our services.
