What Is Network Management?

When was the last time your computer broke down? If you’ve watched the hit T.V. sitcom The I.T. Crowd, you may wonder if the answer is turning your computer on and off again. The truth is most issues are more complex than this.

One key element of cybersecurity is network management. So what is network management? 

Knowing what network management is and its benefits can help you better understand this topic and how you can use it in your organization.

Let’s dive in. 

What Is Network Management?

Network management is the process of controlling and monitoring the flow of data in a computer network. It is also known as network administration or network monitoring, and it’s used to monitor and control the flow of data in a computer network.

In today’s modern world, where everything relies on computers, having the right tools for managing your networks can be very beneficial. There’s a lot you can do yourself to improve your cybersecurity.

This way, you can ensure that everything stays online 24/7 so there are no disruptions to your business operations or customers’ experience when using your services or products!

What Is a Network Management System (NMS)?

Network Management Systems (NMS) is a group of software tools that can be used to manage the network. It can monitor, control and troubleshoot the network, analyze performance, and plan for future growth.

The NMS is a centralized system that allows an administrator to manage all aspects of the network. It provides a single interface for viewing and managing configurations, monitoring performance, and troubleshooting problems.

The NMS is typically installed on a server. It can monitor and control all aspects of the network, including configuration, performance management, and troubleshooting. The NMS can also plan for future growth by analyzing traffic patterns and capacity requirements.

Types of Network Management

Network management is the process of monitoring and controlling a network. There are two types of network management: active and passive. Active network management involves continuous monitoring, while passive networks do not require ongoing attention.

An NMS can perform many functions, including network discovery, configuration management, performance monitoring, and troubleshooting. 

The NMS is a crucial tool for managing a network. It can be used to monitor the health of devices and troubleshoot issues when they occur. The NMS can also collect data about traffic flow, performance, and other information about the network environment.

A History of Network Management

You might be wondering why this is an important topic to learn about. Network management is a relatively new concept, but it has been around for over 50 years. 

The history of network management begins with the development of the Internet and its predecessor, ARPANET. The Internet was initially developed by the Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA) at Stanford University in 1969. ARPANET was created based on this research. It was used for military communications throughout the 1970s.

In 1971, a new protocol called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) was developed to replace NCP (Network Control Program).

This controlled communications between computers on ARPANET. ARPANET is the foundation for many modern N.M. systems. 

This protocol enabled computers on different networks to communicate with each other through an intermediate host computer called a gateway machine. In other words, it made it possible for two separate networks to connect without having any direct connection.

As you can see, network management has evolved, becoming increasingly sophisticated as technology improves and advances.

Who Is a Network Manager?

Network managers are responsible for the maintenance and management of a network, along with the information systems that run on it. They are also responsible for ensuring that all hardware and software run smoothly. They sit above and often manage several network administrators.

In some companies, network managers may be independent consultants. They work as an extension of the I.T. department; in others, they will be part of an I.T. department working for a company or organization.

Network managers usually have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Some employers may also require certification from organizations such as Cisco and Microsoft. These typically require additional training and experience.

Network managers may provide technical support for a company’s current network. They may also be responsible for developing a new one.

They often oversee the installation of new hardware and software and ensure that it is compatible with existing technology. This can require making changes to computer systems while they are in use by other employees.

What Skills Do You Need To Become a Network Manager?

To succeed in this field, you must have excellent people skills. Network managers must know how to communicate with employees to coordinate their work.

A great network manager should also have project management skills. Network managers are responsible for keeping all the projects on schedule and within budget.

Another skill they need is communication skills with a diverse audience. This includes working with executives, salespeople, and customer service reps. They all have different needs when managing technology systems or maintaining networks and servers at an enterprise level.

Network managers must be able to work with I.T. teams daily and understand the technology behind networks and servers.

The network manager needs to be able to use various types of software. This includes Microsoft Office, an operating system like Windows or Linux, and network management tools.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Network Manager? 

If you want to become a network manager, you’ll need to have a college degree in computer science. A related field is also acceptable. You’ll also need to be familiar with the various protocols used by networks. On top of this, you’ll need to understand how they work together.

Network managers must also be able to manage budgets and resources effectively. Therefore, they should have strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask.

They’ll also need strong leadership skills. After all, they’re responsible for overseeing their team’s work. They make sure everything is getting done on time. Therefore a qualification in leadership would also be a big bonus. 

Benefits of Network Management

So what are some of the benefits of network management? Network management can help you reduce network downtime and operational costs. You can also increase overall efficiency. In addition to these benefits, it can also help you improve the security, availability, and performance of your network.

The benefits of network management are numerous. It can help you reduce downtime and operational costs. It can also help increase overall efficiency. Be sure to check out the managed services we offer today to see how we can help your business. 

Improving Efficiency  

Network management automates processes that used to be manually done by humans. This saves companies time and money. This is because they don’t have to hire more employees or pay them overtime when they do things manually instead of through automation.

Network management gives companies access to real-time data about their networks. They can therefore make better business decisions. These are based on what they learn from this information rather than guessing what might happen next based on past experiences without any data support.

Using network management tools allows companies to save money on hardware costs. This is because they use less equipment than before. This is because equipment that is not very functional but costs a lot can be phased out. 

Network Management Functions

There are several network management functions to be aware of. 

First, there is monitoring. This function is used to identify and evaluate the current performance of network devices. It includes gathering statistics, monitoring alarms, and trending data to detect trends or issues in your network.

Next, there is organizing. This function is used to categorize network devices into groups. This is according to their roles, locations, or types. For example, all servers could be grouped for ease of management.

Finally, there is control. This function is done through administrative actions. These include applying updates to software or configuring settings on devices within a network environment.

What Are the Types of Network Management?

Network management can be divided into two categories. These are manual network management and automated network management.

Manual Network Management

This type of network management uses tools like bar charts, histograms, and other graphical representations of data. Network managers use these to analyze the performance of the system. It is a prolonged process as it requires constant monitoring at all times.

The amount of time spent in this activity is directly proportional to how much effort goes into maintaining a consistent set of metrics for you to analyze against each other over time.

Automated Network Management

Automated network management uses tools like routers and switches. These automatically detect and monitor network activity.

The most common example of this is the Cisco IOS feature called Auto QoS (Quality of Service). This allows for the automatic provisioning of bandwidth.

What Type of Network Management Does Your Company Need?

The first thing to consider is whether or not your business needs a full-time I.T. professional on staff. Generally, every industry, from legal to postal services, requires network management. 

Instead, if you’d prefer, you can outsource the work. If you’re looking for an I.T. professional to manage your network, you must ensure they have experience working with your specific hardware and software.

You also need to make sure they have experience working with other companies like yours in similar industries.

If outsourcing isn’t an option for you, then consider hiring someone on an as-needed basis instead. This way, there’s no need for long contracts or ongoing commitments. If something comes up unexpectedly, finding another qualified candidate won’t be difficult. They can take over temporarily until things are back up and running smoothly again.

Network Management Is All About Monitoring, Organizing, and Controlling the Flow of Data

Network management is a complex issue. However, knowing its benefits and different types can help you understand it. You can check out our process to see how we network and manage companies for maximum efficiency. 

Network management is all about monitoring, organizing, and controlling the flow of data. It involves configuring devices. These include routers and switches; this ensures that your system operates smoothly.

Management systems monitor networks for issues such as downtime or slowdowns. These prevent these problems from occurring. They also help administrators detect malicious activity on their networks. They can then remove these threats. This is before they cause damage to critical data or hardware components.

Other functions include responding automatically when an issue arises. Network managers can do this by isolating it from other parts of the network. They can then automate tasks like updating software across multiple machines at once rather than doing them one by one.

Finally, N.M.s can generate reports detailing how well each component works within your system. So you know where improvements need to be made (or if no changes are required).

So, What Is Network Management? It’s Complicated

Are you still asking, “What is network management?” There’s no easy answer to this question, but knowing its benefits and different types can help you understand it. It’s a way to monitor and control the flow of data in a computer network.

There are many ways that you can manage your network. This includes software-based tools and hardware appliances.

This post has given you a brief introduction to network management. If you want to learn more about this subject, contact us today to see how we can support you and your company.