What is Network Management?

As network consultants, our clients often ask our opinion regarding the best tools to monitor the on-going operation of their networks. Before discussing network management, we need to agree to what it means.

The International Standards Organization (ISO) has identified several major components of network management:

• Fault Management
• Configuration Management
• Accounting
• Performance Management
• Security Management
• Systems Management

We believe that this is an overly restrictive list and does not include components which are important to a smoothly operating network. Our "top ten" list consists of the following:

• Historical monitoring and trend analysis
• Trouble ticketing
• Real-time monitoring, thresholding, and event processing
• Operational procedures
• Configuration and asset management
• Cable plant management
• Accounting
• Simulation
• Security
• Training

Back to the Network Monitor Index

Volume 1 Number 1 Table of Contents