Network Management Basics

Chapter Goal

• Become familiar with the basic functions of a network management system.

Introduction

• This chapter describes functions common to most network-management architectures and protocols.
• It also present the five conceptual areas of management as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

What is the main resource for the Operation of a Telco?

Other Important Resources

• Human Capital/Knowledge
• Land/properties
• Money
• Customer database
• Frequency

What Is Network Management?

• In some cases, it involves a solitary network consultant monitoring network activity with an outdated protocol analyzer.
• In other cases, network management involves a distributed database, autpolling of network devices, and high-end workstations generating real-time graphical views of network topology changes and traffic.
• in general, network management is a service that employs a variety of tools, applications and devices to assist human network managers in monitoring and maintaining networks.

A Historical Perspective

1. The early 1980's saw tremendous expansion in the area of network deployment.
2. As companies realized the cost benefits and productivity gains created by network technology, they began to add networks and expand existing network almost as rapidly as new network technologies and products were.
3. By the mid-1980's, certain companies were experiencing growing pains from deploying many different (and sometimes incompatible) network technologies.
4. The problems associated with network expansion affect both day-to-day network operation management and strategic network growth planning.
5. Each new network technology requires it's own set of expert. (In the early 1980's, the staffing requirements alone for managing large, heterogeneous network created a crisis for many organizations).
6. An urgent need arose for automated network management integrated across diverse environments. (Including what is typically called network capacity planning).

Network Management Architecture

A Typical Network Management Architecture Maintains Many Relationships

• Management proxies are entities that provide management information on behalf of other entities.

ISO Network Management Model : FCAPS

Performance Management

• The goal of performance management:

1. to measure and make available various aspects of network performance so that internet work performance can be maintained at an acceptable level.

• Examples of performance variables (that might be provided).

1. network throughout,
2. user response times, 
3. line utilization. 

•  Performance management involves three main steps.

1. performance data is gathered on variables of interest to network administrators.
2. the data is analyzed to determine normal (baseline) levels.
3. appropriate performance thresholds are determined for each important variable so that exceeding these thresholds indicates network problem worthy of attention.

• Management entities continually monitor performance variables. 

• Performance management also permits proactive methods.

For examle, network simulation can be used to project how network growth will affect performance metrics. Such simulation can alert administrators to impending problems so that counteractive mesures can be taken.

Configuration Management

• The goal of configuration management:

1. to 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.

• Each network device has a variety of version information associated with it. 

Accounting Management

• The goal of accounting management is to measure network utilization parameters so that individual or group uses on the network can be regulated appropriately.
• Such regulation minimizes network problems and maximizes the fairness of network access across all users (because network resources can be apportioned based on resource capacities).

1. First step toward appropriate accounting management is to measure utilization of all important network resources.
2. Analysis of the results provides insight into current usage patterns and usage quotas can be set at this point. Some correction, of course, will be required to reach optimal access practices.
3. From this point, ongoing measurement of resource use can be yield billing information used to assess continued fair and optimal resource utilization.

Fault Management

• The goal of fault management:

1. detect,
2. log,
3. notify users of, and (to the extent possible),
4. automatically fix network problems to keep the network running effectively.

• Because faults can cause downtime or unacceptable network degradation, fault management is perhaps the most widely implemented of the ISO network management elements. 
• Fault management involves first,

1. determining symptoms and isolating the problem,
2. then the problem is fixed and the solution is tested on all-important subsystems,
3. the detection and resolution of the problem is recorded.

Security Management

• The goal of security management:

1. to 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.

• For example: a security management subsystem can be monitor users logging on to a network resource and can refuse access to those who enter inappropriate access codes.
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