03/31 Network Configuration Management and Network Performance Monitoring
Network configuration management refers to the setting, changing, restoring, and collecting of information about different network devices such as bridges, routers, workstations, servers and so on.Networks of varying sizes are always in a constant state of flux. Any of the engineers who are assigned for the network can alter the configuration of the switches and routers at any time. Changes done to live equipments can have damaging effects on the reliability of the network and the services provided by it. The goal of a network configuration management is to save you time and minimize errors on your network brought about by the mis-configuration of the network devices. It is designed to let you take control of whatever network changes, to simplify the job of managing networks and to fix configuration errors quickly. A subset of the functions involved in network management is known as network performance monitoring. It describes the use of a system that consistently monitors a computer network for slow or possibly failing components. It also notifies the network administrator in cases of outages via email, page or other forms of alarms. Why should you monitor your network? The benefits that you can get from monitoring your network are limitless. It will benefit both you and your companies in ways that you never expected possible. Here are some of the benefits that network performance monitoring provide.First, you will be able to conduct investigations with employees whom you suspected are guilty of internet abuse. It has become an increasing problem of many companies each year – employees abusing their internet privileges by chatting all day with friends, conducting online stock trades, shopping while on the clock, and a lot more. All these boil down to productivity loss and profit decreases for your company or organization.Second, you will be able to drastically increase the productivity of your employees by monitoring them. Increased productivity translates to increased profits for your company. It is estimated that about 75 minutes a day is used for non-business related activities on your company computers for every employee. This would equate into an annual loss of $6,250 per employee in revenue, given that your employees are paid the US average wage of $20 per hour. Just imagine if your employees’ salaries are higher!And third, you will be able to eliminate leaking of confidential material amongst your employees if you monitor them properly. The most important asset that you company has is the information that you withhold. This could be your trade secrets, the source codes and programming, your company records, customer information and contacts, your company strategies, latest product development, etc. All of this information is readily available to your employees and if you do not monitor them closely, they could land to the wrong hands.