Business Data Communications,

Fourth Edition
Chapter 11: Network
Management
 Learning Objectives
• Describe the five levels of network
management described by the ISO
• List and explain the objectives of network
management
• Define the characteristics of the network
that affect user satisfaction
• Describe cost-effective network
management techniques

Chapter 11: Network Management 2

 Learning Objectives
• Describe how network management
objectives are met
• Identify the effect that wireless networks
and e-commerce have on network
management
• List and explain the types of network
monitoring software
• Describe the standards used for network
management

Chapter 11: Network Management 3

 Introduction
• Network managers have a complex role in the
organization
• Must manage voice and data networks, as well
as e-commerce
• Many tasks must be performed to manage the
networks
• Manager is more visible to the users/customers
• Well-defined objectives will provide good
customer service

Chapter 11: Network Management 4

 Network Management and the ISO
Model
• ISO/IEC 7498-4 defines five areas for
network management
– Performance Management
• Bandwidth
• Processor & memory availability
• Network devices
– Fault Management
• Detects and responds to abnormal conditions
• Software defines normal operations of network

Chapter 11: Network Management 5

 Network Management and the ISO
Model
• ISO/IEC 7498-4
– Configuration Management
• Hardware and software make-up of network
– Accounting Management
• Charges by IT to other departments for network
use
– Security Management
• Authorized use of the network
• IDs, passwords, firewalls, antivirus software, data
encryption, formal security procedures

Chapter 11: Network Management 6

 Objectives of Network
Management
• User Satisfaction
– Methods used vary by application
– Performance
• Response time
• Should be consistent for each application
• Communications time
– Time on the communication line
– Processing time between client and server
• Response time affected by many events

Chapter 11: Network Management 7

 Objectives of Network
Management
• User Satisfaction
– Availability
• All components available for use when needed
• Maintenance schedule should be publicized
• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
• Mean Time to Repair (MTTR)
– Reliability
• Errors expected
• Stability of hardware and software

Chapter 11: Network Management 8

 Objectives of Network
Management
• User Satisfaction
– Backup
• Software and hardware
• Disk mirroring – two drives, one controller
• Disk duplexing – two drives, two controllers
• Hardware backup depends on the device

Chapter 11: Network Management 9

Chapter 11: Network Management 10
Chapter 11: Network Management 11
 Objectives of Network
Management
• User Satisfaction
– Network Uptime
• Patch around the problem
• Replacement
– Modems, PCs, NOT mainframes, FEPs
• Repair
– Depends on the component
– May take a few hours to a few days

Chapter 11: Network Management 12

 Objectives of Network
Management
• User Satisfaction
– Information Availability
• Critical to keep users updated on events
• Scheduled downtimes
• Alternative work schedules
• Help desk

Chapter 11: Network Management 13

 Objectives of Network
Management
• Cost-Effectiveness
– Prior Planning
• Key to the success of a network project
• Volume and type of data must be considered
• Plan for expansion of the network
• Buying equipment
– Buy only for current needs
– Buy for current and future needs

Chapter 11: Network Management 14

 Objectives of Network
Management
• Cost-Effectiveness
– Modular Expansion
• Plan for upgrades
to equipment
• Hubs

Chapter 11: Network Management 15

 Objectives of Network Management
• Cost-Effectiveness
– Equipment Expansion
• Buy new equipment for each expansion
– Relocation of Equipment
• Reuse clients and servers in other locations

Chapter 11: Network Management 16

 Meeting the Objectives
• Staffing
– Skills required
• Design and configuration
• Diagnosis (Troubleshooting)
• Documentation

Chapter 11: Network Management 17

 Meeting the Objectives
• Network Analysis
– Network Statistics
• Performance monitor can gather statistics
• Simulation models
• Workload generator
• Log files
• Transaction mix should be checked
• Circuit utilization can affect performance

Chapter 11: Network Management 18

 Meeting the Objectives
• Network Analysis
– Network Changes
• Tuning
– Changes to the network based on the statistics
gathered
• Can change transmission speeds, buffer
sizes
• Change network configuration

Chapter 11: Network Management 19

 Network Management for Wireless
Networks and e-Commerce
• Wireless Networks
– Managers must know the technology
– Videoconferencing, data archiving, data
mirroring
– Connecting PDAs and laptop computers to
the LAN
– Bandwidth, security, design issues

Chapter 11: Network Management 20

 Network Management for Wireless
Networks and e-Commerce
• Network Traffic Volume
– High volume caused by e-commerce
– Corporate portal is now important to business
– May slow system response
– Bandwidth may need to be increased
– Must monitor network closely

Chapter 11: Network Management 21

 Network Management for Wireless
Networks and e-Commerce

• Internet Network Monitoring Tools

– Transaction Monitoring
• End-to-end response time
• Dummy transaction created
– Network Performance Monitoring
• Service level agreements with ISP
– Live-visitor site monitoring
– Human-response monitoring

Chapter 11: Network Management 22

 General Network Monitoring
Tools
• Classes of Network Monitoring Software
– Device management software
• Monitors specific devices
– Enterprise management software
• Monitors entire system
– Application management software
• Monitors specific applications

Chapter 11: Network Management 23

 General Network Monitoring
Tools
• Network Management Protocols
– Simple Network Management Protocol
(SNMP)
• Collects and reports data on network performance
• Data stored in management information base
(MIB)
• Security is a problem
• Remote monitoring (RMON) extension
– Stores data at a remote site, rather than a central server

Chapter 11: Network Management 24

 General Network Monitoring
Tools
• Network Management Protocols
– Common Management Interface Protocol
(CMIP)
• ISO standard
• Newer than SNMP
• More complete monitoring information
• Better security
• Major changes needed to an SNMP system to
implement CMIP, so it has not been done

Chapter 11: Network Management 25

 Summary
• Network managers responsible for both
voice and data networks, as well as e-
commerce
• ISO defines five levels of network
management
• User satisfaction is viewed in terms of
response time, equipment availability,
network reliability, and information
• Cost-effectiveness is accomplished
through prior planning
Chapter 11: Network Management 26
 Summary
• Staffing and network analysis can be used to
achieve the network managers goals
• Network tuning is used to improve performance
• Network performance for wireless and e-
commerce applications is now needed
• Network monitoring tools allow the manager to
keep track of how the network is performing
• SNMP was originally used, CMIP is newer

Chapter 11: Network Management 27

Chapter 11 Complete