Implementing Extranets: The Internet as a Virtual Private Network
How to lay the groundwork for extranet applications.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Implementing Extranets: The Internet as a Virtual Private Network
Chapter 8: Managing Extranets
Chapter Objectives
This chapter examines the challenges of managing extranets and discuss the solutions that extranet implementers are using today to overcome the challenges of managing their extranets. In particular, this chapter discusses:
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A definition of the words "extranet management" and a comparison of the meaning of the words "extranet management" to the meaning of the words "extranet administration."
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Staffing ratios and requirements for extranet management.
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The need for an extranet inventory and an extranet database to store the results of the extranet inventory.
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Challenges and solutions to the problems of remote software upgrades and remote system management.
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Resolution of domain names into TCP/IP addresses to accomplish load balancing and redundancy.
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Use of tools to accomplish extranet management. This discussion examines the functionality needed by extranet managers rather than the details of any particular tool. Thus, the discussion focuses on ping, trace route, whois, etc.
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Continuous monitoring of extranets including use and parsing of log files, triggers, alarms, and trouble tickets.
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Fault tolerant and disaster recovery scenarios and solutions including backup and restore capabilities.
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Extranet management sizing.
After reading this chapter, you should have a good understanding of the functionalities and capabilities needed to successfully manage extranets. In addition, you should be better able to develop management solutions and to evaluate management tools for use with your extranet and in your environment.
According to figures presented at the Windows NT/Internet conference in San Francisco in the summer of 1997, Fortune 1000 firms lose on average $70,000 per hour when their...
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