TABLE OF CONTENTS "Network administration" is a catch-all term that refers to the procedures and technologies that are used to monitor and control a network. This term covers a variety of tasks, including installing and configuring new devices or users, configuring and monitoring network activity, detecting and repairing network congestion or failures, and managing the financial aspects of the network. Theses tasks can be performed manually using trained staff and procedures to perform them, or these tasks can be performed with the assistance of a variety of automated systems. Having a clearly defined network management strategy is essential for any viable video transport network.
Network management can range from complex to simple. In some cases (particularly for larger systems), network management is performed by a dedicated team of technicians supported by specialized hardware and software systems. In other cases (more commonly in smaller systems), network management tasks are performed on an ad-hoc basis by people with a variety of job titles. Also, different types of systems monitor different aspects of a network; some focus on hardware, some on the IP layer, and some on the applications software. No matter what, end users of the video network need to know what to do (or who to call) in the event of a network problem.
In this chapter, we will start by discussing the major network administration functions that need to be accomplished, whether they are done manually or are supported by an automatic network management system. We will then discuss several technologies that...
