TABLE OF CONTENTS Bill Tomeo
Hewlett-Packard Co., Colorado Springs, Colorado
Networks are not self-sustaining. They require the devoted attention of a person or a group of people to implement, maintain, troubleshoot, and grow them. All of these tasks require tools and methodologies that are distinct yet interrelated. For example, the way in which a network is implemented can have a direct impact on both the number and type of problems that occur during network usage. Also, maintenance and troubleshooting problems experienced on a network help influence how a network should be grown, and what is required to accomplish controlled growth.
These issues are not new and unusual to the use of computing resources within organizations. In fact, network management has its roots in data center management. The use of computing power to conduct the day-to-day business of an organization began in the mainframe environment. As the computing power paradigm shifted from centralized processing to the combined power of computers connected by communication lines, the management intentions remained the same.
Network management encompasses a broad range of functions:
User and software administration: Configure and administer users and applications so that needed functionality is available and accessible to the correct subset of users.
User support: Provide consulting for users on computer and application use and issues.
Security: Monitor information access to ensure data integrity.
Fault management: Fix computer systems...
