Configuration Management Network-Management Components

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Chapter 9. Network Management

Network management is an afterthought in many networks. This is a pity because the network designer can do many things to facilitate network management. In most large organizations, the job of network manager is considered operations, while network design is done by a different implementation group. Frequently, these two groups report to different departments of the company. If a network can be managed easily, then it is inherently more reliable. Thus, manageability is a fundamental design goal for a good network. Before I launch into a discussion of design implications for manageability, I need to spend some time talking about what I mean by network management.

9.1 Network-Management Components

The OSI has published an official definition of network management that includes five different components: configuration management, fault management, performance management, security management, and accounting management. I usually think of performance management as being composed of two separate subcomponents. The first is a tactical performance management, and the second is the more strategic long-term capacity planning component.

9.1.1 Configuration Management

Configuration management actually includes two different but related activities. The first keeps track of physical hardware, serial numbers, locations, patching information, and so forth. The second part of configuration management is the process of modifying, backing up, and restoring the software configuration of network equipment. This aspect of configuration management often becomes the focus of the whole activity. Many hardware vendors for routers and switches have excellent software for building and modifying software configurations. This software usually includes the ability to do scheduled backups of running configurations. This ability is an extremely important feature. If you have a recent configuration backup, then replacing a failed router with a new one is a fast and easy operation. Without a backup, this replacement is time consuming and usually requires an experienced engineer to reconstruct the software configuration. However, remember the physical tracking side of configuration management, especially if you deal with the configurations of Layer 2 devices such as hubs and switches. If network managers have accurate information about physical locations, MAC addresses, and cabling for end devices such as user workstations, then they can easily handle hardware moves, adds, and changes. In most organizations, business requirements force network administration to respond quickly and efficiently to requests for end- user moves and service changes. However, the cabling and hardware records are usually out-of-date, so every small move requires a technician to visit the site and carefully document the equipment and cabling. This process is expensive and slow. Unfortunately, no software can solve this problem; it is primarily a procedural issue. Technicians making changes have to keep the records up-to-date, and the cabling and patch panels have to be periodically audited to ensure accuracy of the records. However, the network designer can do much to facilitate this process. If the patch panels are well designed and there is a clear correlation between physical floor location and cable numbers, then the technicians can at least get a running start at the job.

9.1.2 Fault Management