According to the network management model of the international organization for standardization, there are five functional areas of concern these comprise of configuration management, performance management, fault management, security management and account management. Information and technology experts are usually faced with the daunting task of managing the single components of a network within the larger framework of managing the entire network of an organization. This brings into relevance the term network management system.
A network management system comprises of both the physical and non-physical components that enable IT experts to integrate individual components and the entire network system within the organization. The physical components of the network are referred to as the computer hardware. These are the visible and tangible parts of the computer. On the other hand, the non-physical components of the network are referred to as computer software. These are basically computer programs that are used to perform a variety of tasks. Computer software is thus both invisible and intangible.
Information is an integral part of day to day activities of individual persons, firms and organizations. It determines what actions are undertaken by these parties. Network management systems coordinate the flow of information between the communicating participants. The use of emails, paging, texting, video chatting, social networking among other forms of configured communication often occurs via a network. There is usually a server that allows the messages whether coded or non-coded to be transmitted from the sender to the recipient. The recipient is then able to respond via the same server. This is enabled by the existence of a properly managed network management system without which there would be communication breakdown.
Organizations also often have network administrators who monitor and control the flow of information by making sure that information reaches the intended recipients in a timely and reliable manner. Network management systems allow the analysis of network performance. Having set up the appropriate networks, it is important for organizations to check the efficiency and effectiveness of such networks. Performance management is a process that entails monitoring and measurement of several issues relating to performance. The main objective of this is to ensure that overall performance can be kept at a level that is acceptable.
The diagram below represents an ideal network management system of Cisco Systems.
A
B C
D E F G
I H
A: Common Information Model/eXtensible Markup Language (CIM/XML)
B: SNMP traps and polling
C: Web integration syslog
D: SNMP, traps and polling
E: ODRs, voice inventory, configuration
F: Syslog, configuration, control, hardware, software, inventory
G: Syslog
H: Trouble shooting data
I: Performance data
Courtesy of: Cisco Database (11th July, 2007).
The diagrammatical representation illustrated above represents the least solution that can be used in running a network of data for Cisco Systems. The condition of the network devices’ function is displayed by colors that are not similar on the graphical items. Network management platforms receive notifications, often referred to as SNMP traps from network devices. When they receive the SNMP trap notifications, the graphical item symbolizing the network device alters to another color. This is dependent on the urgency of the SNMP trap received. It is therefore essential that the existing Cisco Management Information Base be integrated on the basis of the SNMP platform.
It is evident that Network Management Systems assist in performing a number of important tasks. These include tracking of network devices and or gadgets. This is achieved by installing discoverable trackers within these electronic devices. The development of devices such as GPRS trackers has significantly aided in locating stolen property such as vehicles. This has in turn increased the safety of property against theft. SUN Solstice, HP OpenView and Computer Associates Unicenter are examples of network management platforms that are able to conduct network device discovery. This is because these network devices are usually able to attract signals. Every network device is symbolized by the use of a sketched item on the console of the management platform.
References
Schiesser, R., & Harris Kern's Enterprise Computing Institute (2002). IT Systems management. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Serpanos, D. N., & Wolf, T. (2011). Architecture of network systems. Burlington, MA: Morgan Kaufmann.
