Unit 5: Managing Networks { P4 M2 D1 }

P4 Explain the functions of network management


Network management functions:
Configuration
Configuration is an important part of setting up a network because it ensures that networks performs
as necessary and to improve the systems to achieve its possibility. To configure a network, software
and hardware implementations are needed. For software, the user accounts are configured to access
resources such as printers and shared files. For hardware, network devices such as routers, switches,
cabling and clients are needed to configure to work and communicate. The network configuration
needs to be large network as the demands on the network change frequently and configuring users
are needed so that user can access the data they need to improve the security.

Fault management
Fault Management has different tools and techniques to keep the network running to minimise the
chance of the network to fail. It is a system that used networks from a degree to another to change
the specific needs of network. Fault management allows user to keep correct log of error by allowing
user to check for errors that reoccurs. To prevent and recover fault, the systems monitors network
performance to alert administrators when there is problem that need to solve. It minimises the
possibility of network to fail.


Account management
Account management is a network that is used to set up accounts for users, manage old and new
accounts and assign rights for the account users. It is a tool to help administrators or managers to set
up accounts and make changes to accounts easily and simple. However, it includes standard format
details of the network accounts such as forename, surname and date employee joined to prevent
multiple users from having the same name username. Account management will protect the
passwords of the account for security by asking users to enter a minimum length password that
contains number, capital letter and symbols.


Performance variables

 Network throughput
Network throughput is a tool that measures the speed of data passing through the network
and the amount of data the transfer over the network by ensuring that data limits are not
exceeded. Example of network throughput tools are Bwping and Iperft. These tools measure
the response time and bandwidth between hosts. It can also measure the improvement of
the device transmission of data.

 User response times
The user response time is a tool that measures the amount of time and how quickly the
network take to respond to a request. For example, if large quantity of users requests to log
in at the same time, it will take longer time to response because the network is slower as it is
completing multiple requests at the same time.

,  Line utilisation
Line utilisation is a tool that measures how much data is added into the network cabling. The
quantity of data on the line must not exceed capability of the line. To end the line exceeding,
the capacity of the line must be logged to see the amount utilized. If the capacity exceeded,
anticipate the improvement of conditions and reduce pressure on the cable. For example,
user can increase the cabling of switch or another device.


Other activities

There are three network activities that are taken when setting up a network:

 Planning
Planning stage is where the organisation plan to set up networks by understanding what
network needs so that user know what component are needed. Planning allows user to be
prepared such as user knows what tools will be needed, what is it used for, how many work
workstation, what data speed that they want, wireless or cable and the cost. It also allows
users to plan well and have everything in a list and prepared for the next step.

 Designing
The next step after the planning stage is the designing stage. In the designing stage, the
locations and layout of the components are included in the network. User must plan where
the cable will be placed as well as the hardware such as main servers, power points, printers.
The plan should show where the hardware should be placed so that it can be designed easily.
The plan should also show the configurations and software and which servers are they
places. By planning, it will be cheaper and easier to design the installation of the network. It
also saves a lot of time because the planning is done.

 Installing
The final stage of setting up network is installing. Once the planning and designing stage is
done, user just has to install the network according to the designed plan. Installing is when
setting up network that becomes operational by building and putting the wire together and
plugging it. The installing must be done step by step, the first step of the installation would
be gathering the cable for the system and then the main power sockets should be plugged in
well. The cabling setup will need trunking where it holds rj45 and cable network ports. By
planning and designing well, the installation risk of budget increasing is minimal and saves
time.