Managing a sprawling network is a demanding challenge. Each new node increases the existing network’s complexity by introducing a plethora of new devices, capabilities, pieces of status needing tracked, and areas where errors might appear. Such challenges require effective tools, and it is in this role that a Network Management System (NMS) excels. Here are just a few ways in which an NMS can help manage your networks more effectively.
In general terms, a network management system is a convenient interface between human operators and complex networks. An NMS collects and collates information from networked nodes, possibly spread over large areas, and makes that information available in one central location. This is done through a variety of methods and protocols, the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) being the most common.
Networks are more than a group of scattered, connected points. Each node on the network is in essence comprised of an even smaller network composed of the device’s peripherals and internal hardware. A workstation, for instance, might be thought of as a self-contained network of internal components–CPU, video card, network interface, etc. While not directly responsible for all of these, an NMS’ key feature is the ability to gather status and receive critical alerts concerning major hardware failures. An NMS, for instance, can instantly alert an operator to an overheating CPU on a distant node or, in some instances, may be able to take preemptive action to mitigate the issue.
NMSs also allow a high degree of control over various device properties. SNMP defines a Management Information Base (MIB), a dictionary of sorts that links a set of fixed numeric values to device properties. With this level of freedom, skilled network administrators can respond to problems more quickly and precisely than would otherwise be possible if physical access was required for each fix.
Network management systems also have a holistic view of the network. This top-down perspective allows an NMS to quickly produce reports on any number of network metrics instantly and more accurately than would otherwise be possible with non-centralized reports scattered across separate network hubs.
Some network problems exist not within a single node, but in how they interact. Routing issues, for instance, may not spring from a single node but rather from misconfigurations in several. A top-down view of the network as a whole might spot the problem, but may not be capable of zeroing in on the cause. A bottom-up view may in time spot the configuration discrepancy while missing major clues to the problem. Due to the multiple perspectives of a network management system, it can not only spot the issue immediately but also identify the nodes at fault and, quite possibly, reconfigure them in real-time to eliminate the problem, all coordinated from a central location.
As networks grow in complexity, so must the tools and perspectives with which we manipulate and view them. Network management systems allow for an unprecedented level of control and adaptability that is both essential for present issues and compatible with future expansion.