Network Management

An effective and efficient network over a long period must have a good network
management plan.

This plan must have 2 goals:
1. The plan should prevent problems where possible.
2. The plan should prepare for problems that will most likely occur.

A comprehensive plan needs to include the following duties:
1. Monitor and control hard disk space.
2. Monitor network workload and performance.
3. Add to and maintain user login information and workstation information.
4. Monitor and reset network devices.
5. Perform regular maintenance on software and data files stored in the servers.
6. Make regular backups of data and programs stored in the servers.
Managing hard disk space

The server’s hard disk is one of the network’s primary commodities.( to stored
programs, print job, personal data and files, etc)

If the hard disk space fills up, print jobs can’t be printed and users can’t save their
data files. Data files may also be corrupted since data manipulation can’t be
accomplished.

Disk space must be checked every day and must be available at all time for legitimate
users of the network.

Growth of user’s files should be controlled to ensure that a single user doesn’t
monopolize the hard disk.

Unwanted files must be deleted.

When heavy disk fragmentation occurs, all files could be backed up and the disk
reformatted.

This will allow defragmentation of files on the hard disk and provide for more
efficient access to data on the server’s hard disk.

Some networks allow the use of software to repack files on the hard disk and
eliminate file fragmentation.
Monitoring server performance

The server must be monitored to ensure that they are performing at their peak.

Several factors determine the response of a server.

One of these factors is the number of users that are attached to the system.

Working with more users will slow the server response time.

If a specific application has a large number of users, the server that contains the
application could be dedicated to serve only such program. Other servers could be
used to distribute the load of other programs on the system.

Additionally, the server’s main memory (RAM) should be monitored to make sure
that it is used efficiently.

Many servers use RAM as disk buffers. These buffers cannot function if there isn’t
sufficient memory to run the NOS and the buffers.

If a server has to reduce the number of buffers required for I/O, the overall
performance of the network will suffer.

Most networks provide tools that show statistical data about the use of the network
and outline potential problems.

An experienced network administrator uses these statistics to ensure that the network
operates at its peak level at all times.
Maintaining user and workstation information

Network users have network ID numbers that can be used to monitor security and the
growth of the network.

A network manager must keep a log of information about the network users such as
login ID, node address, network address, and some personal information such as
phone, name and address.

Also, network cabling, workstation type, configuration, and purpose of use should be
kept in records.

This information can be stored in a database.

It can be used to detect problems with data delivery, make changes to user’s profiles,
workstation profiles, and account, and support other tasks.
Monitoring and resetting network devices

Some devices need to be reset daily, while other devices require periodic
maintenance.

Some types of e-mail routers may need to be monitored hourly to make sure they are
working properly.

In any case, all devices should be monitored periodically, and a schedule of reset and
maintenance should be created to ensure that all network devices work when a user
requests them.
Maintaining software

Software applications, especially database applications, needs regular maintenance
to rebuild files and reclaim space left empty by deleted record.

Space not used must be made available to the system, and in many cases index files
will have to be rebuilt.

Additionally, as new software upgrades become available, they need to be placed in
the network.

After an upgrade is placed in the network, file cleanup may have to be done.

Any, incompatibilities between new software and the network will need to be
resolved.

Old e-mail messages will have to be deleted and the space they occupy made
available to the system.

The same type of procedure will have to be performed as users are added to or
deleted from the network.
Making regular backups

Backup of user information and data must be made on a periodic basis.

If a server’s hard disk fails, a major problem could occur if backups are inadequate.

Backups of server information are normally placed on tapes or cartridges.

Tapes and cartridges offer an inexpensive solution to backup needs and can hold large
amount of information.

Their capacity ranges from 20 megabytes to as much as 8 gigabytes or more.

Writing information from server’s hard disk to a tape or cartridge is a slow process.

Network managers should have automated backup procedures and tape system that
offers at least 3 megabytes of transfer per minute.