Network Management
Network management is the collection of tasks performed to maximize availability, performance, security and
control of a network and its resources. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Network
Management Forum has divided network management into five functional areas:
1. Fault Management
2. Configuration Management
3. Performance Management
4. Accounting Management
5. Security Management
Each of these functional areas has its own set of requirements, and an effective network management
product should be able to perform in each area.
1. Fault Management
Fault management is the process of identifying and correcting network problems, otherwise known as faults.
Faults typically manifest themselves as transmission errors or failures in the equipment or interfaces. Faults
result in unexpected downtime, performance degradation and loss of data. Generally, fault conditions need to
be resolved as quickly as possible.
Comprehensive fault management is the most important task in network management. Fault management
tools can help increase the reliability of the network by quickly identifying the fault, and then help initiate the
recovery process. The first step is to identify the fault, isolate the cause of the fault, and then correct the fault.
In the simplest case, an alarm is detected, and a maintenance technician is dispatched to locate and resolve
the fault at the suspect location. Using more advanced tools, the network manager may be able to go many
steps further to isolate and correct a fault from the manager location, and then return the network to normal
operation without any users being aware of the failure.
The reporting of faults also falls under fault management. Universally recognized colors such as red, green,
and yellow can be used to indicate the status of a device - red for device in error, green for device with no
error, and yellow for device with a minor error or possible error. Graphical presentations of a network map
and front panels of the equipment are also used by the network manager to indicate status and operation of
devices in the network.
2. Configuration Management
Configuration management deals with the initialization, modification, and shutdown of a network. Networks
are continually changing as devices are added, removed, reconfigured, and updated. These changes may be
intentional, such as adding a new server to the network, or path related, such as a fiber cut between two
devices resulting in a rerouted path. If a network is to be turned off, then a graceful shutdown in a prescribed
sequence is performed as part of the configuration management process.
The process of configuration management involves identifying the network components and their
connections, collecting each device's configuration information, and defining the relationship between
network components. In order to perform these tasks, the network manager needs topological information
about the network, device configuration information, and control of the network components.
3. Performance Management
Performance management involves measuring the performance of a network in terms of utilization,
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