Effective network backbone management includes controlling configurations, adjusting baseline (threshold) setting to define normal operation, and monitoring status. The system should also automatically identify and report inactive backbone nodes and lost physical network connections, as well as log packet statistics.

Management of the system should include controlling configurations, adjusting baseline (threshold) settings to define normal operation, and monitoring status. The system should allow automatic identification and reporting of inactive PCs, lost physical network connections, and logging of packet statistics.

• Management and Security: As the keystone of an organization’s network strategy, the network management strategy should strive to be highly proactive. Frequent monitoring of availability and performance of all monitored network components will help to anticipate problems and to resolve them quickly and efficiently. AIG’s professional network team develops networks with the following three key features:

  • Network management from a central point. This does not mean centralization of all network management processes. Processes may be distributed to any point on the network. But the well managed network is able to control all processes from a centralized location.

  • Common network management platform. The common platform allows centralized network management by using a variety of third-party products that provide a set of functions to collect and display information about devices connected to the network. These functions can be used to directly manage the network, or be used indirectly through network management applications that run on top of the management platform.

  • Standard-SNMP. All managed network resources should be able to communicate with the network management system via SNMP, the de facto network management standard. Those resources which require monitoring, but are not SNMP-compatible, must be dealt with on an individual basis.

• Proactive Network Monitoring: In order to minimize network outages, the successfully managed network must be monitored to gather traffic trends. By pinpointing areas where traffic levels are growing dangerously high, corrective actions can be taken before network performance degrades noticeably. The output of this monitoring is a series of graphs that show the percentage of available network bandwidth in use over time. The graphs are then compared against recommended network bandwidth limits-- 35% for Ethernet, 65% for serial lines. Appropriate action is taken to rectify situations where network segments are approaching their recommended limit.

• Short Response Time: Uninterrupted access to the information essential to business processes is the goal of the effectively managed network. Any plan designed to minimize degradation of network connectivity must include provisions for rapid response to any level of network emergency.

• Notification of Network Outages: Network managers have the responsibility to notify appropriate sites when a network resource fails, when they can expect the resource to be available again, and when it has been restored to operational status. To accomplish this, a database should be maintained with contact information for each network resource. Notification of planned outages should be made by e-mail to interested or affected parties.