Network Device Management Software

What are the functions of network device management?

Networks require multiple kinds of devices to properly function: routers, switches, servers, cables, hubs, phones, power supplies, and more. Configuring all networked devices can be time consuming and error prone when performed manually, which is why many IT departments use network device management software to automate and standardize the process.

Network device management solutions can provide IT professionals with tools to help monitor, maintain, and control network devices and components, focusing on a few key areas:

• Configuration management: This refers to managing the administrative elements of networked equipment, such as ensuring equipment software versions are up to date. This also entails establishing, tracking, and managing network connections, program information, and updates for networked workstations. Network device configuration management plays a foundational role in ensuring performance issues can be identified and resolved before they impact end users.
• Fault management: This refers to the technological processes that monitor for potential malfunctions and alert network administrators should an issue warranting investigation be detected. Proactively isolating and addressing potential problems is key for minimizing downtime. Proper monitoring can help optimize efficiency and maximize the lifespan of both active and passive networked devices.
• Performance management: Performance monitoring is another central facet of network device management. Tracking the performance of key components helps build typical performance baselines that allow for the rapid detection of anomalous behavior, response times indicative of potential resource utilization problems, and other network throughput issues.
• Security management: Network device management software grants visibility into whether ports are open or if firmware needs to be updated. Bottlenecks, sudden spikes in network traffic, and suspicious activity can all be signs of security issues and should be investigated. Mapping alternative paths between devices for redundancy builds in an extra layer of security and network stability, which helps prevent specific individual malfunctions or connectivity issues from significantly impacting the network at large.
• Log and report management: Network device management tools can also streamline the process of collecting and organizing data logs. If there’s a malfunction or error, admins can consult the logs for a better idea of the root cause of the issue.

Proper network device configuration management can help enable reliable communication between workstations, increase security, and ensure your ability to provide technical services, troubleshooting, or upgrades to end users and devices, as needed.

What is network device configuration management?

Network device management is a subset of the larger umbrella of network configuration management. This includes all processes related to the lifecycle of networked devices, from discovery and maintenance to configuration backups and compliance checks. Network device management also helps admins and IT professionals monitor end-user activity more efficiently, providing visibility into potential issues and enabling them to take steps to resolve problems before they impact the business.

A network device manager can also help streamline the initial configuration stage for new devices, automatically working to optimize network flow and control, while organizing how your device and component data is organized and collected. Software with automated capabilities helps ensure business consistency by deploying standardized configurations to new devices as they’re added to the network and by helping ensure firmware and software are patched and up to date. Network device management helps optimize and prolong the component lifecycle, from discovery to ongoing monitoring and maintenance.

Why is network device management software important for my network?

Managing hundreds or thousands of individual network components is no easy task. Without the right tools, it can be prone to error and an inefficient use of valuable people hours. Many network monitoring tools include some device management functions, but implementing too many different monitoring programs quickly becomes expensive, making the cost to benefit ratio unsustainable. Having the right tool can centralize your network monitoring needs into a single manageable dashboard that allows you to deploy configuration changes and monitor performance more efficiently for a variety of device types.

Network device management software can help. Many of these applications include automated backup capabilities, allowing you to safely return to previously approved and road-tested device configurations if an update or change causes unexpected issues. This is also useful in disaster recovery situations, when reestablishing network service is paramount. Generating reports to demonstrate compliance with service level agreements and other business or department criteria is also made simpler and faster, allowing you to focus on business-critical tasks.

What is the purpose of network device management?

Network device management can help IT departments in several ways. First, by automating routine and necessary tasks with a low value-add to the company, management software tools free up team members to attend to pressing business issues that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. A robust and effective network device manager can help SysAdmins provide the necessary support and resources for managing complex networked systems, including features like smart alerts to notify key stakeholders when a potential network issue is detected. Proper network device management practices help properly allocate resources to support ongoing business goals and success by reducing your troubleshooting time significantly. This can help minimize downtime and prevent devastating financial losses for businesses and organizations.