If your company uses multiple computers or relies heavily on technology, you will certainly benefit from effective network management. Properly managing your network is crucial to ensure seamless communication between devices, optimal performance, and strong security. With the right strategies in place and expert support, such as Meraki consulting service, you can minimize downtime, prevent potential issues, and keep your operations running smoothly. Here is how to do it.
List Out All Your Devices
For proper management, you would need to be aware of all the access points and connected devices. What most effective management systems do is have a map for all these devices, including creating status icons for them that can change the second a device fails. All IT personnel must have access to this map, especially at the help desk.
You could also go the extra mile and make it available in different locations. There should also be an understanding of the devices that correlate or depend on each other, for example, when a crucial device like the router fails, what other components can be affected.
Finally, make sure some dependencies notify you which regions are not currently functional to ensure they are rectified as soon as possible.
Standards of Network Information
Whenever something is down on a network, an alert would be useful to tell you that something is wrong. However, it would even be better if the alerts were accompanied by additional information to specify the source of the problem. This can be done using Windows Management Instrumentation or Simple Network Management Protocols. Doing so will ensure you accurately identify the problem and fix it promptly.
Be Well-Versed With Compliance Standards
It is critical to be aware of the compliance standards required by your network right before you jump into installing network management tools. Among the well-known standards include HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley, and PCI. As your network evolves, so do the compliance requirements, too. Familiarizing yourself with them can help ensure that your network management practices not only meet legal and regulatory obligations but also enhance overall security and efficiency.
Put Together an Inventory of the Most Important Systems
If you are wondering how you can put together the inventory, it can be as simple as moving around and listing what you have or getting software that is capable of scanning your network. However, if you want to conduct the process manually, you should begin at the core switch and write down what is connected. This might include firewalls, distribution switches, routers, servers, and any other device that keeps the network and users functional.
Monitoring Network Perimeter
Given the web traffic that is coming in and going out of the network, it is critical to pay attention to the network perimeter. You would need to keep an eye on the traffic flows and implement an IDS (Intrusion Detection System), which will allow you to monitor what goes on in your network. This will ensure you don’t rely solely on internet filters and firewalls that don’t guarantee total safety, as most people believe.
An Effective Change Control Process
Once you have documented the critical systems on your network, you need to establish a way to track any changes made to the system. A change control process maintains a comprehensive log that details each modification, including the individual responsible for implementing it. Keep in mind that change control processes should be tailored to the specific network environment in place since a one-size-fits-all approach may lead to inefficiencies or oversights.
Takeaway
As you explore various network management systems, it’s vital to keep these foundational strategies in mind. By implementing practices such as device inventory, compliance awareness, effective monitoring, and a tailored change control process, you can significantly enhance the performance, security, and reliability of your network. Start by integrating these elements into your network management approach, and you will certainly see a difference in the results. Good luck!
