What Is Network Management?

For large networks, network management is the top level of administration and maintenance. Most of the time network management is found in the areas of computers and telecommunications, but it can also include terminal equipment. Those who work in network management will often execute and work with functions related to security, monitoring, control, allocation, deployment, coordination and planning. There are large number of protocols for network management to help support it.

An important area of network management is that of routing. This is the profess in which the paths in a computer network are selected for use to send data between computers. When it comes to this area of network management packets of information are passed from a source computer to their destination computer through a variety of nodes known as routers in a process that is known as forwarding. A routing table is normally maintained to help keep a record of the most efficient routes available.

Another key aspect of network management is that of security management. A network is protecting from unauthorized access because of security management. The field of security management also has many sub-functions such as authorizing subscriber access, control the distribution of cryptographic material and both the reporting and distribution of security related alerts or events.

Both the security and quality areas of network management are involved in configuration management. This is the people who manage the security features of a network by monitoring and controlling all changes that occur to the software, hardware, firmware, documentation and test features within a network system. Configuration management is responsible for keeping a system under control as it continues to grow, making sure that as the system evolves it is able to maintain a good level of quality and security.

The area of software configuration management can be divided into two primary areas. The first of these is those who focus on the storage of entities from a software development project. Some companies will refer to this group as the component repository management. The second primary area is the one that deals with production and change to the entities and most companies refer to it as engineering support.

Accounting management is the final key component of network management. These are the individuals who control and report the financial status of the companies computer network. In order to report for any managerial decisions they use a combination of analysis, planning and control of financial date reporting programs. Those who work in this area of network management will do bank account maintenance, financial statement development and an analysis of the companies cash flow and financial health.

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