Network Monitoring Definition and Solutions
Network monitoring is far more strategic than its name implies. It involves watching for problems 24/7, but it's also about optimizing data flow and access in a complex and changing environment. Tools and services are as numerous and varied as the environments they guard and analyze.
- What is network monitoring?
- How important is network monitoring?
- What can network monitoring systems monitor?
- What kind of networks can they monitor?
- What strategic tasks can network monitoring systems do?
- What questions can network monitoring answer?
- What can network monitoring do for me?
- What tools will I find in network monitoring systems?
- What kinds of network monitoring systems are available?
- What do they cost?
What kind of networks can they monitor?
By the same token, large networks often are networks of disparate networks. Segments can differ by vendor, generation, mission and other factors. Here, too, monitoring tools can make sense of the complexity.
Some common network types are:
• Wireless or wired
• A corporate local-area network (LAN)
• A virtual private network (VPN)
• A service provider's wide-area network (WAN)
If all those variables weren't enough, business markets are always demanding new site functions for internal and external use. Performance-sensitive functions (otherwise known as bandwidth hogs) include voice over IP (VoIP), Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) and video on demand (VOD). Monitoring enables managers to allocate resources to maintain system integrity.
Get the latest on network infrastructure tools and technologies.
