Evaluating Network Management Solutions - Essay Example

EVALUATION OF NETWORK MANAGEMENT SOLUTTIONS ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Network management solutions offer comprehensive care to networks not only configuration management but they provide many other services. These services include performance management, system accounting, security management etc (Claise and Wolter 2007). As the size of the network grows, the harder it becomes to manage and maintain thus the need for a network management solution. Remote login is among the oldest means of network management, using remote login to configure or monitor a network device. However, more sophisticated tools have been made available and currently network management is a requirement for anyone who would like to monitor and control networks. Typically network management software is based on a particular network management protocol. The capabilities provided with the software are basically based on the functionality support by the network management protocol. Most systems are not only using open protocols, but also vendor specific proprietary protocols. When selecting management software, the decision is driven by present status alerts and information to the operator, managed devices and network environment (Schwalbe 2005). Evaluation of the Network Management Solutions in relation to IT labs needs IT Lab plans has plans to radically expand and upgrade its existing network infrastructure by opening new branches. This brings out more requirements and tasks for the administrator in terms of; management, monitoring and configuration. Expansion to remote branches requires remote configuration, proactive management with backbone links to all remote sites. IT support is critical and availability of the network will be a factor for support to consider. The fact that there is existing infrastructure will affect the compatibility and setup configuration of the additional devices. For this reason IT lab needs a solution to cut across the typical installed operational platform. It has built up a system that is not integrated and the consideration that integration costs more time and resources than available is crucial. Siemon: MapITG2 The first option that IT lab has is using Sieomons NMS to manage their network. Evaluating the solution against their needs is the first task at hand. In comparison, Siemon is built for large networks with functionality to automate the critical and most important tasks of network management. Offering the unparalled ability to manage complex networks, Siemon’s solution fits many network administrators tasks as a general solution. Siemon provides a next generation intelligent infrastructure management solution. They have made an improvement on one of their earlier products codename ‘MapITG2’. Their solution can provide real-time tracking and reporting of the network-wide physical layer activity. This solution offers network management and protection whenever it is, effectively meaning that it supports data centers, off- campus networks, global branches and centralized mid density networks. The complete visibility and control of an organizations entire physical layer network from a central location is chief functionality of the MapITG2 solution provided by Siemon (SL) (2008, pp. I-iii) . Additionally, the smart panels and fiber enclosures feature comes with the support of a graphic LCD for diagnostics, patch cord tracing and technician guide automates the network troubleshooting. The panels are built for reliability with an extensive durability test and power to collect data. Offering 76% efficiency in cable pathway reduction with the use of smart patch panels and master distribution control panels provides some aesthetic to the physical wall mount cabling. The equipment required is mainly in the wall mount cabinet and supporting equipment in structured cabling. To implement this, the company is looking at a budget above average since the standard of the equipment are high. This solution conforms to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). MapITG2 solution for IT Lab provides a subset of the desired functionality, for example, remote configuration, automatic configuration, proactive management but fails in terms of cross-platform support. Hence it is not recommended to adopt this NMS. Fig.1 Siemon MapITG2 NMS illustration EM7 Meta-Appliance The strong point of this NMS is the ability to operate across multiple infrastructures. Offering end-to-end visibility of the IT infrastructure and boosting control of each network device is a strong point of this NMS. It further gives dynamic operation and control on the part of the network administrator and can provide auto discovery of devices. The software programs and applications it supports make it a universal NMS in a unique way as compared to the others. It therefore acts in the form of being tailored in way. EM7 Meta- Appliances is a network solution and it offers, integrated systems, network and application management. This solution spans the entire infrastructure and coordinates the network management tasks of devices and applications that are dissimilar into one interface. It offers fault, performance and service desk monitoring. The key feature is that it gives a true picture of the IT service delivery where a company needs a solution that can cut across the traditional on point solutions that build solutions that are not harmonized. It solves the integration hurdle that needs a lot of more resources and budget than is available. In terms of cost, management and monitoring of the network infrastructure, an organization can get the benefits of a single-function IT appliance plus integrating multiple IT management components to deliver a solution that is comprehensive. The EM7 Meta-Appliances provides a solution that is within budget since the single platform optimizes and reduces the need for more applications and devices to provide the supervisory and control functions. EM7 has a few functional points that enhance network management using it as the main tool. First, the application management offers real-time monitoring for performance and availability of the network. It keeps track of the infrastructure components and works with the service level agreement check. SLA tools track and display uptime of the network, servers and applications for reference with the agreed quality of service. Last but not least, EM7 provides a high-level and detailed reporting to key issues of all operating systems, it further simplifies asset and configuration management by keeping track of changes and the time of existence. The NMS largely supports the requirements of IT Lab and is the preferred NMS. Its justification is discussed in later sections of this report. It conforms to the International standardization organization and has benchmarked quality innovations. ManageEngine ManageEngine fits for small networks with few function points. It takes on the overseeing role and a network manager can see through their network with minimal effort. It does not scale well in a network with extra functionality and a lot of management tasks. Additionally, the support it provides for multiple infrastructure is minimal and tailor made solutions are not available. Designed for Small and Medium networks, it does not scale well as compared to other solutions provided. It also provides proactive monitoring to avoid fault and for the network it can helpfully prevent potential downtime. ManageEngine has a network solution management that has been designed with the intent of simplifying the tasks in network administration. The trend of increasing cost and complexity and the need for IT managers to prioritize their network management needs has called for a solution that offers; proactive monitoring, network visualization, automated response and flexible reporting (ZC) (2005, p. ii). It provides the solution of locating the positions of network devices and does this by auto-discovery, absolutely no manual effort from the IT manger besides the supervisory role. ManageEngine approaches the idea of network management from the monitoring perspective. If capture that for you to manage the network you must monitor it and as such, offers comprehensive monitoring software tools, for example, ManageEngine OpManager. The tool is designed to save from network outages and saves the IT budget considerably. ManageEngine fits into the company’s requirements of monitoring and management from a single task perspective and provides only monitoring solutions. It does not include remote configuration, cross-platform integration, device connectivity trouble shooting etc. which are desirable feature of an NMS. However, the comparative costs of rolling out the technology are not large since it does not have a sophisticated interface of accompanying application. By definition, any IT manager can use the tool on the go and does not have to re-educate him/herself on any of the operational functions to ManageEngine. ManageEngine does offer a strong monitoring solution and alternative to other NMS. It conforms to minimal network infrastructure requirements and budget constraints. It does not provide regional links, virtualization and the need to provide real time network analysis. As an interim measure IT Lab can consider this before expanding. Additionally, ManageEngine is not a standardized NMS and therefore cannot be used universally. HP OpenView Network Node Manager Probably the most high-end solution that is proposed to IT Lab. HP OpenView has a robust management platform and covers major network management tasks by far. It provides high priced solutions and is best adopted by corporate bodies with the funding to support it. In terms of functionality, it provides a unique set of tools and gives the network manager and easy time in support. This NMS is built on the idea that in this day and age successful network management requires a bit more than the knowledge of the devices available and basic monitoring of their performance (HP) (2003, p. I). It has considered that the network that provides a baseline of the organizations business process operations grows increasingly complex and dynamic while at the same time the available resources and budgets are reducing. This NMS aims at optimal and efficient use of the valuable resources and expertise to meet business goals with less effort and cost. It has rich capabilities that easily integrate new services, increased usage demands within your budget constraints and technologies. It achieves this by providing robust management of routed environments and large complex switched environments minimizing the need for more software and hardware devices. Hp OpenView NMS offers the solution to the critical challenge for network operator in dealing with massive information available related to network problems from several different sources. It offers accurate means to determine what is important to the present operators and what can be discarded. Further, this NMS automatically discovers and intelligently maps TCP/IP and heterogeneous switched fabric environments spanning small to very large enterprise networks. Hp OpenView advances beyond the reactive root-cause analysis and presents the state of operation of an organization’s key network technologies. Expanding the networks capability with the adoption of this technology is viable since it has implementation capability of new features such as IPv6, Cisco HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol) and OSPF (Open Shortest Path first). The high-quality software service addresses all the aspects of your software application life-cycle needs and aligns with the business goals provide more from the investment. As a future consideration, the NMS is a viable option considering the need to offer premier onsite deployment assistance and support focused on helping the organization maximize the return on their investment. This NMS is cost intensive and as such needs an organization with a stable budget or positive cash flow. Undeniably, implementing the solution in the networks has its gains; basically the standards that govern the product are international and act as a benchmark to other manufacturers. The software and hardware requirements for the implementation to the software are HP, windows systems, Sun and are based on management of a 2500-notde network with one Network Node Manger session collectively. Fig.2 HP OpenView NMS illustration GFI Network Server Monitor The GFI NMS is developed for server management functionality and its set of tools is directed towards server management. It is a monitoring tool to get device statistics and network performance. It monitors disk space, processes, services and web servers. This tool handles network management from the monitoring perspective and as compared to the others it requires skilled user operators. Maximizing availability of the network services is the core function of this NMS. It gives more function in terms of failure detection and sends email, pager or short messages. It varies from the other solutions by offering quick response and tracking of the network. This NMS predominantly plays the role of monitoring network activity. It can scan the network for failures or irregularities automatically. It provides the ability to identify issues and fix unexpected conditions before the users or managers report them to the IT support. In the larger picture it supports proactive network management and maintenance. The NMS monitor is built to maximize network availability by keeping track of all aspects of the organizations Linux and Windows servers, workstations and network devices (switches, etc). The NMS has alert system to prompt corrective action by, for example, restarting the service, rebooting a machine or running a script. The solution requires existing infrastructure to run since it actually tests the status of a service rather than deducing a service status from generated events. This is the only way to ensure server and network uptime. In addition, the NMS provides functionality to create a series of checks which monitor all the important services on your network. GFI Network Server monitor acts as a third party software and manages operating systems and network support applications. The presence of developed specialized checks which mimic administrator operations to verity services offered by the applications learning is a specialized check provided by the NMS. The projected indicative and comparative costs of implementing this technology are only on the software. With an existing network infrastructure, the business costs are cut by a large margin and this alternative is strategic as an interim solution to the current company situation. Network monitoring/management products are traditionally rather expensive but this option by contrast has been competitively priced for a medium sized organization. Fig.3 GFI Network Monitor NMS illustration GFI Network monitor software by evaluation is not a comprehensive Network Management system. It only offers monitoring and performance checking but does not compliment connectivity of the remote sites. For these reasons, it is not a recommended option. SNMPc7 It is an enterprise level NMS and provides the polling feature that allows us to verify the reachability and availability of critical network components resulting in increased network availability/uptime. The administrator can monitor, visualize and pro-actively manage their network with this secure distributed NMS. It further provides unparalleled ease of use and version revision for both small and large networks. SNMPc7 is a handy tool for managing medium to large sized networks and employs multiple components running of different workstations. It uses a distributed database technology to avail high performance regardless of the size or configuration of the network. Prominent features of this NMS are; security, scalability, accessibility, multi-vendor, integrated, customizable and pro-active. It provides security solution by authentication and encryption by tailoring views and capabilities to each management user. It also offers the use of distributed polling and server components for workgroup, management service provider configurations or workgroup. SNMPc7 has a fault monitoring technique that has implemented email alerts and scalability in a multi-user environment. Its comparative low costs of the technology and infrastructure needs are convenient making it a preferred choice among network managers. SNMPc7 management solution is a preferred option and follows the standardization bodies that put benchmarks for network products. The downside is that it does not offer a fully fledged network tool with other desirable functionalities such as, dynamic and auto configuration, remote assistance and virtualization with Network Operating Systems. Fig.4 SNMPc7 NMS illustration SpiceWorks ITLab has expanded their network and definitely need commensurate action to their management systems. Spiceworks offers a solution to them, managing and supporting their network securely and across multiple platforms. The solution offered here is tailored and focused on the customer and most importantly aims at managing the network users. It comes as a support program that can be integrated with the existing infrastructure. ITlab needs a network that can take up its infrastructure entirely and be within budget limits. In evaluation of spicenetworks solution, it is within budget lines but unfortunately does not cover the entire needs of ITLab, who need dynamic configuration, remote assistance, automated management etc. This NMS majorly offers security and plays the role of monitoring network performance. It can maintain logs and security update and briefs. It provides the ability to identify issues and fix unexpected conditions before the users or managers report them to the IT support. In the larger picture it supports proactive network management and maintenance for a medium/ fairly sized network. It takes on the overseeing role and a network manager can see through their network with minimal effort and securely. It does not scale well in a network with extra functionality and a lot of management tasks. Further, the support it provides for multiple infrastructure is minimal and specified solutions are not available. Designed for Small and Medium networks, it does not scale well as compared to other solutions provided. It also provides proactive monitoring to avoid fault and for the network it can helpfully prevent potential downtime. Recommendation Out of the examined NMS technologies I would strongly recommend EM7 Meta-Appliances as the choice to pick. To begin with it has the capability of providing benefits of a traditional single-function IT appliance and multiple IT management component delivery. The captured screenshot provides a clear illustration of the various capabilities of the NMS; remote administration, automatic configuration and cross-platform interoperability. Analyzing the requirements of IT lab It needs remote connection to the offices and this solution best provides for that. Fig.5 EM7-Meata Appliances NMS illustration Network Management System Remote Configuration Proactive management Compatibility GUI Real-time network analysis with available reports Siemon : MapITG2 Supported Allowed High Available Good EM7 Meta-Appliance Supported Allowed High Available Excellent ManageEngine Allowed Low poor HP OpenView Network Node Manager Supported Allowed High Available Excellent GFI Network Server Monitor Supported Allowed Low Available Excellent SNMPc7 Not Supported Allowed High Not Available Good SpiceWorks Not supported Allowed low available poor References Claise, B & Wolter, R 2007, Network management: Accounting and performance strategies, Cisco Press, San Francisco. Comer, E, D 2006, Automated network management systems, Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Clemm, A 2006, Network management fundamentals, Cisco Press, San Francisco. Castlerock 2011, SNMPc7: Network Monitoring and Management, Author, Saratoga. GFI Software 2006, GFI Network Server Monitor, Author, Hamburg. Hewlet-Packard (HP) 2003, Hp Open View: Network Node Manager Edition 7.0, Author, Palo Alto. Kurose, J.F & Ross, W, K 2004, A Top-down approach featuring the internet, Addison Wesley, Boston. Limoncelli, A,L, Hogan,J,C & Chalup,R,S 2007 , The Practice of system and network administration, 2nd edn, Addison-Wesley Professional, Boston. Lucas, W, M 2010, Network flow analysis, 1st edn, No Starch Press. Siemon 2011, MapITG2: Next generation intelligent infrastructure management, Author, Chertsey Surrey. Schwalbe, K 2005, Information technology project management, Course Technology, Massachusetts. ScienceLogic LLC (SL) 2008, EM7 Meta-Appliances: Integrated Systems, Network & Application Management, Author, Boulevard. Zoho Corporation (ZC) 2005, ManageEngine White Paper: Cost effective network management for today’s SMEs, Author, U.K. Appendix EM7-Meta Appliance Architecture diagram Read More