network management

networking The process of controlling a network so as to

maximise its efficiency and productivity. ISO's model

divides network management into five categories: faultmanagement, accounting management, configurationmanagement, security management and performancemanagement.

Fault management is the process of identifying and locating

faults in the network. This could include discovering the

existence of the problem, identifying the source, and possibly

repairing (or at least isolating the rest of the network from)

the problem.

Configuration management is the process of identifying,

tracking and modifying the setup of devices on the network.

This category is extremely important for devices that come

with numerous custom settings (e.g. routers and fileservers).

Security management is the process of controlling (granting,

limiting, restricting or denying) access to the network and

resources thereon. This could include setting up and managing

access lists in routers (creating "firewalls" to keep

intruders out), creating and maintaining password access to

critical network resources, identifying the points of entry

used by intruders and closing them.

Performance Management is the process of measuring the

performance of various network components. This also includes

taking measures to optimise the network for maximum system

performance (periodically measuring of the use of network

resources).

Usenet newsgroup: news:comp.dcom.net-management.

["Network Management: A Practical Perspective", Allan Leinwand

and Karen Fang].

(1994-11-18)