Introduction

As networks grow, it becomes increasingly difficult to monitor and maintain each individual component. The need for being able to design sound management architecture becomes obvious. The primary objective of the Internetwork Management Architecture (IMA) is to provide a flexible and robust framework using which effective internetwork management could be ensured (Banerjee 2004).
Network monitoring tools were designed to alert operations staff to real-time problems. Most of these solutions use polling, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), and RMON (Remote Monitoring) to detect changes in the environment, and most incorporate a graphical interface that interconnects the various devices. Network management expands upon the basic monitoring tools and typically adds configuration and enhanced monitoring capabilities (Padjen and Lammle 2000). Tools can be used to implement performance and fault management and to monitor service-level agreements (SLAs).
Another consideration is to maintain the security options of the corporate network which will be discussed in the next lesson.
This lesson consists of five sections:

1. The Role of Network Management
2. The Simple Network Management Protocol
3. The Remote Monitoring (RMON) Scheme
4. Role of Intelligent Agents in Internetwork Management