7.1 The Role of Network Management

Before going into internetwork management architecture and protocols, we need to discuss why we need network management and what its role is. Network management refers to the activities, methods, procedures, and tools that pertain to the operation, administration, maintenance, and provisioning of networked systems (Clemm 2007). This definition sums up a little more formally what's involved in managing a network.
There are many examples of how the application of network management tools can help increase efficiency. The following are some examples (Clemm 2007):

Network testing and troubleshooting tools. These tools enable operators to more quickly identify and isolate

problems and thereby free themselves up for other tasks. Automating troubleshooting for routine problems

enables operations personnel to focus on more important issues.

Systems that facilitate turn-up of services and automate provisioning. By automating most of the steps that are

required to enable a service for an end user, fewer operational steps must be performed by an operator. This

also reduces the potential for human error.

Performance-reporting tools and bottleneck analysis. This enables service providers to allocate network

resources to where they are needed most, minimizing the required investment in the network and maximizing

the cost efficiency.

7.1 The Role of Network Management

The following best practices are important to the successful development and deployment of network management architecture (Cisco Systems 2008).

1. Always consider people, processes, and technology before investing in any network management features and capabilities.
2. Deploy new features and capabilities inside the architectural framework; if the architecture constrains requirements, and then revise the architecture.
3. Where possible integrate network management software to share data and prevent information duplication.
4. Implement a Manager of Managers to assist with integration and facilitate business impact management.
5. Research and develop processes and technologies that will extend network management features and capabilities and provide opportunities for increasing business value.
6. Foster a proactive culture to facilitate a responsive organization that can anticipate business needs.
7. Implement network management tools that provide functional capabilities and enhance strategic capabilities.

The network management reference architecture uses the functional management model consisting of five functional areas made up of (Cisco Systems 2008):

Fault

Configuration

Accounting

7.1 The Role of Network Management

Performance

Security

This model is often referred to as the FCAPS model. Functions of FCAPS create a set of foundations and overlays as shown in Figure 1 (Interactions of the FCAPS Functions). Each of the functions interacts with each of the others. Security has to touch all the functions to be effective, while configuration management provides the essential data that underpins the other functions (Cisco Systems 2008).






                                                                                                               Figure 1: Interactions of the FCAPS Functions