Windows Server Support and Network Management Best Practices
Many things in this world tend to get simpler, some get more and more complex. Managing and maintaining an IT Network is one of these things. One would imagine that as time moves along, most of these activities would become more and more simple. Server Support and Network management may have gotten simpler at the individual application or platform level, but the overall activity of maintaining the network has become more complex. New security threats, viruses, and attacks lead to newer products and managing them eventually.
We are going to discuss a few basic server support and Network Management practices that an Admin must keep in mind in order to keep their IT Networks healthy. The below applies specifically to Windows based networks.
Patching: Security patches are updates to either the operating system or an application released by the software vendor regularly. These provide fixes to security holes or any defects that may exist with previous versions of the software product. It is essential to stay up to date with security patches for all your applications. There is a possibility that some patches may cause problems in certain environments, and hence it is always recommended to test patches on a test environment before they are deployed on to production systems. For larger networks, it is also recommended to have a centralized patch management platform like WSUS, to ensure that patches are only downloaded once and can be easily and centrally deployed across the network.
End Point Security or Anti-Virus: With the increase in the security threats over the last few years, anti-virus software has become a necessity on most Windows based computing environments. It is highly recommended to have anti-virus protection on all windows based server and client machines and ensure that latest virus signatures are downloaded and applied to the end points.
Gateway Security: Apart from end-point security, security is also required at the perimeter of the network. This offers double protection to your network and ensures that malicious data and objects are not able to enter the local area network. Devices including IPS, firewall and web filtering software belong to this category, and must be used.
Preventative Maintenance: Recurring preventative maintenance activities like disk defragmentation and disk cleanup should be run on all systems to boost performance.
Network Configuration Tool Strategies
Today the world is led by technology resulting in network monitoring key creations for network management solution implementations everywhere.
This is good because we are able to communicate with our peers in ways hardly even dreamed about before. Yet, with the variety of options available it can be extremely difficult to find the right network monitoring solutions your company needs to succeed.
Finding the right network management keys can be done easier when following these 4 steps.
- Determine the needs of your organization and identify those solutions which seem to meet those needs best.
- Review the various options for server management within the companies selected from the above targeted list.
- Before finalizing your research I recommend making sure that the software solution you select for your network is the absolute latest version with the most up-to-date installations.
- Within this final list review the pricing structures of the various options so that you get the best bang for your buck from the network management solution you are about to purchase.
When you start your research for the best network configuration tool by discussing options with friends, peers and associates you have a better chance of finding exactly what you need to support your companies’ network.
Now you are prepared to take a close look at options available from the companies you have selected to be part of your list.
The next step to narrowing down your list is taken by making sure companies of interest really have the latest greatest technology solutions for you to implement. Spending a fortune on a product that is being discontinued or having a major update is likely to bring unnecessary struggles to your network.
Comparison shopping on the prices of products desired is the last step of our four step process to your network management solution. Combining affordability of your network management key with the abilities of your network configuration tool is likely to put a happy smile on the faces of many people.
Network Management Automation
It is very hard to manage thousands of Cisco devices in a big network, so an automated network management tool becomes very important in the process of network management. The true is that few tools can achieve the goal that automates all process in network management.
Actually, there are several important network management processes need to be automated, these processes include: network diagram, network troubleshooting, network discovery, etc.
A tool that can automate network diagram will save a lot time for network engineers. We can see that many network tools are designed to meet this challenge, for example, Microsoft Visio, Edrawsoft, etc. However, most of these tools are based on static network diagram solution, and still need network engineers to pay a lot of time to adjust the diagram itself. When network changed, static network diagram cannot be updated in a short time is another serious problem. NetBrain Workstation is powerful at network diagram. By dragging and dropping a set of configuration files to NetBrain, a network diagram will be created instantly. Moreover, the map created by NetBrain is a dynamic network diagram and can be updated automatically when network change via a simple click. Click here to learn more about network diagram software.
Many network tools are chose to troubleshoot network problems. Many of them are perfect at data collection, however, most of them are displayed the network data in a table or some chart, network engineers cannot form a whole picture of the network. NetBrain Workstation is a map-driven solution and enables engineers to troubleshoot network problem based on a visual network map. By launching the monitor application, network engineers can view devices’ performance data visually on a map, these data include: CPU, Memory, Bandwidth, etc. Just like doctor diagnose patients based on an X-ray picture. Click here to learn more about network troubleshooting.
Network benchmark is important for any big network environment, so a tool that automates schedule network benchmark and perform in-depth network discovery is really essential. Countless success stories have proved that NetBrain Workstation is perfect in network discovery. NetBrain Workstation supports both Layer 2 and layer 3 network discoveries, all the devices discovered will be added into current workspace. To learn more about netbrain network discovery, click here network discovery.
Ease Of Use With Software Network Management
Have you considered software network management to make your job easier? There are several different applications that can make managing a network or multiple networks a breeze. Monitoring a network is only part of the overall necessary duties when it comes to managing a network.
Trying to track down a problem on the network can be hard. Having to change system configurations on multiple computers could take all day. Just trying to do a software inventory on each computer in a three hundred plus network could take forever. This can now all be down with software.
Making these chores automatic is not extremely difficult using the right program to help. Your time should be spent on getting the results you need on other projects. Some software can give you all the tools for managing your network, and in one place.
You will want to look for an inexpensive and easy way to accomplish all of your tasks. The solution needs to connect properly with your type of network. Whatever the size of the network or networks that you are responsible for; you need software that can handle it all. You need a program that will adhere to your company’s standards for networking. Every business has a different idea of what programs need to be running on a network. With enough research, you should be able to decide upon one that falls within the guideline and procedures set forth by the company.
Consolidating the workload is the point. Taking a numerous amount of tedious IT tasks and automating them can make a job easy. The automation of jobs like hardware and software inventory can save hours if not days of time. Diagnostics is another task that can consume an entire week without the help of network management software. It is now possible to complete these tasks from any location at any time.
Workloads should decrease and the need for human interaction should decrease as well as the network is being constantly monitored. There are some configurations and options that allow for mobile notification of network events. Anytime that there is an issue on a network; you will be instantly notified.
Those reports that you used to have to piece together from data collected from the network are now generated. With a few clicks you can get those reports to your boss, the department heads and anyone else that needs to know.
The job will still be hard, but the network will be more manageable. These tedious and time consuming tasks can be made easier with software network management. Now your job will be less stressful. Instead of having to play catch up, you can now start working on that promotion you have wanted. With less stress and more time on your hands, you can easily start making improvements that will be noticed.
Advantages Of Utilizing A Remote Network Management Scheme
There are many technical aspects of a businesses computer information system which work collectively to keep a business running effectively. By introducing a network for the management of computer operations, businesses have measurably increased profitability. The benefits to instituting a remote network management system to manage ones computer information system are great.
A major benefit is that a remote network can potentially monitor the dozens of functions surrounding the proper operation of a businesses computer. Managing computers via a remote network allows businesses to remain focused on the other complex issues surrounding their organization. The remote network supervises all aspects of ones computer system including the network servers, the router, program software, network security, internal and external links, and inventory.
One thing businesses find beneficial is that most systems supervise the network from Sunday to Saturday, 24 hrs a day. Whenever a problem is detected, that problem is immediately reported. One can consistently monitor the operational issues that affect a computer system which are not often monitored on a regular basis. The network can monitor Issues which include computer power-levels, operating environment temperature, and quality of air. Remote system networks can even monitor wind direction.
A very great advantage is improved protection. Every user on the network can be closely protected by the management system. The access granted to each user can be changed at ones own discretion. A networking system offers businesses the option to receive a report on each computer or a system-wide usage report. Businesses can perform a system audit or record the actions of each user on a detailed log which shows all of the networks activity. By utilizing these features, a business can enjoy a more enhanced and secured computer network.
Also, remote networks offer allows designated individuals to access other computers on the network remotely. The advantage of having the ability to access computers remotely is that technical support can make a diagnosis of a problem without physically going to the place that the computer in need is located. The person designated to receive notification can receive notices well in advance of potential issues on the network. With the ability to access computers remotely, a business can prevent computer interruptions.
Remote network systems also offer the ability to perform gateway and mesh networking. Gateway and mesh networking give a business the capability to manage files and perform network printing on their internal network. In addition, with gateway and mesh networking, one can effectively manage electronic devices. Devices which can be managed include kiosk terminals and P. O. S. Registers. By utilizing a remote network, ones computers and devices can function together seamlessly.
Another major benefit of remote networks is that they allow a business to manage a large number of its computers. Passwords can be stored locally to allow quick access to remote computer anywhere on the network. With this type of transparency, one can see the condition of the network and the technical needs of the business more immediately and effectively.
A remote network management system is a good way to supervise computer assets and ensure the proper functionality of ones entire network. One can more efficiently monitor the computer system by knowing the status of every computer on the network at a moments notice.
