Today, businesses need high-speed networks to support a growing fleet of connected devices, ever-evolving cloud technologies, and a partially remote workforce. At the same time, network components can fail due to a number of factors like cyberthreats, hardware problems, software misconfigurations, and more. Network management is therefore absolutely vital to companies in Chicago, Tampa, and all over the United States.  

Network management refers to the tasks involved in the deployment, optimization and maintenance of network infrastructure and resources. It includes various processes, from server installations and bandwidth allocation, to network monitoring and cybersecurity. All these processes are facilitated by either an in-house system administrator or a managed IT services provider (MSP) to ensure that network performance meets a company’s standards. 

How does network management work?

Effective network management is a multifaceted discipline, requiring system administrators or MSPs to take on several responsibilities. As such, network management is often comprised of the following aspects: 

Administration

Network administration consists of tasks associated with setting up the company’s network such as:

  • Technical requirement analysis
  • Network diagram design
  • Hardware selection
  • Infrastructure deployment
  • Network management platform installation
  • Access privilege configuration
  • Development of acceptable use policies

Administrators must also keep a detailed inventory of all network resources (e.g., servers, routers, and workstations), so they can better track the networking environment. 

Provisioning

Network provisioning is the process of configuring network resources to accommodate your company’s ever-changing needs. For instance, if your company wants to have more seamless conversations by utilizing unified communications services, system administrators need to allocate more internet bandwidth to UC services. Or if there are new hires, administrators will need to set up additional user accounts, configure access restrictions, and provision network resources accordingly. Meanwhile, network servers in a growing business may need updated operating systems, more computing power for enterprise software, additional storage, and more. 

Operation

Network operation is all about optimizing the network’s performance so it can support business operations and run optimally at all times. A big part of network operation is monitoring the network consistently to identify operational bottlenecks and address underlying issues before they cause major problems later on. 

With network monitoring, administrators may uncover packet loss issues that could be indicative of hardware and software bugs. For example, aging routers may throttle internet speeds and cause stability issues, which means you’ll need to upgrade your hardware. What’s more, monitoring internet bandwidth may help you pinpoint user activities that are affecting network performance like excessive video streaming or large file downloads. These insights help you better manage bandwidth usage across the organization or determine how much more bandwidth to request from your internet service providers. 

Maintenance

Network maintenance involves preventing and responding to breakdowns. These processes may include remedial measures like troubleshooting connectivity issues and repairing networking equipment. Additionally, network maintenance consists of proactive measures to prevent downtime like installing the latest firmware updates, backing up data, and replacing old hardware. 

Security 

Network security is a core aspect of network management. Today, there is a growing number of cyberthreats that exploit vulnerable company networks, including cryptojacking, distributed denial-of-service attacks, and self-propagating ransomware. Network security measures can help keep these threats at bay and establish protocols to prevent unauthorized access to your systems. System administrators or MSPs who oversee a company’s network security will typically implement the following solutions and strategies: 

  • Firewalls block incoming or outgoing network traffic based on pre-configured security policies.
  • Intrusion prevention systems (IPS) inspect network traffic for suspicious activities (e.g., high-volume data transfers) and malicious payloads. If harmful elements are detected, IPS countermeasures may include blocking IP addresses, resetting connections, dropping malicious payloads, and sending alerts to system administrators.  
  • Email filtering software stops spam and phishing emails from reaching user inboxes. 
  • Anti-malware software detects and removes malicious programs from compromised servers, devices, and other networking equipment.
  • Endpoint management software allows administrators to oversee the security of company-registered devices.
  • Identity and access management prevents unauthorized access to networks based on login credentials, user privileges, and devices.    
  • Compliance management tests your network’s overall security against industry-specific standards like HIPAA and PCI DSS. 

Related reading: Should you outsource your network security to an MSP?

What are the benefits of network management?

While there are many components to network management, it can offer serious benefits to your business if you have top-notch system administrators or an MSP on board. Here are the most notable benefits of network management: 

Increased network uptime

A connectivity problem stemming from faulty networking hardware, misconfigured software, power outages, security breaches, or even natural disasters can be crippling for businesses. It means your employees can’t access company applications and resources, which affects your company’s productivity and bottom line. Network downtime can also cause data loss and service interruptions that lead to disgruntled clients. In fact, 25% of businesses in a 2020 report stated that network downtime cost them $301,000–400,000 per hour. 

Network management helps your business avoid these risks with proactive monitoring tools and responsive maintenance services. Monitoring tools allow system administrators to quickly identify issues — like abnormal network traffic — and resolve them before they ever lead to downtime. Administrators also regularly update your network software and hardware to prevent network problems that may severely impact your business. They’ll even back up your data, install uninterruptible power supplies, and create redundant network connections to ensure employees have constant access to business resources when they need them. 

Full network oversight

Complete visibility over your network infrastructure improves system performance and makes your business more efficient. For one, you can benchmark standard network performance to help you preemptively identify faults that may cause downtime. It lets you track the health of your network assets, so you know when to update software and replace aging network equipment. Full network oversight also allows you to better allocate network resources to the applications and devices that need them most, such as data analytics and communication platforms. 

Reduced security risk

With a well-rounded network security framework, your business can dramatically reduce its exposure to a slew of cyber threats. Next-generation firewalls, IPS, email filtering, and anti-malware software create a strong perimeter that prevents external attackers from infiltrating your systems and wreaking havoc from within. Fortifying your networks also protects user privacy and mitigates cyberattacks on employee devices, which is particularly vital now that many employees connect to company networks from different locations. 

More importantly, implementing comprehensive network security demonstrates that your business upholds best practice standards and compliance regulations. This helps you avoid serious security breaches and downtime events that often lead to thousands of dollars in data loss, legal penalties, and reputational damage.

If you’re looking for an MSP that can provide first-grade network management services, look no further. Dynamic Solutions Group has a team of experts who can make your network run like a well-oiled machine. From network administration to security, we can help you establish an optimized network that fits your needs. Contact us now for a consultation.