by Chris Hampton

If documenting the network is so important, why do many organizations fail to produce or refresh their network documentation? The problem is that documentation is usually an afterthought in many organizations—most network administrators do not have the time to dedicate to capturing all the required device information, network connectivity, and relationship mapping to properly document their network.

What if things were different? What if you had the ability to complete the daily tasks a busy network administrator faces and still stay on top of the network documentation? How about maintaining your documentation at close to real-time levels? Does this sound more like science fiction than fact? Smart network management solutions can make this a reality.

The process begins with the ability to save time. One important aspect ofsmart network management is spending time effectively managing your network instead of wasting time on manual documentation of your network topology. Advanced methods of discovery such as ARP Cache Discovery and Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) interrogate the device’s Management Information Database files and gather extensive information dynamically to help build a complete picture of the network. ARP Cache Discovery utilizes SNMP information from multiple network devices and incorporates the use of proprietary discovery protocols. LLDP is a vendor-neutral protocol used by network devices for advertising their identity.

Next is the ability to stay in control. Know exactly what devices are on your network and where they are. Understand device interdependencies and how they are affected by change. Features such as port-level relationship mapping and automated device classification provide the intelligence required to give you deep visibility into your network.

Another key factor in smart network management is the ability to track changes. Utilizing up-to-date status information, you can know when device changes have occurred on your network and track them. This information enables you to understand and document the evolution of your network. Using powerful scheduled discovery tasks, you will gain near real-time access to device changes, additions, and deletions. By centrally managing device configurations within the network management solution, device updates and changes become simple.

Finally, enhance your ability to keep the network available. Rapidly pinpoint issues to minimize downtime and gain insight into how your network can be configured to minimize potential conflicts and optimize performance. Network management solutions that automatically generate network maps or custom map views as well as publish these maps into popular documentation tools, such as Microsoft Visio, enable you to gain insight into the overall network design.

A smart network management solution can do more than just automate and update your network documentation. With accurate network topology information and data about attached device configuration, inventory, and connectivity, you become the ultimate resource for network knowledge and status in your organization.

About the Author

Chris Hampton, is a professional IT consultant based in Englewood, Colorado. With nearly 12 years in information technology, Chris has developed extensive experience in systems administration, engineering, and architecture specializing in VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft remote application and virtualization technologies. He has traveled extensively teaching for VMware. Chris has also contributed to the authorship of the recent The Authorized Guide to Citrix XenApp Platinum Edition (McGraw-Hill Publishers). He is currently working with the latest virtualization technologies on numerous consulting engagements. Chris holds some of the industry’s highest technical certifications from VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft in the areas of server-based computing and virtualization.