| Today it is almost inconceivable for a | | | | several options of differing scope may be |
| business not to have computers, whether it is | | | | useful here) and defining it in a |
| a construction company or a high technology | | | | specification of requirements. Examples of |
| firm. When a business has more than one | | | | what should be evaluated are different |
| computer, they are almost always connected | | | | network operating systems, mail systems, and |
| together in a local area network. These | | | | other applications. The choice of hardware |
| networks may be more or less advanced and | | | | components should also be evaluated. This |
| therefore more or less costly.Companies | | | | phase is generally aimed at establishing what |
| invest so much (in terms of both money and | | | | the system should do, not how it should do |
| time) in a local area networks because there | | | | it.Computer Network Management: design |
| are many advantages that a local area network | | | | phaseThe purpose of design phase is to |
| brings to a business and how it is | | | | determine how the requirements of the |
| administered.Some businesses use a local area | | | | specification are to be met. The current |
| network in such a way they are highly | | | | approach to large, complex projects is to |
| dependent on it always working. If the | | | | break them down into smaller, more manageable |
| company's network fails, then you may see all | | | | subprojects.Computer Network Management: |
| the employees chatting away in the corridors | | | | implementation phaseThis phase involves the |
| because they can't do their work. This means | | | | physical installation of the local area |
| big losses for the company and causes | | | | network. Cables are run, software is |
| stresses on the employees. All companies | | | | installed, and computers and other hardware |
| must consider their local area networks a | | | | are put in place.Computer Network Management: |
| vital asset and downtime must be avoided. | | | | integration and system testing phaseIn this |
| This imposes huge demands on the network | | | | phase, commissioning of the network begins, |
| staff to keep such networks running almost | | | | and routines are adapted to users and the |
| 100% of the time.The advantages of Computer | | | | operating personnel. The system must be |
| Network ManagementOne of the main advantages | | | | tested, both to ensure that the network meets |
| of installing and maintaining LANs is the | | | | the requirements set out in the specification |
| opportunity they create for better | | | | and that it is stable enough to perform the |
| communication and cooperation between | | | | central function it has in the |
| employees and customers.Security | | | | organization.Computer Network Management: |
| considerations: Local Area Network security | | | | operation and maintenanceLocal area networks |
| can be both a help and hindrance. | | | | have complex operating routines. This is |
| Comprehensive security is beneficial because | | | | because there may be serious consequences |
| it provides a central and safe strategy for | | | | when faults occur or unauthorized persons |
| data access and disaster recovery. All | | | | gain access to the system. Many companies |
| information is protected by the design and | | | | have employees devoted solely to take care of |
| implementation of the network security | | | | running and maintaining computer networks. |
| solution. On the other hand, interconnecting | | | | These system administrators may deal with |
| computers in local area networks creates a | | | | network issues such as performance, |
| security risk, since doing so makes it | | | | reliability and security of both hardware and |
| technically possible for intruders to access | | | | software.Computer Network Management: |
| many machines on the network at once.Cost | | | | toolsAlthough an organization may have |
| considerations: Installing a local area | | | | computer administrators on site, they must |
| network is a relatively expensive project. | | | | also monitor the network more than eight |
| Servers, cabling, switches, routers and | | | | hours a day. In fact, some of the worst |
| software can all be expensive and should | | | | trouble that arises with networks can happen |
| never be purchased without expert advice. | | | | during the night hours when nobody is using |
| Keeping the network operating and secure also | | | | the network. With the right computer network |
| requires a lot of resources and can be | | | | management tools, your organization can |
| costly.Surprisingly, a local area network can | | | | receive the security of knowing that problems |
| bring a number of cost savings. Sharing | | | | will be foreseen, prevented, and taken care |
| resources avoids the need to purchase | | | | of - and that your network administrator can |
| equipment for each individual. Even more | | | | be notified at a moment's notice, should |
| important is the security that a local area | | | | anything go exceptionally wrong.Frank Hughes |
| network can provide. Data loss could cost a | | | | is the Vice President of Technical Solutions |
| business a great deal of money and in some | | | | at SecureMyCompany, Inc. Mr. Hughes has over |
| cases, cause the business to shutdown | | | | 14 years experience in the IT industry, with |
| altogether. Computer Network Management | | | | the last 10 serving as the Senior Solutions |
| should require a consistent routine for data | | | | Consultant for BellSoutions.net. Get more |
| backups with regular checkups of data quality | | | | information on network management tools.Frank |
| - a practice that will save a company huge | | | | Hughes hold several vendor certifications |
| sums in the event of a mishap.Computer | | | | including Microsoft, Dell, Cisco, Sonicwall |
| Network Management: preliminary analysis | | | | and many more. Mr. Hughes is a recognized |
| phasesThe first phase of computer network | | | | expert in managed services including remote |
| management is to determine the source of the | | | | desktop managment, network monitoring and |
| problem (a preliminary study that looks into | | | | help desk software. |