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