Network Infrastructure Management

The term “network infrastructure” refers to the hardware and software resources comprising an enterprise’s network, plus the network’s services. Having an organized network infrastructure enables network connectivity and increases operational efficiency. Since the network infrastructure is interconnected, it also provides a stable communication network between users, applications, servers, processes, services, external networks, and the internet.

The standard network infrastructure has three tiers:

1. Network hardware, including routers, switches, and cables
2. Network software, including firewalls and operating systems
3. Network services, including wireless protocols and IP addressing

According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), network infrastructure management can be broken down into five major categories. They are referred to as “FCAPS.”

• Fault management: Finding, analyzing, and troubleshooting errors within the network infrastructure
• Configuration management: Tracking, managing, and making changes to all the components within your network, specifically routers, switches, servers, and firewalls
• Accounting management: Uncovering information about how well resources are being used in your network to make smarter capacity planning decisions
• Performance management: Establishing performance baselines, reacting to trends, and analyzing the overall performance of components on your network
• Security management: Identifying and troubleshooting security vulnerabilities within your network

Network infrastructure management is the process of managing an enterprise’s infrastructure and the essential operations performed by it to ensure optimal performance.

• Setting up, administering, and troubleshooting a network
• Reduce duplicative actions across the enterprise
• Improve adherence to security and compliance standards
• Automate the time-consuming processes involved in network infrastructure management
• Facilitate and maintain effective change management strategies
• Manage and mitigate performance issues
• Minimize service disruptions

These processes can ensure an enterprise is set up in a logical and efficient way, which is essential to keeping business-critical operations online and running smoothly.

Network infrastructure management should not be confused with network monitoring. Network monitoring software passively monitors your network. For example, a network monitoring tool will send out an alert that performance issues have been detected in your network and direct you to which components need to be addressed.

Network infrastructure management software, on the other hand, actively performs actions in the network, like backups or updates. For best results, admins should combine network monitoring software with network infrastructure management systems.

When it comes to creating an efficient, manageable network, admins have two options: centralized network infrastructure management and decentralized network infrastructure management.

In a centralized network, the network is built around a single server handling most of the network’s processing needs while smaller workstations handle applications, data storage, and utility requests. With only one server, it’s easier to keep a network patched and compliant, and it’s affordable. However, if the central server goes down, then the entire network goes down. Also, if you try to scale your enterprise by adding more storage, bandwidth, and processing power, you will likely find these added costs negate a centralized network’s initial cost-effectiveness.

In a decentralized network, processing needs are evenly distributed across multiple workstations. This configuration is flexible, easier to compute with, and allows admins to cut down on operating costs by only paying for the equipment they really need. However, since data passes through multiple endpoints, compliance can be a challenge with this approach. It’s also more expensive to add and maintain machines in a decentralized network. No one approach is better than the other, and most enterprises use a combination of centralized and decentralized network infrastructure management to best manage their networks.

There are many ways to go about accomplishing these goals, depending on the size and complexity of your network. You can start by following these network infrastructure management best practices:

1. Establish baselines: If you have a clear understanding of how your network normally behaves, it’s easier to spot network infrastructure performance issues. Set alerts for when something exceeds a certain threshold for normal behavior.
2. Troubleshoot layer by layer: Don’t try to tackle troubleshooting all at once, especially in a large network. Systematically address issues at each layer of the network.
3. Plan for growth: It’s always better to assume your network infrastructure will grow than to assume it won’t. Supplement network infrastructure management software with network monitoring software to ensure all components are running well within capacity.
4. Include a failover protection plan: Since network infrastructure management software will have to be installed on the network you are managing, it may go down if the network goes down. To account for this, structure your network so the network infrastructure management system can still be accessed in the event of a major network failure.
5. Set escalation protocols: To speed up resolution and ensure the right people are notified of network issues, dedicate one person on your IT team to each major sector, including security, firewalls, and servers.

Network infrastructure management might sound daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. An enterprise-grade network infrastructure management system like SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager can help automate time-consuming processes and improve control over your network configs.