An often-overlooked part of nearly every network design project is network management. However, simple monitoring and trending can really set a precedent when done correctly.

For instance, what if a ‘critical’ server fails in some way? Is the network staff able to call the customer/administrator and tell them the system failed? Even before trouble calls started piling up at the help desk?

With a unique architecture process, we were able to architect such a system for multiple Fortune500 financial institutions. This was done first on a National Basis and then on an International Basis for different clients.

These systems were built with a best-of-breed philosophy. The products selected, were from a variety of leading vendors. This mix of vendors includes; Tactical Monitoring applications, Strategic Monitoring applications, Fault Correlation, Element Managers, and the necessary development environments.

This approach, with the proper planning and integration, allowed us to create a ‘lights-out’ environment for both tactical and strategic monitoring. Extra value was derived from essentially ‘zero dollar’ aspects of the system. Examples include: automating alerts, automated actions and decisions, and perhaps initiating a synthetic transaction to the host/system and the respective process prior to issuing an alert.

Although this was done for successive Fortune500 companies, it can be accomplished on a smaller scale.

There are an almost endless variety of tools, applications, and opportunities. If you need a network management system, our architecture process combines the mission critical visibility needs with the necessary budget.

The other thing to remember with Network Management Systems is that it CANNOT be all things to all people at the onset of the project. The tasks must be broken up in accordance with the resulting architecture, to gradually ramp up the capability until it reaches the desired state.

Also, we didn’t mention IPv6. Or IPv4. There’s a reason. It doesn’t matter.

If you think this approach may fit, please send an email to our team at nms@ipv6-inc.com.