Network management and administration are critical tasks for network administrators. These tasks involve monitoring and maintaining the health and performance of a network, troubleshooting and resolving issues, and ensuring that the network is secure and compliant with industry standards. Network management and administration tools can help network administrators to perform these tasks more efficiently and effectively.
There are many different network management and administration tools available for both Windows and Linux systems. Some of the most common network management and administration tools include:
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) - This is a popular network management tool for Windows and Linux systems that provides real-time monitoring and reporting of network performance and availability.
Nagios - This is an open-source network management tool for Linux systems that provides monitoring and alerting for servers, applications, and network devices.
PRTG Network Monitor - This is a network management tool for Windows and Linux systems that provides monitoring and reporting of network performance, availability, and security.
In this article, we will look at how to use SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) to manage and administer a network. SolarWinds NPM is a powerful network management tool that provides real-time monitoring and reporting of network performance and availability.
First, you need to download and install SolarWinds NPM on your Windows or Linux system. Once the installation is complete, you can launch the SolarWinds NPM web console.
You can then add devices to the SolarWinds NPM by specifying their IP addresses or hostnames. SolarWinds NPM will automatically discover and monitor these devices, and provide real-time data on their performance and availability.
You can also use SolarWinds NPM to monitor network traffic and identify the top talkers, top protocols, and top applications on your network. This can help you to identify and troubleshoot network bottlenecks, and optimize network performance.
SolarWinds NPM also provides alerting and reporting capabilities. You can configure alerts to be triggered when specific conditions are met, such as when a device goes down or when network traffic exceeds a certain threshold. SolarWinds NPM also provides a variety of pre-built reports that can help you to analyze network performance and identify trends over time.
Network management and administration tools are essential for network administrators to help them to monitor and maintain the health and performance of a network, troubleshoot and resolve issues, and ensure that the network is secure and compliant with industry standards. Network administrators should familiarize themselves with the tools, best practices, and industry standards to be able to handle such cases in the future. Additionally, taking relevant courses and certifications and staying informed about the latest developments in network management and administration will help network administrators to become proficient in managing and administrating a network.
