| So often in network management, we must follow | | | | coming to you through a central resource. Network |
| steps in order to properly troubleshoot network | | | | management systems are a great way to get your |
| problems. Network issues can usually be solved in a | | | | various logs into one central, organized place for you |
| linear fashion unlike other jobs that require you be | | | | to monitor them. Because logs sometimes can tell |
| creative. Instead of creativity, it is more about | | | | you a lot, they really save you time when you are |
| thinking logically about the problem in a systematic | | | | trying to troubleshoot performance problems on your |
| way. | | | | network. |
| | | | | |
| Was there a change made recently? Can we retrace | | | | Additionally, using Simple Network Management |
| the steps to the root of the problem? Also, did you | | | | Protocol (SNMP) to report information to your |
| check the logs? | | | | networking devices is also crucial to winning the |
| | | | | information war on a network. Along with servers |
| Ah, the logs. This is always a venerable treasure | | | | that can provide logging, you can also get SNMP |
| trove of information in IT. Often, this is overlooked, | | | | information delivered directly to your network |
| usually accidentally. But it really should be one of the | | | | management software, giving you a great dashboard |
| first things a networking professional should check | | | | of statistics. This may even give you an advantage |
| when there is a problem. The great thing about | | | | of seeing connectivity or performance issues before |
| technology is all of the data that computers throw | | | | your users do. |
| out and store for one to analyze if an issue pops up. | | | | |
| Sometimes the messages in logs can be cryptic and | | | | With all of the incoming information, make sure that |
| frustrating, but it's better than nothing, right? | | | | you find the right tools that will let you best analyze |
| | | | | your network. Don't spend your time polling machines |
| Proper syslog reporting is important, and it can be | | | | or using funky tools to look at SMNP data, get it all in |
| even more beneficial when you have this information | | | | one place so you can save yourself some time. |