Network Performance Monitoring and diagnostics (NPMD) solutions are essential for organizations that rely on network infrastructure to function. These solutions help to monitor and maintain network performance, ensure network availability, and optimize network resources. The five basic functions of NPMD solutions are discover, map, monitor, alert, and report.
Discover is the first and most crucial function of any NPMD solution. It is the process of identifying all the devices connected to the network. This includes switches, routers, servers, workstations, printers, and any other networked devices. Without discovering the devices, it is impossible to monitor their performance or identify any issues that may arise.
The next function of an NPMD solution is mapping. Network maps provide an overall view of the network infrastructure, how devices are connected to each other, and their status. Network maps are categorized into two types: auto mapping and custom mapping. Auto mapping is the automatic creation of network maps based on the discovered devices, whereas custom mapping allows the user to manually create maps based on their network topology.
Once the network is discovered and mapped, the NPMD solution can begin monitoring the devices. Monitoring involves tracking the performance of devices and the network as a whole. This function enables users to identify performance bottlenecks, potential security breaches, and other issues that may affect network performance. Monitoring can be customized to suit the specific needs of an organization, such as tracking CPU usage, memory usage, bandwidth usage, and more.
The alert function is one of the most critical features of an NPMD solution. When a device or network issue occurs, the NPMD solution sends an alert to the user, enabling them to take swift action to address the problem. Alerts can be customized to notify users via email, SMS, or other methods. Users can set alert thresholds for various network parameters, such as CPU usage, memory usage, and bandwidth usage, to ensure that they are notified when certain levels are exceeded.
The final function of an NPMD solution is reporting. Reports provide a summary of network performance, including historical trends, top performance issues, and overall network health. Users can view reports in real-time or historical mode and customize them according to their needs. Reports can be exported as Excel spreadsheets, PDFs, or other formats for further analysis or sharing with stakeholders.
In conclusion, NPMD solutions play a vital role in ensuring network performance, availability, and security. The five basic functions of NPMD solutions, discover, map, monitor, alert, and report, are essential for organizations to maintain a healthy and productive network infrastructure. By investing in an NPMD solution, organizations can ensure that their network is performing optimally, reducing downtime, and improving user productivity.
Regardless of the brand or product you choose, it is crucial to ensure that it meets the five essential functions of network performance monitoring and diagnostics (NPMD) solutions discussed earlier. In most enterprises, it is surprising to see that what is needed most is often overlooked. You can use these essential functions to safeguard your network and avoid being upsold by vendors for unnecessary features or add-ons that come with hidden costs and endless subscription fees. If you need assistance in finding the right NPMD solution for your organization, feel free to contact E-SPIN Group for guidance and support.
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The post originally published in 2021-Jun-21, rewrite 2023-Feb-15.
