Module 2 - Design the Network Structure

Section 7 - Select a Network Management Strategy

Section Objectives

• Recommend protocols and products that meet a customer's requirements for network management.

• Describe the steps a customer should take to develop a proactive network management strategy.

Time Required to Complete This Section

Completing This Section

1. Study the reading assignment.
2. Click on any links that you see in the reading assignment and review the information that appears.
3. Review any tables and job aids that appear in the reading assignment.
4. Review the case studies at the end of this section.
5. Complete the questions in each case study.
6. Review the answers provided by our internetworking experts.

Resources Required to Complete This Section

• Access to the World Wide Web and Cisco's Web site
• A downloaded, printed copy of this section
• Paper and pencil

Reading Assignment

Network Management Goals

• Connectivity
• Security
• Cost optimization
• Manageable growth

CiscoWorks Network Management

CiscoConnect

Multiplatform, Standards-Based Solutions

SNMP Version 2 (SNMPv2) is supported on all platforms and devices that have Cisco IOS software. SNMP includes:

• RFC 1155 defines the mechanisms used for describing and naming objects for the purpose of management. The mechanisms are called the "structure of managed information" or SMI.

• RFC 1212 defines a more concise description mechanism, which is wholly consistent with the SMI.

• RFC 1157 defines the SNMP, the protocol used for network access to managed objects.

• RFC 1213 defines the Management Information Base II (MIB II), the core set of managed objects for the Internet suite of protocols.

• RFC 1902 defines the SMI for SNMPv2.

• RFC 1905 defines protocol operations for SNMPv2.

Remote Monitoring

• Number of packets
• Packet sizes
• Broadcasts
• Network utilization
• Errors and conditions such as Ethernet collisions
• Statistics for hosts, including errors generated by hosts, the busiest hosts, and which hosts talk to which hosts

RMON is defined as a portion of the MIB II database. RFC 1757 defines the objects for managing remote network monitoring devices. RFC 1513 defines extensions to the RMON MIB for managing 802.5 Token Ring networks.

RMON Specification

The RMON specification comprises nine groups of managed objects. RMON agents can implement some or all of the following groups:
 
• Statistics
• History
• Alarms
• Hosts
• Hosts Top N
• Traffic Matrix
• Filters
• Packet Capture
• Events

 
The Token Ring MIB adds enhancements for gathering data on specific Token Ring information, such as source-route bridging statistics, ring configuration, and ring station order.

Router RMON Support

When used as an agent on routers, RMON allows customers to view traffic events and alarms for the network segments that the router is on. Using a network management console, network managers can detect problems and gather information for developing a baseline understanding of the health of the network. RMON support is available as an option with Cisco IOS software.

Switch RMON Support

Cisco's optional embedded RMON agent in switches provides RMON capabilities for both 10BaseT and 100BaseT. Depending on the revision level of the switch software, RMON support is available for other switches also. Refer to information on Cisco's Web site for the latest information on RMON support in switches.

Network Management Processes

Implementation and Change

• Installation
• Configuration
• Address management
• Adds, moves, and changes
• Security management
• Accounting and billing
• Assets and inventory management
• User management
• Data management

Monitoring and Diagnosis

• Defining thresholds
• Monitoring exceptions
• Isolating problems
• Validating problems
• Troubleshooting problems
• Bypassing and resolving problems

Design and Optimization

• Data collection definition
• Baseline creation
• Trend analysis
• Response time analysis
• Capacity planning
• Procurement
• Topology design

Most network management is reactive, though the industry is moving toward a proactive approach to network management. Vendors have been encouraging proactive network management for years, but due to reduction in staff and training at many companies, networking professionals have been required to spend most of their time implementing changes and troubleshooting problems. However, as companies recognize the strategic importance of their internetworks, more emphasis is being put on proactive network management.

Proactive Network Management

• Collecting statistics and watching trends.

• Conducting routine tests, such as response time measurements.

• Allocating time at least once a month to compile statistics and write a baseline report that describes the current status of the network.

• Defining service goals for the network, for example, acceptable downtime, response time, throughput, ease of use, and scalability.

• Writing reports on the quality of service that has been delivered in the last month.

Network Operation Centers

Many companies have network operation centers (NOCs) that includes equipment, software, and staff that are dedicated to monitoring the health of the network. This staff may include help-desk personnel and technicians who work on problems, as well as engineers and planners who develop long-term strategies to keep the network functioning. To help engineers and planners stay informed on the status of the internetwork, X Window System software can be implemented so that engineers and planners not located in the NOC can see network management data on their terminals or workstations in their offices. Many network management applications support the X Window System software.

Developing Proactive Network Management Strategies

When selling Cisco network management applications, help your customers develop proactive network management strategies by assisting them with the following steps for proactive network management:
 
• Determine network service goals
• Define metrics for measuring whether goals have been met
• Define processes for data collection and reporting
• Implement network management systems
• Collect performance data and record trends
• Analyze results and write reports
• Locate network irregularities and bottlenecks
• Plan and implement improvements to the network
• Review and adjust metrics and processes if necessary
• Document changes

Cisco Network Management Applications

CiscoWorks Applications

Following are some of the applications included in CiscoWorks:

• AutoInstall Manager—Allows you to remotely install a new router using a neighboring router.

• CiscoConnect—Allows you to provide Cisco and Cisco partners with debugging information, configurations, and topology information to speed resolution of network problems.

• CiscoView—Provides a graphical device view along with dynamic status, statistics, troubleshooting, and comprehensive configuration information for switches, routers, access servers, concentrators, and adapters. CiscoView is bundled with CiscoWorks and is also available as a standalone product.

• Configuration File Management—Provides an audit trail for who made changes and when. It can also detect unauthorized configuration.

• Contacts—Provides information about the contact person for a specific device including the name, phone number, e-mail address, title, location, and address.

• Device Management—Creates and maintains a database that holds an inventory of your network, including hardware, software, release levels, individuals responsible for maintaining devices, and location of devices.

• Global Command Facility—Creates configuration "snap-ins" that can be applied automatically to groups of routers that share configuration parameters.

• Health Monitor—Allows you to view information about the status of a device, including buffers, CPU load, memory available, and protocols and interfaces being used.

• Offline Network Analysis—Collects historical network data for offline analysis of performance trends and traffic patterns in an SQL relational database.

• Path Tool—Allows you to view and analyze the path between two devices to collect utilization and error data.

• Security Manager—Sets up authority checking procedures to protect selected CiscoWorks applications and network devices from unauthorized individuals.

• Software Manager—Provides management and central distribution of router software versions.

CiscoWorks Blue Maps

The following diagram shows a CiscoWorks logical map.
 
 

You can manage an entire network from a single workstation by using both CiscoWorks and CiscoWorks Blue Maps. For example, using the DLSw Map application, you can:

• Discover your network of DLSw-enabled routers

• View a map of DLSw-enabled routers

• Obtain details about any single router or statistics about any router as known by a neighbor

• Display a list of circuits maintained by any router and details about each circuit

TrafficDirector RMON Console Application

• RMON agents in Cisco's Catalyst switches

• Cisco IOS software embedded RMON agents in routers

• Cisco SwitchProbe standalone network monitoring probes

• Any RMON standard-compliant agent

Summary of Cisco's Internetwork Management Applications

Case Studies

In this section, you will provision Cisco network management tools.

Read each case study and complete the questions that follow. Keep in mind that there are potentially several correct answers to each question.

When you complete each question, you can refer to the solutions provided by our internetworking experts. The case studies and solutions will help prepare you for the Sylvan exam following the course.

In this section, you will review the following case studies:

1. CareTaker Publications, a publishing company
2. PH Network Services Corporation, a health care company
3. Pretty Paper Ltd., a European wall covering company
4. Jones, Jones, & Jones, an international law firm

Case Study: CareTaker Publications

Refer to your topology diagram for CareTaker Publications in Section 3.

Mr. Smith has the following words to say regarding his network management requirements: "My network administrators are very junior. When new routers come on board, we want to minimize the configuration. In addition, we would like to keep track of the status of the routers here at headquarters and be able to access the router configurations remotely."

You say to Mr. Smith, "Everything you have asked for is feasible. Do you have any requirements for troubleshooting tools, protocol analysis, or performance monitoring?"

Mr. Smith says, "I'm glad you mentioned that. We want to access information on network utilization, errors, broadcasts, which stations talk to which stations, which stations talk the most, that sort of thing. We would like the application to support alarms also and to have some protocol analysis when there are problems."

Now that you have read Mr. Smith's requirements for network management products and protocols at CareTaker Publications, answer the following questions.
 
     1. The IS manager is not sure that she has the personnel it will take to manage the new network. Her 
         administrators are junior and have never worked with routers before. She understands the need for 
         training and has planned for it, but she still is concerned. Recommend specific network management 
         protocols and products that will meet CareTaker’s needs.

Case Study: PH Network Services Corporation

You might find it useful to refer to your topology diagram created for PH Network Services Corporation in Section 3.
 
     1. The general manager is not sure that he has the personnel it will take to manage the new network. His 
         administrator is very junior and has never worked with routers before. He understands the need for 
         training and has planned for it, but is still concerned. Recommend specific network management protocols 
         and products that will meet the needs.

Case Study: Pretty Paper Ltd.

You might find it useful to refer to your topology diagram created for Pretty Paper in Section 3.
 
     1. The network administrator at Pretty Paper has been managing an X.25 network for a long time and knows 
         something about Frame Relay, mostly from reading. Recommend specific network management protocols 
         and products that will meet the company’s needs and allow the administrator to be immediately productive.

Case Study: Jones, Jones, & Jones

You might find it useful to refer to your topology diagram created for Jones, Jones, & Jones in Section 3.
 
      1. The managing partner believes that she has a pretty savvy individual ready to hire as the administrator 
          of the new network. She had to commit to him that good network management tools would be in place 
          when the network is completed. Recommend specific network management protocols and products that 
          will meet the needs of this demanding person.

2. Recommend steps that should be taken to develop a proactive network management strategy.






 

Click here to go on to Section 8.