For your business to succeed, all departments must work to the best of their ability. Your IT network needs to operate the same way. That's where network monitoring comes in. Discover the most effective network monitoring techniques to drive your business to success.
What Is Network Monitoring?
Network monitoring refers to checking and optimizing essential components within a computer network. Equipment like routers, switches, and servers are all included in a network monitoring checklist, as well as cybersecurity components like firewalls. IT experts must check these systems to stay ahead of any performance issues and minimize network downtime.
The Importance of Network Monitoring
If your in-house IT team doesn't use network monitoring tools, your business is at risk for service disruptions. For example, checking your servers and routers tells you how quick your network traffic flow is. If the equipment can't efficiently handle the traffic, the entire network may experience issues.
Even the most minor disruption can impact your business performance. This can compromise your network security and lead to decreased productivity.
Network Monitoring Techniques
There are specific protocols that network performance monitors should follow. IT experts can easily pinpoint and resolve issues by having complete visibility over the network's end-to-end components. Implement the following techniques to guarantee a strong and reliable computing network.
Analyze Metrics
Are you tracking the right metrics in your network's performance? Experts recommend you track and analyze the following criteria for success:
- Throughput: A network speed indicator, throughput measures how many units of information your network can process quickly.
- Bandwidth: The maximum amount of data you can transfer through the network in a given period.
- Uptime: The total time your network is functioning and available without issue.
- Latency: The time it takes a data packet to go from one point to another.
- Packet loss: The amount of data packets that never reach their final point.
Your analysis will help you adjust your network for optimum performance. For instance, if your latency and throughput data could be better, you may need to invest in stronger speed solutions.
Create Alerts and Implement a Response Plan
Imagine a fire starts within your office. You never want this to happen, but you also know it's best to be prepared with fire alarms and emergency exit plans in place. The same should go for your computing network.
If an urgent problem occurs, your IT team must be ready. Create an alert system that notifies specific team members when an issue arises. The staff should make a custom plan to resolve the problem quickly.
Automate Network Monitoring Tools
Your IT staff is always busy, but you can expand their resources by automating certain network tools. This is one of the best network monitoring techniques because it detects and resolves a problem before it escalates.
