In today’s age of hybrid infrastructure models, network teams often face challenges in monitoring network performance effectively. With the increasing complexity of network infrastructures and the growing reliance on third-party cloud services, it has become imperative for network administrators to have a clear understanding of network activity and ensure operational excellence.
Network traffic monitoring tools play a crucial role in capturing essential traffic data and metrics for analysis and optimization. However, selecting the right tools and deploying them effectively requires a thorough understanding of the organization’s network infrastructure, priorities, and challenges.
To support a reliable and high-performing enterprise network infrastructure, network administrators can follow seven key steps to monitor network traffic effectively:
1. Take stock of the network:
Network admins need to maintain an accurate inventory of all network devices and applications running on the network. Automated network mapping tools can help discover endpoints, connections, and topology, providing a comprehensive asset inventory and identifying interdependencies within the network.
2. Set network baselines:
Establishing a baseline for normal network traffic activity is crucial for identifying anomalous behavior that could indicate network issues or security breaches. Using tools like Wireshark or tcpdump to capture network activity over time can help monitor changes and streamline root-cause analysis.
3. Check and refine configurations:
Continuous network monitoring is essential for identifying incorrectly configured devices and optimizing bandwidth for faster data transfers. Graphical reporting tools and analytics can aid in assessing service-level issues and improving network performance.
4. Apply escalation procedures:
Having a formalized policy in place to alert IT staff when network issues occur is crucial for timely incident response and resolution. Automated tools can help escalate incidents to the appropriate experts and notify stakeholders about potential impacts on operations.
5. Plan for disaster, aim for continuity:
Effective network monitoring and performance management can help mitigate the impact of network issues on business operations. Developing a business continuity and disaster recovery plan with failover measures and recovery procedures is essential for ensuring high availability and minimizing downtime.
6. Plan for change:
As organizations evolve and adopt hybrid IT models, network teams must continually assess how changes in the business environment may affect the network. Understanding business objectives, measuring network performance, and conducting frequent network testing are key steps in planning for network changes.
7. Evaluate tool functionality:
Regularly evaluating network monitoring tools for features and functionality ensures that network teams have the necessary resources to effectively manage network performance. Providing staff with appropriate training on these tools is essential for maximizing their benefits.
In conclusion, effective network monitoring is essential for maintaining a high-performing enterprise network infrastructure. By following these steps and addressing common challenges such as network visibility, baseline establishment, and configuration optimization, network teams can ensure optimal network performance and operational excellence.