Exploring Network Monitoring Tools, Research Paper Example

FCAPS Definition

The FCAPS is defined as the model for network management, and it is stated as the Faults, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, and Security (FCAPS). The foundation of current network management is formed by the FCAPS. There are five groups incorporated in the tasks for network management (Faults, configuration, accounting, performance, security.2007). Moreover, IBM has also adopted this model for VOIP/IPT implementations by creating a converged environment incorporated with five layers i.e. Servers, Infrastructures, Network Components, IP endpoints and Applications (IBM global services and FCAPS.2006).

Fault Management

The problem in a network is known as fault. The core purpose related to managing faults is to identify the fault. Furthermore, the isolation and correction procedure is performed in any network. The procedure also involves analysis of trends in order to supplementary identify any errors still available. This helps the network to provide better services. in fact, to work efficiently regarding managing faults one needs to get a tracking device along with a triggered alarm. On a network topology, the general managing system includes triggered alarms that offer a number of alarms. Thus, users can expect a problem if the alarm is triggered. Moreover, a complaint management system is needed to accomplish workload and problems linked with the fault. In fact, the work of an alarm is to indicate the problem. Therefore, a network fault management system is urgently needed to resolve the issue. The troubleshooting initially collects all the information and tracks the base of the fault. Enhanced management of faults will be accomplished by tracking the network and forecasting the issues that can happen in any network. In addition this can be done by arranging few tests for the network to identify any issues. In addition, the historical fault data can also be analyzed. Fault management may contain disturbing applications and the system will not work appropriately. Numerous problems will rise if devices that need to be reconfiguring on the systems are installed by IT workers. In fact, the Fault Managing is controlled by spotting, isolating, fixing and recording faults that might occur from time to time inside a network. The trends analysis is used by the management property that helps to identify any errors or faults. The faults might be a big risk to the networks thus it will help to lower those risks by encountering the faults.

Configuration Management

Initially, the network needs to perform as per the network design and also as per prioritized tasks. This can also be called a role that is performed by network configuration. The objective of configuring the network is to collect and save network configuration from different devices connected on the network. Moreover, this activity can be operated manually or remotely for administration of network devices, monitor and record all the modifications in network devices along with consideration of future network expansion.

In general, if you want to configure a new device or eliminate the existing you can do this effortlessly because the network is not stationery. Moreover, the network topology along with the mechanisms that are discovered automatically helps to create such examples. Most common problems include managing the whole large network that includes IP address configuration. Configuration Management contains several objectives, one of them is to gather evidence from devices and make it easy for IT managers. In a company the end users will not alter their nodes, however this has to conduct by an administrative personal that have all the permission regarding changing the application.

Database can be inquired for information, and as far as the information characterizes configuration information that is subject to be changed by a manager, the conceptual database can be adapted, implanted, and erased. Moreover, the management work related to configuration management works magical with other procedures to create an efficient controlled infrastructure. Before planning the configuration one need to make it work without any faults, thus, few tasks must be completed to identify the items and other devices.

Accounting or Administration

Billing management is described as accounting. The term accounting is usually used for the network service providers. The core purpose of this is to collect all the user data and generate bill on those bases. Moreover, for the non-billed networks the letter A stands for administrative chores such as permission for user management.

Performance management

The competency of the network works better along with the network performance management. Following are the functions that are performed by the networks:

• Quantity Management
• Management of Percentage consumption
• Analyzing Fault rates
• Measurement of response time area

In order to perform volume planning, the investigation and configuration is needed that helps in gathering SLAs. For example, all the historical information is examined carefully in fault management in order to enhance volume or consistency errors before they destroy the whole service.

One of the most common problems is to monitor bandwidth in order to understand the availability of used prudently. Generally, policies should have been made in order to offer any bandwidth for VoIP calls traffic. However, once this is completed VoIP monitoring will help the calls to meet the anticipated quality regarding service.

Security

Managing the security of the network is a immense task. The core objectives to manage security for networks are to counter hacking attempts, (DOS) denial of service and (DDOS) distributed denial of service attacks, malware and viruses. Moreover, identifying the cause of disturbance related to security management can be accomplished through observing the traffic over the networks. Also we need to monitor our policies related to applications that surrounded the traffic. In fact, we need to differentiate among different kinds of traffic while providing them several treats. Most commonly, firewall troubleshooting is required to solve the faults and issues that are threatening to security managements.

Conclusion

FCAPS is an intelligent tool that analyzes and examines network management functions running on the network. Likewise, FCAPS provides a structure or a sort of framework that facilitates better network management. FCAPS can be adopted by corporate organizations as well as small medium enterprises. Likewise, the framework may support a certain part of the network configuration function i.e. network monitoring, network administration, remote network management, remote network troubleshooting, network performance monitoring via SNMP etc. Moreover, by applying these remotely supported services, a single resource can be utilized by remotely connecting to the network and resolve any downtime or business disruption that may occur.

With all those features, this tool can facilitate me in my career if I am willing to be a network analyst, network engineer, network administrator, network manager, network security manager, network security analyst.

References

Faults, configuration, accounting, performance, security. (2007). Network Dictionary, , 191-191. IBM global services and FCAPS. (2006). Business Communications Review, 36(12), 37-37.