The controls, flow, and operation of a network are established by network setup. Your network devices’ configuration and upkeep, as well as any installed firmware and software, are handled by network configuration management (NCM). Device settings changes have the potential to compromise network security and violate user privacy.
Businesses of all sizes need to be nimble when managing network configurations and device firmware. Manual monitoring and change implementation can be ineffective, especially for big networks. As a result, an increasing number of IT departments use automated network configuration management technologies that support bulk changes.
So it’s crucial to maintain track of such settings. Another potential security hole in your system configuration is the firmware that runs your network devices. To stop newly identified exploits, equipment manufacturers frequently update and patch the firmware. So it’s crucial to maintain that firmware current.
These are the fundamental capabilities that a network configuration management solution must have. Here are some lovely extras:
Network configuration is the act of initially configuring a network’s operation, flow, and controls—basically, keeping and organising the data related to every component of your network. Therefore, network configuration management is the continual activity of controlling the installation of all network devices’ software and firmware as well as their configuration and maintenance. It includes the finding of devices, keeping track of their setup and condition, and keeping track of their inventory.
The network configuration management database is at the heart of this procedure. The database will be searched by the network administrator when something goes wrong and the network has to be fixed, modified, or upgraded so they can decide on the best course of action. Every physical device’s IP address and location are kept in the database together with information on its default settings, versions, and software programs.
The presence of a reliable network configuration management solution is crucial for businesses. A network configuration manager enables administrators to keep track of any changes made to devise settings and how those changes may affect the network’s overall security. Some changes may endanger the privacy of your users or result in a weak spot in your network security. Additionally, devices may become vulnerable to attacks due to the firmware that has been loaded on them. Software for managing network settings keeps track of all the firmware on your equipment and releases updates.
By automating the management of your network configuration, you can coordinate changes throughout the whole network, save time on time-consuming but critical operations, and ensure that your network performs at its best. A competent network configuration manager will reduce configuration mistakes and enhance network security.
It should be capable of performing the following significant duties:
Additionally, you may decide to search for network configuration tools that can:
Other crucial factors that will help you choose the best NCM solution for your business are the size of your network and the amount of money you have available. You should be able to focus your evaluation on the support of a free trial period or a money-back promise. You will feel more comfortable installing software if you can test it out without making a commitment. In any other case, you can learn too late that it is challenging to use or unsuitable for your configuration management requirements.
The study of cybersecurity is currently becoming quite popular. Don’t, however, restrict your network protection to only tools and techniques that are connected to the internet. Firewalls, attack prevention services, and intrusion detection systems all occasionally experience issues. Your network device settings and a policy requiring that all operating systems and firmware be kept current with the most recent security patches and upgrades form your second line of defence.
There are many different things to watch out for when configuring a network. Visit each switch’s administration console, use an IP address manager to verify IP address distribution, and check the port statuses of every device connected to the network. Specialist software can accomplish this tedious and time-consuming task more successfully than manual processes can.
Features, Benefits, and Functions of the Network monitoring and configuration tool: