Network Management software is a centralized set of functionalities and tools that help companies build, configure, monitor, and maintain a secure infrastructure of business networks, applications, devices and other systems. Network Management software also provide access controls and capabilities to ensure that network data and applications are readily available for authorized users or systems.
Network Management software gathers real-time data from applications, IP addresses, routers, and endpoint devices connected to an organization’s network and provides monitoring capabilities, so network engineers can observe full network health to detect, diagnose, and troubleshoot issues quickly and efficiently.
The primary goals of Network Management software are to help organizations understand the structure of their network, gain fast, real-time insights into how the network is performing, and control user access to the network.
Key Functions of Network Management Software
They key functions and capabilities of Network Management software include the following:
- Network Configuration: Network Management software provides network configuration tools to help companies identify, organize, and monitor network applications and devices. Network configuration management tools ensure consistency across IT assets, improve network efficiency, minimize drift, and limit system downtime.
- Network Performance Management: Network Management software includes tools companies can use to optimize their network performance by analyzing network data and traffic behavior patterns. This data helps network engineers maintain the quality and performance of a network and all its connected assets.
- Network Monitoring: Network Management systems provide network monitoring capabilities and network health visibility by continuously assessing the network for issues, failures, or abnormalities, to automatically send alerts to network administrators. Network monitoring helps network engineers and admins diagnose and resolve system issues quickly to optimize network health and performance.
- Network Fault Management: Network Management software offers tools to help companies continually monitor networks and identify network faults proactively so they can be diagnosed and resolved with minimal downtime or negative impact on users.
- Compliance Management: Network Management systems help organizations adhere to industry compliance requirements with automated compliance checks, violation alerts, and reporting. Network compliance management tools help network admins analyze and implement the various security policies necessary across different systems and devices on the network.
- Bandwidth Management: Network Management software provides bandwidth management tools such as real-time traffic tracking, usage analysis, and detailed dashboards. Bandwidth management helps network administrators prevent disruptions and resolve issues by adjusting usage or expanding infrastructure as needed.
- Network Security: Network Management systems include Network Security tools to help companies secure infrastructure access, defend against cyber attacks, and ensure system health and uptime.