Today’s networks extend beyond the confines of one building, which presents
several problems for network managers because the greater the reach of any network, the
greater the vulnerability to power fluctuations -- such as spikes, surges, brownouts and
blackouts. There are several factors that put any network at risk:
- WORKGROUPS: At any moment, any PC on a LAN could be acting as
a server.
- INTERNETWORKED EQUIPMENT: For WANs to operate correctly,
gateways, hubs, routers, etc. must perform reliable data transmission.
- AUXILIARY SERVERS: Ongoing communications and information
sharing is essential.
- REMOTE USERS: Disruptions in downloads and communications
transmissions can corrupt data.
- WORKSTATIONS: Access to outside via modem, data, and fax lines
increases opportunities for spikes and surges to enter the network.
- INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT: Air conditioning, elevators, copiers,
etc. are on the same circuit as valuable computer equipment.
Protecting the network involves different plans, each based
upon the design of the network. For example, in a peer-to-peer environment where any PC
could be a server, it is essential to have backup support on each workstation.
As a further challenge, networks are growing and spreading out over an increasingly wide
area. As a result, they have become increasingly difficult to monitor, manage, and
maintain. Also, multiple site networks, typically, don’t have a network manager at
each site. If a problem should occur while a network manager is not there, severe damage
could be done to system hardware and data.
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) cures this problem by establishing a standard
communication protocol for all network devices, allowing a network manager to monitor and
control this equipment from his central location.
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