Managing a Network Environment
Haniph A. Latchman, Jordan Walters · The Internet Encyclopedia · 2004
Abstract The proliferation of computer networks as critical resources in homes, businesses, and other enterprises requires significant coordination of efforts to effectively manage and administer these networks in order to provide the desired services. Such networks of computers may consist of a few interconnected computers forming small‐ to medium‐sized local area networks or larger campus area networks involving connections among several buildings, as well as metropolitan and wide area networks. But regardless of the size or reach of these networks, the management of the resulting network environment involves a set of common functions. These include hardware and software issues, network operating systems, telecommunication interconnection technologies, user management and support, information and computer security, data backup and retrieval, and support for mobile users. In this chapter we will describe these major network management issues, from the point of view of the network manager as well as from the perspective of users of the network services.