Identifying Common Network Problems

If you want to keep your network running at peak performance, and every business should, network monitoring tools are a vital part of the kit for any IT department. They help keep disruptions to a minimum, and ensure that your company is able to outperform its rivals. So what problems can they identify, and how does that benefit your business? 

Put simply, network monitoring tools track various performance metrics. The data they obtain enables your IT team to need to head off or resolve any issues that otherwise might impact on the ability of staff or clients trying to do their job.

There are many on the market from open source to feature-rich enterprise solutions like Cisco network monitoring tools. Let’s take a look at some of the problems that a properly equipped team can identify and manage; solutions that give your business the confidence to thrive.

Slow Performance

One of the most common problems is not always a simple case of bandwidth exhaustion. Performance is typically tied to congestion but is also affected by poor quality connections, especially on leased lines where speed tests might reveal the network is not reaching its rated potential. Monitoring can pinpoint areas of congestion on the entire network which provides insight on how to tackle the problem: expensive upgrades might not be necessary if the issue rests with your ISP.

Security Threats

Network monitoring tools can alert you to security threats lurking in your system. Some malware are designed to remain dormant after they’ve gained access, others perform such small actions they’re not immediately obvious. Monitoring look for unusual and suspicious network activity. 

Measurable Results

By having comprehensive data on performance metrics like jitter, latency and packet loss,  your IT team gains insight about the health of the network. It gives them the ability to identify when the network is not operating at peak efficiency and take action to restore its operating health. 

Downtime

There’s a word no manager wants to hear. Although you can never guarantee 100% uptime, good network monitoring tools can help you prevent unexpected outages. One of the key functions of the solution is to look for potential failures on the network. In turn this helps prevent cascading issues that could damage network integrity.

Performance Reports

There’s no underestimating the value of getting benchmark data. By constantly tracking performance and reporting back through dashboard forms and user-defined reports, monitoring tools provide you with constant feedback about the health of your network. Reports can be scheduled daily, quarterly or in whatever form and frequency is useful for your company.

Without full network visibility, you can’t adequately understand your network’s performance. Network monitoring tools give you, your IT team and your company the ability to observe every bit of traffic that travels through your network, and make informed decisions based on data. A good solution will provide comprehensive monitoring capabilities that doesn’t leave any portion of your network in the dark.