Network ManagementNetwork Management

byby

Woraphon LilakiatsakunWoraphon Lilakiatsakun

Course detailsCourse details

• Midterm 30 %Midterm 30 %

• Final 40 %Final 40 %

• LAB 20 %LAB 20 %

• Assignment 10 %Assignment 10 %

BooksBooks

• Network Management FundamentalNetwork Management Fundamental– Alexander Clemm Alexander Clemm – Cisco pressCisco press

• SNMP V3, Rmon1 and 2SNMP V3, Rmon1 and 2– William StallingsWilliam Stallings

Definition of Network Definition of Network ManagementManagement

• Network management refers to the Network management refers to the activities, methods, procedures activities, methods, procedures and tools that pertain to the and tools that pertain to the operation, administration, operation, administration, maintenance, and provisionmaintenance, and provision of of networked systems networked systems

OperationOperation

• OperationOperation deals with deals with keeping the keeping the networknetwork (and the services that (and the services that network provides) network provides) up and running up and running smoothlysmoothly

• It includes It includes monitoring the networkmonitoring the network to to spot problems ASAP before a user is spot problems ASAP before a user is affectedaffected

Administration Administration

• AdministrationAdministration involves keeping involves keeping track of resources in the network and track of resources in the network and how they are assignedhow they are assigned

• It deals with all the “housekeeping “ It deals with all the “housekeeping “ that is necessary to keep things that is necessary to keep things under control.under control.– Monitoring Monitoring – DocumentationDocumentation

MaintenanceMaintenance

• MaintenanceMaintenance is concerned with is concerned with performing performing repairs and upgrades repairs and upgrades – When a line card must be replacedWhen a line card must be replaced– When a router needs a new OS image with a When a router needs a new OS image with a

patchpatch– When a new switch should be added to the When a new switch should be added to the

network network

• It also involves It also involves corrective and preventive corrective and preventive proactive measuresproactive measures – Adjusting device parameters as needed Adjusting device parameters as needed

ProvisioningProvisioning

• ProvisioningProvisioning is concerned with is concerned with configuring resources in the network configuring resources in the network to support a given service.to support a given service.– Setting up the network so that a new Setting up the network so that a new

customer can receive voice servicecustomer can receive voice service

Organization Network Management Networkuses manages

Organization NetworkOperates

Administersmaintainsprovisions

Systems and ApplicationsActivities and Operational

Procedures

Support

Use and leverage

Network Management

Related terminologyRelated terminology

• OrganizationOrganization is the one who relates to is the one who relates to network management function (as network management function (as described) described)

• NetworkNetwork is the communication networks is the communication networks

• Network management systemNetwork management system is the is the system to provide network management system to provide network management functionsfunctions– Systems and applications / Activities and Systems and applications / Activities and

operational proceduresoperational procedures– Manager/Agent Manager/Agent

Important of Network Important of Network Management (1)Management (1)• Not just work ! But it is needed carefully Not just work ! But it is needed carefully

planningplanning

• Let’s consider in term of service provider Let’s consider in term of service provider perspectiveperspective– Who can operate the network at the lowest costWho can operate the network at the lowest cost– Who provides better customer experience Who provides better customer experience

(minimal turnaround time)(minimal turnaround time)– Who can maintain and guarantee the highest Who can maintain and guarantee the highest

QoSQoS– Who can roll out services fast and efficiently Who can roll out services fast and efficiently

Important of Network Important of Network Management (2)Management (2)

• Similar factor to businesses that run Similar factor to businesses that run their own networkstheir own networks– Cost saving in operating the network Cost saving in operating the network

benefit the enterprise benefit the enterprise (Cost)(Cost)– Fast turnaround time to deploy new Fast turnaround time to deploy new

services and high QoS can translate to services and high QoS can translate to competitive advantage competitive advantage (Quality and (Quality and Revenue) Revenue)

CostCost

• One of the main goals of network One of the main goals of network management is to management is to make operations make operations more efficient and operator more more efficient and operator more productiveproductive

• Ultimate goal is to Ultimate goal is to reduce and reduce and minimize TCOminimize TCO (Total Cost of (Total Cost of Ownership) that is associated with Ownership) that is associated with the networkthe network

Total Cost of OwnershipTotal Cost of Ownership (1)(1)

• Operational costOperational cost– Operating personnelOperating personnel– ElectricityElectricity– Physical spacePhysical space– Operation support Operation support

infrastructureinfrastructure

• Equipment costEquipment cost– Amortized over Amortized over

several yearsseveral years

Operational Cost

people , electricity ,physical space

Equipment Cost

amortized over equipment lifetime

TC

O(T

otal Cost of O

wnership)

Total Cost of Ownership (2)Total Cost of Ownership (2)

• Operating costOperating cost can be higher than the cost can be higher than the cost of amortizing the network equipment of amortizing the network equipment – May be a factor of 2 or moreMay be a factor of 2 or more– After a few years, TCO will be dominated by After a few years, TCO will be dominated by

operating costoperating cost• Let ‘s considerLet ‘s consider

– Operating cost 200,000 Baht/yearOperating cost 200,000 Baht/year– Equipment cost 300,000 Baht (amortized Equipment cost 300,000 Baht (amortized

100,000/year)100,000/year)– Efficiently operation can save 50,000 baht Efficiently operation can save 50,000 baht

/year/year• Make business more competitiveMake business more competitive

Total Cost of Ownership (2)Total Cost of Ownership (2)

How to save operating cost How to save operating cost (1)(1)

• Network testing and troubleshooting Network testing and troubleshooting toolstools– More quickly identify and isolate problemsMore quickly identify and isolate problems– Automating troubleshooting for routine Automating troubleshooting for routine

problems enables problems enables personnel to focus on the personnel to focus on the really tough issuesreally tough issues

• System that facilitate turn-up of service System that facilitate turn-up of service and automate provisioningand automate provisioning– Reduce human error Reduce human error because most of steps because most of steps

required to enable a service for an end user required to enable a service for an end user can be completed by automating system can be completed by automating system

How to save operating cost How to save operating cost (2)(2)

• Performance reporting tool and Performance reporting tool and bottleneck analysisbottleneck analysis– Allocate network resources to where they Allocate network resources to where they

are needed mostare needed most•Minimize the required investment Minimize the required investment

•Maximize the “bang for the buck”Maximize the “bang for the buck”

• Other ?Other ?– Reduce skill levelReduce skill level of the network of the network

operatorsoperators•Reduce in investment in training and hiring Reduce in investment in training and hiring

QualityQuality

• Getting users have good experiences Getting users have good experiences for using services.for using services.– Bandwidth – use efficientlyBandwidth – use efficiently– delay - minimize delay - minimize

• Service providers need to emphasize Service providers need to emphasize onon– Reliability Reliability

•Traffic can go through steadily Traffic can go through steadily •Services can run without any problemsServices can run without any problems

– Availability - working most of the timeAvailability - working most of the time•Redundancy (in case of equipments fail)Redundancy (in case of equipments fail)

How to improve the quality How to improve the quality (1) (1)

• System for the end to end System for the end to end provisioning of a serviceprovisioning of a service automates automates many steps that be configured many steps that be configured – More efficientMore efficient (provide service faster) (provide service faster)

and and less error prone / Misconfigurationless error prone / Misconfiguration (operators less involve) (operators less involve) •Misconfiguration can result in lower network Misconfiguration can result in lower network

service availability and reliabilityservice availability and reliability

•Hard to troubleshooting and slow to fixHard to troubleshooting and slow to fix

How to improve the quality How to improve the quality (2)(2)

• Performance trend analysisPerformance trend analysis – Help network managers detect potential Help network managers detect potential

network bottlenecks network bottlenecks – Take preventive action before problems Take preventive action before problems

occuroccur– Improve the level of service being delivered Improve the level of service being delivered

such assuch as• Bandwidth that is effectively available to users Bandwidth that is effectively available to users • Delay that is introduced in the networksDelay that is introduced in the networks

• Alarm correlation capabilitiesAlarm correlation capabilities– Faster identification of the root cause of Faster identification of the root cause of

observed failure observed failure • Minimize time of actual outageMinimize time of actual outage

If quality is not metIf quality is not met

• Lost revenueLost revenue– Customers will change the operatorCustomers will change the operator

• Increased networking costIncreased networking cost from from inefficient utilization or network inefficient utilization or network resourcesresources– More network equipments to support a More network equipments to support a

certain level of servicecertain level of service– More space is required for new equipmentsMore space is required for new equipments

• Higher operation costHigher operation cost– To fix the problems To fix the problems

Revenue (1)Revenue (1)

• Open up market opportunitiesOpen up market opportunities • Service provisioning systemsService provisioning systems

– Reduce turn on service time Reduce turn on service time • start from a service is ordered to a service start from a service is ordered to a service

actually turned upactually turned up• Increase capability of revenue generation and Increase capability of revenue generation and

satisfying the user satisfying the user

• Augment a serviceAugment a service offering offering management-related capabilitiesmanagement-related capabilities– Provide user to configure their service Provide user to configure their service

features over Web.features over Web.– Attract more customersAttract more customers

Revenue (2)Revenue (2)

• Make certain services possibleMake certain services possible – Some services need to operate at lower Some services need to operate at lower

cost so the operation must be worked cost so the operation must be worked efficientlyefficiently

– Competition between ISP/Mobile phone Competition between ISP/Mobile phone provider provider

Players in Network Players in Network Management spaceManagement space

Enterprise ITDepartment

Service provider

End Users

Users ofNetwork Management

Equipment Vendor

Third-partyApplication Vendor

System Integrator

Providers ofNetwork Management

The service provider The service provider

• The Service ProviderThe Service Provider– Telecommunication services - Telephone, voice mailTelecommunication services - Telephone, voice mail– Data services - Leased line, Internet connectivityData services - Leased line, Internet connectivity– Application services providers - ???Application services providers - ???

• Running networks is the core of their businessRunning networks is the core of their business– The network management is really important to keep The network management is really important to keep

business alivebusiness alive

• Many communication services are being Many communication services are being commoditized commoditized

• To win the marketplace To win the marketplace – Turn up and roll out the services fastestTurn up and roll out the services fastest– Offer best service level at lowest costOffer best service level at lowest cost

The Enterprise IT The Enterprise IT Department (1)Department (1)• The Enterprise IT DepartmentThe Enterprise IT Department

– In charge of running the network inside an In charge of running the network inside an enterpriseenterprise• Providing the enterprise with all its internal Providing the enterprise with all its internal

communication needscommunication needs

– Can be thought of as mini service provider but Can be thought of as mini service provider but ……

– No generate income , it is a cost centerNo generate income , it is a cost center– Focus on providing services at the lowest cost Focus on providing services at the lowest cost

The Enterprise IT The Enterprise IT Department (2)Department (2)• Only one customer: the enterpriseOnly one customer: the enterprise

– End users within the enterprise have no End users within the enterprise have no choice choice

• Not core business of the enterpriseNot core business of the enterprise• Enterprise IT departments are not Enterprise IT departments are not

regulatedregulated• So, not much for investing in So, not much for investing in

management applications and toolsmanagement applications and tools

The End UserThe End User

• Refer to the persons who keep Refer to the persons who keep network running “network running “Network ManagerNetwork Manager” ” whose roles might be the followingwhose roles might be the following– Network administratorNetwork administrator – configure – configure

network devices / troubleshoot network devices / troubleshoot (remotely)(remotely)

– Craft TechnicianCraft Technician – fix problems (on site) – fix problems (on site) – Help desk representativesHelp desk representatives – take user – take user

calls and support calls and support – Network plannerNetwork planner – design the network, – design the network,

plan the topologyplan the topology

The Equipment VendorThe Equipment Vendor

• Recently, capability to manage networking Recently, capability to manage networking equipment is increasingly being equipment is increasingly being recognized as competitive differentiatorrecognized as competitive differentiator

• Management function is a part of system Management function is a part of system rather than out of box rather than out of box

• The equipment vendor can set high price The equipment vendor can set high price for a special management function.for a special management function.

• In some cases, a management software In some cases, a management software might bundle with the equipmentmight bundle with the equipment

Third-party Application Third-party Application VendorVendor

• BenefitsBenefits– Multivendor supportMultivendor support

•Flexible to networks that are using different Flexible to networks that are using different vendors vendors

• DrawbacksDrawbacks– Not own the equipment Not own the equipment

•Some features can not be supportedSome features can not be supported

The system IntegratorThe system Integrator

• For large enterprise, For large enterprise, no one tool or no one tool or application can do it allapplication can do it all

• Provide services to integrate a set of Provide services to integrate a set of management applicationsmanagement applications with a with a specific network and operations specific network and operations support environmentsupport environment

Challenges relating to Challenges relating to network management network management systemssystems• Technical challengesTechnical challenges

• Organization and operation Organization and operation challengeschallenges

• Business challengesBusiness challenges

Technical challenges Technical challenges

• Application CharacteristicsApplication Characteristics

• ScaleScale

• Cross-section of technologiesCross-section of technologies

• IntegrationIntegration

Application characteristicsApplication characteristics (1)(1)• Transaction-based system characteristics Transaction-based system characteristics

(request-response) (request-response) – Provisioning applications - it drives desired Provisioning applications - it drives desired

configurations down to network devicesconfigurations down to network devices– To perform provisioning, a management To perform provisioning, a management

system typically send requests to set of system typically send requests to set of network elements and processes the responses network elements and processes the responses returned from the networkreturned from the network

– To support dozens of different equipment types To support dozens of different equipment types and technologies each App. Require a distinct and technologies each App. Require a distinct set of parametersset of parameters

Application characteristicsApplication characteristics (2)(2)

Provisioning System Provisioning System

Application characteristicsApplication characteristics (3)(3)• Interrupt driven system characteristicsInterrupt driven system characteristics• An important aspect is to keep track of the An important aspect is to keep track of the

health of the networkhealth of the network• Alarm monitoring applications can Alarm monitoring applications can receive receive

and processand process such alarms, alerting the such alarms, alerting the network manager to take action properlynetwork manager to take action properly

• Real time app or near real time appReal time app or near real time app• It is not easy!It is not easy! to keep network operators to keep network operators

up to date with the states of thousands of up to date with the states of thousands of network devices network devices

Application characteristicsApplication characteristics (4)(4)

Alarm monitoring

Application characteristicsApplication characteristics (5)(5)

• Number-crunching system characteristics Number-crunching system characteristics • Network performance analysis Network performance analysis

– Identify bottlenecksIdentify bottlenecks– Assess whether service levels are being metAssess whether service levels are being met– Evaluate utilization of network resourcesEvaluate utilization of network resources– Understanding traffic patternUnderstanding traffic pattern– Analyze trends for planning future network Analyze trends for planning future network

rolloutrollout

• It requires It requires – collecting large volumes of datacollecting large volumes of data– Large numbers of data points collected Large numbers of data points collected

continuously over different period of timecontinuously over different period of time

ScaleScale (1)(1)

• Need to be Need to be carefully consideredcarefully considered at at the first place the first place

• Operations concurrencyOperations concurrency – How to maximize concurrency in How to maximize concurrency in

communication network elementcommunication network element– Instead of sequential process – send a Instead of sequential process – send a

request/wait/ then send again, send request/wait/ then send again, send several requests to network element at several requests to network element at onceonce

Scale (2)Scale (2)

• Pic 1-12Pic 1-12

Impact of operations concurrency on Operations throughput

Scale (3)Scale (3)

• Event-propagationEvent-propagation

• How to allow events to propagate How to allow events to propagate efficiently to the system and efficiently to the system and update stateupdate state

• After an event is received, the After an event is received, the management app. has to management app. has to – Quickly identify where it belongsQuickly identify where it belongs– What its implication is What its implication is – What else might be affectedWhat else might be affected

Scale (4)Scale (4)

• ScopingScoping– How to access and manipulate How to access and manipulate large large

chunks of management informationchunks of management information efficiently and efficiently and through single operationthrough single operation without the need for tedious incremental without the need for tedious incremental operations operations

Scale (5)Scale (5)

• Fig 1-13Fig 1-13

Impact of bulk operations on management efficiency

Scale (6)Scale (6)

• Distribution and addressingDistribution and addressing– How to allow processing to be How to allow processing to be

distributed across different systemsdistributed across different systems– How to provide for location transparency How to provide for location transparency

and efficient addressingand efficient addressing

Scale (7)Scale (7)

• Most network management providers Most network management providers claim that their management apps are claim that their management apps are scalablescalable

• To be comparable, the following To be comparable, the following parameters are checkedparameters are checked– Management operation throughout Management operation throughout

• per time unit with stated assumption on the nature of per time unit with stated assumption on the nature of operation / the number and complexity of parameters operation / the number and complexity of parameters / the number of network element involved/ the number of network element involved

– Event throughputEvent throughput• Per time unit , maximum throughput and sustained Per time unit , maximum throughput and sustained

raw receipt of events raw receipt of events – Network synchronization capacity Network synchronization capacity

• How many network elements an application can How many network elements an application can synchronize with (retrieve information from in a unit synchronize with (retrieve information from in a unit of time)of time)

Cross-section technologies Cross-section technologies (1)(1)

• Information ModelingInformation Modeling– EX. Object-oriented analysis and EX. Object-oriented analysis and

design techniques such as Unified design techniques such as Unified Modeling Language (UML)Modeling Language (UML)

• DatabasesDatabases– Ex. persistent storage such as to Ex. persistent storage such as to

store configuration information with store configuration information with which to provision the network and which to provision the network and servicesservices

Cross-section technologies Cross-section technologies (2)(2)

• Distributed systemDistributed system– To meet requirement for scale as well To meet requirement for scale as well

as for reliability and availability, as for reliability and availability, managing system need to be managing system need to be distributeddistributed

– EX. Global management operations EX. Global management operations that can shift the main management that can shift the main management load among operation centerload among operation center

Cross-section technologies Cross-section technologies (3)(3)• Communication protocolsCommunication protocols

– Management apps have to communicate with Management apps have to communicate with other systems by other systems by management protocolsmanagement protocols

– Thus, management protocols need to be well Thus, management protocols need to be well understood understood

• User InterfacesUser Interfaces– Make operators performing their task Make operators performing their task

efficientlyefficiently– Also preventing operational errorsAlso preventing operational errors

Cross-section technologies Cross-section technologies (4)(4)• Other considerationOther consideration • Specific requirementsSpecific requirements for various services might be for various services might be

taken into accounttaken into account– Ex. Management of a voice network and management of Ex. Management of a voice network and management of

an optical transport network have many aspects in an optical transport network have many aspects in commonscommons• Topologies need to be displayed on a map Topologies need to be displayed on a map • Devices must be monitored for alarmsDevices must be monitored for alarms

– some aspects are completely different.some aspects are completely different.• Voice network requires management of the dial plan Voice network requires management of the dial plan • Optical network involve managing how optical links can carry Optical network involve managing how optical links can carry

different wavelengthsdifferent wavelengths

• Finally, understanding Finally, understanding network provider’s workflow network provider’s workflow are required along with how the management are required along with how the management system fits in the overall operation structuresystem fits in the overall operation structure

Integration (1)Integration (1)

• A network management system A network management system might consist of might consist of – Different applications used to monitor a Different applications used to monitor a

network and to provision services network and to provision services – Equipment from different vendors , each Equipment from different vendors , each

of which may come with its own of which may come with its own softwaresoftware

Integration (2)Integration (2)

• Fig 1-15Fig 1-15

Integration (3)Integration (3)

Management integration

Organization and Organization and Operations challenge (1)Operations challenge (1)

• Functional division of Tasks (1)Functional division of Tasks (1)– Network planningNetwork planning – topology – topology

/nodes/links/nodes/links– Network deploymentNetwork deployment - to install - to install

equipmentequipment– Network operationNetwork operation – to monitor the – to monitor the

network for any problems, failures and network for any problems, failures and issues with performanceissues with performance

– Network maintenance and maintenance Network maintenance and maintenance planningplanning – to perform equipment and – to perform equipment and software upgrades provision services software upgrades provision services and tune network parametersand tune network parameters

Organization and Organization and Operations challenge (2)Operations challenge (2)

• Functional division of Tasks (2)Functional division of Tasks (2)– Workforce managementWorkforce management - to manage - to manage

maintenance and deployment personnel maintenance and deployment personnel – Inventory managementInventory management – to keep track of what – to keep track of what

is and what should be in the network and to is and what should be in the network and to maintain spare equipmentmaintain spare equipment

– Order managementOrder management – take orders for services – take orders for services from customers, dispatch requests to get the from customers, dispatch requests to get the services provisioned and track their executionservices provisioned and track their execution

– Customer help deskCustomer help desk – to provide level 1 support – to provide level 1 support (take calls from customers, answer simple (take calls from customers, answer simple questions, direct customers to the proper questions, direct customers to the proper person)person)

– Billing and billing dispute resolutionBilling and billing dispute resolution – to charge – to charge customers and collect revenuecustomers and collect revenue

Organization and Organization and Operations challenge (3)Operations challenge (3)

• Geographical distributionGeographical distribution– Support and manage globally Support and manage globally

• Operation Procedures and contingency planningOperation Procedures and contingency planning– Because a network provider need to ensure that the Because a network provider need to ensure that the

network is managed in an orderly fashion and must stay network is managed in an orderly fashion and must stay in control in control

– Introducing Introducing comprehensive operational procedure and comprehensive operational procedure and guidelines and documentingguidelines and documenting is an important tool. is an important tool.

– This establishes a process that helps ensure that This establishes a process that helps ensure that activities can be tracked in an activities can be tracked in an orderly fashionorderly fashion

– Documented guidelinesDocumented guidelines ensure a consistent way of ensure a consistent way of dealing with network management tasks and problemsdealing with network management tasks and problems

– Part of the operational procedures should deal with Part of the operational procedures should deal with contingency planningcontingency planning• What should be done when a virus outbreak inside the What should be done when a virus outbreak inside the

network or under denial of service attacknetwork or under denial of service attack

Business challengesBusiness challenges (1)(1)

• Placing a value on network managementPlacing a value on network management– ROI model is needed but it is hard to quantifyROI model is needed but it is hard to quantify– In term of equipment vendors, In term of equipment vendors, it is difficult to it is difficult to

recouprecoup investment in management application investment in management application development than investment in networking development than investment in networking feature developmentfeature development

– In term of a service provider, the In term of a service provider, the operational operational cost might actually exceed the costcost might actually exceed the cost of the of the equipmentequipment• Good network management can save operational cost Good network management can save operational cost

and and

Business challengesBusiness challenges (2)(2)

• Feature Vs ProductFeature Vs Product– How to determine right level of investment How to determine right level of investment

(about management function) for the product(about management function) for the product– As As a cost factora cost factor, the challenge is , the challenge is

• management apps. must be kept to the minimum management apps. must be kept to the minimum investment but not jeopardize equipment salesinvestment but not jeopardize equipment sales

– As As a competitive differentiatora competitive differentiator, the challenge is, the challenge is• how to show that business can be improved and how to show that business can be improved and

competitive competitive

Business challengesBusiness challenges (3)(3)

• Uneven competitive landscape Uneven competitive landscape (between 3(between 3rdrd party and equipment vendor to develop party and equipment vendor to develop management application)management application)– TimingTiming – 3 – 3rdrd party management vendor tends to lag party management vendor tends to lag

behind the equipment vendorbehind the equipment vendor– EconomicsEconomics – management software might be included – management software might be included

in the productin the product• To be competitive ,the 3To be competitive ,the 3rdrd party should provide additional party should provide additional

value such as support for multiple vendorsvalue such as support for multiple vendors– Customer expectationCustomer expectation

• Economies of scaleEconomies of scale

• The area in favor of the management vendorThe area in favor of the management vendor– Ties management software with business process Ex. Ties management software with business process Ex.

Billing software Billing software

Network Management Tools Network Management Tools (1)(1)

• Device Manager and craft terminalDevice Manager and craft terminal

• Network AnalyzersNetwork Analyzers

• Element ManagersElement Managers

• Management PlatformsManagement Platforms

• Collectors and ProbesCollectors and Probes

• Intrusion Detection SystemsIntrusion Detection Systems

• Performance Analysis SystemsPerformance Analysis Systems

Network Management Tools Network Management Tools (2)(2)

• Alarm Management systemsAlarm Management systems• Trouble Ticket SystemsTrouble Ticket Systems• Work Order SystemsWork Order Systems• Workflow Management Systems and Workflow Management Systems and

Workflow EnginesWorkflow Engines• Inventory SystemInventory System• Service Provisioning SystemsService Provisioning Systems• Service Order-Management SystemsService Order-Management Systems• Billing SystemBilling System

Device Manager – ciscoview Device Manager – ciscoview (1)(1)

Device Manager – ciscoview Device Manager – ciscoview (2)(2)

Network Analyzer -MaaTech Network Analyzer -MaaTech (1)(1)

Network Analyzer -MaaTech Network Analyzer -MaaTech (2)(2)