A Primer to Network Performance Monitoring

Network performance monitoring constitutes three processes of identification, analysis, and troubleshooting of problems, which hamper the performance of a network. 

The task of troubleshooting depends on the magnitude, intricacies, and the variety of networks being handled. Networks need to be careful monitored for their performance, traffic flow within them, and the way the resources are used.

It is, in fact, a very crucial part of the network’s maintenance. Monitoring helps in gathering crucial data of the performance of a network as this is crucial for detecting network issues and in anticipating the fluctuating network requirements in the future. Network performance monitoring is becoming an integral function of network administrators as it can help you avoid spending excessively when a network is down, lets them abide by compliance needs, and thwarts off security challenges from within. It helps in locating redundant assets, which can aid in tempering infrastructural costs and identifying cost cutting initiatives. Fragile links, equipment overload, and other hurdles that can bring to a halt an entire network can also be isolated.

Network performance monitoring has to be done on a regular basis that will keep the administrators abreast on the functioning of a network.  It is preferable that the data of network’s performance is gathered under varying conditions in order to understand under what circumstances it may fail. If data indicates that a network is functioning reasonably under normal working circumstances, it helps network administrators expect certain issues much before they arise.  That way when issues arise, the network administrators can then detect the actual cause of a problem.

Network performance monitoring also provides information, using which future growth can be predicted realistically. This will help administrators plan ahead for modifications in network demands.

Included in data performance are measurements like uptime and availability, reliability, issues with routing, almost precise response time, and so on. 

Every module of a network has a bearing on the way a network functions. Monitoring is done for issues arising when components are overloaded or if the components are not functioning as well as they should. If each of the modules’ performance in the network is observed meticulously, network’s functioning can be enhanced to the maximum level possible.

Major issues affecting a network's function are packet loss, throughput, latency, encryption, compression, etc.

New innovations are improving network performance monitoring offerings on a regular basis. New network monitoring offerings have many servers operating in different areas of the world.  This is, it is believed, will make network performance monitoring an integral part of business monitoring.