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Network management and monitoring: The evolution of network control
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Article
Three common network errors
Learn how to identify the most common network errors and how to get your network humming again. Read Now
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Article
Guarding against outages, one step at a time
Monitoring for potential problems is more valuable and cost-effective than planning for massive systems outages. Read Now
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Article
Building Wireshark display filter expressions
Wireshark display features like capture and packet filtering are important tools for troubleshooting network issues, but insight is needed. Read Now
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Article
Stopping the network performance blame game
In this Q&A, an IT pro explains how he uses APM tools to prove the network isn't to blame. Read Now
Editor's note
As networking becomes more complex, network monitoring systems have continued to evolve. Today, networking pros must be familiar with the challenges presented by overseeing networks that extend through multiple environments and must also understand concepts such as application delivery optimization and data analytics.
This essential guide explores the basics of network monitoring systems and explains how network pros can exploit monitoring platforms and tools to mine valuable intelligence about their network performance.
1Take action: Extend your network visibility
Ensuring visibility is a main reason network monitoring systems exist. Having a deep understanding of the inner workings of your network and applications can improve performance and, just as importantly, save you money. In this section of our guide, learn more about extending your network visibility and the tools that can help.
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Article
App visibility tools emerge for the wireless world
AVC tools can help you deliver a wider range of critical applications to both personal and enterprise-issued devices. Read Now
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Article
SDN offers new network visibility
Management tools for next-generation networks must be scalable, agile and smart. SDN monitoring tools can help. Read Now
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Article
What's behind network downtime
Network outages are usually blamed on human error, but several recent incidents were due to faulty technology. What's the bigger culprit? Read Now
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Article
Monitoring the end-user experience
Network monitoring software may show that your equipment is working, but it doesn't guarantee that the user experience is optimal. Read Now
2Network management: Today's challenges, tomorrow's goals
When it comes to network management, new challenges come up all the time. Learn how to be proactive with new techniques, and discover how network monitoring systems are using analytics to troubleshoot and prevent issues.
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Article
The app delivery process needs to improve
It's time for IT to go from being provider of services to a broker between clouds and end users. Here's how. Read Now
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Article
Unified network management tutorial
Learn about unified network management tools that can provide one user interface that identifies, configures, monitors, updates and troubleshoots both wired and wireless network devices. Read Now
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Article
Prepare for SDN with network configuration management tools
Read how network configuration management tools can help pave the way to SDN for your organization. Read Now
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Article
Merlin Project working on a new network management tool
The Merlin Project hopes to help networking pros oversee complex networks with a new network management tool and framework that views the network as a whole. Read Now
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Article
Using network analytics to resolve service issues
Learn how network analytics can help you troubleshoot problems faster and prevent service issues down the line. Read Now
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Podcast
Use APM for proactive management
APM must be planned and managed more holistically with more emphasis on proactive management. Listen Now
3Improving network performance and control
Optimize network control and network performance with these strategies from our networking experts.
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Video
Controlling the network perimeter
Learn why traditional network perimeter security is no longer enough to secure the enterprise. Watch Now
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Video
Troubleshooting apps in the cloud
To learn how to get the most from the data you have to troubleshoot cloud app problems. Watch Now
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Video
Visibility in a hybrid network
Learn how to collect data and employ the right analytical tools. Watch Now
4Network management and monitoring related definitions
Check out these definitions.
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Definition
network management system
A network management system (NMS) is an application or set of applications that lets network engineers manage a network's independent components inside a bigger network management framework and performs several key functions. Read Now
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Definition
unified network management
Unified network management is the administration of both wired and wireless networks through a single interface. Read Now
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Definition
WAN accelerator
A WAN accelerator is an appliance that improves the end user's experience on a wide area network (WAN). Read Now
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Definition
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is an application-layer protocol used to manage and monitor network devices and their functions. Read Now
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Definition
business intelligence (BI)
Business intelligence (BI) is a technology-driven process for analyzing data and presenting actionable information to help executives, managers and other corporate end users make informed business decisions. Read Now
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Definition
link-load balancer (link balancer)
A link load balancer, also called a link balancer, is a network appliance that distributes in-bound and out-bound traffic to and from multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) links. Read Now
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Definition
network analyzer (protocol analyzer or packet analyzer)
A network analyzer is a combination of hardware and programming, or in some cases a stand-alone hardware device, that can be installed in a computer or network to enhance protection against malicious activity... (Continued) Read Now
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Definition
round-trip time (RTT)
Round-trip time (RTT), also called round-trip delay, is the time required for a signal pulse or packet to travel from a specific source to a specific destination and back again...(Continued) Read Now
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Definition
signal-to-noise ratio (S/N or SNR)
In analog and digital communications, signal-to-noise ratio is a measure of signal strength relative to background noise. This ratio is usually measured in decibels. Read Now
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Definition
traffic shaping (packet shaping)
Traffic shaping, also known as "packet shaping," is the practice of regulating network data transfer to assure a certain level of performance, quality of service (QoS) or return on investment (ROI). Read Now
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Definition
network automation
Network automation is a methodology in which software automatically configures, provisions, manages and tests network devices. Read Now