The All-New Switch Book: The Complete Guide to LAN Switching Technology, Second Edition

Chapter 15. Switch Management

Up to now, the discussions have concentrated on the technical aspects of switch operation and implementation, along with the features, applications, and performance trade-offs that must be considered when selecting switch products for deployment in an enterprise internetwork. However, as depicted in Figure 15-1, these issues are just part of a continuous process that constantly attempts to ensure that the network meets the organization's needs in the face of both changing technology and user application requirements.

As important as product features are to the behavior of an enterprise network, the network administrator must constantly:

• Monitor network performance to ensure that all links and devices are operating as intended by the design

• Tune the network for optimum performance by adjustment or reconfiguration of device parameters

• Isolate and repair failed links, devices, subsystems, and software components

• Plan for changes and/or upgrades to the network to meet the needs of new and growing application requirements

This chapter looks at how the need to support these network management requirements is reflected in the design of LAN switches. The chapter is not intended as a primer or a treatise on network management or as a troubleshooting guide for switched LANs; those subjects are sufficiently important and complex to justify many bookshelf-meters of their own.^[] Readers in need of a good introduction to network management principles and protocols ...