Top 10 Network Monitoring Best Practices in 2024

The efficiency of network infrastructure play pivotal roles in the overall performance and reliability of IT services. The network monitoring is essential as networks become more complex, integrating numerous devices, applications, and protocols. It is essential for maintaining network performance and security, offering insights into traffic, reoccurring issues.

Implementing network monitoring best practices requires a structured approach. This article will delve into the best practices of network monitoring, offering a structured approach.

Carry out initial diagnostic & setup

1. Analyze historical data

Collecting and analyzing historical data is valuable for capacity planning and understanding how network performance changes.

• Collect and store historical data: Ensure the system retains historical performance data for analysis.
• Trend analysis and capacity planning: Analyze this data to identify long-term trends and plan for future network capacity needs.

2. Assess network infrastructure

Monitor all network components to ensure complete visibility across the network infrastructure.

• Inventory network devices: List all devices within network, including routers, switches, servers, and endpoints.
• Understand network architecture: Get a clear view of how network is structured, including its topology and critical components.

3. Set up a network monitoring system

This phase involves selecting the appropriate tools and configuring them to suit network’s unique characteristics and needs.

• Select a network monitoring tool: Choose a tool that fits the network size, complexity, and specific requirements. Consider tools like SolarWinds, AKIPS, PRTG Network Monitor, Zabbix, or ManageEngine OpManager.
• Configure initial settings: Install network monitoring software and configure it to recognize all the network devices and components.

4. Automate monitoring and management

Automate the diagnostics and remediation processes to resolve issues more quickly. This reduces downtime and the manual effort required from IT staff.

• Implement real-time monitoring: Ensure system can monitor network performance and security in real time.
• Automate responses: Where possible, automate responses to common issues, such as restarting a service or blocking suspicious traffic.

5. Utilize automation for problem resolution

Incorporating automated remediation into the network monitoring strategy can improve response times and reduce manual intervention for common issues.

• Integrate with change management systems: Ensure automated remediation actions are logged and integrated with the organization’s change management systems. This provides visibility into automated actions taken and allows for audit trails.
• Test automation scripts regularly: Regularly review and test automation scripts to ensure they perform as expected. This practice helps avoid unintended consequences of automated actions under different network conditions.

Facilitate continuous monitoring with alerts and dashboards

6. Establish baselines and alerts

Establish baseline metrics for normal network behavior and use them to detect anomalies. Understanding what is normal helps in identifying potential problems or security breaches.

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs): Identify and monitor KPIs relevant to network’s performance, such as bandwidth usage, packet loss, latency, and error rates.
• Set baseline metrics: Determine what normal network behavior looks like by establishing baseline metrics for each KPI.
• Configure alerts: Set up alerts for when metrics deviate significantly from baseline levels, indicating potential issues.

7. Customize dashboards

Using customized dashboards ensure that stakeholders have access to the data they need. For example, Amazon has a network infrastructure that requires constant monitoring to ensure smooth operations. The IT department uses network monitoring software that provides the ability to create customized dashboards.¹

• Personalize views: Customize network monitoring dashboard to display the most critical information at a glance, tailored to different roles within IT team.
• Interactive and dynamic data visualization: The dashboard includes interactive elements like graphs and charts, which allow users to drill down into the data for more detailed analysis

Source²

Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders

8. Integrate security

Integrate network monitoring with security infrastructure to detect and respond to potential security threats alongside performance issues.

• Combine monitoring and security tools: Integrate network monitoring solution with security infrastructure to monitor for both performance and security threats simultaneously.
• Regularly update and patch: Keep all network devices and monitoring tools up to date with the latest security patches.

9. Document and collaborate

Developing an effective escalation strategy requires identifying what qualifies as a problem, deciding on the notification chain, and specifying the actions needed to resolve the issue.

• Document setup and processes: Keep detailed records of network monitoring configuration and processes.
• Promote team collaboration: Encourage IT team to share insights and collaborate on resolving network issues based on monitoring data.

10. Engage with vendor support and community

Leveraging the expertise provided by the network monitoring tool’s vendor, as well as participating in user communities, can significantly enhance the system’s efficiency and team’s knowledge.

• Utilize vendor support: Take advantage of support and training offered by network monitoring tool’s vendor.
• Participate in user communities: Engage with online forums or user groups related to monitoring tools for additional tips and best practices.

FAQ

For more on network monitoring

• In-Depth Look at AKIPS Network Monitoring Software in 2024
• Network Performance Monitoring to Maximize Business Efficiency in 2024
• Top 7 Free Network Monitoring Tools based on 1,000+ Reviews in 2024
• Top 10 Network Monitoring Software based on 3,000+ Reviews

External Links

• 1. “Monitoring and Alerts“. Amazon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
• 2. “AWS Dynamic Monitoring Dashboard“. Amazon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.