Network management system
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A network management system (NMS) is a combination of hardware and software used to monitor and administer a computer network.
Individual network elements (NEs) in a network are managed by an element management system.
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[edit] Tasks and operational details
An NMS manages the network elements, also called managed devices. Device management includes faults, configuration, accounting, performance, and security (FCAPS) management. Management tasks include discovering network inventory, monitoring device health and status, providing alerts to conditions that impact system performance, and identification of problems, their source(s) and possible solutions.
[edit] Protocols
An NMS employs various protocols to accomplish these tasks. For example, SNMP protocol can be used to gather the information from devices in the network hierarchy.
[edit] Network statistics
The NMS collects device statistics and may maintain an archive of previous network statistics including problems and solutions that were successful in the past. If faults recur, the NMS can search the archive for the possible solutions.
[edit] See also
- Network architecture
- Network engineering
- Network management
- Network monitoring
- Network administration
- List of SAN network management systems
- Comparison of network monitoring systems
