Compaq 5226A Compaq Netelligent Network Management Overview - Page 6

043A/0996 NETWORK MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW (cont'd) ... In this manner, network management traffic is isolated to each segment. A central manager can then collect management data (performance, errors, configuration, etc.) from the segment or domain managers when necessary, providing a total picture of the network environment without generating excessive management-related traffic. THE COST OF NETWORK MANAGEMENT How do you justify the cost of the hardware, software, and training required to implement a network management system? Although most network management solutions may seem expensive, the lack of network management can be even more costly. Ask yourself the following questions: What happens when my network fails? Network failure significantly reduces productivity and revenue. When your network goes down, work ceases, paralyzing mission-critical operations - and you are responsible for reacting to and resolving the situation. How much does downtime cost? When a network or a segment crashes, every minute of downtime results in lost revenue and productivity. Each year, as we rely more on computers in our daily business, losses from network downtime increase dramatically. Figure 5 shows the estimated cost of downtime from network failure. Figure 5 - Source: Infonetics Research, Inc. Why not just hire additional support personnel? Infonetics Research studies show that, as corporate management allocates funds to expand the information system, they are not allocating proportional funding for the staff required to support the system. Therefore, as budgets tighten, network professionals will turn to management tools to maximize the productivity of smaller support staffs. Figure 6 illustrates the gap between network management budgets and LAN segment growth. Figure 6 - Source:Infonetics Research, Inc. 6