Networks are constantly evolving and becoming more complex, larger and increasingly sophisticated and cloud services, software-defined networking and hybridized public/private networks are only adding to their growth and increasing complexity. In today’s network environment IT departments need software tools to automate and manage the configuration of the devices connected to their networks.
Network configuration refers to the process of defining operating settings for network’s devices. Network configuration software tools are used to identify network devices, control their settings and manage any changes to them; it encompasses the ongoing process of establishing and maintaining the operation of all network devices, and the software and firmware that is installed on them. It includes the discovery of devices when they are added to the network, the monitoring of device configuration and status while they are in use, and a record of any changes made their configuration.
Information about the structure of the network is contained in a configuration management database. When network devices require repair, modification, or upgrades, the network administrator uses this database for information about the status of those devices and uses network configuration software to make the necessary changes. This database records the IP address and location of all hardware devices connected to the network and includes all relevant information associated with them such as their configuration details, software versions, updates and default settings among others.
Network configuration software enables an administrator to centrally control any changes made to device settings and to identify the overall impact of changes on the network. Some changes can degrade network performance or even cause it to stop functioning while others have the potential to threaten users’ privacy or create security flaws. Network configuration management software enables the administrator to quickly identify configuration changes that impact the system and can automatically roll back any changes that have negative impacts. It can also track all the firmware on devices and control updates so that they comply with the latest version.
Automating the management of a network using configuration software reduces time spent on the repetitive yet vitally important tasks that keep a network operating optimally. It allows an administrator to automatically apply changes throughout the network, to maintain security policies and to control access to changes that can be made on the network. Effective configuration management software minimizes configuration errors and maintains the security of your network while giving the administrator a central point of control and management functions for all network devices’ configuration parameters.