The Tech Report

With networks handling a variety of data as well as numerous devices, companies are challenged to monitor and secure their complex networks while also protecting them from security breaches. This is where remote network monitoring-the tech world's guardian angels for hire-can help.

These guardian angels, called managed service providers (MSPs) in the tech industry, keep constant watch over clients' networks through remote network monitoring so clients don't have to tackle that task. Remote network monitoring insures servers, computers and other network devices are up and running safely and efficiently at all times by constantly monitoring network traffic. This allows a business owner or network manager to concentrate on growing the business rather than spending their days checking things.

How it Works

Computer networks these days have a lot of traffic. There are viruses that wind invisibly through emails and servers with the potential to crash a system. There are laptops and smartphones accessing systems remotely. There are videos posted on multiple platforms. And there are the many social networks that employers often request employees not to use on work time. Managing and controlling this traffic is what remote network management does best.

Monitoring options include watch and notify, where companies are notified of any network problem, be it a virus or overcapacity issues slowing the system, and the popular watch and correct. In that scenario, MSPs correct problems and later notify clients of the resolution. MSPs sign in remotely to clients' networks. Reports are generally shared and reviewed on a monthly basis.

Companies can choose what networks they want managed, such as firewalls, servers, network switches, desktop computers, laptops, printers and/or smartphones. Monthly costs vary depending on the network, but monthly costs typically range from $100 to $200 for firewalls or network switches, $150 to $300 for servers, and $30 to $70 each for printers, PCs, laptops and smartphones.

For all the benefits these services bring, there are challenges. Implementing effective network monitoring tools requires an understanding of:

Network baselines: At the start of any network project, a baseline should be created. The baseline will show you how the components in your network are operating (good/bad, slow/fast, under/over utilized).

Network topology: By implementing probes or monitors, it should be possible to visualize the network based on the traffic that is observed. Doing this in an automated way can be extremely useful to network administrators.

Knowledge management: As the tools obtain information from the network, it is someone's responsibility to gather knowledge from the information and understand how all the devices in your network are operating.

The Payback

Some of the benefits of remote network monitoring are:

Proactive warning of problems: With proactive remote network monitoring, your MSP, IT department, or IT person can be alerted to issues before they turn into serious problems and downtime.

Tracking the growth of the network: A lot has probably changed with your network during the past several years. A new server may have been installed, or maybe your organization has implemented wireless technology. All of this can affect network traffic loads, leading to overtaxed network connections and possible growth issues. Remote network monitoring will allow you to know what you have and how it's being used, so you can proactively look to resolve problems before they start.

Help with capacity planning: Network monitoring allows you to track how much disk space and network bandwidth you're using, enabling you to do budgeting and capacity planning based on your usage trends.

Meeting service level agreements: Service level agreements are contracts between a network service provider and customers regarding promised capacity, uptime and promised available resources. Network monitoring ensures you are indeed meeting these requirements.

Firewall/antivirus maintenance: Proactively monitoring and managing your firewall and antivirus protection insures proper operation and provides regular software updates to maintain its effectiveness.

What To Ask

There are lots of network support providers out there. Before you choose one, you should ask some tough questions. This is, after all, your business you're entrusting to them. Here are some things to consider:

Experience: Businesses should have integrated security systems that reflect their specific needs and go beyond firewalls and antivirus. In order to design, install and monitor this type of system, it is important that the staff has experience with other, similar situations and with security in general.

History: How long has the company been in business?  More important, how long have they been offering the remote monitoring service. You want to select an organization that has been providing these types of services for a minimum of five years.

References: Be sure to check for references and ensure that the references are current.  Also when checking references, make sure that their networks are of equal or greater size to yours.

Remote network management has the potential to help businesses satisfy customers and to grow provided it is well planned and executed.

Timothy Howard is president of RMON Networks, an IT services provider in Kingston. He can be reached at 603-642-4040.