What is Network Administration ??

Network administration can be defined as: “branch of engineering that concerns the operational management of human-computer systems” [Burgess Ch 1]

A network administrator has different roles[Stallings page 3][Stallings page 3]•Controlling corporate strategic assetsControlling corporate strategic assets•Controlling complexityControlling complexity•Improving serviceImproving service•Balancing various needsBalancing various needs•Reducing downtimeReducing downtime•Controlling costsControlling costs

Why do we need Network administration at first ??

““F C A P S”F C A P S”• Fault ManagementFault Management• Configuration & Name Configuration & Name

ManagementManagement• Account ManagementAccount Management• Performance ManagementPerformance Management• Security ManagementSecurity Management

The core management areas

Fault managementThe facilities that enable the

detection, isolation, and correction

of abnormal operation of the OSI environment.

Configuration and Name Management

The services and facilities that • control• identify• collect and provide data

to clients and managed objects,so assisting in continuous

operation of interconnection services.

OSI - Account Management

The facilities that enable charges to be established for the use of managed objects and costs to be identified for the use of those managed objects.

OSI - Performance Management

The Facilities needed to evaluate Behaviour of managed objects Effectiveness of communication

activities

OSI - Security Management

Address those aspects of OSI security essential to: operate OSI network management

correctly and to protect managed objects

Definitions??

How does Network Administration work in Practice?

Let’s look at how Network Management is Organised…

NetworkHardware

Applications Division of Labour

Structure of Systems and Network Management Organisation

Corporate Networked EnvironmentsHave team(s) of specialists in various areasWell defined tasks job descriptions

In small networks usually one person multi-skilled and multi-tasked

In reality – often somewhere in between….

Network Administrators Tasks

Tasks of a Network Administrator

Security ManagementPerformance ManagementPlanning for GrowthFault Management and RecoveryAccount/User ManagementNetworked Application Support

Security Management

FirewallsUsernamesPassword controlResource Access Control

Performance Management

AvailabilityResponse TimeAccuracy

Planning for Growth

A Network (or any organisation) is not staticGrowth means increased load on a network. This must be planned for….Systems eventually need replacement. This must be planned for – in advance…

Fault Management and Recovery

Monitoring Reporting status

Testing Fixes and Patches Updates Repairs Change Management

Account / User ManagementCommunication Facilities Connection - Rental - Charges

Hardware Usage Lease - Rent - Hire

Consumables Usage Power, Paper, Media (Diskettes, CDs…)

Software Usage Licensing, Tolls, Application usage

Account / User Management

Accounts are Managed for: Intrusion detection / prevention Charging for Services Legal protection of the Organisation

Networked Application Support

Client / Server systems supportInternet supportServer support Applications and Hardware

Helpdesk Trouble report / Bug fixes Printing eMail

How to be a Sys/Net Admin(yet another Job Description…)

Learn Operating System basics eg UnixLearn shell utilities and script programmingLearn how to Install and Configure OSLearn DNS and BindLearn TCP/IP networkingLearn NFS and NIS (or equivalent…)Learn about system tuning and accountingLearn Compile and Link (eg C and make)

SAGE SysAdmin Job Descriptions

http://www.sage-au.org.au/

http://sageweb.sage.org/jobs/thefield/jobs-descriptions.html

Goals of System/Network Administration

Put together a network of computersGet them runningKeep them running (despite Users….)Provide a Service to UsersRequires skills of Mechanic Sociologist Researcher

Challenges of System/Network Administration

Systems or Network Administration is more than just installing computers or networks.It is about planning and designing an efficient community of computers that allow users to get their jobs done.

Challenges of AdministrationDesign Logical, Efficient networksEasily deploy & update many machinesDecide what services are needed know the business tasks & customers

Plan and implement adequate securityProvide comfortable User environmentBe able to fix errors and problemsKeep track of & be able to use knowledge

Style of Network Administration

PRACTICEConvention or The Best Solution

PRACTICE = “How things are done here”

Have you ever wondered…Why are things done in certain ways? Which way is best? Usually it’s

because:Someone did it once, and everyone copied without really thinking about itPeople have thought much about it and this really is the best way…An arbitrary choice was made, and it is now a matter of convention

Comparison of System/Network Management Styles

Fire-Fighting Managing by responding to situations when

they happen (Reactive)

Preventative management Monitor network and make repairs and

changes before problems appear (Proactive)

These are two opposite extremes. Most real managers combine both.

Fire-Fighting

Investigate the Fault or Problem Isolate the problem and

identify/define it Use tests and tools to diagnose the

problem Solve the problem and document the

solution

Prioritize multiple problems

Preventative Management

The Good Circle management cycle

Preventative Management Techniques

Capacity PlanningSimulation and Testing load generators Benchmarks

Performance Monitors and System Tuning Network analysis and modelling Load balancing Hardware upgrades

Management method and Cost

Information about Network Administration

The Knowledge….What is it? Where is it?How do we get it?

Sources of Information for System/Network Administrators

Manuals and Online DocumentationWorld Wide WebRFCs, FYIs, IENsNews groups, Discussion lists, WebLogsMeetings and Seminars SAGE/Usenix, Novell Brainshare, Microsoft

TechNet/TechEd

How-To books

(END) No Tutorials in Week 1.