The NDSG makeover
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The Network Management Cycle
Up one levelThis is the listing of the Research Areas that make up the steps of The Network Management Cycle
Step 1: Monitor the Network
This "step" of the Network Management Cycle is really a continuous process involving the monitoring of the network infrastructure and traffic transmitting across the network. Accurate profiles of network traffic and component failure are maintained for use in the subsequent steps of the NMC. When starting the Network Management Cycle, the monitoring step may also require network discovery, whereby the physical layout of the network components is determined. Thenceforth the layout is documented in a network diagram which can be updated as changes are made.
Step 2: Evaluate the Network
In this step network administrators evaluate the current network (find bottlenecks, test failures, etc). A diagram of the network layout together with current traffic profiles should be used to build a simulation model of the network. Scenarios of possible future usage patterns and network failures should then be tested on this model, to determine how the network will perform under possible traffic loads.
Step 3: Design the Network
In this step network administrators use the information gained from Step 1: Monitor the Network and Step 2: Evaluate the Network to design an optimal network. Optimal network design is an NP-hard optimization problem, and has been the main focus of our research to date. Currently we use integer programming to perform this step although some heuristic algorithms do exist.
Step 4: Compare the Networks
In this step researchers compare two network layouts in terms of performance, reliability, etc. This is achieved by building a simulation model based on the new network design, and running the current traffic profiles and the future usage scenarios from Step 2: Evaluate the Network across this model. If the comparison is not favourable the modelling in the design step should be investigated.
Step 5: Implement the Network
If a decision is made to change to the current network, the network is upgraded, tested and put into use in place of the existing network.