Research Field: 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.