CIT 443: Enterprise Network Management

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CIT 443 Enterprise Network Management

• FCAPS Configuration Management

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Definition ofConfiguration Management

• Configuration management is the process of
  obtaining functional data from each network
  device, storing and documenting that data, and
  subsequently utilizing that data to manage the
  operations of all network devices

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Why Configuration Management?

• Systems are as complex as they have ever been
• Networked systems must be configured properly in
  order to function properly
• Usually means the default configuration is not
  sufficient
• Managing how these devices are configured and
  documenting these configurations is extremely
  important

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Configuration Management Activities

• Gather network configuration information How?
• Store the data in redundant locations
• Why?
• Use configuration information to identify make
  necessary configuration changes
• Produce configuration reports
• non-compliance reports

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Network Design Aspects of CCM

• Initializing the network
• Design and Implementation
• Maintaining, adding and updating the
  relationships between components
• Graceful shut-down of the network
• Others?

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Configuration Management Functions

• Network Topology Control
• Network Provisioning
• Progress of New Equipment Installations
• Progress of New Service Configurations
• Inventory Management
• Version Control
• Device Configuration
• Firmware Version
• Configuration Control
• Local
• Remote
• Network Documentation!

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Expectations ofConfiguration Management

• Users
• Informed of changes in configuration
• Scheduled downtime periodic reports
• Rapid response/resolution of problems
• Network Engineers
• Predefined configuration attributes
• Standardized protocols and interoperability
• Network Administrators
• Change connectivity of network as required
• Users are unable to change configurations

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ConfigurationManagement Information

• Network Maps
• Documents physical logical network design
• Should be used as background for a fault
  management system
• Other Information?
• Software Inventories
• Licensing Information
• Support Contract/Contact Information
• Other Information?
• Hardware Inventories
• Make/Model
• Serial Number
• Property Accounting Tag Number
• Support Contract/Contact Information
• Other Information?

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ConfigurationManagement Benefits

• Rapid access to vital configuration data
• Disaster Recovery
• Improved Fault Resolution
• Framework for updating connectivity/communications
  between devices
• Quickly determine how many devices of a certain
  type of are on the network
• Bug Fixes
• Upgrades/Updates
• Other Benefits?

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Configuration ManagementManual Device Discovery

• Time consuming and inaccurate
• Missing nodes
• Will you be current when youre done?
• Touch every node and collect the data
• New devices?
• Geographically disparate systems?
• Large networks?

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Configuration ManagementAutomatic Device
Discovery

• Passively listen for stations
• Not as intrusive to users or BW intensive
• Incomplete and least accurate of automated
  methods
• Likely more accurate than manual methods
• Passively listen to switched connections?
• Security Risk?

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Configuration ManagementAutomatic Device
Discovery

• Ping and query all addresses within range
• Potentially Disruptive
• BW Intensive
• Find a single device then use a management
  protocol to ask it who it has talked to recently
• Nmap/Nessus/Netstat
• Arpwatch

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Configuration Management via SNMP

• SNMP Public Community
• Gather information about the current network
  environment
• Read-Only
• Password Required/Often Disabled
• Default is public
• SNMP Private Community
• Gather information about the current network
  environment AND make changes
• Read-Write
• Password Required Change from Default!

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Other Relevant Protocols

• Telnet/SSH
• TFTP/FTP
• CORBA
• TL1
• SS7
• Others?

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Configuration Management Network Elements

• PBX
• Hubs
• Routers
• Switches
• Servers
• Workstations
• Firewalls
• Wireless Access Points
• Printers
• Power Management Systems
• Network SCADA Systems
• Temperature Management Systems (HVAC)
• Physical Security Systems
• Home Appliances?
• Others?

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Key Players

• HP (OpenView)
• Cisco (CiscoWorks)
• IBM (Tivoli)
• SolarWinds
• AlterPoint (Device Authority Suite)
• Voyence (VoyenceControl!)
• SpectrumSoft (WNMS)
• Micro2000 (RemoteScope)
• Compuware (Vantage Solution Suite)
• Others?

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Industry Trends

• Automated Configuration Backup
• Automated Configuration Updates
• Redundant Configuration Management Systems
• Mirror Sites and Redundant NOC(s)
• Configuration Replication ghosting
• Others?

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Topics for Further Investigation

• Configuration Management Protocols for Telecomm
  Networks
• Configuration Management System Architectures
• Disaster Recovery Planning Best Practices and
  Lessons Learned
• Corporate Implementations of Configuration
  Management Systems
• Change Management Policies, Practices and
  Enforcement
• IT Infrastructure Library Service Management

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Reading

• There are two Change Configuration Management
  (CCM) Whitepapers posted to the course website.
• Read them for next time