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Chapter 11: Network Management
Core Idea
The focus of this chapter is on the maintenance of connectivity between nodes in a network
through both physical and logical connectivity.
Instructor Focus
Network Objectives covered in this Chapter/Lesson
x Given a scenario, use appropriate documentation and diagrams to manage the network
Terminology
Make an effort to define the following terms for the designated areas. After defining these,
calling on the students for repeat definitions as you progress through the slide deck will help
them retain the terminology.
Network Management Technology:
x Bit error rate tester (BERT)
x Butt set
x Cable certifier
x Cable tester
x Crimper
Focus Questions
x What are some of the more common tools used to physically maintain a network?
x What components are involved in configuration management?
x What sorts of network monitoring tools are available to network administrators, and what
types of information are included in various logs?
Icebreaker Discussion
Choose one or both of the following:
1. Why is it important and difficult to maintain connectivity in a network?
This should be a general discussion. As students to try to identify as many possible problems
as they can. Encourage discussion of both aspects: importance and difficulty. The
importance is to maintain network operation and interconnectivity of any two hosts on the
2. What elements of a network can be tested and what steps can be taken to test them?
This should be an initial discussion on the topic without any depth into the actual
technology used for this purpose. Encourage creative thought in this regard, but focus the
Icebreaker Activity
1. What strategies or techniques can be used to manage connectivity in the following simple
network? You can assume all connections are UTP cable.
There are a variety of answers to this depending on the students’ background on the
subject. This should help you to gauge how well the students know the subject and the
depth you will need in each area. The three areas you should consider in the discussion are:
x software on the PCs,
x software and hardware for the routers,
Main Activities
1. Network Management Devices
These are physical devices used in network management and troubleshooting (which is covered
further in Chapter 13). Try to collect examples of these devices, if possible, for the students to
handle. (They vary in price, and you can get used or even broken equipment just to show.) At a
Bit error rate tester (BERT): This device tests for bit errors caused by interference on a line by
generating a pattern of bits and testing for errors, resulting in the measurement of BER (bit
Butt set: This device is commonly used by telephone repair technicians, punching into the line to
detect a dial tone. The name of this device comes from its ability to interrupt (or butt into) a
Cable certifier: This device is used to determine the category of cable and the supported
frequencies of an existing physical cable. You can find an image of a cable certifier by performing
a Google Image search for “cable certifier.”
Cable tester: This is a simple device that can test the conductivity of copper wires and verify the
Multimeter: A multimeter is a device for checking electrical characteristics on a copper
wire, such as resistance, current, and voltage. An example of this device is shown here
(taken from the textbook).
Insert figure 11-5 Multimeter from book slide set
2. Network Management Software
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is the most common form of network
management software in use for monitoring multiple devices. You can gather a lot of
information from system and error logs, but SNMP provides a means to monitor system
performance and determine significant events. This does increase the traffic load of the
Chapter 11: Network Simulator Activities
x Creating Network Users on a Domain Controller
Alternative Activity- Analyzing urgency
Present the following matrix. Tell students the following: One of the challenges of a new technician is
attaching appropriate importance to a task and then sequencing it into the workday. I want you to
think of at least one situation that we can place into each box in this matrix.
Impact ÆÆ
Minimal
Medium
Critical
x A user in the accounting department has been unable to print their vacation schedule
on the network printer due to needing an updated driver.
x The WAN link between the cloud backup storage and the local SAN is down.
x A hard drive failure has occurred on the visitor’s area PC
Quiz Questions
You can ask the following questions either in class for a group discussion or for individual practice. If
you ask them for individual practice, review in class to make sure everyone properly understands
the content.
1. Briefly describe the purpose of SNMP and three components of SNMP (in version 1 and version
2).
SNMP is Simple Network Management Protocol, a lightweight software system used to verify
connectivity, periodically get information from manages devices, and receive unsolicited
2. Briefly explain the following devices and their purpose: BERT, butt set, cable certifier, and cable
tester.
BERT: Bit error rate tester. This device tests for bit errors caused by interference on a line by
3. Explain the importance of system logs to network monitoring.
System logs can detail a variety of information, including security events, error information,
