What is network administration? Administration of local networks

At the beginning of its history, all computers were autonomous and worked separately from each other. With the increase in the number of machines, it became necessary to work together. In particular, this concerned the work of users on one document. The solution to this problem was the use of global and local networks. The construction of networks caused the need to manage this process, as well as perform various tasks. Network administration took over these functions.

Main functions of network administration

According to international standards, network administration has the following functions:

• Failure Management. This includes the search, the correct definition and elimination of all problems and malfunctions in the operation of a particular network.
• Configuration management. It's about the configuration of the system components, including their location, network addresses, setting up the parameters of network operating systems, etc.
• Network accounting. Administration of the computer network includes the registration and subsequent control over the resources and devices used in the network.
• Performance management. It is about providing statistical information about the operation of the network for a specified period of time. This is done to minimize the cost of resources and energy, as well as to plan resources for future needs.
• Security management. The function is responsible for controlling access and maintaining the integrity of all data.

Different sets of these functions are embodied in the products of developers of means for networks.

Duties of the SystemAdministrator

Administration of computer networks takes place under the supervision and direction of the system adnimistrator, which is preceded by the following tasks:

Checking the health of databases.

• Control over the uninterrupted operation of local networks.
• Data protection and ensuring their integrity.
• Protection of the network from illegal access.
• Adjusting the access rights of local network users to network resources.
• Backup of information.
• Use of optimal programming methods to fully utilize available resources and network resources.
• Conducting special journals on the work of the network.
• Providing training for users of the local network.
• Control over the software used.
• Control over the improvement of the local computer network.
• Development of the right of access to the network.
• Suspension of illegal modification of software for the network.

The system administrator is also responsible for informing employees of a particular enterprise or organization about the weak points of the network administration system and the possible ways of illegal access to it.

Features and Criteria for System Planning

Before installing the computer network, you need to find the answers to the following questions:

• What tasks will be decided and what functions will the system perform?
• How will the computer network be built? (Its type, routing, etc.)
• How many and which computers will be on the network?
• What programs will be used to administer the network?
• What is the security policy of the organization, where the systems will be installed, etc.

Answers to these questions will create a system of criteria for a particular computer network, which will include the following items:

• Preparation, monitoring and testing of programs that will be used daily on the network.
• Control over the performance and performance of the computers used.
• Preliminary preparation of procedures for restoring the system in case of errors or failures.
• Control that the subsequent installation of the new system will not have a negative impact on the network.

For all these purposes, staff and users must be trained.

Programs for remote administration

In case of need of control over the system outside the organization, remote administration of networks is used. For these purposes, special software is used that allows to control the system and remote access via the Internet in real time. Similar programs provide almost complete control over remote elements of the local network and each computer separately. This allows you to remotely control the desktop of each computer on the network, copy or delete different files, work with programs and applications, etc.

There are a lot of programs for remote access. All programs differ in their protocol and interface. As for the latter, the interface can be console or visual. Popular and popular programs are, for example, Windows Remote Desktop, UltraVNC, Apple Remote Desktop, Remote Office Manager, etc.

Network Categories

The network is a collection of various hardware, software, and communication tools that are responsible for the efficient allocation of information resources. All networks can be divided into three categories:

• Local.
• Global.
• Urban.

Global networks provide interaction and data exchange between users who are at great distances from each other. With the operation of such networks, there may be small delays in the transmission of information, which is caused by a relatively slow data transfer rate. The length of global computer networks can reach thousands of kilometers.

City networks operate in a smaller area, so they provide information at medium and high speeds. They do not slow data as global, but can not transmit information over long distances. The length of such computer networks is in the range of several kilometers to several hundred kilometers.

The local network provides the highest data transfer speed . Typically, a local network is located within one or more buildings, and its extension takes no more than one kilometer. Most often, a local network is built for one particular organization or enterprise.

Mechanisms of data transmission in different networks

The way information is transmitted in global and local networks is different. Global computer networks are primarily focused on connection, i.e. Before the transfer of data between two users, you must first establish a connection between them. In local computer systems, other methods are used that do not require a pre-installation of communication. In this case, the information is sent to the user without obtaining confirmation of its readiness.

In addition to the speed difference, there are other differences between these categories of networks. If we are talking about local networks, then every computer has its own network adapter, which connects it to other computers. For the same purposes, in city networks, special switching devices are used, while global networks use powerful routers that are interconnected by communication channels.

Network Infrastructure

A computer network consists of components that can be grouped into separate groups:

• Active network equipment.
• Cable system.
• Means of communication.
• Network applications.
• Network protocols.
• Network services.

Each of these levels has its sublevels and additional components. All devices that connect to an existing network must transmit data in accordance with an algorithm that will be understood by other devices in the system.

Network Administration Tasks

Network administration foresees working with a particular system at various levels. In the presence of complex corporate networks, the following tasks are before administration:

• Network planning. Despite the fact that the installation of the system and the installation of all components are usually handled by the appropriate specialists, the network administrator often has to change the system, in particular, to remove or add individual components to it.
• Configuring network nodes. Administration of local networks in this case anticipates working with active network equipment, most often with a network printer.
• Configuring Network Services. A complex network can have an extensive set of network services, which include network infrastructure, directories, files in print, access to databases, etc.
• Troubleshooting. Network administration foresees the ability to search for all possible malfunctions, from problems with the router, to problems in the settings of network protocols and services.
• Network protocol settings. This includes work such as planning and subsequent configuration of network protocols, their testing and determining the optimal configuration.
• Searching for ways to improve the efficiency of the network. In particular, it is about finding bottlenecks that require replacement of the relevant equipment.
• Monitoring network nodes and network traffic.
• Ensuring the protection of information. This includes data backup, development of a user account security policy, the use of secure communication, etc.

All these tasks must be carried out in parallel and in a complex manner.

Security Administration

The administration of security equipment foresees work in several directions:

• Dissemination of relevant information necessary for the operation of security equipment.
• Collection and analysis of data on the functioning of security mechanisms.

The administration of local networks in this case includes work with the information base of security management. The duties of the admimistrar in this matter include the following tasks:

• Generation and redistribution of keys.
• Configuring and managing access to the network.
• Manage encryption using the appropriate crypto parameters.
• Configuring and managing traffic and routing.

The system administrator also needs to distribute information among users, which is necessary for successful authentication (passwords, keys, etc.).

Protect your system from malware

In Microsoft Windows, there is a special Information Center, which is responsible for protecting the system from malicious software. In addition, the operating system also has anti-hacking features and automatically updates all data. Despite this, the system administrator is required to perform additional tasks aimed at protecting the computer network:

• Access to the computer using different device IDs.
• Setting the prohibition on writing information to removable drives.
• Encryption of removable media, etc.

Administration of the network is an action aimed at implementing the security policy, reliability and availability of information resources of the network. For these purposes, the appropriate software and hardware are used, and a number of duties and tasks are announced to the system administrator.