Network management, often perceived as a back-end IT function, plays a pivotal role in ensuring smooth business operations and supporting strategic goals. Despite its vital importance, there are numerous misconceptions about what network management involves. This article aims to debunk these common myths, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of network management and how GFI’s suite, including Exinda Network Orchestrator, GFI Clearview, and GFI SDWan, supports businesses in their approach to this essential IT component.
- Myth: Network management is just about ensuring connectivity.
Truth: Network management goes beyond simple connectivity. It encompasses monitoring application performance, identifying bandwidth usage patterns, and predicting future network behaviors to ensure optimal performance. With tools like the Exinda Recommendation Engine, businesses can automatically receive suggestions to rectify issues, ensuring continuous and efficient network operations.
- Myth: Only large organizations need network management tools.
Truth: Businesses, regardless of their size, can benefit from network management. Solutions like GFI SD-Wan can intelligently manage multiple internet transports, adapting to ISP fluctuations and traffic changes, ensuring stable internet services for both small and large enterprises.
- Myth: All network management solutions offer the same features.
Truth: Different tools provide varied functionalities. For instance, GFI ClearView offers real-time reporting and monitoring down to the user level. Its comprehensive application monitoring helps identify rogue applications that could potentially threaten the network. Meanwhile, GFI Exinda Network Orchestrator focuses on application performance and traffic insights, helping businesses understand and manage their network better.
- Myth: Adding more bandwidth is the only solution to network issues.
Truth: While bandwidth plays a role, it's not the only factor affecting network performance. Tools like GFI ClearView help predict bandwidth usage and offer dynamic allocation based on real-time data.
- Myth: Network management tools are complicated to use.
Truth: Modern tools prioritize user-friendliness. With intuitive dashboards, businesses can easily understand network usage, identify bottlenecks, and spot potential problem areas. For instance, GFI ClearView’s built-in reporting tool simplifies data analysis, making it easy even for those without a deep IT background.
- Myth: Network Management Doesn't Impact Application Performance.
Truth: Effective network management directly impacts how well business applications run. With data acceleration and caching capabilities, tools ensure that key business applications, whether on-premise or in the cloud, consistently deliver the experience users anticipate.
Understanding and effectively implementing network management is non-negotiable. As we have seen, many of the common myths about network management stem from outdated perspectives or a lack of awareness of the advancements in this field. By debunking these myths and recognizing the true potential of sophisticated tools like GFI's suite, organizations can unlock new levels of efficiency, security, and performance in their networks. In doing so, they can address the immediate challenges of network management, laying a robust foundation for future innovation and growth.