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What is Network Inventory Management?
Network Inventory Management is the process of storing records of all of the IT and other assets that are within a company’s network. This allows businesses/administrators to have physical records of all network equipment and IT within the organization.
Network Inventory Management includes:
- Number of routers, their model, serial number, type and location of installation.
- IP addresses of all nodes/devices and the IP addressing schemes used
- License keys, types of software, expiration dates.
How Can This Help my Business?
Here are a few ways that having a good network inventory management system can benefit your business.
Network Size Estimation
Knowing the size of your network helps you determine how much space is currently used and how much space is free. This information is important as your network grows and uses more data on a daily basis.
First, estimate how much data you’re going to need for your network. For example, if you’re going to need over 200 GB of data, it will be pointless to pay an extra $100 for 300 GB of data. Estimate the size of your network to ensure that you can pay for the storage of all of your assets.
Network Cost ROI Estimation
As we’ve stated earlier, the cost of your network is an important factor to consider for your business. Paying for a network too small will result in a lack of storage for all of your assets. On the other hand, paying for a larger network will lead to a lack of profit on your end.
Because of this, you need to calculate your network’s cost and ROI. If the price is too high, make sure that you have enough profit to help support the cost. This will help you get the most out of your network and ensure that your ROI will help your business grow faster than the expenses.
Network Administration and Protection
You have to protect your physical network as well. While it’s not able to be hacked like a cyber network, it can still suffer equipment loss and theft.
Because every IP connected device on your network has a weak point, there are more ways to hack into your network as well. Today, IT departments not only have to keep tabs on devices such as laptops and desktops but also VoIP phones, smartphones, tablets, and “Internet of Things” gadgets as well.
Most companies want to make an effective strategy to help deal with modern threats, but don’t know where to start. First, you need to find out what’s on your network, both regarding software and hardware. Once you know what type of network you have, it’s easier to protect them and minimize your weaknesses with them.
Conclusion
To fully utilize your network, you need to find out how to effectively manage it. This means that you should check on its size, ROI, cost, and additional factors to ensure that you and your IT team can make the best out of it. Conclusively, learn how to manage your network in order to protect your company from future problems.
Sources:
- https://www.spiceworks.com/it-articles/secure-your-network/
- https://searchitchannel.techtarget.com/tip/Network-inventory-management-A-method-to-the-madness
- https://www.techopedia.com/definition/29987/network-inventory-management
https://www.pdq.com/blog/five-ways-to-simplify-network-inventory-management/
