Subject: Advanced Network Technologies

Topic: Network Management and Control

Difficulty: High

Remote Monitoring (RMON) is a standard specification that facilitates the monitoring of network operational activities through the use of remote devices known as monitors or probes. RMON assists network administrators (NA) with efficient network infrastructure control and management.

RMON was initially developed to address the issue of remote site and local area network (LAN) segment management from a centralized location. The RMON standard specifies a group of functions and statistics that may be exchanged between RMON compatible network probes and console managers. RMON performs extensive network-fault detection and provides performance-tuning data .

RMON uses certain network devices, such as servers, and contains network management applications that serve as clients. RMON controls the network by using its servers and applications simultaneously. When a network packet is transmitted, RMON facilitates packet status viewing and provides further information, in the event that a packet is blocked, terminated or lost.

Benefits of RMON:-

1. You can monitor remote offices wherever they're located.

   If your network spans multiple locations, remote server monitoring allows you to manage devices in every location

2. IT staff in other offices can monitor the network in real time

   If you have IT team members spread out across locations who are responsible for monitoring network performance, remote access enables those IT staff in other offices, cities, branches, or even countries to view network performance in real-time—even if the software server is installed at headquarters.

This means if a device goes down at a remote location, a network guy located there can troubleshoot without necessarily getting you involved. He also doesn’t have to bother you to ask what you’re seeing on your end—he can see up-to-date network maps and metrics for himself.

3.You and your IT staff can be mobile without risking network neglect.

Having remote access to the network means your IT team doesn’t have to be on-site constantly. If you need to work from the coffee shop or at home, with remote access to the network you can still see the status of network devices on your laptop or mobile device. Mobile network monitoring keeps network data at your fingertips so you never risk outages from lack of access.

1. Access levels can be managed to ensure security.

   Some network administrators may balk at the idea of remote access because of potential security threats to the network. One way to secure the network is to require encrypted authentication and make sure that every user has to log in the same way

2. With proper connectivity, you’ll always have access.

The benefits of remote access simply require… access. As long as you have direct access to the network via VPN connectivity or point to point, you’ll be able to manage and monitor all the critical devices within your network. Regardless of where you or they are located.