Network Admistration

Definition

Network admistration is the operations task during which one or more networks are administered.

Objectives

The typical objectives of the network administration task are to ensure that each network continues to function properly:

• The network hardware components are functioning properly.
• The correct (e.g., latest) versions of the network software components are installed.
• The networks route data to their proper destinations.
• The networks have the required performance.
• The networks have the required operational availablity.
• The networks have the required levels of security.
• Adequate hardware components are available when needed to meet scalability requirements.

Preconditions

The network administration task can typically begin when the following preconditions hold:

• The usage phase has begun.
• The operations team has been adequately staffed with network administrators. who are adequately trained and experienced in network administration.
• Networks have been installed, configured, and tested during the delivery phase.

Completion Criteria

The network administration task is typically complete when the following postconditions hold:

• The retirement phase has begun.
• The networks have been retired.

Steps

The network administration task typically involves the following teams performing the following steps in an interative, incremental, parallel, and time-boxed manner:

• Network Administrator(s) of the Operations Team:
  • Acquire, [re]install, configure, and upgrade the associated network(s):
    • Hardware components (e.g., network cabling, network connectivity devices).
    • Software components (e.g., firewall software).
  • Monitor and assess network status and behavior including:
    • Correctness (e.g., proper routing).
    • Performance.
    • Operational availability.
    • Scalability.
    • Security.
  • Maintain the networks:
    • Detect, diagnose, analyze, and report network failures.
    • Repair network defects.
  • Continually analyze and tune (i.e., optimize) the network performance.
  • Analyze network failures and fix associated defects.
  • Perform network load balancing.
  • Perform network disaster recovery.
  • Perform network capacity and scalability planning and trend analysis.
  • Recommend network upgrades and improvements.

Techniques

The network administration task can typically be performed using the following techniques:

• Profiling and performance analysis
• Trend analysis

Work Products

The network administration task typically results in the production of all or part of the following work products:

• Operations Work Products:
  • Operations Log (Network administration task performances)

Guidelines

• This task could also be required during the initiation, construction, and delivery phases for the administration of development environment networks.
• The person who plays the network administrator role often also plays the systems administrator role.