Distributed networks, including software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN), content delivery networks (CDNs), and secure access service edge (SASE) architectures have become integral to modern IT landscapes. They provide unparalleled performance, scalability, and flexibility, empowering businesses to operate seamlessly across geographical boundaries. However, managing these complex networks presents a unique set of challenges for network administrators in monitoring, troubleshooting, and ensuring optimal performance.
Network administrators must also contend with various issues such as maintaining consistent network policies, managing bandwidth allocation, and ensuring security across distributed environments. Additionally, the rise of remote work and cloud services has added layers of complexity to managing distributed networks.
In this blog, we will explore the intricacies of distributed networks, the hurdles you might face in managing them, and how OpManager Plus can help you overcome these challenges. We will delve into the features of OpManager Plus and how it can simplify the management of distributed networks for your IT.
What is a distributed network?
A distributed network is a type of computer network where the network nodes and devices are spread across different physical locations instead of being centralized. Each location has its own set of resources and independent management, but they are all interconnected.
Imagine a delicious buffet: Instead of a single serving station, there are multiple stations with different food options. A central kitchen prepares the food, but the food is distributed across different stations from which guests can fill their plates. This is analogous to a distributed network, where there is a central entity (like the kitchen) but multiple points of service (the stations).
Distributed network management challenges
Distributed networks introduce various complexities in managing data flows between different network sites. Traditional monitoring tools, designed only for centralized networks, often fall short in these environments. Network administrators face several challenges in managing distributed networks, including:
Device discovery: In a distributed network, the network devices are spread across various locations, making it challenging for network administrators to identify and monitor them.
Network logs: Maintaining network documents for devices across multiple network sites is challenging.
Visualization: Getting a clear view of your distributed network’s infrastructure with comprehensive insights on the network devices is difficult.
Scalability: As your distributed network scales, you’ll struggle to monitor it efficiently using conventional tools.
Managing alerts: Effectively handling alerts from various devices across different locations requires a robust network management system.
How OpManager Plus helps monitor distributed networks efficiently
Monitoring distributed networks is challenging because it involves tracking all end devices across multiple network sites. OpManager Plus is a comprehensive network monitoring solution designed to address these challenges. Here’s how OpManager Plus helps:
Automating documentation and discovery: OpManager Plus automatically discovers new devices and updates network documentation, ensuring an up-to-date inventory and reducing manual effort and errors.
Vendor-agnostic monitoring tool: It can monitor devices from different vendors, preventing vendor lock-in and ensuring effective monitoring regardless of device manufacturer.
Centralized monitoring and management of devices across various locations: OpManager Plus unifies network management by providing a centralized platform to monitor devices across multiple locations. Its intuitive dashboards offer clear insights into network health, making issue identification and resolution easy for network admins.
Preventing tool sprawl: Unlike other network monitoring solutions that require separate tools for monitoring performance, bandwidth, configurations, IP addresses, switch ports, firewalls, and applications, OpManager Plus is comprehensive. It provides all the necessary tools for efficient network management within a centralized platform. This reduces the need for multiple specialized tools, streamlining IT operations and boosting productivity, effectively preventing tool sprawl.
Agent-based and agentless monitoring: By combining agent-based monitoring for detailed insights and agentless monitoring for broad coverage, OpManager Plus ensures efficient management of distributed networks. This hybrid approach enhances reliability, scalability, and resource optimization.
Enable site-level, full stack visibility: Gain insights into the performance of individual sites within your distributed network. Full stack visibility ensures that you can monitor and manage all aspects of your network, from hardware performance to application traffic.
Root cause identification and proactive monitoring: OpManager Plus’ Root Cause Analysis enables proactive monitoring to identify and address potential issues before they impact operations, ensuring network uptime and performance.
Reports catering to the whole stack: Generate reports that cover the entire network stack, including applications, bandwidth usage, and more, with customizable options. These reports provide a holistic view of network performance and can be configured to meet specific monitoring requirements.
Cost-effective solution: Investing in OpManager Plus provides a consolidated and cost-effective solution compared to multiple monitoring tools, simplifying management and reducing overall costs.
Distributed networks offer a multitude of benefits for businesses of all sizes. By understanding the challenges and implementing OpManager Plus, you can effectively manage your distributed network and ensure a strong foundation for your IT infrastructure.
Ready to take full control of your distributed network? Explore OpManager Plus today and experience the difference a comprehensive network monitoring solution can make for your IT! Leverage our 30-day, free trial or schedule a personalized demo with our product experts to get started.
