Chapter 12: Administering Change

Lesson 1: Documenting a Running Network

1. What is a baseline of network performance? Why should you have one? How�can you use it to determine if changes should be made to the network?

A baseline is simply documentation of the network's normal operating values. The baseline needs to be updated whenever users, hardware, or software are added to or subtracted from the system. Administrators should be able to refer to a network baseline in order to compare current network performance with previous performance. A significant decline in performance numbers can indicate a need to upgrade the network.

2. What are network monitors and protocol analyzers? What part do they play in�documenting network performance? In what ways can they alert you to degradation of network performance?

A network monitor is a tool that captures and filters data packets and analyzes network activity. A protocol analyzer is a tool that keeps track of network statistics. It can capture bad frames and isolate their source. Together, these two tools can alert you to network performance and help isolate the source of network degradation. The information they provide can help you solve network performance problems more quickly.

3. Should the documentation that makes up a network history include specific information about the network's hardware and software? If so, why?

Yes. Network documentation should contain a map of hardware for the entire network, server information, and software information such as licensing and support details. This information will provide a good foundation upon which to identify future needs for network modification.

Lesson 2: Upgrading a Network

You have been assigned to upgrade a network for a small manufacturer. Its network has been in place since 1989. Only minor upgrades or same-model equipment replacements have occurred. The network is configured as peer-to-peer, and there�is no file server. The media is coaxial thicknet cable (Standard Ethernet). The network computers are 386-33 PCs. The operating system is Windows for Workgroups 3.11. The company uses shareware word-processing applications and spreadsheets as its office software.

The company would like to upgrade to a server-based network. It is adding office space to the building and would like to rewire the network with flexible, inexpensive media. The company is about to begin using new, powerful design software in its manufacturing process.

What do you recommend for the upgrade?

Add a mid-sized file server, and install server network software. Rewire with unshielded twisted-pair cabling. Upgrade the workstations to Pentium-class computers, and install workstation network software. Upgrade to an "Office Suite" software product for daily office operations. Install the new design software and test. Confirm the installation and train the end users as appropriate.

Lesson 3: Moving a Network

You have been assigned to move your company's file server, 10 workstations and two printers to a new office 500 miles away. The new office has been wired for the new network. Management has told you that the new network must be operational before the old one is turned off, because the business cannot afford any downtime. However, there will be no additional equipment purchased for the new office.

Can this network be moved without any downtime? If so, how? If not, what is your plan for relocating this network?

Because no equipment will be available to run a mirrored network during the relocation, this network must have some downtime. This move is best scheduled for a weekend. The move should include planning for coordination of staff during the discontinuation of the old network, packing, moving, and�unpacking of equipment, installation of the workstation peripherals and�server, testing each device for functionality and confirming the operation of the network as a whole.

1. Monitoring and documenting the network when it is in good working order provide a _______________ against which unusual network performance can be�compared.

baseline

2. A network ______________ is a tool that captures and filters data packets and analyzes network activity.

monitor

3. __________ and _____________ are utilities that are used to test the network connections by sending a packet to a remote host and monitoring its return.

ping, tracert

4. During monitoring of network performance, ________________ can indicate areas of poor performance that can benefit from upgrading.

bottlenecks

5. Many network vendors provide a ___________ ______________ __________________ software to aid in the monitoring and improvement of network performance.

total system management

6. After creating a baseline for a network's performance, you will need to maintain a performance _______________ to aid with future troubleshooting.

history

7. To improve the performance of a network, an administrator can upgrade _______________, ___________________, __________ and ___________.

servers, workstations, NICs, media

8. When working on electronic components, be careful to prevent ___________ ________________ _____________ that will do damage to the components.

static electrical charges

9. Installing a new NIC is the same as installing any _________________ card.

expansion

10. Upgrading routers, brouters, repeaters, and bridges is best carried out by a _______________ ____________________.

trained technician

11. The final step in any network upgrade is to ______________ the upgrade.

confirm

12. The best tool to use to confirm hardware changes to a network is the _________ utility.

ping

13. How long the network can afford to be ___________ is in important factor in organizing and timing a move.

down