HP Networking TopTool Products Planning for Network Growth, Meeting the Challenges, ■Top Conversations, ■Creating a New Report, ■How Data is Collected, ■Meeting the Challenges

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Planning for Network Growth

This chapter includes the following topics:■Meeting the Challenges■Planning with the Network Performance Advisor■Starting the Network Performance Advisor■Creating a New Report■Reorganize Your Current Equipment■Add or Upgrade Equipment■Top Conversations■Inventory of End Nodes■When There Are No Recommendations■Controlling Data Storage - Administration■How Data is Collected■Segments Excluded from Analysis

Meeting the Challenges

The rapid increase in the number and size of networks has created new challenges in network administration. Companies depend on efficiently functioning networks to stay competitive, maintain productivity, and control costs. Network administrators must perform network optimization activities to use the available bandwidth efficiently and maintain acceptable response times for the users. Additionally, network administrators must meet the conflicting demands of providing continuous network operation and planning for long- term growth and advances in technology.

Most network administrators manage networks that have grown over time, using the technologies that were available. As networks grow, problems also increase. The feedback mechanism to the administrator is an irate phone call. Few planning processes exist, often because administrators do not have the time or the expertise required to plan for network growth.

Network administrators must be able to take some proactive steps to improve the performance of the network or they will have networks characterized by congestion and unavailability to users. Planning, optimization, and having the tools to effect changes quickly are vital as the network grows.