Configuration and Security Management

Configuration management involves maintaining a database that describes all devices within the network, modifies the configuration of those devices, and records all network-configuration changes for audit or rollback purposes.

Configuration Data

Collecting information for the network may seem like a chore, but it is absolutely necessary. Do not rely on “auto-discovery” mechanisms associated with many commercial NMSs. These may work for LANs or very small WANs, but they are totally unsuitable for very large networks. Only good planning and a meticulous process will produce a scalable result.

The data stored in the configuration management database need not necessarily be router configuration data; it may ...

Get Large-Scale IP Network Solutions (CCIE Professional Development) now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.