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Ongoing Performance Management Requirements
In most networks, this is a moving target that is difficult to contain. The introduction of new technology and network services, coupled with the decommissioning of older services and products creates problems for network organizations. Many times, a new network services contract is negotiated, but the performance management needs are not considered until later and are not included in the current budget. Network organizations should consider the following points:
—Existing network performance tools will require upgrades. In some network organizations, this problem will occur gradually rather than all at once. New technology services must first be tested and gradually phased-in before performance management tools can be fully stress tested to ensure they deliver as promised. As a result, it will take time to select, test, and deploy new performance management tools as well as upgrade existing ones.
—New performance management requirements must be identified. New functionality requirements as well as existing deficiencies must be identified. While this "needs analysis" activity requires a degree of controlled speculation, the staff must do their best to identify performance management needs. For example, the ability to effectively provide and maintain "Class of Service" for mobile business users will become more difficult and costly as more business critical applications are accessed via various wireless services. Consequently, the best available tools, their life expectancy, and their estimated costs must be identified.
—Performance management needs should be discussed with vendors. Vendors represent an excellent information source to help the network staff understand what is available in the performance management market. However, this activity requires sufficient time to interact with product vendors to review their current capabilities as well as those that are forthcoming in the next year.
Next: Recommendations
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