Optimal network performance and reliable connectivity are essential in our fast-paced digital world. Downtime can result in significant business losses. This makes network fault management (network alarms and event monitoring) a crucial additional feature of network management systems (NMS).

Monitoring the health of a network and acting proactively when issues arise minimizes the likelihood of downtime. Network alarms monitoring support the process.

Overview: Monitoring network alarms and events

Alarms and event monitoring can be powerful fault and security management tools when used together. They provide a comprehensive view of a network’s health and help ensure problems are detected and resolved quickly.

While alarms can alert network administrators to critical issues in real-time, event monitoring provides a historical view of network activity that operators can use to identify trends and patterns.

What is network alarm?

Alarms are alerts triggered when predetermined conditions are met, such as network component failure or excessive network utilization past a certain threshold. They provide real-time notifications of potential problems, helping network administrators take quick action to resolve them.

What is network event?

On the other hand, an event is an occurrence or change in a monitored system, and can be a new signal, change in status, or change in a relevant monitored measurement. Event examples include server crashes, offline network devices, high-temperature readings, a change in data traffic patterns, or security breaches.

Event monitoring aims to detect these events and trigger an appropriate response. Appropriate responses range from generating alarms, sending notifications, or automatically taking corrective action. By analyzing these events, administrators can gain insight into the underlying causes of network problems.

Here is why you need a Network Alarms and Event monitoring system:

Incorporating alarms and event monitoring into a network management system (NMS) offers numerous benefits, including:

• Increased network uptime: Alarms and event monitoring fasten the detection and solution of network problems, therefore minimizing downtime and ensuring high network availability.

• Improved troubleshooting: These features provide a comprehensive view of network events and problems. The real-time notifications of potential problems enable network administrators to identify and resolve issues before they become complicated, saving effort and time.

• Optimal network performance: Real-time event data provides a better understanding of network performance, enabling administrators to identify areas for improvement and, hence, ensure the network operates at optimal levels.

• Enhanced security: Another significant benefit offered by these features is optimized security. Monitoring network activity allows administrators to view network-wide security threats, such as unauthorized access and malware infections, in real-time.

Network alarms and event monitoring: key factors to consider

Getting the most out of alarms and event monitoring boils down to choosing the right network management system. There are many different systems available, each with its features and capabilities.

However, key factors to consider when choosing an NMS include:

• Scalability: Networks constantly grow and experience increasing demand. The NMS you choose should be scalable. It should grow with the network to accommodate future demand.

• Customization: Different networks have unique requirements. Alarms and event monitoring features should be customizable to meet these needs. When selecting an NMS, it is crucial to select one with flexible configuration options, which network administrators can tailor to meet the network’s needs.

• User-friendly interface: An NMS with an intuitive user interface simplifies the monitoring and management tasks of network administrators. In extension, this reduces the risk of human error.

• Integration: A good NMS should be integrable with other crucial tools, such as security applications.

Implementing Network Alarms and Event Monitoring in an NMS

After selecting the right NMS, the next step is customizing and setting up alarms and event monitoring. This involves defining the conditions expected to trigger an alarm, and the actions the system will take after the alarm goes off. For instance, the alarm may be triggered when the server crashes, and the resultant action may be to notify the administrators.

Additionally, it’s critical to configure the event monitoring feature to record relevant data. Such data may include traffic patterns, security changes, device status, and network utilization data. The data selected depends on the network and what needs to be improved or kept at optimal performance.

Furthermore, it’s crucial to regularly review and update alarms and event monitoring features to ensure they remain effective.

Boost Your Fault Management with SGRwin

SGRwin is the all-in-one solution for your multi-vendor/multi-technology network. With our NMS, you can say goodbye to partial views and hello to a consolidated view of your complete network, including network assets, their status, network traffic management and performance. The network-side visibility enables operators to easily trace the root causes of faults and streamline network management.

Our NMS also features real-time insights with alarm and event monitoring. These communicate network issues and their severity to network operators instantly, enabling them to respond rapidly.

Additionally, the NMS offers accurate network alarms processing and categorization as well as displays links and services affected by an alarm, simplifying troubleshooting tasks further.

Highlighted network alarm and event monitoring features

Alarm and events viewers for troubleshooting network faults

• Real-time alarm viewer
• Configurable alarms (colour, classification, description, etc.)
• Alarm filtering, acknowledgement, and suppression
• Alarms and events monitoring rules configuration
• Multiple alarm monitoring windows at the same workstation
• Affected device display (equipment, card, port, timeslot), circuits & services viewer.

Visualizing network alarms and their statuses

• Multi-vendor and multi-technology NMS enabling advanced topology maps
• Easy to locate equipment affected by an alarm or specific network event
• Graphic representation of connections and statuses
• Network assets on the map represented by an icon, a logo, or any other visual element
• Personalized views by grouped areas, user profiles, specific network fragment, device types etc.

Automating operations in your network

• Execute bulk operations with preloaded scripts or already defined actions on multiple devices at the same time, manually or by using a scheduled mode (Firmware A/D, Device Configuration Backups/Restores)
• Devices auto discovery
• Integration with helpdesk and ticketing systems
• Events and alarm forwarding via email, sms or pbx

Reports

• Current and historical data related to network alarms and events
• Different formats are available, such as chart, table, and counter reports
• Predefined and custom reports capabilities

All in all, the SGRwin NMS prevents costly service outages and downtimes, enabling your company to maximize profits.

Contact us today!