Network Optimization. Video calling, internal communication, and e-commerce have raised expectations of IT networks and their capabilities. To cope with such activities, businesses need secure and reliable data in ever-narrowing time limits.
Our increasing reliance on data and the high network performance are placing pressure on enterprise networks. In our turbulent economy, it is no longer enough for networks to perform at previously acceptable standards.
We push networks to their limits. And expect to manage high volumes of traffic while providing sufficient bandwidth and nonstop availability. In the long term, this could cause performance issues.
Network Optimization – A key driver for digital business
IT teams and network managers everywhere must proactively manage and improve network performance. To avoid longer response times through increased downtime and loss of revenue.
All such factors negatively influence constant traffic shaping in digital businesses, which can prove catastrophic to businesses.
What is network optimization?
Network optimization encompasses a range of tools, strategies, and best practices for monitoring, managing, and enhancing network performance and functionality.
The primary goal of network optimization is to
provide a fast and efficient network experience for all users.
Network performance monitoring and optimization are part of an ongoing process. They need to adapt constantly to meet emerging business needs and traffic performance requirements.
Why is it important?
Network optimization is key to managing increasing network devices and software applications. Implementing network optimization facilitates remote access to networks. So, customers can easily access and share information from any digital device.
Efficient network management aims to improve usability and encourage a positive end-user experience while driving productivity.
To achieve this aim, network optimization improves the overall network experience. It enhances reliability, security, and speed across the entire enterprise network.
How to measure network optimization?
Network managers use different network optimization tools to monitor and assess network performance metrics. This involves identifying potential issues to gain insight into the necessary steps to improving network performance.
Network Performance Metrics
Use the following network performance metrics to measure network optimization:
- Traffic usage
The first network Performance Metric is Traffic usage. Traffic usage measures the least and most active network parts, known as ‘peak,’ traffic.
IT teams track usage percentages and peaks to understand which parts of the network infrastructure experience the most usage. This includes both internal and external traffic.
- Monitoring latency and round-trip time (RTT)
Measuring network optimization also involves monitoring latency and round-trip time (RTT). Latency refers to how long it takes for the data to reach its destination. And if there are any delays in network device communication.
High network latency can lead to delays caused by bandwidth congestion. This hurts the user experience.
Similarly, RTT refers to the time it takes for data to go from the source to the destination and back again. This provides further insight into the speed and reliability of the network connection.
- Network jitter
The third network Performance Metric is Network jitter. This metric measures the overall level of consistency and latency across a network.
It can reduce network performance, related to network congestion and defective or overloaded network hardware.
Network jitter comes down to the unstable, disruptive flow of data packets. These are small segments of data sent individually over computer networks.
- Data packets
The fourth crucial network Performance Metric are data packets. These are small segments of data sent from one point to another.
This is the way computer networks send files, emails, and other types of information. Data packets break the entire information down into individual data and send them to the right destination.
At the destination, these small data chunks get back together.
Transferring data packets can result in packet loss before reaching the destination. This is the case if they are: damaged or discarded, formatted incorrectly or corrupt.
- Availability
The fifth network Performance Metric is availability. Availability measures network uptime and how frequently network software and hardware function correctly.
Attaining 100% availability is ideal for network optimization, however, this can prove challenging as networks become more complex. Maximum availability and minimal downtime occur when systems are not functioning to the required specifications.
With these network performance metrics, IT teams identify and minimize potential network issues. This helps facilitate network optimization and ensure a better user experience.
What are the best network optimization practices?
Network performance monitoring helps network managers take steps toward mitigating network issues and improving network performance. However, there are additional network optimization tools and techniques which help maximize network system resources.
The first network optimization tool and technique are Quality-of-service (QoS). QoS use traffic control mechanisms or technologies to control network traffic. They encourage the high performance of applications, traffic aggregates or sessions.
This enables network managers to optimize various network applications. It increases the visibility of jitter, bit rate, delays, and packet rates of the network.
This will lead to low network latency and controlled bandwidth usage. It enhances network performance. And allows networks and organizations to prioritize traffic.
The second network optimization tool and technique are an SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network). An SD-WAN manages and simplifies complex networks. It selectively routes network traffic and unifies network connections to improve network performance.
This allows IT teams to increase control over the network infrastructure. So, they can quickly react to changing business requirements. Moreover, the tracking of link health and redirection of traffic also enhances application performance and availability.
The third network optimization tool and technique are data compression. This effective technique helps to manage increasing network traffic to optimize network performance and reduce latency.
A compressed data file needs less time to transfer and consumes less network bandwidth. It results in fewer delays and higher productivity.
Optimizer appliances and network devices provide compression functions to minimize data and reduce buffer usage. Delete redundant data can also support more efficient data packet transfers.
What are the benefits of network optimization?
Network optimization aims to improve network performance monitoring. This provides significant benefits for customer experience.
Network optimization:
- gives quick service access and navigation of network resources.
- reduces delays.
- manages traffic.
- improves application performance and functionality.
- and improves network reliability and predictable network performance.
This increases user experience across the network with:
- a consistent brand image.
- reduced downtime.
- and reduced investment in troubleshooting network issues.
A reliable network and greater traffic visibility make it easier to identify malicious behaviour through network security appliances and 24-hour network visibility.
How can Evernex help optimize your network?
Evernex can help organizations with network optimization through our global network maintenance services.
Our team of local field engineers diagnose network issues quickly. They provide on-site and remote expertise support to prevent potential downtime.
Evernex offers 24/7/365 support to ensure businesses can continue their work. Our wide range of spare parts from leading network brands resolve issues quickly and make critical repairs available.
Our goal is to help businesses boost productivity by optimizing network equipment and preventing hardware disruption. Contact our team of experts who can help you achieve an optimized network.
