Summary

You must first learn and document your network before introducing performance and fault management. Tracking and documenting network devices and their connectivity is vital when analyzing performance data, as well as during fault isolation.

When determining what and how to document, be sure to track the information in a timely and correct manner. Otherwise, the documentation will become less reliable over time, and it will cause operators to look elsewhere for their information.

Understanding device ownership and processes in place to manage leads to the effective implementation of low-impact and maintainable documentation.

After you have documented the network as described in this chapter, you will be prepared for the next chapter, "Policy-Based Network Management," in which you conduct a baseline analysis of the network.