Summary

This chapter described how to do the following:

• Identify business policies that dictate network operation

• Conduct a baseline analysis of the network to understand its current operating levels

• Negotiate SLAs based on what the network can deliver and what your customers expect

The key to successfully delivering the network services that your customers expect is communication. You must understand what your network is capable of and then communicate these findings to your fellow IT groups and the business groups that fund its operation.

In the next chapter, you will learn how to take the data retrieved from the baseline and SLA data collection and implement a knowledge base.