Chapter 2: LAN Administration

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2.1 Introduction

The LAN administrator’s main focus is usually on keeping the network operating properly and making sure the needs of users are addressed in a timely manner, including hardware and software upgrades. To meet the needs of all users, the LAN administrator must have appropriate tools to accomplish a number of specific tasks. Many of these tasks can be automated to enable the LAN administrator to take care of multiple networks that may consist of hundreds of servers, desktop computers and peripherals—the configurations of which may change on a daily basis to meet the varying needs of mobile professionals, telecommuters, workgroups, departments, or the organization as a whole. Many of these tools may come bundled with the LAN vendor’s network management system. Some are bundled with help desk software. Others are available from third-party vendors as standalone products that can be launched from the network management system or help desk. All of these different management and administration systems and tools can even share data via application programming interfaces (APIs).

Whether bundled with other products or used separately, the right tools help the LAN administrator monitor, analyze, and adapt the LAN to changing organizational needs. The tools themselves are applications and utilities based on NetWare, Windows, or UNIX. In large heterogeneous environments, the LAN administrator will have occasion to use tools that work with multiple network operating systems. With the right tools, the LAN administrator can access multiple functions and client operating systems through a consistent graphical user interface, which can greatly improve personal performance.

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