Chapter 11

1:	What is the FCAPS model used for?
A1:	Answer: The FCAPS model is used as the framework for network management platforms.
2:	What are the layers of the FCAPS model?
A2:	Answer: Fault management, configuration management, accounting management, performance management, and security management.
3:	What is a NOC? What purpose does a NOC serve?
A3:	Answer: A network operations center, or NOC, is a central network management location. The focus of a NOC is the implementation of the FCAPS model. A NOC functions as a control center for network fault management (troubleshooting), configuration, accounting, performance monitoring, and security.
4:	What are the six steps in the fault management process?
A4:	Answer: Step 1. A network event triggers an alarm. Step 2. The alarm prompts the network manager to identify the cause of the alarm (the problem). Step 3. The network manager identifies the cause of the alarm, such as a failed link or device. Step 4. The manager begins to troubleshoot the problem. Step 5. The problem is resolved. Step 6. The network manager documents the fault and the fix in a log, such as in a trouble ticket.
5:	Why is configuration management important to a network manager?
A5:	Answer: Configuration management is important because it is the process for recording all network moves, adds, changes, or deletions. Configuration management accounts for hardware and software updates, and what each update does to the network, ensuring the most recent versions are running in the network. Configuration management also provides for a back-out plan?a plan to be executed if an update causes problems or network failure, not unlike an Undo button for your network. Configuration management also helps create a template or standard configuration for new device implementation.
6:	What do the accounting and performance management functions provide to a network manager?
A6:	Answer: Performance management enables you to monitor and analyze network statistics trends, such as total network usage or network usage per user. Accounting management works in a fashion similar to performance management, but provides a mechanism for you to monitor and bill network usage to the appropriate organization or department. Accounting management also supplies a mechanism to ensure you are not overpaying for the network, such as paying for more network bandwidth than you use or need.
7:	Why is security in your network important?
A7:	Answer: Security is important because it enables you to protect your network resources and network users. Security affords protection from both inside users and outside intruders trying to harm the network. Culprits could be trying to cause a network failure or to steal corporate information, such as internal documents or customer data (for example, personal credit information).
8:	What are some of the differences between SNMPv1, SNMPv2, and SNMPv3?
A8:	Answer: SNMPv1 reports whether a device is up (working) or down (not working). SNMPv2 includes security and an RMON (Remote Monitoring) MIB (Management Information Base). SNMPv3 provides message-level security and includes an MIB for remotely monitoring/managing the configuration parameters for this message-level security.
9:	What are some of the differences between SNMP and RMON?
A9:	Answer: SNMP works in a poll/response model in which the SNMP manager polls the SNMP agent for information; whereas RMON works in a one-way model, in which network management information is sent from the RMON probe to the RMON client, often the network management console. RMON can also provide more-detailed information than SNMP in the form of network analysis and trending.
10:	What benefits does SPAN provide you in a switched environment?
A10:	Answer: SPAN enables you to monitor local switch traffic, from one or multiple ports or from one or multiple VLANs. The benefit of SPAN is that you can monitor the switch network traffic without taking the switch, or any of its users, out of service.