Chapter 8 - Monitoring and Managing a Network Infrastructure

Abstract

It is important for any network administrator to have a good understanding of the tools available to monitor, manage, and troubleshoot the network for which he or she may be responsible. This chapter introduces some tools in Server 2008 that helps to monitor and manage networks easily. It also discusses setting up and using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to ensure that servers and workstations remain properly updated with the latest security fixes from Microsoft. WSUS is installed on a server in your corporate network. This server contacts Microsoft update servers over the Internet to download new updates. The WSUS administrator then must approve or deny updates that should be installed. Corporate servers and workstations are configured to download updates from the WSUS server instead of the Windows Update Web site. This chapter also highlights collecting and using performance data as well as review event logs to assist one in troubleshooting problems. Finally, the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA), and Network Monitor (netmon) is also explained.