byAlma Abell

When it comes to network maintenance, there are a variety of different things you can do. Although the most important would be to hire an IT company to handle this, there are a few things you should know first. As a business owner, or even an individual who uses their computer and home network a lot, it is important that you learn to get rid of old technology, organize your systems, and make sure that they are secure and maintained.

The Real World

It may be that your server room is just a small closet, or even a shelf in a closet, although you could have a larger server room. Whatever the case may be, it’s likely that your network maintenance has been lacking, and your wires are crossed, tangled, unlabeled, and just a down-right disaster. This may be something that you or another employee set up themselves, which is actually very unfortunate. This type of system lacks an adherence to implementation, documentation and design standards that have been set forth by the IT industry. Fortunately, there are a few things you, or preferably an IT company, can do to remedy the situation.

Organizing and Labeling

The first step in network maintenance is organizing and labeling. You want to make sure that your network is completely mapped out and organized. Once you complete this process, you can go ahead and label each cable. You or an IT tech should start at the top with your router or modem, and work their way down through the entire network. It is a good idea to document what you have, making sure that everything is accounted for. If there is equipment or wires not in use, because they have been replaced by something new, make sure that you remove it. This will help decrease the clutter in your server room or area. During the documenting process, be sure to label all of your equipment, and make sure that it’s documented as well. Your equipment includes printers, computers, external drives, switches and hubs, and routers. Also, make sure to document the software that is running on your network, so you know what to look for in the monitoring process, and are able to know what needs updated.

Monitoring

The next step in network maintenance is monitoring your software. You can actually purchase software that will monitor your network for you. Because there are so many different types, varieties, and options available, this is definitely where you would want to hire a competent IT company. They have the skills and expertise needed to handle your network maintenance and monitoring.