Network Management

CompTIA Network + Domain:

Domain 4.0: Network Security
Domain 5.0: Network Troubleshooting and Tools

CompTIA Network + Objective:

Objective 4.5: Given a scenario, implement network device hardening.
Objective 5.2: Given a scenario, use the appropriate tool. 

Overview

This lab explores concepts in network management including baselines, performance monitoring, logs, and implementation of patches and upgrades as a mitigation technique to security threats. By the end of this lab, students will be able to use the Performance Monitor to analyze network and Central Processing Utilization, the Event Viewer to view various logs, and Windows Update to manage operating system patches and updates.

outcomes:

In this lab, you will learn to:

  1. Analyze CPU and network utilization with Performance Monitor.
  2. Use the Event Viewer to view logs.
  3. Manage patches and updates.
Courses

Key terms and descriptions

Baseline
a documented reference of resource utilization from which we can compare
Counter
an object in the Performance Monitor that represents a system resource, such as CPU, Memory, or Network and can be added to the graph area to view resource utilization
Critical Updates
This type of update patches known vulnerabilities to the operating system and should be implemented immediately to mitigate security threats.
Event Viewer
allows users to view event logs in Windows operating systems, which include application, system, and security logs, among others
Idle/Idling
the state of the computer (CPU) when not in use by a program or user. System resource utilization should be little to none. Documenting what resource utilization looks like when idling can be important when establishing baselines.
Performance Monitor/Resource Monitor
used to monitor system resource utilization in Windows operating systems. Both provide a graphical reference to resource utilization. The Performance Monitor is more advanced and customizable, whereas the Resource Monitor provides a more user-friendly interface.
Recommended Updates
In Windows operating systems, recommended updates are classified as updates to hardware, such as device drivers and other hardware information.
Service Pack
a “bundle” of patches and updates for the operating system, downloadable as a single installable package, service packs may provide hundreds of updates and patches in one convenient download.
Windows Update Utility
used to find and apply patches and updates to the Windows operating system. The Windows Update Utility is accessible through the Control Panel.