January 28th, 2010 by Bracken
Configuration management (CM) is a support management technique that has been adopted and adapted for application in a number of industries. Originally created by the U.S. Military in the 1950s, however, configuration management involves many different disciplines that have been around much longer.
Configuration management is a blueprint for a model of managing information throughout the development cycle and for the rest of the life of a product. Generally there are four basic elements to configuration management:
Identification – is the process of determining the attributes of a configuration item (Any intermediate work product, product component, or product placed under CM, for example, a software script or prototype).
Change Control or Management – is the approval process required to change something about a configuration item.
Status Accounting – is the process of checking a configuration item against the CM model to make sure that any changes are correct.
Verification – answers the question, “Have we made the right thing?” This is answered by, among other things, analyzing tracing reports, to ascertain that all requirements have been met, or by usability assessments, to determine the usability of the system. This check can be done when the change is made, or once the product is finished, preferably both.
Software is available to easily and quickly manage and track your processes, steps, or cycles. A piece of software, a complex weapon system, or even a blanket will go through several steps before becoming a completed product – CM software watches over these processes.
There are many different options for CM software, including some that are available for free on the internet. Some are created for a specific industry, while other options can be used for a broader range of projects. CM software can help you manage complicated processes and cycles, no matter what specific field you are in. With CM software, you do not have to spend effort on managing all this information, allowing you to be more productive in the meantime.
Configuration management may seem very complex, and it can be. However, it is the best method of dealing with complex project or system requirements.
January 21st, 2010 by Bracken
Configuration management with network performance monitoring will greatly increase the efficiently of performing various complex tasks, and effectively deliver high quality services. These networks of information systems regularly experience regular changes, however, sometimes problems occur that stop the functionality of the entire system. Network configuration management software can not only help reduce this indecent, but also return the all the network settings back to a time of good configuration. Without the use of network configuration management software, dealing with problems would much more a challenge.
Improved coordination and rhythmic working of the network system can also be improved by network configuration management software. Changes are tracked simultaneous as changes are made on the network, even to multiple devices.
Network performance monitoring is pivotal to enhance the performance of the network. You can analyze important details, like on resource utilization and network traffic is its main function. The ability to run these analyzes are of great importance, has they can help you increase efficiency on both the hardware and software components of the network.
There are certain tools that can be used to conduct network performance monitoring. The Windows 2000 package provides several tools, which are the most widely used in the industry. These include tools for both System Monitor and Network Monitor, as the server is a pivotal part of the network. The main function of the System Monitor is to track network throughput and resource utilization. Network Monitor on the other hand, utilizes captured network traffic in order to track network throughput.
A part from the two tools already mentioned, there are still other widely available tools that can be use in monitoring network performance. You should always select tools that are proven to be most effect and efficient for your specific use.
January 21st, 2010 by Bracken
The concept of configuration management has been used by businesses worldwide for more than fifty years. Originally developed by the U.S. military, this modality has been adopted and adapted for application in a number of industries.
That’s great, but what exactly is configuration management? Essentially, configuration management is a model of the life cycle of the product, process or information. This is something like a blueprint for any project it adjusts to, basically. Speaking generally, four elements make up configuration management – identification, change control/management, status accounting as well as verification. To discuss these elements, briefly, we have to tell you about some terms.
Identification determines the qualities of a configuration item. A particular product will have an end user, such as a software or specific piece of equipment. Change control includes an approval process as well as the protocols necessary to change a configuration. Status accounting is the ability to check an item against the “blueprint” given by the configuration management model originating from the identification process – and last of all, status accounting is ensuring that changes made in a configuration item has gone exactly according to plan.
This check can be done when a change has occurred or once the product is completed, preferably both. Configuration management may sound highly complex, and it certainly can be. It is, however, the preferred method of project management for complex, intricate endeavors that require an involved, multi-step process. Working with a configuration management system avoids an inordinate amount of challenge when implementing incremental modifications in a process or product over time. Of course, it is not performed by drawing flowcharts on a chalkboard — not in today’s world.
This kind of software allows for ease in tracking and managing the production process. While it is still very much in use by the military, configuration management is used by project managers in a host of disciplines, most notably in software development.
Very much like the complex weapon system, a single piece of software goes through steps before emerging as a finished product ready for use – configuration management software aids in the having to watch over this often complex, labyrinthine process. This concept software offers dozens of options, including some that are offered free of charge on the Internet.
Some are created for a specific set of tasks (e.g., managing UNIX network changes), while other options can handle a broader range of projects. Configuration management can help you manage complicated processes and cycles, no matter what specific field you’re using it for. With configuration management software, you don’t have to spend effort on this and can be more productive in the meantime.