The Pros and Cons of a Dedicated Management Network

Carrying management traffic out of band can quickly result in building a fairly sophisticated network that is dedicated just to network management. This network can exist in addition and in parallel to the network that you are trying to manage—a dedicated network that allows your management systems to communicate with the network elements that they are managing. However, using out-of-band management communications does not necessarily imply the use of a dedicated management network that is physically separate and distinguished from the production network. Although a dedicated management port is used, the traffic to and from that port could also be carried through the same network that carries the rest of the traffic. Instead of being a dedicated network, the management network is, in effect, overlaid on top of the production network.

Figure 3-12 depicts the two alternatives of having a network that is shared for both management and production traffic (Figure 3-12a) and keeping management and production networks physically separate (Figure 3-12b). Which option makes the most sense? The answer is, it depends. Like so much in engineering, it is all about trade-offs.

Figure 3-12 Dedicated Versus Shared Management and Production Networks

Production Traffic Management Traffic

Network Traffic Management Images

(a) Shared Network for Management and Production Traffic

(b) Dedicated Management Network

(a) Shared Network for Management and Production Traffic

(b) Dedicated Management Network

The advantages of using a dedicated management network are numerous:

■ Reliability—With a dedicated management network, management traffic is carried independently of traffic over the production network, making management significantly more reliable. For example, picture a situation in which a network failure or network congestion occurs and makes a certain segment of the network hard to reach. In this situation, management is absolutely critical to finding out what happened, and possibly to subsequently instructing the network to perform certain reconfigurations to remedy the situation. However, unless you have a dedicated management network, chances are, management traffic will be just as incapable of getting through as any other communications traffic. As with an ambulance that is stuck in traffic, you will not be able to get to the scene easily to determine exactly what has happened (in fact, the call to alert you might have trouble getting through), let alone provide first aid or clean up the mess. This means that management might effectively be unavailable just when it is needed the most. Of course, with a dedicated management network, all of this is a nonissue.

■ Interference avoidance—When carried over the production network, management traffic competes with other networking traffic. This includes data application traffic as well as traffic with high quality of service (QoS) requirements, such as voice or streaming video, which is sensitive to fluctuations in bandwidth and delay. Although management traffic is not very high in volume compared with other applications, it can be bursty and still of non-negligible volume. For example, it might involve downloading large files with new configurations or software images to network elements, or transferring statistical data that was collected over a longer period of time at the network element. The amount of traffic can be sufficient to interfere with other applications. For example, it can cause load conditions on the network that can lead to noticeable degradations in the QoS that is provided to other applications. This is not a recipe for keeping network users and customers happy; in the worst case, it can translate into lost revenue to the network provider. Interference between management and production network traffic can also make certain problems harder to diagnose. Again, with a dedicated management network, all of this is a nonissue.

■ Ease of network planning—Avoiding interference as described in the previous bullet requires careful network planning that takes into account the effects of unpredictable network management traffic. Network planning for the production network becomes easier if there is no need to consider management traffic, as is the case when a dedicated management network is used. Of course, the price to pay is that the management network also must be planned for. However, a dedicated management network runs only a single application—network management—so this problem becomes simpler.

■ Security—A dedicated management network is harder to attack and easier to secure. End users and subscribers will never come into contact with it; its devices are on a completely separate network. This makes it less prone to hackers and less vulnerable to, for example, DoS attacks on the production network.

On the other hand, there are a variety of reasons not to use a dedicated management network and to use management communication exchanges over a shared network:

■ Cost and overhead—Despite its advantages, a dedicated management network requires a separate network to be built. This comes with a huge price tag that results in significant additional cost. A shared network does not require additional devices, additional space, and additional cabling.

■ No reasonable alternative—In quite a few cases, a shared network might realistically be the only option. For example, equipment that is deployed at the customer premises might be reachable only through one network. One scenario involves a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) router that is located at the site of a customer. The service provider provides DSL connectivity to this router, but it does not make sense to provide separate management connectivity. Instead, any required management communication occurs over the same physical network. Of course, at the logical level at least, a separate channel can be used.

What about management of the dedicated management network? Shouldn't this be a consideration as well? Will we now also need a "management management network" to manage the management network as well? And who would manage that? Will it ever end? This is a good point, and for the truly paranoid, it is well worth considering. However, in general, the answer is that the management network will also provide management connectivity for its own devices. One management network is enough. The management network will be considerably less complex than the production network that it actually must manage; it has only a very small set of services and users. Also, the environment in which it is deployed is very controlled. Finally, the production network can provide backup to the management network in case it is needed, as explained in the discussion that follows.

In summary, a dedicated management network has undeniable advantages. For areas of a network in which management is critical—for example, the backbone at a service provider or even a large enterprise—this is the implementation of choice. Its big drawback is cost, which is the main reason dedicated management networks are found only in the most critical network deployments. Hybrid solutions also are possible, with management traffic traveling in part over a dedicated management network and in part over the production network.

As for in-band and out-of-band management communications at the network element itself, typically network elements are configured to support both. The out-of-band communications path normally is used, using a dedicated port for management traffic. However, if problems arise in the management network, the option exists to fall back on the secondary in-band—and shared management network—option. This way, the production network itself is used to provide critical backup for the management network when needed. This is perhaps an ironic twist, considering that management traffic was deemed so critical that the production network couldn't be relied on to carry it to begin with.

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Readers' Questions

  • nora
    Which network can carry dedicated lines with high data security?
    3 months ago
  • A virtual private network (VPN) is the most common type of network that can carry dedicated lines with high data security. VPNs use encryption to provide a secure tunnel for data to travel over the internet, making it impossible for third parties to intercept or steal the data. This provides the highest level of data security and privacy for businesses, organizations, and individuals.
    • Lee Wilkerson
      Which connection provides a dedicated link between two devices?
      5 months ago
    • A dedicated link is any type of computer network connection in which a dedicated line or circuit is established between two nodes, allowing them to communicate directly with each other. Examples of dedicated links include leased lines, Ethernet connections, and serial links.
      • Cecil
        What is a characteristic of outofband device management?
        6 months ago
      • Out-of-band device management is a secure method of managing and controlling IT systems, primarily network equipment, from an external remote location. It is different from in-band management, which uses the same network to control and manage the device. Some characteristics of out-of-band device management include:
        1. Separate Network: Out-of-band management provides a separate physical or logical connection for device management. This reduces the chance of having one compromised system affect the other systems.
        2. Increased Security: By using a separate network for device management, the possibility of malicious attacks is greatly reduced. Security measures can be implemented for this network, ensuring that all communications are secure.
        3. Improved Availability: Out-of-band management provides a backup plan in case of network outages. By providing a redundant, external connection, access to the device can be maintained under any conditions.
        4. Remote Access: Out-of-band management allows IT staff to access and control devices remotely, making it easy to troubleshoot and manage problems. This makes servicing and managing devices much more efficient.
        • elias
          What type of vlan should not carry voice and network management traffic?
          7 months ago
        • A data VLAN should not carry voice and network management traffic. Data VLANs are used to carry logical traffic that does not require isolation from other logical networks, such as web traffic, email, or database access.
          • mantissa
            Which type of network is characterized by the lack of a dedicated server?
            8 months ago
          • Peer-to-Peer network
            • leea loiri
              What is pros and cons network mangement?
              1 year ago
            • dominik
              What is pros network mangement?
              1 year ago
            • Network management is the process of administering and managing computer networks. It includes tasks such as configuring hardware and software, planning and allocating network resources, monitoring performance, and troubleshooting network problems. Network management is an essential component of any network, as it helps to ensure that the network is running efficiently and securely.
              • georgette
                Why seoarate network into manangement and service?
                1 year ago
              • A separation of a network into management and service networks allows an organization to segment and segmentation is a key security technique. By having separate networks for management and service, organizations can ensure that there is a greater degree of protection for the sensitive data and systems used for managing the network and that there is a more reliable service for the end user. It also allows better monitoring of any suspicious traffic that may be trying to access the management network from the service network.
                • Arrigo Boni
                  What is a dedicated management server?
                  1 year ago
                • A dedicated management server is a server that is used solely for managing a network or systems within a network. It may be used for tasks such as monitoring, configuring, and administering the network, as well as providing users with a secure access point. The server can also provide backup and storage capabilities for data and applications.
                  • tesmi
                    How to sperate management nic form production?
                    1 year ago
                    1. Establish separate IP ranges for management and production.
                    2. Utilize VLANs or routers to segment the management and production networks.
                    3. Configure firewalls to restrict access between the management and production networks.
                    4. Enable Access Control Lists (ACLs) or similar measures on switches and routers to control traffic between the two networks.
                    5. Provide additional security by implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) and other authentication methods for privileged users.
                    6. Monitor the network for suspicious activity and changes to configurations.
                    7. Ensure that the management network is regularly patched and monitored for vulnerabilities.
                    • gerardino
                      What is better a dedicated band or qos?
                      1 year ago
                    • It depends on your needs. A dedicated band provides a direct connection between two points, while QoS (quality of service) provides prioritization of network traffic, allowing some types of traffic to take precedence over others. If you need a dedicated connection for a particular application, then a dedicated band is probably the best option. However, if you need to prioritize certain types of traffic over others, then QoS is probably the best option.
                      • emilia docherty
                        Is a separate management network for windows servers necessary?
                        1 year ago
                      • No, it is not necessary to have a separate management network for Windows servers. Each server can be managed directly from its own network. However, many organizations do choose to have separate management networks for their Windows servers, as this can provide an extra layer of security and can be beneficial in larger networks.
                        • mehret
                          Why a company would have a dedicated management LAN?
                          1 year ago
                        • A dedicated management LAN provides a secure network for the designated administrators of the company to manage the IT infrastructure of the organization. This management LAN can provide additional access control and encryption to protect sensitive information from external threats and malicious actors. It can also be used to update and configure systems, manage applications, and perform other administrative tasks. Additionally, it can separate the internal traffic from the public and external networks to ensure that the company’s infrastructure remains secure.
                          • manuela
                            What are some pros of having a dedicated management?
                            1 year ago
                          • Iole
                            What is a disadvantage of using a dedicated network management system in the corporate enterprise?
                            1 year ago
                          • A disadvantage of using a dedicated network management system in the corporate enterprise is that it may be costly to set up and maintain. It may also require specialized knowledge to manage and configure, and there can be a steep learning curve. Additionally, the system may become outdated quickly, requiring frequent and expensive upgrades.
                            • Faramir
                              Why a strong, dedicated management is needed?
                              1 year ago
                            • A strong, dedicated management team is needed to ensure the success of any organization. By having a strong and dedicated management team, the organization can achieve its goals, stay on track, create a positive work environment, and be accountable for its actions. Good management helps to solve problems quickly, develop processes efficiently and oversee the implementation of plans. It also encourages innovation that drives revenue growth and provides a vision for the company’s future. Finally, strong, dedicated management sets an example for the rest of the organization, inspiring employees and helping to keep morale high.
                              • faramir
                                What is the pros and cons of policybased network management?
                                1 year ago
                              • Pros - Policy-based management simplifies and standardizes the management of networking devices. - It allows organizations to define and maintain consistent policies across multiple devices and network locations. - It also enables organizations to easily detect and address policy violations. - It provides historical records for auditing and compliance purposes. Cons - Policy-based management can be expensive to implement and maintain. - It can be difficult to keep up with the ever-changing network environment and the complex policies required to monitor it. - It does not provide real-time monitoring, which could be useful in identifying malicious activity and responding quickly to incidents. - It can be overly restrictive, potentially preventing the use of certain features or services that could benefit the organization.
                                • diamanda
                                  What is the important of using dedicated management network?
                                  1 year ago
                                • A dedicated management network is an isolated and secure network designed specifically for managing IT resources such as servers and networking devices. It allows administrators to remotely access and monitor their systems without exposing them to the public Internet or other untrusted networks. The main benefits of using a dedicated management network are improved security, better performance and availability, and easier access control and monitoring.