5 Ways to Improve Network Performance

A flawless network performance equals more efficiency and productivity; the math is quite straightforward. In spite of this, if the performance of most enterprise networks is to be assessed and rated, their performance will be barely up to optimum standards. A move to improve network performance will do a lot in improving overall productivity.

There are a whole lot of measures, policies, techniques, and tools that can be applied to give a network a boost and enhance its performance. In this article, we will focus on a few of the most effective and practical ways to improve network performance.

Go For the Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs)

A VLAN creates its broadcasting domain by splitting a physical network that is in existence into numerous logical networks. Thereby ensuring that through a group of devices is located on different LAN segments, they communicate as if they are on the same wire. Thus creating an opportunity for network resources and components to be partitioned and isolated in a network at the data link layer. As a result, an office gains the benefits of running multiple networks in one network, without rewiring the office unnecessarily. Primarily, this implies that office tasks can be prioritized on a computer network, and those considered as the most important traffic can be segmented away from low-priority tasks, giving room for the fluid flow of data within the network.

Additionally, VLANs do not just improve network optimization based on effective traffic management, but also improves network security by acting as a barrier between a compromised network segment and the uncompromised segments.

Provide a Different Network for Guests

Having too many users on a network can be likened to having too many vehicles on a road, the chances of having a traffic jam will be higher, and with a traffic jam, all the vehicles on the road will tend to move slowly – both the joyriders and those that have emergency tasks to accomplish. In comparison, poor network performance can be a result of having too many users on a network. Having one or two guests at an office lobby streaming videos, might not be a cause for slow performance. But when it’s an enterprise that has up to a hundred guests at any given hour, well, that will most likely be a cause of network slowdowns.

Creating guest networks is important in limiting the chances of having slow networks, and network security risks. Overall, there will be an improved network performance as office tasks are completed at faster rates, without experiencing unnecessary glitches.

Data Compression

Bandwidth limitations are nothing new in network management; it seems as if they will always be there. Before now, networks used to have spare bandwidths which always featured as spare bandwidths – just what they are meant to be – but with growing needs such as data recovery in case of emergency, increasing centralized network infrastructure and company growth which leads to more staff users, almost every bit of bandwidth is used up. Consequentially, bandwidth limitation is almost unavoidable.

In such a case, data compression could be a viable solution. Compression algorithms can be used to reduce the size of files being transmitted within a network, invariably increasing the network speed significantly.

Do the Necessary Updates and Upgrades

With technology, nothing is ever the same for long; there will always be changes, and you will need to keep up with them if you want to stay relevant and more productive. In essence, for a network to function optimally, all component software and firmware involved will need to be updated as new updates are rolled out. If you have used a software for too long without making any significant change to it, while your office tasks increase exponentially every day in a bid to satisfy new consumer needs, you will most likely notice that tasks are not completed as fast as they used to be.

A software that was relevant six years ago will, without the occasional release of new updates, become a burden in your network system and to your productivity as well. An office network can be improved by replacing old software with new ones that are compatible with new technologies. In an enterprise where every second count, this is definitely a good strategy to apply to enhance network performance.

Also, aside from the update of component software and firmware, the focus could be laid on upgrading the network itself. Networks do get old, and when they do, you need to replace them. Cabled internet has gradually begun to fade out if your office is running on one, it is probably time to upgrade to fiber internet so users can enjoy smoother network connections.

Monitoring Tools Are a Sure Way to Improve Network Performance

Network management systems exist because there are network monitoring tools to make things easier than ever before. Monitoring tools provide detailed insight and analysis on the causes of network errors and where they are located, thereby eliminating the downtime experienced while trying to find the source of errors. Though mostly structured to proactively provide information on the health of a network for use by network engineers, monitoring tools can go as far as troubleshooting certain errors if automated to do so.

With prompt alerts on imminent network errors, network engineers or IT managers will always be one step ahead in troubleshooting probable network errors before they cause real problems. Hence, network performance is significantly improved, and there will hardly be a case of network lags.

LiveNX is an NPM tool is an industry leader in network performance monitoring and management, proactively monitoring activities across an entire network to

• Provide insights into the nature of traffic in your network, and their source
• Identify bottlenecks and specify the availability of network components and resources (applications, devices, etc.) within the network.
• Filter and monitor contents in the network
• Pinpoint the root cause of network errors, downtimes, and other network performance issues

Without limitation to what has been outlined above, there are numerous benefits attached to using LiveNX to enhance network performance. Depending on company needs, LiveNX can be integrated with other solutions such as LiveWire to significantly improve network performance.

While addressing network performance issues, one thing is important; before letting your network take the blame, it is important to confirm if the network is the problem, or if it is a case of having slow computers in the office. Not certain what the problem is, or what might be the cause? Why not let LiveAction’s network experts have a look at your network system, and proffer lasting solutions that are sure to enhance network performance in your enterprise.