From something as simple as sending an email to more bandwidth-intensive operations like video conferencing, you rely on your network to carry out your daily operations. Networks are a vital part of any business as they give you and your employees what they need to be efficient and productive. It may come as no surprise, but the more optimized your network is, the smoother your workflows are. But what is internal network optimization and how is it done?
What Is Computer Network Optimization?
When IT professionals talk about internal network optimization, they are referring to a set of best practices that are used to improve network performance. By using technologies, tools, and techniques, an IT expert can monitor, manage, and optimize performance metrics. This ensures you get the highest levels of service at all times.
Why Is Network Optimization Important?
Network optimization is important because the business landscape is dependent on the reliable, secure, and always available transfer of data. In fact, every year more demands are placed on networks as organizations increasingly lean on digital solutions. For enterprises that depend on cloud computing, having a high-performance network is even more crucial.
Measuring Network Performance
Before a network can be optimized, it’s necessary to measure the performance. This provides a benchmark on how your network is currently functioning. With this information, you can tell if your network is at peak performance or if it’s underperforming. There are two ways to go about testing network performance: passive and active.
Passive network measurement tools monitor applications that exist on the network already. Gathering performance metrics on these applications allows you to see a realistic representation of app performance in real-time conditions. Active tools, on the other hand, generate data based on a customized baseline of performance.
How Is Performance Monitored?
Traffic is a main consideration when measuring the overall performance of a network, but it’s not the only factor that matters. Other important metrics include:
- Bandwidth: Data is sent from one location to another through packets. The amount of data that can be sent in a packet in a given time is known as bandwidth. The rate at which the data is transferred is measured in bits per second.
- Jitter: This term refers to the variation in time for data packets to be sent over a network. So when a data packet reaches its destination with no problem, but the next packet is delayed, jitter has happened.
- Latency: It takes a certain amount of time for data to travel from location A to location B. The amount of time before the data reaches its destination is latency. This is a particularly important measurement as latency needs to be as close to zero as possible for good performance.
What Affects Network Performance?
How well your network performs is not set in stone; there are many factors that can contribute to how a network behaves. One of the most common reasons for bad performance is due to poorly constructed infrastructure. For example, old hardware—like outdated routers and cables—can increase latency.
Something else that can drag your network down are poorly designed applications. If an application isn’t optimized, it could consume more bandwidth than is necessary. Although there are many causes of suboptimal network performance, there are also many solutions.
How to Optimize Network Performance?
If you’re having network issues, it’s time to get in contact with a trustworthy IT provider, like Tech Turnaround. They can implement network optimization software solutions to get your network back to where it needs to be. As you work with your provider, they can boost your network speeds by implementing these solutions:
- Eliminate Bottlenecks: Even if one device is lagging behind, it can slow down traffic for other devices. Your provider can observe every device and pinpoint the culprit behind the bottleneck.
- Reconfigure Hardware: For a device to operate optimally, it needs to be configured correctly. A device that isn’t configured correctly won’t be able to communicate properly with other devices.
- Create Guest Network: When guests visit your workplace, they may want to hop onto your internet. The influx of users can take up valuable bandwidth.
- Data Compression: Transferring large amounts of data is hard on a network. Your provider can help you compress your data, so you won’t need to increase your bandwidth.
Optimize Your Network With Tech Turnaround
Our mission at Tech Turnaround is to help our customers transform their IT while avoiding high costs. When you choose us as your provider, our team can help you get the most out of your network so you never run into performance issues. We’re staffed by MBAs, technology professionals, and major suppliers who want to put your business in the best position for success.
Contact us today to learn more about our services.
