Network Optimization refers to the tools, techniques, and best practices used to monitor and enhance network performance. The first step of the optimization process is to measure a series of network performance metrics and identify any issues. Network performance monitoring includes measuring traffic, bandwidth, jitter, and latency caused by the likes of insufficient infrastructure or inadequate network security.
Outdated network hardware (e.g. routers or cables) can influence both bandwidth and latency. Similarly, weak network security can interfere with performance and drain valuable bandwidth. Inefficiently designed apps can consume excessive amounts of bandwidth. These are only a few of the possible network inefficiencies that can be corrected through network optimization. With continual advancements in cloud computing services, consumers have come to expect secure, high-quality, high-performance applications. Poor network speed, bandwidth, or connectivity are points of unacceptable friction for the end-user.
Improving network performance has several driving factors, including more easily available, flexible, and scalable enterprise networks that can supply immediate, accurate, and secure delivery of data, applications, and services. The benefits of network optimization are increased security and compliance, reduced spending on hardware or software, and simplified, efficient network management.
Optimization initiatives generally include leveraging technologies and optimizing existing network systems for the purposes of quality of service (QoS) implementation, data compression, redundant data elimination, improved application delivery, and traffic shaping to reduce packet loss.
The set of optimization tools used to improve network performance often incorporates monitoring software to gain beneficial visibility of network performance issues from remote worksites and data centers. Encompassing real-time and post-event analytics, this monitoring software can prevent the loss of VoIP calls and eliminate downtime for network domains. Critical functionality including e-commerce transactions and security alerts also remain intact through this use of monitoring software.