As network managers, engineers, and operators strive to protect the integrity and performance of enterprise networks, they are faced with an onslaught of data and metrics. They must wade quickly and carefully through this deluge in order to perform monitoring, troubleshooting, and planning. With recent trends moving technology toward software-defined and programmable infrastructure, as well as the parallel convergence of IT operations across multiple technology domains, network log data is being increasingly both used and appreciated. But proper and effective use of network log data is not without its challenges.
Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) released its latest research report entitled Log Analytics for Network Operations Management which takes a detailed look at the ways in which network log data is being harvested, analyzed, and used for network operations management. Based on the experiences and findings of over 190 enterprise practitioners, log analytics best practices are provided.
Some of the key findings in this study include:
■ 96% of participants indicated that network log data was of average importance or higher within their overall hierarchy of network management data sources, and 64% felt is “More important than most” or “Most important”.
■ 75% of shops are either currently using a central log analysis system or are planning to consolidate the multiple tools they have into a single system.
■ The biggest challenge most face when using network log data is “Knowing what to look for” and consequently the most highly valued feature for log analytics is “Fast search”.
■ Over 90% of organizations are applying one or more forms of advanced analytics in the processing of network log data, such as root cause analysis, proactive alerting, threat identification, and performance trending.
■ Over 80% of organizations are using network log data to support higher level BSM/ITSM initiatives, most particularly for IT service quality monitoring (61%).
EMA has been tracking the role that network log data plays in network management disciplines for years. What is most striking is that log data now outranks traditional network management data sources such as SNMP, NetFlow, and packet analysis as most heavily used and valued for multiple use cases. EMA recommends that networking professionals add log data to their portfolio of viewpoints while also seeking a means to closely integrate and align that viewpoint with others in order to get the most impactful results.
The Latest
Findings of the Digital Employee Experience survey from VMware show correlation between enabling employees with a positive digital experience (i.e., device choice/flexibility, seamless access to apps, remote work capabilities) and an organization's competitive position, revenue growth and employee sentiment ...
In today's competitive landscape, businesses must have the ability and process in place to face new challenges and find ways to successfully tackle them in a proactive manner. For years, this has been placed on the shoulders of DevOps teams within IT departments. But, as automation takes over manual intervention to increase speed and efficiency, these teams are facing what we know as IT digitization. How has this changed the way companies function over the years, and what do we have to look forward to in the coming years? ...
Although the vast majority of IT organizations have implemented a broad variety of systems and tools to modernize, simplify and streamline data center operations, many are still burdened by inefficiencies, security risks and performance gaps in their IT infrastructure as well as the excessive time it takes to manage legacy infrastructure, according to the State of IT Transformation, a report from Datrium ...
When it comes to network visibility, there are a lot of discussions about packet broker technology and the various features these solutions provide to network architects and IT managers. Packet brokers allow organizations to aggregate the data required for a variety of monitoring solutions including network performance monitoring and diagnostic (NPMD) platforms and unified threat management (UTM) appliances. But, when it comes to ensuring these solutions provide the insights required by NetOps and security teams, IT can spend an exorbitant amount of time dealing with issues around adds, moves and changes. This can have a dramatic impact on budgets and tool availability. Why does this happen? ...
Data may be pouring into enterprises but IT professionals still find most of it stuck in siloed departments and weeks away from being able to drive any valued action. Coupled with the ongoing concerns over security responsiveness, IT teams have to push aside other important performance-oriented data in order to ensure security data, at least, gets prominent attention. A new survey by Ivanti shows the disconnect between enterprise departments struggling to improve operations like automation while being challenged with a siloed structure and a data onslaught ...
A subtle, deliberate shift has occurred within the software industry which, at present, only the most innovative organizations have seized upon for competitive advantage. Although primarily driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), this transformation strikes at the core of the most pervasive IT resources including cloud computing and predictive analytics ...
When asked who is mandated with developing and delivering their organization's digital competencies, 51% of respondents say their IT departments have a leadership role. The critical question is whether IT departments are prepared to take on a leadership role in which collaborating with other functions and disseminating knowledge and digital performance data are requirements ...
The Economist Intelligence Unit just released a new study commissioned by Riverbed that explores nine digital competencies that help organizations improve their digital performance and, ultimately, achieve their objectives. Here's a brief summary of 7 key research findings you'll find covered in detail in the report ...
Today, the overall customer scenario has digitally transformed and practically there is no limitation to the ways in which the target customers can be reached. These opportunities are throwing multiple challenges for brands and enterprises, and one of the prominent ones is to ensure Omni Channel experience for customers ...
Most businesses (92 percent of respondents) see the potential value of data and 36 percent are already monetizing their data, according to the Global Data Protection Index from Dell EMC. While this acknowledgement is positive, however, most respondents are struggling to properly protect their data ...
