Here's how you can overcome network performance bottlenecks with creative thinking.

3 Optimize Routing

Sometimes the path data takes through your network can cause bottlenecks. By optimizing routing protocols and configurations, you can reduce latency and improve throughput. Consider implementing dynamic routing protocols like OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) or EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) that automatically find the most efficient paths for data packets. Additionally, reconfiguring network switches to use more efficient paths can alleviate congestion on busy routes.

4 Traffic Shaping

Traffic shaping is a method of controlling the flow of data on your network to prevent any one application or user from consuming all available bandwidth. By setting bandwidth limits and prioritizing certain types of traffic, such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) or business-critical applications, you can ensure that essential services maintain performance during peak usage times. This requires a careful analysis of your network's traffic patterns and may involve adjusting policies as usage evolves.

5 Policy Adjustments

Sometimes the solution to a bottleneck isn't technical but policy-driven. Implementing usage policies can prevent non-critical applications from consuming too much bandwidth during business hours. Encourage users to schedule large data transfers for off-peak times and discourage the use of bandwidth-heavy applications that aren't business-related. Educating users about the impact of their network usage can also lead to more mindful behavior that benefits everyone.

6 Cloud Solutions

Finally, consider leveraging cloud solutions to alleviate on-premise network strain. Cloud services can offload processing and storage tasks from your local infrastructure, which can be particularly helpful for resource-intensive applications or when remote access is needed. By using cloud-based software and storage, you can reduce the internal traffic on your network and scale resources up or down as needed, providing a flexible solution to performance bottlenecks.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?