What are the biggest network administration challenges in global organizations?

2 Performance and Availability

Another challenge for network administrators in global organizations is ensuring the performance and availability of the network. This involves optimizing the network speed, bandwidth, latency, reliability, and scalability to support the needs of the users, applications, and services. However, network performance and availability can be affected by various factors, such as distance, traffic, congestion, routing, load balancing, redundancy, and failover. Moreover, network administrators have to deal with different network architectures, technologies, and providers in different locations, such as WAN, LAN, WLAN, VPN, MPLS, SD-WAN, cloud, and hybrid. To address these challenges, network administrators need to use network performance monitoring and management tools, such as ping, traceroute, SNMP, NetFlow, and NPM. They also need to design and implement network optimization and resilience strategies, such as QoS, caching, compression, WAN optimization, load balancing, redundancy, and failover.

3 Configuration and Maintenance

A third challenge for network administrators in global organizations is managing the configuration and maintenance of the network. This involves configuring and updating the network devices, such as routers, switches, firewalls, servers, and endpoints. It also involves troubleshooting and resolving any network issues, such as connectivity, compatibility, configuration, or hardware problems. However, network configuration and maintenance can be difficult and time-consuming in global organizations, as they have to deal with a large number of network devices, each with different settings, versions, patches, and firmware. Furthermore, network administrators have to coordinate and communicate with different teams, vendors, and stakeholders in different locations and time zones. To address these challenges, network administrators need to use network configuration management and automation tools, such as Ansible, Puppet, Chef, or NCM. They also need to establish and follow network configuration standards, best practices, and documentation.

4 Integration and Interoperability

A fourth challenge for network administrators in global organizations is ensuring the integration and interoperability of the network. This involves connecting and enabling the network to work with different systems, platforms, applications, and services, both within and outside the organization. However, network integration and interoperability can be challenging in global organizations, as they have to deal with a variety of network protocols, formats, interfaces, and APIs. Additionally, network administrators have to ensure the compatibility and security of the network with different cloud, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments, such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or IBM Cloud. To address these challenges, network administrators need to use network integration and interoperability tools, such as middleware, gateways, bridges, adapters, or connectors. They also need to test and verify the network functionality and compatibility with different systems, platforms, applications, and services.

5 Cost and Resource Management

A fifth challenge for network administrators in global organizations is managing the cost and resource allocation of the network. This involves planning and budgeting for the network infrastructure, equipment, software, and services. It also involves monitoring and controlling the network resource utilization, such as CPU, memory, disk, bandwidth, and power. However, network cost and resource management can be challenging in global organizations, as they have to deal with different currencies, exchange rates, taxes, tariffs, and regulations. Moreover, network administrators have to balance the network quality and performance with the network efficiency and optimization. To address these challenges, network administrators need to use network cost and resource management tools, such as spreadsheets, accounting software, or CRM. They also need to analyze and optimize the network resource consumption and allocation.

6 Training and Development

A sixth challenge for network administrators in global organizations is keeping up with the training and development of the network skills and knowledge. This involves learning and updating the network concepts, technologies, tools, and trends. It also involves sharing and transferring the network expertise and experience with other network administrators, users, and stakeholders. However, network training and development can be challenging in global organizations, as they have to deal with a fast-changing and dynamic network environment. Furthermore, network administrators have to overcome the barriers of language, culture, and time in learning and teaching the network skills and knowledge. To address these challenges, network administrators need to use network training and development resources, such as online courses, webinars, podcasts, blogs, books, or certifications. They also need to participate and collaborate in network communities, forums, groups, or events.

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?