and network inventory

Academic research generally focuses on technicality of network management, and articles published in trade magazines usually provide network management product information from the vendors’ perspectives. Although the Gartner Networking Maturity Model provides general characteristics of networks in various phases, and network inventory need more specific benchmarks against which to examine and analyze their own networks.

The main purpose of this study is to investigate hardware, software, and practices used in managing networks of various sizes in various industries. In addition, the study will gather information and network inventory issues and challenges. The gathered data will be used to establish best practices in each phase of the Gartner Networking Maturity Model. The study will collect data from network professionals in 10 different industries to establish industry-specific network management best practices and challenges. Data will be analyzed based on the size of the networks to identify management challenges, issues, and best practices that are specific to small, medium, and large corporate networks.