Managing the multi-functional network

Network management is one of the more ambiguous terms in use by communications specialists today. It has a kind of Alice in Wonderland-`it means what I want it to mean´-appeal to marketiers visibly trying to differentiate their PABX or data communication products. Most people would recognise the vital importance of manageable network systems, but there are still too few areas of common understanding or standards to make the term safe to use in well regulated company. The author offers a view of what network management really means, biased from a knowledge of where voice and data management systems have come from. It is orientated very much towards the view that networked systems management is the ultimate goal of all parties involved