Not very long ago computer networks were confined to single locations where it was much easier for the technicians to troubleshoot problems and control system security. The increased use of wireless networks has created a more challenging job for today’s IT manager, and it can be difficult to troubleshoot problems in a mobile computing environment. Many IT experts manage their systems remotely, which means that they must employ an efficient arsenal of IT management software to keep the networks secure and operational.

The administrator’s “toolbox” must include a variety of software to keep up with the activity of a complex multi-user network. Companies rely on the IT professionals to ensure that these networks are safe from intruders or malicious programs and that all of the components of the network function, as they should. This is why system administrators rely on log and event monitoring software to track and pinpoint any potential malfunctions in the system and detect any activity from unauthorized users. Network performance monitoring software is also essential to track down any outages or performance lags that may signal potential outages. Other types of essential system administration software include programs that analyze traffic and bandwidth usage, and allow remote network management. The growing popularity of cloud storage and computing has made cloud service management software indispensable as well. To make a network engineer’s job easier, some software companies produce application suites to cover all of these categories.

The advancements of information systems and mobile computing have made administrating networks more challenging in recent years. Fortunately, innovations in IT management software have progressed at the same rate. Network managers are now able to pinpoint and repair network outages faster than ever, prevent security breaches and store huge amounts of data using intuitive and responsive software created specifically for IT professionals.