Chapter 6
· Integration with logging systems such as Syslog, SNMP, TACACS+, or RADIUS--This
integration provides automated re-inventorying of devices whose configuration has been
changed outside the scope of your configuration management tool.
· The inventory should include whatever hardware information your devices are capable of
providing. For example, one useful effect of a useful inventorying function is automatic
notification when a router's installed memory changes, which might be a sign that
someone has pulled memory out of the router without authorization.
· Inventory should be closely tied to reporting functions, providing both historical and
auditing reports as well as easy-to-access support information, such as a list of devices'
model numbers, serial numbers, OS revision, and so forth.
I'll discuss these features in more detail later in this chapter.
Figure 6.5 provides an evaluation checklist for this functionality.
Figure 6.5: A tool evaluation checklist for the inventory and review functionality.
Change Modeling and Risk Analysis
Change modeling and risk analysis is an important step once a change has been designed. The
idea is to generate a proposed change--a new configuration file for a device or even an entirely
new network diagram. These proposed changes allow for both a peer review and a risk analysis
in which you determine the possible negative impact the change could have on your environment
and make sure you have plans in place to handle those eventualities. Tools that can help you
analyze the risk, spot potential problems, and document both your risk analysis and your
mitigation plans, can be valuable in minimizing downtime should the worst occur once your
change is implemented.
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Summary :
Chapter 6 · Integration with logging systems such as Syslog, SNMP, TACACS+, or RADIUS--This integration provides automated re-inventorying of devices whose configuration has been changed outside the scope of your configuration management tool. Change Modeling and Risk Analysis Change modeling and risk analysis is an important step once a change has been designed.
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