The best kept secret: What is network visibility?

Why is network visibility important? Learn how to protect your information in the digital world

Challenges in network visibility?

Conclusions

1. Network security is crucial in a world where technology is ubiquitous and cybercrime is rapidly evolving, so Managed Service Providers (MSPs) must be vigilant and understand network visibility to protect organizations from cyberattacks.
2. Network visibility is important to detect vulnerabilities and respond quickly to prevent potential breaches, by monitoring network traffic to identify unexpected behaviors, detect performance bottlenecks, and monitor the use of critical applications.
3. MSPs face several challenges in the evolution of network visibility, such as the constant evolution of security threats, and need to implement measures to stay ahead of the curve, combining network visibility with effective security tools to detect and respond to security incidents in real time.

“In this bleak world where technology has become a vital necessity, IT Service Management (ITSM) has become a key tool for many businesses.” It sounds like the introduction to a dystopian novel, doesn’t it? Easy, it’s not like that, today I didn’t get up very like Aldous Huxley.

We will rather answer the question: What is ITSM exactly? 

Don’t you worry, I will not get too involved with the technicalities, you already know what we’re like, I will explain it to you in an easy way and worth prizes such as the Nobel Prize for scientific dissemination.

Advantages of ITSM: Improve IT service management

What exactly is ITSM?

*Warning: Allegory for children.

Imagine that ITSM is the detective of a company. It’s the tough guy who helps the organization understand how technology works in the business and how it can become more efficient. But to be a good detective, ITSM needs three elements: people, processes, and technology.

People are important in ITSM because they are the ones who use the company’s IT services. End users, employees, customers, and external vendors are all people who need the company’s IT services to do their jobs. 

The implementation of ITSM helps define the roles and responsibilities of each user group, and ensures that everyone understands how they can contribute to improving the management of IT services.

Processes are also important in ITSM. And we’ll go crazy inserting an analogy into another analogy. Inception! 

If ITSM were a hamburger, the processes would be like hamburger mince. 

Processes are the different stages that the company’s IT services go through, such as incident management, IT asset management, and change management. A good ITSM implementation will help the company define these processes and ensure that they are followed correctly.

If we continue with the hamburger simile, technology is like ITSM’s hamburger cheese. It is the ingredient that holds everything together with its caloric value. 

Technology allows the company to automate its processes and improve access to service providers and end users. Automation reduces errors, brings consistency and service metrics based on critical success factors.

Although if you got lost in the middle of my great allegory of detectives and hamburgers I leave you here a more academic and cheeseless definition:

ITSM is the acronym for Information Technology Service Management, which refers to a set of practices, policies, procedures and tools used to plan, design, deliver, operate and control the information technology (IT) services that a company offers to its internal or external customers. 

ITSM is based on the service management approach and focuses on customer satisfaction, continuous improvement of services and efficient management of IT costs and resources. 

ITSM includes processes and areas such as incident management, problem management, change management, asset and configuration management, service level management, and capacity management. 

Implementing ITSM enables companies to improve the quality of their IT services, increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their processes, and reduce the risks and costs associated with information technology management.

Now that we know what ITSM is, what are the keys to its implementation?

Well, there are some key requirements that need to be met.

• First, the roles and responsibilities of end-users must be defined.
• Secondly, the processes to be followed must be defined, such as incident management, IT asset management and change management.
• And finally, the right technology must be implemented to automate these processes and improve access to IT services.

When implementing new ITSM processes, the key is to adapt to the specific needs of your business. 

If your IT support team is always working on the same problems, finding the root cause and solving it is undoubtedly the best option. 

For example, if storage space is a recurring problem, deleting files every time the hard drive reaches its maximum capacity is not a long-term solution. 

Instead, installing a hard drive with greater capacity would be a more effective solution over time.

In ITSM, the incident management process becomes problem management. 

In this example, the lack of storage space is the incidence, while the storage capacity of the hard drive is the underlying problem.

But the implementation of ITSM processes depends not only on the tool used, but also on a culture change. 

It’s important for end users to see the IT team as a service provider, rather than just another department of the company.

Key points to consider when implementing ITSM processes are team maturity and size, identifying specific issues, and selecting the right framework. 

Each framework has its own structure and processes, so the choice will depend largely on the problems to be solved.

Once ITSM has been implemented, what are the advantages and why is it important?

There are many benefits to implementing ITSM. 

ITSM processes are key for companies looking to optimize the management of their IT services and improve customer satisfaction. 

Clearly defining service delivery goals, publishing an IT Service Catalog, and creating well-trained and enthusiastic support teams are just a few of the ways ITSM can benefit a company.

In addition, a good ITSM implementation can ensure quick troubleshooting, saving end users time and reducing help desk workload. 

This, in turn, can reduce IT service provision costs and increase service availability and trust.

Last but not least, ITSM ensures compatibility with different regulations or legal regulations, which is crucial for companies looking to comply with security and privacy standards. 

In short, implementing ITSM processes can provide a number of benefits to businesses, from better management of IT services to greater customer satisfaction and greater compliance with legal regulations.

But what about ITIL?

ITIL is a very popular ITSM framework, but it’s not the only option. 

There are other frameworks and standards, such as COBIT, ISO 20000, MOF and USMBOK, that can also be used to manage IT services. 

The main difference between ITIL and other frameworks is that ITIL is very prescriptive and specific about how IT services should be managed, while other frameworks are more flexible and allow companies to customize their processes according to their specific needs.

Despite the differences between ITSM and ITIL, both are important for IT service management. 

ITIL is a good choice for companies looking for a more detailed and structured solution, while other frameworks may be better suited for companies that need a more flexible and customized solution.

Conclusions

What else can we say, the implementation of ITSM is fundamental for the efficient management of IT services in companies. 

Like a seasoned detective, ITSM helps the organization understand how technology works in the business and how it can be more efficient. 

With the right definition of roles and responsibilities, well-defined processes, and implementation of the right technology, ITSM can improve the quality of IT services and increase end-user satisfaction. 

Whether using ITIL or any other framework, ITSM is a key tool for any company that wants to stay competitive in the increasingly technological world in which we live.

And remember, if you ever have problems with your company’s IT services, don’t worry, because ITSM is here to help you solve the mystery and make everything run smoothly!

As the famous detective Sherlock Holmes once said, “when the impossible has been removed, what remains, however improbable it may seem, is the truth”. And the truth is that ITSM is a powerful tool to improve the management of IT services in your company.

Dimas Pardo

Dimas P.L., de la lejana y exótica Vega Baja, CasiMurcia, periodista, redactor, taumaturgo del contenido y campeón de espantar palomas en los parques. Actualmente resido en Madrid donde trabajo como paladín de la comunicación en Pandora FMS y periodista freelance cultural en cualquier medio que se ofrezca. También me vuelvo loco escribiendo y recitando por los círculos poéticos más profundos y oscuros de la ciudad.

Dimas P.L., from the distant and exotic Vega Baja, CasiMurcia, journalist, editor, thaumaturgist of content and champion of scaring pigeons in parks. I currently live in Madrid where I work as a communication champion in Pandora FMS and as a freelance cultural journalist in any media offered. I also go crazy writing and reciting in the deepest and darkest poetic circles of the city.

Friends, welcome to the world of software development! There have been more changes here in recent years than in Lady Gaga’s wardrobe during her Super Bowl halftime performance! You know, Agile, DevOps, the Cloud… These innovations have enabled organizations to develop and deploy software faster and more efficiently than ever before. One of the key DevOps practices is automated deployments.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of creating and monitoring strong automated implementations.

Automated deployments: achieve error-free software

Why do you need strong automated deployments?

Traditionally, software deployment was a manual process that implied manifold steps and was prone to human error. 

Automated implantations, on the other hand, allow organizations to implement software automatically without human intervention, reducing the chances of errors.

Automated implementations also offer the following advantages:

1. Faster deployment: Manual implementation is a slow process that implies manifold steps. Automated implementation reduces the implementation time and allows companies to implement software more frequently.
2. Coherence: Automated deployments guarantee that the deployment process is documented and can be repeated, which reduces the chances of errors caused by human errors.
3. Downgrade: Automated deployments allow organizations to return to the previous software version quickly and simply if some problem arises.
4. Profitability: Automated implementations reduce the need for manual intervention, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
5. Improved tests: Automated deployments can be tested in a test or pre-production environment before going into production, reducing the likelihood of problems arising.

Steps to create strong automated implementations

Creating strong automated deployments involves the following steps:

• Defining the deployment process: Define the steps needed to deploy the software, including dependencies, configuration settings, and environment requirements.
• Automating the deployment process: It uses tools like Terraform, Ansible, Jenkins, and YAML to write the deployment process as code, store it in source control, and test it.
• Add doors and approvals: It adds doors and approvals to require external approvals, perform quality validations, and collect status signals from external services before the implementation can be completed.
• Develop a rollback strategy: Develop a rollback strategy that includes feature indicators and bluish-green deployments to roll back to the previous version of the software easier should any issues arise.
• Implement automated monitoring: Implement automated monitoring of system metrics such as memory usage, disk usage, logged errors, database performance, average database response time, long-duration queries, simultaneous database connections, and SQL query performance.
• Test and refine: Test and refine the automated deployment process, making the necessary adjustments.

Monitoring of strong automated deployments

Automated implementations must be accompanied by automated monitoring.

Organizations must monitor system metrics such as memory usage, disk usage, logged errors, database performance, average database response time, long-duration queries, simultaneous database connections, and SQL query performance.

Mature monitoring systems make obtaining a baseline prior to implementation easier as well as spotting deviations after the implementation.

Holistic hybrid cloud monitoring tools that alert organizations to errors or abnormal patterns are an important part of feature flags and bluish-green deployments.

They are the indicators that allow organizations to find out whether they need to deactivate a feature or return to the previous production environment.

Tools and processes

Although implementation and monitoring tools alone do not guarantee the success of the implementation, they certainly help.

It is also important to create a DevOps culture of good communication, design reviews throughout development, and thorough testing.

Automated deployments are just part of the DevOps lifecycle, and organizations can decide at what point in the cycle automation it adds value and create it in small chunks over time.

Automated deployments reduce the risk and effort required. Their high return on investment often makes them a great place to start automating considering DevOps best practices.

Conclusion

Automated deployments are an essential part of the DevOps culture. They reduce the likelihood of human error, allowing faster deployment.

Closing the circle with a reference to Lady Gaga:

Automated deployments are like having Lady Gaga’s costume assistant as your personal assistant – there’s no room for error!

Dimas Pardo

Dimas P.L., de la lejana y exótica Vega Baja, CasiMurcia, periodista, redactor, taumaturgo del contenido y campeón de espantar palomas en los parques. Actualmente resido en Madrid donde trabajo como paladín de la comunicación en Pandora FMS y periodista freelance cultural en cualquier medio que se ofrezca. También me vuelvo loco escribiendo y recitando por los círculos poéticos más profundos y oscuros de la ciudad.

Dimas P.L., from the distant and exotic Vega Baja, CasiMurcia, journalist, editor, thaumaturgist of content and champion of scaring pigeons in parks. I currently live in Madrid where I work as a communication champion in Pandora FMS and as a freelance cultural journalist in any media offered. I also go crazy writing and reciting in the deepest and darkest poetic circles of the city.

Windows server monitoring with Pandora FMS

In our eagerness to bring you all the definitions of the world of technology we hired a sherpa, with calves made of steel, who travels the confines of the Himalayas collecting the most exclusive and inaccessible information from temple to temple. Because everyone knows it, the greatest secrets of technology are kept by the monks of monasteries like those of Rizong, Jammu or Kashmir, not the Internet. That’s why today, on Pandora FMS blog, just arrived from the Indian subcontinent, we reveal to you the truth about distributed systems.

Distributed systems: features and best practices

We opened the dusty parchment of Sherpy (that would be our sherpa) and let’s get down to business!

A distributed system is a computing environment that spans multiple devices, coordinating their efforts to complete a job much more efficiently than if it were with a single device.

Distributed systems offer many advantages over traditional computing environments, such as reducing risks by avoiding a single point of failure, improving reliability, and increasing scalability.

However, they also carry their own set of risks and challenges.

Elements of distributed systems

Distributed systems are designed to operate over the Internet, and the most common implementations involve the use of Cloud computing.

A distributed system begins with a task, which is managed by an application that divides it into sections.

For example, a video editor on a client computer may give a dozen different computers (or nodes) a frame of a video to complete rendering.

Once the frame is completed, the managing application gives the node a new frame to work on.

This process continues until the video is finished and all the pieces are put back together.

This system can scale to hundreds or thousands of nodes, which can complete in a few minutes a task that would have taken a single computer days.

Distributed system types

There are many models and architectures of distributed systems, including client-server systems, peer-to-peer networks, mobile phone networks, and cloud-based virtual server instances.

Client-server systems are the most traditional and simple type of distributed system, in which several networked computers interact with a central server to store data, process it or perform any other common purpose.

Mobile networks are an advanced type of distributed system that shares workloads between terminals, switching systems, and Internet-based devices.

Peer-to-peer networks distribute workloads among hundreds or thousands of computers running the same software.

Cloud-based virtual server instances are the most common forms of distributed systems in enterprises today, as they transfer workloads to dozens of cloud-based virtual server instances that are created as needed and terminated when the task is completed.

Key features of distributed systems

Distributed systems are characterized by their:

• Scalability
• Concurrence
• Availability/failover
• Transparency
• Heterogeneity
• Replication

As you know, scalability is the ability to grow as the workload size increases, which is achieved by adding additional processing units or nodes to the network as needed.

Concurrency refers to the components of the distributed system running simultaneously, characterized by the lack of a “global time”, where tasks take place out of sequence and at different rates.

Availability/failover tells us that if a node fails, the remaining nodes can continue operating without interrupting the overall calculation.

Transparency means that an external programmer or end user sees a distributed system as a single computational unit and not its underlying parts.

Heterogeneity, that nodes and components are often asynchronous, with different hardware, middleware, software and operating systems.

Replication allows information and message sharing, ensuring consistency between redundant resources, such as software or hardware components, improving failover, reliability and accessibility.

Distributed tracking

-Keep reading, Sherpy:

*Literal translation of a mystical and remote Tibetan language:

“Distributed tracking is a method for monitoring applications built on a microservices architecture that are routinely deployed in distributed systems.

Tracking systems monitor processes step by step, helping developers discover bugs, bottlenecks, latency, or other issues within the application.

Distributed tracking is necessary due to the complexity of modern software architectures.

It is designed to operate in a distributed services infrastructure, where it can track multiple applications and processes simultaneously across multiple nodes and concurrent computing environments.”

-Thank you, Sherpy.

-At your service.

Risks and advantages of distributed systems

As we just saw, these types of systems offer many and wide-ranged advantages, such as higher efficiency, scalability, reliability…

However, they also entail certain risks, such as security vulnerabilities, increased complexity, and the possibility of data loss.

-“Security vulnerabilities may arise due to the distributed nature of the system, making it more difficult to secure and monitor all components.”

-Very well explained, Sherpy.

-Tshe lo.

The sherpa finally said, disappearing into a cloud of explosive smoke.

Conclusion

It may seem that distributed systems extend computing power too far, but they actually make it go further.

With the ability to quickly scale and coordinate multiple nodes, distributed systems are like the ultimate computer equipment training exercise. 

And let’s face it, if computers had to participate in those confidence-loss exercises that humans have to endure in team-building events, they would likely fail miserably.

So let’s limit ourselves to distributed systems and leave the loss of confidence to humans.