In today’s digital age, businesses and other entities rely heavily on computer networks for their operations. It makes it easier for data sharing and communication to be implemented in your company when your computer network remains functional and efficient. Many business entities rely on MSPs to perform network maintenance for them especially since it is easier to manage than hiring an in-house IT team. To monitor if your MSP is doing its job, you need to be aware of your network maintenance checklist to be able to track the progress yourself.
We understand that maintaining your network is essential and that network downtime can cost you a lot. That is why we prepared this article to serve as your guide in creating a network maintenance checklist that is suitable for the agreement you have with your MSP. Let’s get started!
7 Things to Consider in Your Network Maintenance Checklist
Creating a network maintenance checklist with your MSP will help you ensure that your network is properly cared for. Here’s a checklist of network maintenance activities you should verify your MSP is performing.
- Update Software and Security Patches
One of the most important network maintenance activities is ensuring that all the software on the network is up to date. This includes operating systems, antivirus programs, and any other software used on the network. Updating software helps fix any bugs, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues. It also ensures that the network can handle any new hardware or software added to it.
- Monitor Network Performance
Monitoring network performance is an essential network maintenance activity and, thus, is a must in any network maintenance checklist. Network performance monitoring helps detect any issues that may affect the network’s performance, such as slow response times, poor connectivity, or bandwidth issues. Regular monitoring enables you to identify and fix issues before they escalate, minimizing network downtime.
- Clean Up Network Hardware
Hardware maintenance is also an essential part of the network maintenance checklist. Dust and debris can accumulate on network hardware over time, which can affect performance and cause overheating. Regularly cleaning network hardware, including switches, routers, and servers, can help prevent downtime due to hardware failures.
- Check Network Cabling
Network cabling is a critical part of any network infrastructure. It is essential to ensure that network cabling is properly installed, labeled, and organized. Checking the network cabling regularly ensures that there are no loose connections or broken cables, which can cause connectivity issues.
- Test Backup and Recovery Systems
Having a backup and recovery system in place is crucial in the event of a network outage. Regularly testing backup and recovery systems ensures that they are working correctly and can be relied upon in an emergency. Testing backups can also help identify any issues that may affect the network’s ability to recover from a disaster.
- Monitor Security Logs
Maintaining network security is vital to protect against cyber-attacks, data breaches, and other security threats. Monitoring security logs can help detect any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activity on the network. Regularly reviewing security logs enables you to identify and respond to security threats before they cause any damage.
- Document Network Changes
Documenting any changes made to the network, including hardware and software updates, helps track the network’s history and configuration. It also helps troubleshoot any issues that may arise in the future. Documenting network changes ensures that everyone on the network understands the network’s current configuration and will help diagnose any issues that may arise.
The network maintenance checklist outlined above will help keep your network running smoothly, minimize downtime, and protect against security threats. Regular maintenance will also help extend the life of your network hardware and software and save you money in the long run. Never hesitate to request documentation that your MSP has performed the network maintenance checklist regularly to ensure that your network is always up-to-date, secure, and reliable.