We’ve all seen that classic edge-of-your-seat movie scene where the hero has 30 seconds to diffuse a bomb. Well, for many network teams, an outage can feel like a similar setup.
Every second counts, but there are plenty of tools and strategies to help you find a swift solution to network outages.
So before your monitors start beeping and a hundred support calls hit your help desk, read on to learn how to support your business continuity in LA. We have some simple suggestions for responding quickly and effectively to a network outage.
Spotting a Network Outage in LA: Monitoring and Alerts
Time is of the essence when it comes to network outages. So the smartest way to get a quick resolution is to spot the issue early.
That starts with proper monitoring. Plus, with effective monitoring and alerts, you can often stop a problem in its tracks before it becomes a more significant issue. That could save you reputational damage or lost productivity.
Use network monitoring tools to provide real-time insights.
These tools will spot abnormal traffic patterns or server overloads. And they will also alert you to a complete network failure. Configure these alerts so they go straight to the relevant team. That means a combination of email, SMS, and app notifications.
Tools and Techniques to Confirm an Outage
Once you get an alert, your first step is to confirm if it’s an actual outage. You’ll need ping tests, traceroutes, and network mapping software. It will help you pinpoint whether the problem is happening at the network level.
For example, a ping test is a straightforward way of seeing if you can reach the server. Make sure you have a team well-trained in these tools so you can get an immediate answer. With experts on hand, you’ll find it easier to address the problem for business continuity in LA.
Communicate the Network Outage
Effective communication is critical during an outage. Without it, your technical team will find themselves overwhelmed with calls to the helpdesk. Be prompt and concise in your communication. And make sure the information comes from the IT department head.
The message should explain what’s happened. You must list the affected systems and the estimated resolution time. You should also let users know when to send the next communication.
Identify the Source
After you’ve confirmed the outage, it’s time to identify the source. You can begin a fix only once you know the cause, so you need to do this quickly. The source might be:
- Hardware failure
- Software glitch
- A cyber attack
- Network overload
As with monitoring, you need tools and business technology to help you with these diagnostics. That will help you rapidly analyze vital data, including network traffic, server logs, and hardware performance.
You can also turn to previous network data to help spot anomalies. Your work here will make it easier to start fixing the issue because you’ve narrowed the problem.
Immediate Mitigation Steps
Next, it’s time to put your mitigation plan into action. A mitigation plan is your fallback when a network problem happens. It’s something you’ll already have written down before a network outage occurs.
It’s part of getting the system back for your users and minimizing the disruption of an outage. Your mitigation steps might include the following:
- Rebooting servers
- Rerouting network traffic
- Disabling problematic parts of the network
In other words, the mitigation temporarily fixes the outage for end users but gives you leeway to work on the root cause. It buys you time. And it makes it easier for you to work on a long-term fix as you won’t have the pressure of the ticking clock of a network outage.
Restoring the Network for Business Continuity in LA
Fully restoring the network means finding a permanent fix to the problem. The timing of this restoration will depend on the issue, but you can reduce the timescale by having certain things in place. A 24/7 network team and spare hardware, for example.
For complex repairs, assign a lead technician to oversee the work and stay accountable to deadlines. Don’t forget to allow your team plenty of time to test the fix. You don’t want to risk a further outage after you’ve restored the network.
Communicating the Fix
You must stick to your communication schedule so users get timely updates. That includes full communication once the network is restored, even if users are already using the system.
The update must include information on the nature of the fix and any potential after-effects. If there are any protocol changes (such as added security rules for users), make this clear.
Timely communication will restore confidence in the network and allow teams to get on with their day, minimizing the impact of the outage.
Post-Fix Troubleshooting
Even after you’ve fixed your network problems in LA, you want to ensure you don’t get the same issue again. That might mean sizing up your network. You could update and improve your network security.
You may even hire an outside expert to come in and provide consultation and recommendations. Don’t forget about monitoring and alerts, too. That’s particularly important if it was an outage you didn’t spot immediately.
Updating Network Protocols
Learning from network outages is a valuable exercise. And it might lead to a long-term upgrade project for your team. You could invest in more advanced detection systems, perhaps one with advanced AI capabilities.
You might feel it’s time to update and replace hardware or restructure or outsource your technical team. Always look to network outages as a way to discover long-term improvements.
Resolving Network Outages: Help Is at Hand
If a network outage leaves you with sweaty palms, it might be time to update your action plan for business continuity in LA. Preparing for the worst will help you steer the ship during the chopping waters of network outages.
And if you need business services in Los Angeles, we are here to give you a technical helping hand to make your network smooth sailing.
With our extensive expertise, we can ensure your network is fully monitored with high uptime. Contact us now for an informal chat about your IT needs.