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Network management systems detect network activity and log them onto the system. They are a part of Operation Support Systems (OSS). Network management systems (NMS) are used by all network operators to manage their network. There are different kinds of network operators.
A network operator may lease a network line for companies who like to use them. For example a telecommunications company may approach a network operator to serve their network needs. A network operator will have thousands of routers, modems, switches, repeaters, and other such networking equipment.
Now you may ask, why should not the telecommunications company have its own network? It can, but the problem is that it will have to buy lots of modems, and routers, and other networking equipment. It will have to manage these devices too. This means it has to set up a network operations center. This only doubles its expenses and diverts its business focus. The easy route would be to call on a network service provider who will have a dedicated network operations center to manage the network devices.
Network management systems are used by the network operations center. There are only a handful of network service providers. To be a network service provider requires a lot of investment in hardware and software.The NMS helps the network operations center to detect fault and performance issues in the network devices. The NMS will alert the operations center personnel on potential issues beforehand. Operations personnel will resolve the issue in their own specific ways.
