| 5.5 |  | Managing the Router |
| 5.5.1 |  | Concepts |

| Although many security techniques are available to administrators, such as SNMP, logging, and syslog, without proper management, the network will not be very secure. Routers are a critical part of network operations and network security. Careful management and diligent audits of router operations can reduce network downtime, improve security, and aid in the analysis of suspected security breaches. Important features to consider when managing a router include the following

- Logging - Provides support for both on-board and remote logs.
- Timestamps - Accurate timestamps are important for good audits and management.
- Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) - The standard protocol for distributed management of network components is SNMP. SNMP must be disabled or carefully configured for good security.
- Network Monitoring - Routers should support basic facilities for Remote Network Monitoring (RMON). The RMON features depend on SNMP, and must also be disabled or carefully configured.
- Software Maintenance - Keeping up with new major software releases is important because new releases include fixes for security vulnerabilities.
- Debugging and Diagnostics - Troubleshooting router problems requires proficiency with diagnostic commands and debugging features.