More effective bandwidth assignment can often accomplish miracles, and optimizing existing network architectures and traffic flows through proper management of existing bandwidth resources is essential for maximum bandwidth utilization. This means that predictable peak demands cannot be clearly identified on a daily, hourly or even five-minute basis. No IT manager wants to over-assign bandwidth if it is not needed, but they must have adequate bandwidth available whenever it is called for. First and foremost is ensuring that business-critical information takes priority over less important but perhaps more prolific traffic. Assigning priority levels such as highest priority or lowest priority can address this concern.
Traffic control is another problem.
Network managers need to be able to deliver the access they have promised to users, especially if there are charges being made back to users for specified amounts of bandwidth. And, there will be applications to which managers want to limit or deny access, either on a temporary or permanent basis. Figure 1 below presents a summary of the requirements Aberdeen considers essential for managed access. As the network grows in strategic importance, Aberdeen has found, ironically, that network managers are frequently faced with reduced staff and budget. In order for them to incorporate new technologies into their networks, they need assurance that whatever is introduced will be easy to install, use and maintain.