What is network availability? Key metrics + how to improve it

Imagine starting your day, ready to tackle important tasks, only to find your network is down. Emails are inaccessible, cloud applications are offline, and your team is at a standstill. 

Network availability is a critical aspect of your organization’s success, yet it often gets overlooked. 

Consistent, reliable network access is the foundation of modern business operations. When the network fails, productivity suffers, and so does your bottom line. 

In this article, we’ll look at key metrics that help measure network availability and provide actionable tips to boost network uptime so that you can keep your business running efficiently. We’ll cover:

• What is network availability?
• Key metrics for measuring network availability
• How to monitor network availability
• How to improve network availability
• Best practices for maintaining high network availability
• Next steps: Boost network uptime with Meter

What is network availability?

Network availability refers to the measure of how often a network is operational and accessible for use. Let’s break this down further:

• Operational: Means the network is up and running, with all its components working properly. It can be measured by tracking uptime and downtime over a specified period.
• Accessible: Means users can connect to and use the network as needed. Accessibility is measured by checking the availability of network services and ensuring there are no blockages or failures preventing user access.

It’s typically expressed as a percentage, representing the proportion of time the network is up and running without interruptions. For example, a network with 99.9% availability means it is operational 99.9% of the time, with only a small fraction of downtime.

Network availability is often confused with network reliability, but they’re not the same. 

Availability focuses on the uptime of the network—how often it is accessible and functional. In contrast, reliability refers to the consistency and dependability of the network's performance over time. 

A reliable network consistently performs well, while an available network may be up and running but not necessarily reliable if it experiences frequent performance issues.

Key metrics for measuring network availability

Tracking specific metrics that provide insights into the network's performance and uptime is essential for measuring network availability. 

Uptime

Uptime is the total amount of time a network is operational and accessible without interruptions. 

It’s a critical metric for network availability, as it directly indicates how reliable and accessible the network is for users. High uptime means fewer disruptions and more consistent access to network resources. 

To calculate uptime, use the formula: (total time—downtime) / total time x 100. 

For example, if the total time in a month is 43,200 minutes and the network experiences 120 minutes of downtime, the uptime is calculated as ((43,200 - 120) / 43,200) x 100 = 99.72%. 

This calculation helps quantify how well the network is performing in terms of availability.

Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)

Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) is the average amount of time between one failure and the next. 

It is a crucial metric for measuring network reliability because it indicates how frequently failures occur within the network. A higher MTBF shows: 

• Reliability: The network experiences fewer failures over time, leading to less downtime and higher availability.
• Improved user experience: With fewer interruptions, users can rely on the network for consistent access to resources.

To measure MTBF, use this formula: Total operational time / number of failures.

For example, a network operates for 1,000 hours and experiences 5 failures during that period. The MTBF would be 200 hours (1,000 hours / 5 failures). 

By monitoring and aiming to improve MTBF, businesses can maintain a reliable network to support higher availability and better operational continuity.

Mean Time to Repair (MTTR)

Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) is the average time to diagnose, fix, and restore a network after a failure occurs. 

It plays a critical role in network availability, as a lower MTTR means: 

• Reduced downtime: A lower MTTR means that failures are fixed faster, resulting in less overall downtime.
• Enhanced user experience: Quick repairs ensure that users experience fewer disruptions, maintaining productivity and satisfaction.
• Operational continuity: Minimizing downtime helps maintain business operations without significant interruptions, preserving continuity and reliability.

To measure MTTR, use: Total repair time / number of failures.

For example, if the total repair time for 5 failures a month is 10 hours, the MTTR is 2 hours (10 hours / 5 failures). 

Focusing on reducing MTTR means that any disruptions are swiftly addressed and normal operations are promptly resumed. 

Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are formal contracts between service providers and clients that outline expected performance and availability standards for network services. 

SLAs are significant in network availability because they set clear expectations and benchmarks. They ensure that the service provider commits to maintaining a specified level of performance.

Typical SLA metrics and benchmarks for network availability include:

• Uptime guarantee: Often expressed as a percentage that indicates the amount of time the network is expected to be operational.
• Response time: The maximum time allowed for the service provider to respond to a network issue or failure.
• Resolution time: The maximum time allowed for the service provider to resolve a network issue and restore normal operations.

SLAs are measurable through continuous monitoring of the specified metrics. Network monitoring tools and regular performance reports help track compliance with the agreed-upon standards.

How to monitor network availability

There are several effective methods and tools to help you track and maintain high network availability.

Network monitoring tools

Network monitoring tools are essential for tracking the availability and performance of your network. Common tools and technologies include:

• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP): Used to collect and manage data from network devices like routers, switches, and servers. It helps in monitoring network performance and detecting issues.
• Network Performance Monitors (NPMs): Provide comprehensive monitoring solutions that track network availability, performance metrics, and traffic patterns.
• Ping and traceroute tools: Check the availability of network devices and the path data takes through the network.

Effective network monitoring tools offer a range of features that provide actionable insights, such as:

• Real-time alerts: Get instant notifications when network issues or downtimes occur, allowing for quick response and resolution.
• Dashboards: Visual interfaces that display real-time data and key metrics make it easy to monitor network health at a glance.
• Reporting: Detailed reports on network performance help identify trends, potential issues, and areas for improvement.

‍Meter’s networks include proactive, real-time alerting and constant monitoring for hardware, software, and network management.

Our intuitive dashboard is your single source for all network insights, metrics, and data. Get a comprehensive view of everything from your network topology to access points in one easy-to-use platform. 

Regular audits and assessments

Regular network audits point out potential issues before they escalate into significant problems.

Audits help uncover vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and performance bottlenecks that affect a network's security and efficiency. They provide a comprehensive overview of the network's current state, enabling proactive maintenance and optimization.

The results of network audits and assessments can help you: 

• Identify and resolve vulnerabilities.
• Optimize network configurations.
• Plan for capacity upgrades.
• Enhance security measures.

For example, if an audit reveals outdated firmware on network devices, schedule updates to restore security and proper functioning. An assessment might show that some devices are overloaded while others are underutilized. Reconfiguring the network to balance the load can prevent bottlenecks.

How to improve network availability

Let’s look at several strategies that can help enhance the reliability and uptime of your network.

1. Implement redundant systems

Redundancy involves creating multiple pathways and backup systems to keep your network running during hardware failures or other disruptions. You can implement redundancy with:

• Redundant hardware: Having duplicate hardware components, like routers and switches, allows backup devices to take over if the original crashes. For example, using two routers in a data center ensures network availability if one router fails.
• Redundant network paths: Prevent a single point of failure by setting up multiple network paths. If one path becomes unavailable due to a failure or maintenance, traffic can be rerouted through an alternate path. For instance, using two internet service providers (ISPs) means if one ISP has an outage, the network can switch to the other ISP and avoid downtime.
• Failover mechanisms: Automatically switch to a backup system when the primary system fails, ensuring continuous network operation. Implementing a failover cluster for your servers ensures that if one server goes down, the workload is automatically shifted to another server in the cluster.

2. Enhance network security

Robust security measures help prevent network downtime caused by cyber threats like malware, ransomware, and DDoS attacks. A few recommended security practices include:

• Firewalls: Act as a barrier between your network and potential threats from the internet, blocking malicious traffic and unauthorized access.
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and alerts administrators to potential security breaches.

Regular updates: Ensures that known vulnerabilities are patched, reducing the risk of exploitation.

Meter’s zero trust security features include DNS security, malware protections, VPN capabilities, firewall, and real-time insights to keep your network safe and secure.

3. Optimize network configuration

To enhance network performance and reliability, start by implementing Quality of Service (QoS) settings. Prioritize critical applications like VoIP, video conferencing, and online transactions by configuring your network devices to allocate more bandwidth to these essential services.

This ensures they function properly and remain responsive even during peak usage times, preventing congestion and maintaining service quality.

Next, set up load balancing to distribute network traffic across multiple servers or paths, preventing any single device from becoming overwhelmed. Use load balancers to evenly distribute traffic, ensuring no single point becomes a bottleneck. This helps maintain network availability and improves overall performance.

4. Regular maintenance and updates

Regular maintenance ensures critical network components like routers, switches, and servers are in good working condition. Proactive maintenance also helps identify and resolve potential issues before they cause significant problems.

Scheduling monthly maintenance to clean hardware, check connections, and perform diagnostics helps prevent overheating and hardware malfunctions.

Updating firmware and software protects the network from vulnerabilities, reduces the risk of breaches, and improves the reliability and performance of devices. 

For example, applying the latest security patches to your firewall and updating the firmware on your routers can protect against new threats and improve network stability.

5. Proactive monitoring and management

Proactive monitoring tools track network performance and identify potential issues before they escalate into significant problems. 

Early detection and resolution of issues help maintain high network availability and prevent unexpected downtime. Use Meter’s built-in network management tools to monitor traffic patterns, bandwidth usage, and device health to identify anomalies.

Automated alerts and responses can help with early detection and resolution by notifying administrators about potential problems. They can also trigger predefined actions to mitigate issues quickly. 

For example, you might configure automated alerts to notify IT staff when critical thresholds are breached. You might also set up automated responses, like restarting a service or rerouting traffic.

Best practices for maintaining high network availability

Maintaining high network availability requires proactive strategies and continuous improvement.

Implement regular software and firmware updates: Keep network devices updated with the latest patches to protect against vulnerabilities and improve overall performance.

Use network segmentation: Divide the network into smaller segments to limit the impact of a failure in one section on the rest of the network. This practice enhances overall stability.

Conduct regular capacity planning: Anticipate future network demands and plan for scalability by analyzing usage trends and projecting future needs. This helps prevent bottlenecks and performance issues.

Implement strong security measures: Protect the network from cyber threats with firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits to maintain its integrity.

Invest in staff training and the latest technologies: Regular training ensures your IT team is knowledgeable about current best practices and emerging threats. Investing in the latest technologies improves resilience and helps you adapt to new challenges and opportunities.

Continuous improvement: Regularly review network performance and update strategies to quickly and easily adapt to changes in your industry. This ongoing process helps maintain high network availability.

Next steps: Boost network uptime with Meter

Meter helps organizations improve high network availability with advanced monitoring and management.

We simplify network management and monitoring with our seamless, cloud-managed infrastructure. Boost network uptime with:

• Supercharged security: Our centralized platform monitors, manages, and enforces security policies with DNS security, malware protection, and VPN capabilities to ensure data integrity.
• ‍Real-time insights: Our security appliances come with built-in, real-time alerts and insights to help you stay on top of security threats 24/7.
• ‍Complete transparency: Monitor and control your network remotely with our intuitive dashboard, automating configurations and eliminating manual IT intervention.
• ‍Improved speed and reliability: Integrated security appliances, routing, and switching ensure seamless network interoperability, high availability, and preventive enterprise controls.
• ‍Multi-WAN capabilities: Improves failover by spreading network traffic across all active connections using a round-robin method. This boosts network reliability, increases speed, and makes the best use of your ISP connections.
• ‍Automatic failover: We support multiple ISPs for failover. We’ll work with you to determine which configuration is best for your company.
  

Get in touch for a demo of Meter to learn how we can help you maintain network availability.